Limbs match draw weightsīlack Widow bow limbs are built different from most manufacturers in that they are laminated specifically to closely match the desired draw weight of the bow. The longer limb and shorter handle design of Black Widows leads to less stacking, less finger pinch and a smoother draw and shot. This allows them to optimize the limb length to the shooter’s draw length, making for a much better shooting experience. Second, Black Widow offers four different limb lengths. Although this makes the bow much more difficult to build, the advantages it offers the shooter are well worth the effort. First, it places the grip forward of the limbs, leading to less grip torque, less string angle and higher brace heights. This offers several advantages when it comes to accuracy and shootability. Will Beard shows off a great buck taken with his Black Widow Custom bow. They offer several models of recurves and longbows to fit the wants and needs of any hunter. Although they have a few bows in stock from time to time, the vast majority are custom-built to order. The current owners - Fulton, Toby Esseck and John Clayman - bought the company in 2005 they continue to produce what I consider the finest recurves and longbows on the market. Black Widow opened in 1957 as Wilson Brothers Bows Ken Beck bought the company and changed the name to Black Widow Custom Bows.
I recently spoke with Roger Fulton, one of the owners of Black Widow, about the history of his company and what makes its bows different from other custom bows. Let me say they are the finest traditional bows I’ve ever shot. These folks have quietly been building traditional bows of unbelievable quality since 1957. Over the years, I had heard about Black Widow custom bows, but I had never seen one in person. The Black Widow PCHII takedown recurve is a work of art.
The arrow flight was perfect, and the bow would even shoot a bare arrow shaft perfectly straight. There was absolutely no hand shock, and the bow was silent. The arrow shot into the 12-ring of the target from a distance of 20 yards, and my next two arrows did the same. When I released the first arrow, I was blown away. He excitedly told me how he was able to shoot every bow on the wall at the factory and bought the one he shot best: a takedown recurve bow on which he spent more than $1,000.īilly lives about three hours away, so when he drove down to purchase a Garmin sight for his Mathews bow, I asked him to bring the recurve so I could try it out. We can call it 600 because I have other goals in mind and could use the funds.A few months ago, a buddy, Billy, called to tell me that after shooting a mutual friend’s Black Widow recurve bow, he immediately drove 12 hours to the factory in Missouri to buy one. Ok, I'm a dope.It says MA II on the riser so that's what it is. If you want to test fire it, I could meet in Chester for lunch or maybe before or after work. I'm looking for 700 for the bow, maybe open to offers, and I'm in Long Valley, NJ. It's a 62" bow and doesn't have any names on it from the factory. I don't have pictures at the moment, but I'll shoot a few when I get out for lunch today. This is a beautiful bow and I was going to keep it forever, but I fell more in love with the old custom bow I refinished over the winter. The riser is only drilled for a stabilizer, but if you want the other inserts Black Widow will drill it for free. It's got a 2 piece quiver attached to the limb bolts that required longer bolts from Black Widow. I just put a new string on it 2 weeks ago. Greybark take down recurve, right hand, 57# at 28".
Black widow archery serial#
I know they changed the suffix at some point.Īnyway, the bow's from 1994 based on the serial number. I think it's an MA II, but I'd have to check with them.