LAST UPDATED: May 1st, 2015
It’s Monday October 29th and I’m in the car with Todd Graf, President of Bowhunting.com, and Brandyn Streeter, our expert cameraman/editor. We’re driving North to Sparta, Wisconsin to get our first look at the brand new Mathews flagship bow for 2013. Most of our conversation revolves around bowhunting (the rut is right around the corner) and what we think can be done to improve upon last year’s wildly popular Helim. How can Mathews, arguably the best bow company in the world, make their bows any better than the already are? Ready or not, we were about to find out.
Upon arriving and getting our credentials verified we were led back into the Mathews Academy, the location they use to train retailers on everything from bow building to marketing techniques, where we are finally introduced to the 2013 Mathews Creed. My eyes are immediately drawn to the fact that, unlike every Mathews bow before it, the Creed features split limbs. Before I even picked it up, I already knew the Creed was vastly different than the bows which had come before it.
The Creed features an all-new quad limb design which provides precision accuracy and performance when paired with the new SimPlex cam.
In addition to the new split limb design I also noted the new design (and size) of both the cam and idler wheel. Gone was the signature Mathews Solocam with the “swirling” spokes, and it its place was a much larger idler with a honeycomb-like design. To accompany the larger idler wheel is the much larger Simplex cam, which is the engine that drives the new Creed.
Replacing the iconic Mathews idler wheel is the new, larger, idler wheel found on the 2013 Creed.
Not long after arriving we meet with Matt McPherson, owner and CEO of Mathews, Inc., who give us a little bit of insight into the “whys” of the new design. First, he points out that while designing a new bow he generally begins with the cam. The new SimPlex Cam design is what Matt likes to call “Advanced Simplicity”. This cam uses the finest aircraft grade aluminum in the world to make it both ultra-strong and ultra-light, while providing one of the smoothest draw cycles of any bow ever built.
From there, Matt likes to begin testing every possible combination of parts in order to find ones that work harmoniously together. From riser designs to limb types, roller guards and just about every other component they are mixed and matched in order to find the combination that works the best.
While designing the Simplex cam, which is Mathews’ smoothest drawing single cam ever, Matt found that the Creed simply performed better with split limbs rather than the solid limbs Mathews is accustomed to using. Not wanting to be tied to a particular technology or component which may limit the bow’s performance, Matt simply went with the flow and used this information to help him build the best bow possible.
In a few sentences Matt summed up, for me, what I think the Creed is all about. His goal wasn’t to make this bow the fastest, or the lightest, or to be the best in any individual category, but rather to be the best overall bow. Period. After shooting a few dozen arrows through the Creed, I think he met that goal.
Through countless hours of design and engineering the new SimPlex cam offers the smoothest draw cycle of any solocam bow ever built.
When Mathews says this is their smoothest drawing bow ever, they aren’t lying. Like thousands of bowhunters, I fell in love with the smooth draw and rock solid back wall of the Helim last year. Through the increased size of the cam and idler wheel on the Creed, which reduces overall friction within the entire draw cycle, this new bow has an even smoother draw. I know for many people reading this that’s hard to believe, but trust me, it’s true. Having to draw my bow back several times this year in tight spaces with deer close to my stand, I can fully appreciate the fluid draw cycle and positive draw stop of the Creed.
The Creed also features an impressive looking GeoGrid riser similar to the Helim, which attributes to the incredibly light 3.85 pound weight rating. Additionally, the Reverse Assist roller guard has been changed for this year to use a solid aluminum bracket rather than the carbon fiber rod found on the Helim. This new design helps contribute to the smooth draw while providing ample fletching clearance.
The DeadEnd string stop has also been revised for 2013 as well. Instead of utilizing a small machined aluminum bracket attached to the bow, the carbon fiber rod mounts directly into the riser for increased strength while remaining extremely light weight.
A host of Mathews innovations including the GeoGrid riser, DeadEnd string stop and SlimFit Inline Grip work together to help make the Creed one of the finest bows ever built.
Okay, so what about the stats that everyone always talks about? The Creed measures in at 30 inches axle to axle, which makes it short enough to be maneuverable, while the long riser and parallel limb design make it extremely stable even at longer shot distances.
With a brace height of 7 inches the Creed is both fast as well as forgiving. Speaking of speed, it clocks in at an impressive 328 feet per second, which is more than fast enough for all of your bowhunting needs.
Like the Helim, the Creed comes standard with a gunstock quality walnut Slimfit grip, or can be customized with a Focus grip of your choice. Focus grips, along with a variety of other Creed accessories are available in 9 different color options so you can customize your bow to fit your style. The Creed is available in Lost Camo, Black, or Tactical finishes or you can customize it by mixing and matching your riser and limb colors.
Todd Graf of Bowhunting.com used his new Creed to harvest this tremendous 160 inch whitetail in Wisconsin on November 4th.
After spending a day with the Creed, I can unquestionably say that while I didn’t think it was possible to make a better bow than the Helim, Matt McPherson and Mathews have done it again with the new Creed. Every single component of this bow has been precisely engineered to create what could be one of the finest shooting compound bows of all time.
While many archers simply look at the stats printed on the tag and judge a bow by the numbers, the Creed transcends that way of thinking. This bow isn’t about impressing archers with numbers or figures, it’s built to impress you when you pick it up and shoot it. From the fit and finish to the smooth draw and silent shot the Creed impresses at every turn. Don’t believe me? Visit your local Mathews retailer and find out for yourself. Or visit them online at www.mathewsinc.com to learn more or to customize your own 2013 Creed.
