Who Makes the Best Bow Today?

Almost daily when I’m talking shop (bows and arrows) I’m asked  who I think makes the best bows today. I always pre qualify my answer with the fact that I am a staff shooter for PSE bows. The same with broadheads and releases (I am on the Muzzy pro staff and I am a shooter for Jim Fletcher release aids). I am up front and let them know that I shot this equipment long before I ever had any contractual agreements with these companies and I shoot them based solely on their performance and durability. Durability is a word I use to describe " getting your monies worth". I highly recommend these products to friends and promote them at every opportunity.

Now that I have shared my prejudices with you let me give you my opinion on which bow is best. I’m not aware of a bad bow being manufactured today. I do have one that I personally do not like but wouldn’t tell anyone not to shoot it if they had tried other bows and still decided on this particular brand. Yes I love PSE bows; does that mean everyone should shoot one? I’ve read that the great Fred Bear had a philosophy that if other bow manufacturers didn’t grow and prosper the industry as a whole lost. This is why even though he held many patents he never turned anyone down if they ask to use his processes or patents. He knew that in order for his company to grow the archery industry, as a whole had to grow. We can thank Mr. Bear for the high standards we expect and demand from our equipment today. Without his wisdom and foresight we would not be enjoying the quality products that we take for granted now.

With the issue of quality being almost a non-issue, the best bow manufactured today is the one that feels right to you. Things to look for in selecting any bow is brace height, length of bow axle to axle and what it will be used for. A tournament bow will certainly be different from a hunting bow. Maybe the most important thing to know about your bow is how well the company who made it stands behind their warranties. Things do occasionally go wrong, so I want to know that whoever made my bow will be there for me if I ever need them.

Archers of different experience levels have different demands of a bow. Know your limits and select a bow that you can shoot well, not your friends who may have the latest and fastest bow but still can’t hit the mark. Keep an open mind when deciding which bow may be right for you. Above all do not let anyone talk you into buying something your not comfortable with. Always shoot a bow before you purchase it. Most pro shops will set a bow up and let you shoot it at the store. Firing a bow into a target at close range may not be what your looking for but it will let you know how the bow feels when fired. Most of the time this all you’re looking for anyway, any other stats you can look up in the books. My suggestion is that if a pro shop won’t let you shoot a bow before you purchase it, find one that will. If you take all this into consideration when selecting your next bow you should do just fine.

Fred Bear books One - Two

 

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John Samsill