Buying a Demo Bow Newbie Question

[loupnoir]

#3736

I’m tired of waithing for my new Martin Hunter to arrive (2 months and counting).The bowshop I deal with has the same model as a demo that’s been strung and displayed for “about 6 months” according to the owner. I’m concerned that a bow that has been strung up that long has got to affect its performance. Just looking for some experienced advice. I come from the compound ranks and I don’t want to make sure my first traditional bow is not a waste of money. Thank you in advance.

[David Petersen]

#22891

Not to worry. Any bow with glass lams can be strung pretty much forever with no ill effects. I’ve had bows that were a couple pounds over what I wanted and left them strung for a year or more with zero loss of draw weight. I would worry more about lots of folks having handled the bow, as a dry-fire can damage any bow and you have no way of tracking that. If it looks clean and shoots well and you trust the dealer and he’ll give you an appropriate discount, why not? If no discount, not deal if it were me, as a display bow doesn’t pack quite the same “new toy” punch as one out of the box. And too, there’s more than one bow in the world. Shop ads in TBM, check websites, and you may well find several bows you like the looks of better than this one, and won’t have to wait for. In today’s incredibly rich world of fine custom trad bows it’s a shame to limit yourself to what a local dealer carries … like bringing a sandwich to a banquet. IMHO

[skifrk]

#22986

Shop TBM ads or other trad websites has a few bows up for sale that might fit you bill. Also try Rocky Mountain Specialty Gear they are here in Denver and do good jobs on communicating with customers over the phone who want to place an order. Like Dave I would be concerned about dry-fires on a demo bow so I would inspect with a very careful eye to see if you can notice anything on the bow that makes you go hmmm. I got my first longbow when bob lee archery was having a special to clear out inventory and I love the bow. So try other options before just the local the shop.

[Etter1]

#23132

I just bought a black widow off traditionalarcherysales.com.

The guy I spoke to was awesome and got the bow to me within two days. They have a great supply of used bows too.

Having said that, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed in a Martin Hunter as long as the bow’s in good shape.

[Stumpkiller]

#23466

I have laminated recurve bows that remain strung for years. The ones I shoot daily and a few monthly.

[codger]

#24128

Ive owned a copule martin hunters over the years and they are very nice shooting reliable bows as are all the martins ive owned and there have been several. in my epxperince the martin line are really good bows.

ive now owned about 50+ longbows and recurves and cant say a bad word about any Martin product i owned.

[makesmoosecry]

#39334

so what did you end up doing?

[loupnoir]

#39349

I did indeed pick up that Martin Hunter demo and I couldn’t be happier! I was also referred to Mike at Maddogbows and have ordered a long bow from him to get a different perspective from a recurve. All in all very glad I made the switch.

Very impressed by this publication by the way and the willingness of the Forum members to help out newbies such as myself.

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