Black Widow Bows

[muzzy75]

I have been out of traditional shooting for a few years. I want to get out of the compound and hunt in 2010 with the recurve again. I purchased a Jeffery custom back in 94 and have taken 5 deer with it shooting instinctive and using cedar shafts. I have read about Black Widow bows for years and always thought they were out of my price range. Does anyone on here know anything about BW bows and are they worth the investment? Also, anyone in the Ashland county area do custom wood arrows?

[coonskinner]

i'd like tuh git a good deal on one say 40/45# an 62 0r 64" one pc...:D

[hoot gibson]

i have never been inpressed with b w bows . they are way over priced for what they are . i have shot a bunch of them over the years , and other than being able to say . look at me i shoot an expensive bow , i dont think there is an advantage owning one . go see don assenheimer and let him build you one for half the money and twice the shooter . hoot

[geezer II]

i have never been inpressed with b w bows . they are way over priced for what they are . i have shot a bunch of them over the years , and other than being able to say . look at me i shoot an expensive bow , i dont think there is an advantage owning one . go see don assenheimer and let him build you one for half the money and twice the shooter . hoot

I saw one in Jamie's ride when i was at your place - or did he just paint one of hiz bow ta like like a BW :confused:

[Azzy]

i have never been inpressed with b w bows . they are way over priced for what they are . i have shot a bunch of them over the years , and other than being able to say . look at me i shoot an expensive bow , i dont think there is an advantage owning one . go see don assenheimer and let him build you one for half the money and twice the shooter . hoot

I'll second that. Don is a great guy. He even let my son take a whizz in his bathroom inside the house. :D He's got some really cool mounts at his place.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y37/oldschoolcrew/Jimmy/DSCF0839.jpg

[bowmiller]

I saw one in Jamie's ride when i was at your place - or did he just paint one of hiz bow ta like like a BW :confused:

you didn't see a Widow in my ride, Geezer. I've never owned one. never shot one that I cared for either. always found them to be way too squirrely for my liking. there isn't a better recurve for a bowhunter than an Assenheimer, for any price, and Don's bows are a real bargain compared to other custom bows today. I have two. :D :D

[muzzy75]

i have never been inpressed with b w bows . they are way over priced for what they are . i have shot a bunch of them over the years , and other than being able to say . look at me i shoot an expensive bow , i dont think there is an advantage owning one . go see don assenheimer and let him build you one for half the money and twice the shooter . hoot

Hoot,

Ron Lewis told me the same thing. I am going to give Don a jingle. I have heard nothing but good about his bows. Who makes good custom wood arrows? I have heard of Loss Creek Arrows.. Anyone have experience with them? Thanks for the good advice hoot...

[geezer II]

I like this one pretty good
http://www.hornesarchery.com/images/hornes/ridgerunner.jpg (http://javascript<b></b>:window.close())

had it with me at the Hoot shoot but ole Hootz wouldn't let me get it out of the car or i would have let ya try it - i also had this with muh
http://www.hornesarchery.com/images/hornes/longbow-brushbow.jpg (http://javascript<b></b>:window.close())

along wif muh ten points i like them real well also but Hootz sez hellz no so i went home :whistle: :mischeif:

Azzy and Tully have the Assenhimer bows - i been around them by they never offered me a chance to shoot them - It was rainin a li'll and Tully didn't wanna get his wet & well ymmij ......ya know - Mully never let muh shoot any of his Ancient Spirits stuff either although those guys all shot muh stuff a bunch said something bout flatlanders north of I-70 and the pox - or something like that

[Winter Hawk]

muzzy 75........if I were going to spend that kind of money (and personally, I wouldn't on a Black Widow) I would explore some of the many bowyers out there......Don Assenheimer is one of them.

Seriously, I would try and get myself to a trad shoot and get my hands on as MANY different makes and models of bows that you can. There is NO SUBSTITUTE for actually shooting a bow and drawing YOUR own conclusion. There are several good bowyers in Ohio. It really depends more on what "feels" the best in YOUR hands. No one can make that decision for you......these "traditional" people are the NICEST bunch of people that I have ever been associated with.

