I don't like metal risers but it would be pretty boring if everyone liked the same things in a bows look. We wouldn't have the privelge to see the artisan work of the master bowyer and the  request of the archer who wants a bow made with certain woods. There are a few metal risered bows that will shoot circles around just about any bare bow. As long as I am happy with my shooting and bowyers can help me achieve that with wood risered bows I will most likely stay with the wood. Heck yea I like to occasionally sit in the woods and admire the lines in a nice looking wood riser mated to limbs of osage or red elm or bamboo (grass). I reserve the right to change my mind cause that DAS look like I could hit a knats eye at 20 auh 30 yds!

I've seen and shot some metal riser bows I thought were very nice. Others I didn't care much for. The same goes for wood risers too.

Jason,
I'd have to agree with you.  It depends on the bow.  I've seen some wood that I thought were really ugly.  I like the historical aspect of the older metal risers you have pictured there George.  I would like to shoot them to see how they feel.  I'm guessing stable and heavy?

I was going to say they are not very attractive, until Ragi may a comment about a poly stock on a weatherby....uh-oh, my Mark V is a stainless, with poly stock in 7mm.  So I guess I should say they look, uh, ok?
Not a big fan of metal riser, but haven't shot many- so not a real opinion either way..
Dave

I prefer metal over most woods but I have been know to take a can of Krylon paint to clear glass limb before.    To each his own but I like good bows even if some do have wood in them.  :D

Buuuuutt Ugly!!!!!!! Then again I've never owned one so my opinion could change after a short shooting session.

I remember when I got my first 3pc recurve, man I thought that thing was not only ugly and blocky looking but heavy to boot. Changed my mind in about 20 minutes of shooting and still own it today.

Rick

George,  I had the Herter's in the bottom photo.  Shot my first bull elk with it using #13 glass arrows out of the 65# limbs.  My best friend still has it in it's hard case.  Beauty to me.

I have to vote Butt Ugly. That's not to say I don't shoot'em. I shoot my Hoyt as good as, if not better than any other bow I have. But I won't hunt Whitetails with that ugly thing ever again...it gets too cold! My old Hatfield is my goto Whitetail bow. Here's a couple of pics of my Ugly bows.

Ugly.  Not so much how they look as the DARNED WEIGHT!

Feels like I'm holding a 2lb lead sinker....

Gawge, for what it's worth I shoot wood arrows, but I may wind up shooting carbon eventually (they ain't purty either).

Jeff brings up another reason I don't care for them--too dang heavy, and for some reason the feel of a metal riser is about as appealing to me as grabbing a cold bottle of snot.  'Course I'm sure that would change if it were the only bow I had acess to, or if I found I could shoot one better than anything else.

Reckon' there is a reason some wheel bow companies put wood grips on their bows?    

Chad

I'm hearing a Clint Eastwood "spagetti western" theme song about now LOL

Actually guys, the Shakespeare and the Carroll's are not heavy at all.  Take a look at the design.
Not much metal there and lighter than a Bear Custom Kodiak for sure.  Lighter than an MA Widow as well.   The Hoyt in the photo has a magnesium riser as opposed to aluminum in the other three, so it's very light compared to actionwood or bubinga.

Butt ugly, wouldnt shoot one with a bag over my head.

I prefer Mark Twain's sayings over Albert Einstein.  Too much left brain with Al.


"A dog teaches a boy three things:  Trust,  Loyalty,  and to turn around three times before  lying down."  Mark Twain

Or:
"A goose may honk, but it will not wave."
Patrick F. McManus

ttt