taking "inventory"

[DON WALKUP]

i've found that over the years i've owned lots of 'traditional' bows but i've also noted that i've kept a select few.

oddly enuff, half of them are 'production' bows even though i've owned some hi quality 'custom' bows.

it's my belief that 'custom' bows do not necessarily mean better performing bows. oh, they may look really cool with exotic woods and ivory inlays, etc, but...do they perform?

it's been my experience that my 1960's-1970's recurve performs exceeding well when it's 'tuned' to my shooting preferences and that my, so-called, 'production' take-down recurve performs quite well even with the 'standard' limbs that it comes with. (i found out that after purchasing some rather expensive, after-market, carbon limbs only to have one of them delaminate.)

i hear statements like "smooth as glass", "stacks like a 2x4", "silky smooth", quiet as a mouse", "jolt of lightening", "too much handshock", etc, etc about bows of all kinds and it's sets me to wonder.

IMO, the greatest innovation that has actually enhanced ANY bows performance has been the carbon arrow, NOT "new" designs or different wood, wood/glass combinations after all, the recurve and 'longbow' designs have been around since man's recorded history (probably since before man's recorded history if the truth were to be known).

i don't know if it's really worth a very hefty price tag to gain 3'-5' fps, sometimes more, though, when the older bows i have are still capable of "delivering the mail"...