Winter Hawk

[coonskinner]

awww cmon...blackwidow is an established company prolly been aroun since the 50s an they are over priced but so is most the others too...an they do make a one pc. bow but i ain payin too mush for one an i coulda just got an used ...assenyeimer for unner 300...shot real good i mus admire but the sucker weighed to much on muh shoulder an i couldnt huld it up after bou 20 shots besides i doan like steel in muh bows...i'm lookin for a deal on a used black widder...:D

[Azzy]

awww cmon...blackwidow is an established company prolly been aroun since the 50s an they are over priced but so is most the others too...an they do make a one pc. bow but i ain payin too mush for one an i coulda just got an used ...assenyeimer for unner 300...shot real good i mus admire but the sucker weighed to much on muh shoulder an i couldnt huld it up after bou 20 shots besides i doan like steel in muh bows...i'm lookin for a deal on a used black widder...:D

You're just too picky. :D

[coonskinner]

I'll second that. Don is a great guy. He even let my son take a whizz in his bathroom inside the house. :D He's got some really cool mounts at his place.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y37/oldschoolcrew/Jimmy/DSCF0839.jpg

Here is a comparison. Click the link.
http://ns1.bowsite.org/blackwidow/images/bwbows/PA-Bowphoto.jpg

[hoot gibson]

Hoot,

Ron Lewis told me the same thing. I am going to give Don a jingle. I have heard nothing but good about his bows. Who makes good custom wood arrows? I have heard of Loss Creek Arrows.. Anyone have experience with them? Thanks for the good advice hoot...


muzzy , if you only listen to one person in this world , then make it ron lewis . this man is as honest as the day is long and would never stear you wrong .
and have ron make you up some arrows . he does a greaat job . i have one of the first arrows he made back in the late 50's. loss creek are good people also . but if you knmow ronnie spend as much time as you can with him and do ALOT of listning .


coom , i dont know anout the one piece bows , but the takedown black widows seem to be kinda spongy to me . but there are to many great one piece recurves out there to pay that much for a bow , dont you have a one piece bow??:biggrin: i could loan you one . h

[coonskinner]

ok but i dare yuh tuh try a widder...yuh know i seen some real good shooters shootin widders an i ask em is it you or the widder an all confessed they were terrible shots til they got that widder...now they did have t/ds which never impressed me...:D

[Wildman18]

Is there that much difference between the bows that I have (Pearsons Cougar Bear Kodiak hunter) to these other ones that You guys are talking about. If so What's the difference? What are the prices if the B W and Assenhimer bows?

[hoot gibson]

ok but i dare yuh tuh try a widder...yuh know i seen some real good shooters shootin widders an i ask em is it you or the widder an all confessed they were terrible shots til they got that widder...now they did have t/ds which never impressed me...:D

so you saying coon , that if you buy a black widow you will be a great shot?? come on buddy . you know better then that , you might pull the wool over these other guys eyes but you aint kidding me . all three piece b w seemed spungy to me , dave iams shot an 80 lb widow . with hunting weight arrows 10 gr. per inch he was shooting 180 fps. my jimbo longbow with the same arrows shot 192 and it was 60 lbs . the black widow bows are over rated i beleve . and all the b w longbows had to have three sets of string silencers on them to keep tehem close to quiet . they have better have improved a bunch befor i will shoot another one . the man said , you wanna shoot my new b w longbow . i said no thanks i can here how it shoots . h

p.s. i forgot jerry rapousky had an 48# autim oak thet shot great , but it must have been a mistake :biggrin:

[coonskinner]

so you saying coon , that if you buy a black widow you will be a great shot?? come on buddy . you know better then that , you might pull the wool over these other guys eyes but you aint kidding me . all three piece b w seemed spungy to me , dave iams shot an 80 lb widow . with hunting weight arrows 10 gr. per inch he was shooting 180 fps. my jimbo longbow with the same arrows shot 192 and it was 60 lbs . the black widow bows are over rated i beleve . and all the b w longbows had to have three sets of string silencers on them to keep tehem close to quiet . they have better have improved a bunch befor i will shoot another one . the man said , you wanna shoot my new b w longbow . i said no thanks i can here how it shoots . h

p.s. i forgot jerry rapousky had an 48# autim oak thet shot great , but it must have been a mistake :biggrin:

i tay yuh what hoot...yuh take a black widder an hang it beside 9 other bows...not countin muh best oldies now,an everybuddy i gar antee yuh will be oohin an ahhin over that widder...an i stan behine what i sed...right beine it...an wild the pearson is an economy bow an the bear a top of the line producktion bow...a widder or uh assenheimer is a custom made bow meaning they will make bout anythang that your lil ole heart desires...you can mix an match the types of wood yuh want in the lims an risors...you can choose the poundage of course but also a choice of several lengths an the bow can be even tillered to your style of shootin...like split finger or three fingies under an ...you can have pithers of turk or deer on it an even antler lim tips...all kinds of goodies but yuh pay for all them xtras...thats custom made...righ oot...:biggrin:

