OKay - Here is my delima - -I am wanting to order a new bow and have never shot a crusader - after all the dicussion on this board about crusaders and how wonderful they are I am wondering if I should order one. There is no one in my club that shoots one and I have only shot a recurve - so no chance of shooting one any time soon - should I just order one and hope I like it or should I stick with a Hunter I TD that I know I will enjoy? Now you see my delima - Little background - I shoot a 65# Bear bow right now in pretty good groups from 25 yards - would like some additional speed and accuracy - what should I do?
Thanks to this board for some guidance to a newbie to traditional -

Mike

I guess the first question you have to resolve is: do you like to shoot longbows? If you haven' t shot one it would be best to try some kind of longbow first as the grip is usually different, and for me the cant is different than shooting my ' curve. But be warned that not all longbows shoot the same: some will rattle your teeth, the Crusader won' t.

If you decide on a Crusader I' m willing to bet that the speed is better than your current Bear, at the same poundage.( just ask LBR his opinion on Dyna ' 97 ) You didn' t mention what your draw length is but it shouldn' t matter for smoothness- I have a 66" crusader that is 55# @ 28" but I pull it just under 30" with no " stack" that I can feel.

On the flip side, I doubt you could go wrong with the Hunter. Then your Bear will be trade fodder or collect dust in the corner. 50 people can give you 50 different opinions on what they like but it all boils down to what feels good in your hand.

RC

I was in the same situation. I really wanted a new bow for this season, but didn' t want to wait for the big trad shoot in June, then maybe have to order a bow. So I just jumped right in ! I happened to find one at my poundage and the length I wanted. My Crusader should be here any day now......any day...still waiting. Its not exactly the wood combo I would order for myself but I' m sure it will be a beauty.

Anyway, I still have fun shooting my recurve and I figure if I truley don' t like the Crusader it won' t be a problem to re-sell it (to TroyinOH )and only be out a couple bucks. Just try finding a used Crusader on internet and you' ll see what I mean. Heck, try finding a new one that isn' t spoken for !
My reasons for choosing the crusader are the performance and quiet nature of this bow and everyones acolades here on this board and others. Otherwise I might have been perfectly happy with a single piece 58" Hunter II. But they don' t make that....yet.

If you can hold on to your trusty Bear recurve and can afford the new bow I don' t see any real problem with just ordering up a bow. Of course its always better to shoot a few before buying, but not always possible. I doubt you would be disappointed with a new chek-mate bow whatever you decide on. Why not buy both and sell one after deciding ? [>:] ....or give it about a week and I' ll report on my longbow conversion....or aversion. (whichever the case may be)

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