Trad Gang

Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: Ron LaClair on February 10, 2016, 05:49:00 PM

Title: In the beginning there was the Shrew
Post by: Ron LaClair on February 10, 2016, 05:49:00 PM
What came first, the chicken or the egg?    ;)

A question something like that has been ask lately. Some want to know the origin of the Shrew design. It seems there is some confusion as to when the Shrew design came to be.

The first Shrew bows were introduced in 1994. At 54" a full 10" shorter than any other longbow on the market it was advertised as "The Worlds smallest longbow" in this new on the market section of TBM.

As Paul Harvey use to say, "And now you know the rest of the story"  

  (http://***********.bowsite.com/tf/pics/00small56180425.JPG)
Title: Re: In the beginning there was the Shrew
Post by: Anointed Archer on February 10, 2016, 05:53:00 PM
Great then even better now, even with my 31 inch draw!
Title: Re: In the beginning there was the Shrew
Post by: Roger Norris on February 10, 2016, 06:13:00 PM
Heck Ron, the address hasn't even changed!!

The Shrew Bows that I handled in Kalamazoo were fantastic. I can't wait to get my hands on a new Li'l Favorite II.
Title: Re: In the beginning there was the Shrew
Post by: Ron LaClair on February 10, 2016, 06:28:00 PM
They pull as smooth as butter. The limb has been redesigned and is more balanced and quieter now.    :readit:  

  (http://***********.bowsite.com/TF/pics/00small70282571.JPG)
Title: Re: In the beginning there was the Shrew
Post by: Roger Norris on February 10, 2016, 06:32:00 PM
You know my spec's....60#, nothing shiny or I'll spray paint it    :bigsmyl:
Title: Re: In the beginning there was the Shrew
Post by: Ron LaClair on February 10, 2016, 06:37:00 PM
We don't make no shiny bows    :biglaugh:
Title: Re: In the beginning there was the Shrew
Post by: Sirius Black on February 10, 2016, 06:54:00 PM
I'd like to own one someday!
Title: Re: In the beginning there was the Shrew
Post by: Arctic Hunter on February 10, 2016, 07:28:00 PM
Ron,
Will you be at any shoots in the south this year? I've always wanted to try a shrew, but Kalamazoo is a long way to go for me.
Title: Re: In the beginning there was the Shrew
Post by: **DONOTDELETE** on February 10, 2016, 08:26:00 PM
That was, & still is a great design Ron.  :thumbsup:

When i first started building bows and tinkering with different designs, that Shrew was an inspiration to me. The curves on those limbs are down right sexy....

My limb designs have evolved since then, but i built a few that looked somewhat similar to yours years ago.  Check out this photo Ron.  I call this "Carpenter-Cad"  with fiberglass, nails, and hammers getting those curves figured out.

My hat's off to you sir....   :notworthy:  

 (http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u301/kirkll/Bow%20building/Pure%20Poisen/PurePoisenForm001.jpg) (http://s171.photobucket.com/user/kirkll/media/Bow%20building/Pure%20Poisen/PurePoisenForm001.jpg.html)
Title: Re: In the beginning there was the Shrew
Post by: Terry Green on February 10, 2016, 08:29:00 PM
nice. .....i need to shoot one of those new designs.
Title: Re: In the beginning there was the Shrew
Post by: classichunter79 on February 10, 2016, 08:34:00 PM
I shot both the 54" and 58" Lil favorite II at the show in Kalamazoo several times. And to say the least, I was thoroughly impressed. They were both very smooth and quiet. Well done on the new design Ron.
Title: Re: In the beginning there was the Shrew
Post by: charles m on February 10, 2016, 09:13:00 PM
Good Stuff!
Title: Re: In the beginning there was the Shrew
Post by: Kingstaken on February 10, 2016, 09:25:00 PM
Ron they may not be shiny but they sure do shine.    :archer2:
Title: Re: In the beginning there was the Shrew
Post by: carbonflyr on February 10, 2016, 11:20:00 PM
i still have my original shrew that i bought in 1994...a little too heavy for me now but it still looks good on the wall.
Title: Re: In the beginning there was the Shrew
Post by: Hopewell Tom on February 11, 2016, 06:55:00 AM
"The rest of the story"... thanks for sharing. I'm off to your website.
Trouble is now you have me arguing with myself about the chicken and egg thing!
Title: Re: In the beginning there was the Shrew
Post by: Ron LaClair on February 11, 2016, 09:27:00 AM
(http://www.toonpool.com/user/589/files/chicken_before_the_egg_1022285.jpg)
Title: Re: In the beginning there was the Shrew
Post by: bowfanatik on February 12, 2016, 02:29:00 PM
Is it Assyrian your bow ?
Title: Re: In the beginning there was the Shrew
Post by: Joeabowhunter on February 12, 2016, 02:38:00 PM
I'm gonna have to take a closer look this weekend...I think my Dad has one of the originals.
  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: In the beginning there was the Shrew
Post by: Ron LaClair on February 12, 2016, 02:46:00 PM
This is the original Shrew recurve with Static tips. This one was made in 20002


  (http://***********.bowsite.com/TF/pics/00small46803241.JPG)

  (http://***********.bowsite.com/TF/pics/00small66344995.JPG)


  (http://***********.bowsite.com/TF/pics/00small12034493.JPG)
Title: Re: In the beginning there was the Shrew
Post by: northener on February 12, 2016, 03:57:00 PM
Always have been curious, anything for us long draw guys? I have an honest 31" draw. What bow in your line-up would be best for me?