[Wildman18]

Thank you. Still trying to figure it all out.
As an analogy. Are they like pool cues once you reach a certain price, then its THEY all shoot about the same they just have some bells and whistles.

[hoot gibson]

wild man . when it comes to old school archery . its not about how fast the bow is , or how much it cost . you can use an older bow and kill just as many deer as someone who paid 2,000.00 for his bow . if you are thiking of getting into a recurve . do not put a bunch of money in one , you can buy a real nice used one for 100.00 or less , get some arrows that come out of the bow straight , and have fun . or come to an osta shoot this spring or summer , give me a shout and i will bring one for you to shoot and try out .

[Wildman18]

I appreciate the invite, and I may take you up on it. I do have the cougar and the Kodiak hunter. They were my grandfathers. I have been reading the post and trying to learn as much as I can. When I get time I'm going to go to an archery store for more info, But as I told Coonskiner I feel the info I get from you guys is more valuable to me than the stores. ( your not trying to sell me anything. LOL )

On this thread there is the debate of B. W. and other customs out there and I was curious other than the engraving and other things if there is that much difference in performance between all the bows.

I have a $1000 Richard Black pole cue and (other than the mental side) it shoots the same as my $100 Mcdurmit. Is that the way it is with Recurve bows, or do some shot faster or does it really matter? Do you guys shoot old school heavier arrows or is it changed to lighter ones?

Coonskiner has given me a lot of help and it is really appreciated, thanks.

[TheCream]

I have shot a BW recurve. I'm no seasoned traditional archer, but I could honestly not tell the difference between the BW and a Martin recurve that belongs to a friend. Maybe I just can't appreciate the difference? Or maybe there isn't much difference? :coco:

[Milo]

I appreciate the invite, and I may take you up on it. I do have the cougar and the Kodiak hunter. They were my grandfathers. I have been reading the post and trying to learn as much as I can. When I get time I'm going to go to an archery store for more info, But as I told Coonskiner I feel the info I get from you guys is more valuable to me than the stores. ( your not trying to sell me anything. LOL )

On this thread there is the debate of B. W. and other customs out there and I was curious other than the engraving and other things if there is that much difference in performance between all the bows.

I have a $1000 Richard Black pole cue and (other than the mental side) it shoots the same as my $100 Mcdurmit. Is that the way it is with Recurve bows, or do some shot faster or does it really matter? Do you guys shoot old school heavier arrows or is it changed to lighter ones?

Coonskiner has given me a lot of help and it is really appreciated, thanks.its a piece of wood and fiberglass...those bows you listed have killed more deer than you could imagine. its the shooter that makes the difference in traditional archery not the bow. 10 fps is not worth 1000 bucks difference when you shoving a cedar arrow through a critter.

[coonskinner]

a lot of that cost is artwork,i've been told before youre buyin a pc. of art...:D

[Milo]

a lot of that cost is artwork,i've been told before youre buyin a pc. of art...:DAren't they made by a CNC machine? thats hardly art. If you wanna see art watch Bowmiller work...

[tuffshot]

Buy a used widow and try it out, after a season or two sell it and you will get back what you paid for it.:whistle:

[coonskinner]

Aren't they made by a CNC machine? thats hardly art. If you wanna see art watch Bowmiller work...

actually i was thinkin more in general of custom bows...good xample...morrison...you know the engraving,turks an elk drawins,an antler tips or knobs or a complete risor of elk antler...no i doan think widow does this kind of stuff...their bows are made a lot to how they looked in the 50s an 60s still...just different materials...:D

[Thunderflight]

I've shot a few widows and didn't care for them. IMO they are over priced, bulky, have alot of hand shock, and are just plain ugly. The only widow bow I'd ever own would be their recurve with the small risor. I haven't shot this one, but if it's smooth drawing and I could get a good deal for it then I might buy it.

