Im with you Bowfanatic. Aluminum risers are sooo traditional...[:-] The point is all makes of bows have advanced dramatically since the Pope & Young days. You cant criticize compounds for being 'too' advanced before you look at the modern recurves and longbows. As far as I know (which isnt far) the only company that makes true recurves is Black Widow. Once again Im no expert. But its really hard to find a classic longbow or recurve thats in hunting shape. So you could tell me to make my own bow like they did in the real archery days. Sorry, way to busy. I could never make my own bow and arrows with the limited free time I have. So if I cant find a real classic longbow or recurve with out breaking my back over it, why would I? So I go with a compound. Reason being is because Im far too busy to get a recurve or longbow and shoot 50 arrows a day to be decent, and because X bows are far too modern. So with my lifestyle, the most challenge I can get out of bowhunting is using a compound. OK?