How to recognize a good bow?

[tyggis]

How can I recognize a good bow? I have used my bow in 7 years, but know that it is a cheap one. What should I look for when getting a new one? And what advantages will I get getting a very good bow?

[JoeyNaeger]

A good bow will do what you want it to do, but much easier. There are a lot of factors that you can look with bows, but ultimately I would look for the one that gets the sound you want with the least effort. You'll probably find that with a better bow, your technique will improve, and your hand will not be as fatigued from playing.

[reedo35]

+1. Balance is everything (almost). a great bow should feel like an extension of your arm,and require minimum effort to pull a good sound. I tried a Sartory once that felt like it became a part of my hand. Too bad I couldn't afford it...

[Ed Fuqua]

Joe says " Check out this bow, it feels like it's got a helium balloon attached to the tip!"

Which is basically balance and weight, you shouldn't feel like you have to hold the tip of the bow up, that the string is holding the bow up and there's no tension in your grip at all. Watch your fingertips/nails when you're holding and playing the bow. You shouldn't see any whitening at all; that means you're gripping or pressing too hard and all the blood in the capillaries is moving out of that area in your finger (press on the middle of one of your fingernails with something and check out what happens).

[tyggis]

Great answers, thanks a lot.

[David Kaczorowski]

Even a heavy bow, if balanced properly, will not be fatiguing.

And of course the other thing to "look" for is sound. Bows are as unique sounding as basses themselves.