When you spend the money for a custom bow your spending the money on not just the materials used to make it, but also the bowyers artistic skills. Black Widows are a top end production bow so I believe what your paying for is the precision and name.



I've shoot quite a few custom bows and IMO, while they do have minor differences, they all shoot the same. While the bow might be a bit faster or have a smoother draw ultimately it's the shooter that makes the difference.

Actuallly I lied. I would buy one of the regular BW's if the price was right and I could sell it on ebay and turn a profit.;)

[coonskinner]

i agree bout over priced but i think that bout all bows tuhday...an i really believe bw puts more in performance than artwork...my main complaint bout bws other than being over priced is i think they oughta put out a economy bow like they used to in the 60s...but its their company...500$ bow...plain risor/paint on the lims instead of clear glass...but with same materials...:D

[Thunderflight]

Problem with that coonie is everyone would buy the lower end bow and they'd loose money.

[coonskinner]

Problem with that coonie is everyone would buy the lower end bow and they'd loose money.

i doan think so thnflt...i think a lotta guys tuhday that buy these highpriced pcs of art would buy em anyway an they would be sellin more bows to others that otherwise wouldnt be buyin their bows cause they cost too much...people like me...but never the less if a guy is out tryin bows he owes it to himself to try the bw out cause there is a lotta people that really like em...but if price is a problem...used is how yuh gotta go...now me right now if i bought one...no doubt used...bout 1967:biggrin:

[Thunderflight]

i doan think so thnflt...i think a lotta guys tuhday that buy these highpriced pcs of art would buy em anyway an they would be sellin more bows to others that otherwise wouldnt be buyin their bows cause they cost too much...people like me...but never the less if a guy is out tryin bows he owes it to himself to try the bw out cause there is a lotta people that really like em...but if price is a problem...used is how yuh gotta go...now me right now if i bought one...no doubt used...bout 1967:biggrin:

Why don't you email or call BW and find out why they don't make a lower cost bow?;)

(417)-725-3113
info@blackwidowbows.com (info@blackwidowbows.com)

[Tufelhundin]

Why don't you email or call BW and find out why they don't make a lower cost bow?;)

(417)-725-3113
info@blackwidowbows.com (info@blackwidowbows.com)


While your at it Coonie call BEC and ask about a lower cost camera....I'd love to hear what they have to say.;) :whistle: :mischeif:

[hoot gibson]

Why don't you email or call BW and find out why they don't make a lower cost bow?;)

(417)-725-3113
info@blackwidowbows.com (info@blackwidowbows.com)


they do make a lower cost bow , they just ask alot of money for it , and if you want preformance , dont buy a b w bow .
most of the people who buy black widopw bows buy them because they cost more , if they cost more then they have to be better , correct?

i know a man who shoots a compound , takes alot of hunting trips every year . he wanted to shoot trad. equipment . so he bought a custon? b w bow , he cant shoot it . so then he bought a mathews longbow , couldnt shoot it eather . instead of asking for help . he blames it on the equipment .

this is the reason bw sales alot of bows , if they cost more then they must be better. do your self a favor , if your looking for a mass produced bow like b w , then buy a martin . get more bang for your buck . h

p.s. mabey some people like a bow that feels spungy.

[Thunderflight]

they do make a lower cost bow , they just ask alot of money for it , and if you want preformance , dont buy a b w bow .
most of the people who buy black widopw bows buy them because they cost more , if they cost more then they have to be better , correct?

i know a man who shoots a compound , takes alot of hunting trips every year . he wanted to shoot trad. equipment . so he bought a custon? b w bow , he cant shoot it . so then he bought a mathews longbow , couldnt shoot it eather . instead of asking for help . he blames it on the equipment .

this is the reason bw sales alot of bows , if they cost more then they must be better. do your self a favor , if your looking for a mass produced bow like b w , then buy a martin . get more bang for your buck . h

p.s. mabey some people like a bow that feels spungy.

Amen to that. I knew a guy who used to brag about his BW, but he couldn't shoot it to save his life. I used to hate shooting with him on the 3D range because he'd be bagging on the compounders and we were always looking for his arrows. Thankfully when deer season rolled around he used his Mathews. Last I heard he was done with trad archery and sold his bow.

