[RStone]

I can chime in here. My first bow was Samick Red Stag one piece. I was fairly happy with that until a limb delaminated in just over a year. I then moved to a Sage and can't say anything bad about it, but I didn't give warm fuzzies either. I then wanted to try a longbow and got a Bearpaw Slickstick. I really liked everything about it except it's length. In particular, I am really impressed with how beautifully simple it is (love the dull coat finish) and really appealed to the Less-is-more side of me. However, it is only 60" and I thought a longer and little heavier bow might help my accuracy. I went all in for a Tradtech (also made by Samick if I'm not mistaken). I just didn't connect with it. the adjustments and ILF options just kept me tinkering. I felt like I was doing more adjusting and experimenting than shooting. Plus, there just wasn't a personal connection with it (some of you may know what I mean). I ended up selling it and going back to more basic stick 'n string type longbow. I'm now shooting a Mohawk and it is the kind of bow that just makes me want to shoot it well... very easy to spend time with. The Bearpaw felt this way too. The Tradtech and Sage did not. I think this "connection" with bow can be every bit as important as the other qualities that define a bow. It's also a very personal and individualized judgement. I wish I would have started with that as my priority and kept it my priority. I think I would be a better trad archer by now.