I am aging so dropping down in weights, probably looking at 42-43lb @ 31" range.  It would be for deer hunting and just plain shooting, love to shoot as much,maybe more than hunt.
Title: Re: In the beginning there was the Shrew
Post by: Ron LaClair on February 12, 2016, 06:33:00 PM
Jeff, My 62" Super Shrew will easily take a 31" draw.
Title: Re: In the beginning there was the Shrew
Post by: northener on February 13, 2016, 04:48:00 PM
Thanks. I was unaware a 62" model was available
Title: Re: In the beginning there was the Shrew
Post by: Flatshooter on February 13, 2016, 05:00:00 PM
Back to the future Ron...20002 LOL   :shaka:
Title: Re: In the beginning there was the Shrew
Post by: Ron LaClair on February 15, 2016, 05:25:00 PM
(http://***********.bowsite.com/TF/pics/00small78343098.JPG)
Title: Re: In the beginning there was the Shrew
Post by: Friend on February 15, 2016, 11:03:00 PM
Certainly hope you rested on the 7th day.
Title: Re: In the beginning there was the Shrew
Post by: classichunter79 on February 16, 2016, 06:05:00 PM
I shot both the 54" and 58" Lil favorite II at the show in Kalamazoo several times. And to say the least, I was thoroughly impressed. They were both very smooth and quiet. Well done on the new design Ron.
Title: Re: In the beginning there was the Shrew
Post by: bisket on February 17, 2016, 07:32:00 PM
Title: Re: In the beginning there was the Shrew
Post by: JS80 on February 20, 2016, 07:41:00 PM
Who builds these bows? One of the other threads says it takes a long time to get one. How come?
Title: Re: In the beginning there was the Shrew
Post by: SKITCH on February 20, 2016, 08:05:00 PM
JS80.  Welcome to Trad Gang.  Time is due to most being custom ordered and built by one man...by hand.  They are very popular and a guy can only build so fast.  Having said that look at Ron Leclairs post above...at the end you will see a link to his site shrewbows.com. Go there and check it out. He often has stock bows on hand that MAY fit your needs.(as well as a lot of other very cool "stuff".  

Check it out!
Title: Re: In the beginning there was the Shrew
Post by: JS80 on February 20, 2016, 08:17:00 PM
Thanks skitch. Lots of stuff for sure! Does Mr. Laclair build those bows too? I'm confused about who builds them?
Title: Re: In the beginning there was the Shrew
Post by: slowbowjoe on February 21, 2016, 05:33:00 PM
JS80,
Welcome, and look for the PM I just sent ya.
Title: Re: In the beginning there was the Shrew
Post by: slowbowjoe on February 22, 2016, 10:36:00 AM
Friend,
The brilliant and succinct simplicity of your wonderfully dry humor surpasses even the enjoyment of your most elegant prose!
Title: Re: In the beginning there was the Shrew
Post by: Kingstaken on February 22, 2016, 03:39:00 PM
JS80 - How long is too long?   :knothead:  

Well worth what ever long or short of wait it took to get to me. No I just -  :archer2:  my new SS Shrew
Title: Re: In the beginning there was the Shrew
Post by: pdk25 on February 22, 2016, 08:19:00 PM
Quite innovative at the time, and look to have improved substantially over the course of time.  Something I have no doubt that several great bowyers have contributed to.
Title: Re: In the beginning there was the Shrew
Post by: Goshawkin on February 23, 2016, 07:09:00 PM
I bought a Shrew from you I think the 1st year you offered them. 54" 62@ 27 with rattlesnake skins. Great little bow that shot great. Just sold it last year
Title: Re: In the beginning there was the Shrew
Post by: Ron LaClair on February 24, 2016, 08:23:00 AM
Wow Nick, that's been a while ago    :saywhat:  I was buying the raw skins from a place in Texas and the availability was seasonally. Most snake skins today are already dried or tanned.
Title: Re: In the beginning there was the Shrew
Post by: NY Yankee on February 24, 2016, 09:32:00 AM
OK, which came first, the chicken salad sandwich or the egg salad sandwich?
Title: Re: In the beginning there was the Shrew
Post by: Ron LaClair on February 24, 2016, 10:44:00 AM
You couldn't have the egg salad without the chicken that made the egg possible...    :biglaugh: