OK, first of all, gripping the string, is a split-finger grip superior to a 3 fingers under? I've shot both with equal success, just wondering if one is better than the other. Do you shoot with a locked bow arm, or is it bent slightly like when compound shooting? High, low, or medium wrist grip? I've read that a medium wrist grip is popular.

I've been looking at bows from Chek-Mate and Schafer Silvertip. Can someone give me some tech. info on the Hunter and Hunter II T/D's from Chek-Mate? And possibly an address or webpage where I can contact the bowyer for ordering info? Thanks for the help.

PBB

Pick a hair.....or a caruncle!!

split finger vs 3-under - Depends on who you ask, I prefer split myself--just the way I learned, and I have never been able to hit squat 3-under. Seems that it's easier to sight down the shaft shooting 3-under, split is generally quieter.

my bow arm is slightly bent

medium wrist grip is my preferance--this is the most comfortable and natural grip for me.

Not a whole lot of difference in the Hunter I and II. The Hunter II has a more deflexed riser, which is (in general) a more forgiving design. It is also a tad slower than the Hunter I, but not enough to notice (IMO). The same limbs will fit both bows. The Hunter II costs a little more because it requires more wood to make the riser.

Chek-Mate doesn't have a company sponsered web site, nor do they have an e-mail address. They don't even have a computer at the shop. They don't sell direct, but through dealers (saves them a lot of time and aggravation). If you have some questions you would like to ask the bowyer directly, just let me know via e-mail and I will take care of it.

Chad

Long Bows Rule!

Almost forgot--since you are looking at a Schafer, you might also want to look at Ric Anderson's bows (Marriah). Ric was trained by Mr. Schafer, as was the current owner of Schafer Archery (Mr. Paul Schafer passed on several years ago). His site address is www.marriahbows.com . I've never met Ric, but he seems like a really nice guy from talking with him, and has a great reputation. I've only shot one or two of his recurves, and they seemed nice (I'm not a good judge of recurves anyway). Really like his longbows, and all of the ones I have seen looked very nice.

Don't know how they compare to the Schafer brand, because I have never shot one of those, but I think the Marriah's are worth looking into if you want to go that route.

Chad

Long Bows Rule!

Like LBR said, split finger or 3-under, aside from tournament rules, is entirely a matter of personal preference. I shot split finger for years, but recently switched to 3-under because it's easier on my arthritic fingers to shoot that way. 3-under generally makes a bow a little noisier to shoot, mainly because most bows are tillered for shooting split finger. You can order a bow tillered especially for 3-under.

Never shoot any bow with a locked elbow, unless you just like pain.<img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle> I shoot recurves with a straight arm, but elbow unlocked, and high wrist. I shoot longbows with a slight bend in the elbow and low wrist. My draw length with longbows is nearly 1 1/2&quot; shorter than my draw length with recurves and 3&quot; less than I draw on compounds. Guys that try to 'manufacture' a bent elbow for shooting are messing up. The low wrist grip pretty much forces the correct amount of bend in the elbow.


Edited by - Arthur P on 12/15/2002 09:50:58

One more question, rests. Off the shelf or a raised rest? Thanks again!

PBB

Pick a hair.....or a caruncle!!

I prefer off the shelf myself--one less thing to break/fall off/go wrong. Also, it places the arrow closer to your hand, which seems to be an advantage, especially if you have a shot where you need to cant the bow at a different angle than you are used to.

Chad

Long Bows Rule!

A raised rest will be slightly more accurate, as far as busting X-rings when target shooting anyway. Raised rests can break, especially in cold weather (just ask a friend of mine about that one<img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>). An arrow can fall off a raised rest and raised rests can be noisy.

In a hunting situation, off the shelf is more convenient, quieter, quicker into action and plenty accurate to put an arrow where it needs to be.