[coonskinner]

now i do know there is a lot of bw shooters that would disagree an some of them do shoot good...from what i've learned on the trad sites bw ain in it for bein the fastest...but for shooter friendliness:D ...anyway like i sed before if yuh fine one at a decent price ,give it a try...:biggrin:

[coonskinner]

Why don't you email or call BW and find out why they don't make a lower cost bow?;)

(417)-725-3113
info@blackwidowbows.com (info@blackwidowbows.com)

nope ain doin it...but 1st chance i git i am tryin one out if i can fine one 40-45#,one pc...an bout 62" or 64"...an used at a real deal...:D :bouncy:

[heydeerman]

Fellas let me tell you about my BW experience.

February of last year I sold 3 bows. I had enough cash so I ordered a PSAV. I didnt need the bow but thought I would see what these widows were all about. I got the bow in April. Took it out of the box, set it up, shot one arrow and instantly hated the bow. It was made exactly how I ordered it. It was a good looking bow but there was no way and I mean no way to get that thing hunting quiet. I tried limbsavers, several different strings of different material, every kind of silencer known to man and others. I called BW several times and even Ken (cant remember his last name but the fella who put BW on the map) called me and gave me his cell phone number because the fellas were getting tired of hearing from me. I tried everything they said and couldnt get a good arrow or the bow quiet. I tried selling the bow and couldnt get a buyer. I got lucky and some bamboo lifted under the glass and they offered to make me a new bow. I opted for a PSR osage. I ordered it 50@28 and it came in 48@28. Had a good grip, was fairly quiet and shot pretty good. I traded it for a Robertson TD recurve which I am about to trade for a Robertson Peregring 50's style.

Right after I got the widow and fell in hate with that bow I called Dick and he sent me an all osage Peregrine to try. That bow is 60", 55@28 and not a real perty bow but it has my quiver on it and is my go to bow.

I dropped $1200 to get that Widow. That is alot of cash I feel I totally wasted. I bought into the hype. If I could do a do-over BW wouldnt be on the list. Money aint something thats easy to come by these days. Wish I could have those 3 bows back.

IMO they are over priced hype wagons.

[coonskinner]

no bow is worth that...but like morrisond or od whats his name or silvertip...bw has follers too that swear by them, an a lot of them...but i guess if if some put that much money into somethang they woan admit it was a mistake...or its just about status...an i'm sure some really like their bow an it is perfect for them...but yuh know i like tuh try out a bow thats custom an gonna cost a lot...doan git confused with my collectors,if they doan shoot they adorn the walls but they all do good...i will shoot a xpensive custom bow hunert times if i can before i buy an those xpensive new custom bows i git cost 500$...not 1200 ...no way i pay that...unless its a very nice certain collector in perfect shape on muh hit list...:D

[Turkeyfoot]

Ah, the great Widder controversy again:yikes: My son and nephews shoot the PSAIII takedown. With fastflight, all required a double set of beaver ball silencers to quiet em down enough! I've shot all three and was more accurate with the shorter 60", 50# bow. Son's taken elk, bear, and several good bucks and is his go to bow! Enough for him to shell out another $450 for an extra set of 62# limbs for elk:dizzy: Not me...would rather put that kind of money in a new Shaffer, Blacktail, Assy or the likes. The Widow test program would be the way to go or attend an OSTA shoot this year.;)

[coonskinner]

Ah, the great Widder controversy again:yikes: My son and nephews shoot the PSAIII takedown. With fastflight, all required a double set of beaver ball silencers to quiet em down enough! I've shot all three and was more accurate with the shorter 60", 50# bow. Son's taken elk, bear, and several good bucks and is his go to bow! Enough for him to shell out another $450 for an extra set of 62# limbs for elk:dizzy: Not me...would rather put that kind of money in a new Shaffer, Blacktail, Assy or the likes. The Widow test program would be the way to go or attend an OSTA shoot this year.;)
thats what i keep sayin yuh need tuh try it for yourself...i know i am...:D

[Hill Hunter]

I have owned a Black Widow for about 10 yrs (takedown) and have been very pleased, of course I bought a used costume long bow from a local shop and can't figure out who made it, and I am very Happy with it also. So maybe I'm just easy to please.:whistle: