So why not look at longbow risers. I have bolivian rosewood and cocobola risers on my Crusaders. Does a dense, heavy wood really make a difference that can be felt? For looks I like high contrast (light and dark) with thin, dense vertical lines, as opposed to say a curly maple type pattern.
I agree!! I like cocobolo and bocote combined in the riser. The following is a link to some pics of my 62" Crusader with Cocobolo (the orangish colored wood) and Bocote (the lighter wood).
I really like cocobolo, and I loved the cocobolo mixed with bocote and rosewood. Also partial to shedua when it has good figure. I'm in the process of getting some super dense and very figured Claro walnut--bet I will really like it too!
A heavy wood does make a noticeable difference to me, even in a longbow riser. Not a whole lot, but noticeable. On a recurve, especially a take-down, it makes a lot of difference in the way it feels (weight).
Chad
Long Bows Rule!
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I definitely think a riser made from heavy dense wood makes a big difference in how a bow feels and shoots. At one time, I had a longbow with a bubinga riser and a friend had an identical bow, but with a leadwood riser. His bow felt at least a pound heavier and it was a LOT more stable at the shot. Mine was a lot purtier tho... <img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>
The bow I'm making now has a bocote riser with a 5/16" curved accent stripe running thru it, starting with hickory, then black glass, osage, black glass and back to hickory. It looks nice!
Wow, I was beginning to think no one had an opinion! Bill bow looks sharp!!! I'll post my Crusader pics as soon as my new one gets here this week. The first one is a cocobola/bolivian rosewood riser with figured yew limbs, the second is a bolivian rosewood riser with Maccassar Ebony and yew limbs. Haven't got that one yet but Chad promises it's a looker.
My experience is that Chad delivers in spades when he makes a promise! He promised me I was going to like my bow, and he was right! The pictures really don't do it justice. I have a new digital camera and I need to take some new pics to really show the contrasts in the woods.
Bows are like women, some men like blonds, brunets or redheads. Some men prefer their women tall, short, skinny or plump. To find the one you like the best you have to try them all. The tendancy is to go with a heavier riser for target shooting, most find the weight adds stability and accuracy. Many like a lighter bow to carry afield.
Darn, I like all but redheads. Man am I in trouble<img src=icon_smile_dead.gif border=0 align=middle> I might as well just put Mike and Chad on my direct pay from my bank each month. Cause if I have that many choices I going to have try one of each<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_tongue.gif border=0 align=middle>. I'm now infected with the longbow virus<img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle> Better make room at the inn Chad.
You better go back and try a couple of different Red Heads. I still say women are like bows, even a really good looking one can turn out to be a dud sometimes. You can't form an educated opinion until you've tried a staticially significant number.
What about Risers - What's Best???
