Trad Gang
Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: bbassi on January 25, 2007, 03:15:00 PM
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I am looking at a used 3 pc zipper online and wondered how they rate. How are they for weight, speed, quietness and shock?
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Easier to use than buttons. Shock the heck out of you if you aren't paying attention. Can be quieted easy enough. Can be fast but that can lead to shock also.
Oh wait, you're talking about the bows now aren't you.
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:clapper:
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I like em better than buttons too. LOL
On a serious note, I shot a couple at ATAR and met Bill Dunn. They were very good shooters. I shot better with the original riser than I did the Extreme riser. There was no handshock, Very Quiet and seemed pretty quick to me. I dont know what kind of chrono numbers they are getting though.
Hope this helps.
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Ask Chad Jones and Ray Hammond. I'm sure they can tell you anything you want to know about a Zipper.
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Dont ask me because Im biased.No really Id say theyre as good as most out there.Ive been shooting quite a few different bows lately as Im becoming obsessed with trad and my zipper shoots very wellcompared to what I have shot.I get 182 fps. with a 125 grain fp on a 29 inch easton ics hunters with 5 1/2 shield feathers.I dont know what the total arrow weight is, I dont have a scale.My set up is very quiet with minimal hand shock.Looks good too.
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Don't get me started! Too late....
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v306/beachbowhunter/Zipper%20Extremes/MySnakewoodZipper022.jpg)
My Extremes.
Snakewood and birdseye Standard
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v306/beachbowhunter/Zipper%20Standard/norbsbows011.jpg)
I love em both. The Extreme shoots that same as a Standard at 4lbs less draw weight. I get around 185 fps with my Extreme drawing 58@27 with a 580 grain arrow.
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Dang Norb, They look alot like what I shot at ATAR except they dont have the antler.
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I have been shooting one going on 17yrs. It is a 64" 65#@30.25" I was shooting 2219 and felt no hand shock, it is wisper quiet I know because it has got me more shots,when I never held up my end the first shot.I think it was shooting around 180 ft. a sec. with 4-5" feathers. I have taken chipmonks to bear with it. I dont think you could go wrong with one. How ever I retiered mine and should be getting my new widow tommorow.
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How do you like bocote?
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v306/beachbowhunter/Zipper%20Standard/BocoteStandard.jpg)
Just picked this one up from a Tradganger, Mr. Peckerwood!
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Meet Norbert. - Zipper Hog Extraordinaire :p :bigsmyl: :p
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They are beauty's Norb. I thought I was bad just for getting a spare set of limbs from you for mine. Course yours are all built for the wrong side. Limbs came today and work fine.
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I'm calling out Ray Hammond, Overbo and Blue Monday to show us their Zippers! Don't make me show you my Zipstick! :readit:
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Right on (left on?) Bowmac!
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try and get a picture of mine up,elk horn riser,curly maple limbs,at my draw it's pulling about 57lbs. fastest recurve I have shot,very little hand shock at all..
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Hear that Ray? An elkhorn riser!! Watch out Swamper....
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I've owned several and will own another someday. Great bows, but some don't like the grip. Overall, they are some of the best shooting bows out there.
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Originally posted by swamper:
try and get a picture of mine up,elk horn riser,curly maple limbs,at my draw it's pulling about 57lbs. fastest recurve I have shot,very little hand shock at all..
What's your draw??? :pray:
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I have two Zippers (Standard riser). Both are very quiet... superior craftsmanship / beautiful... accurate. Both are keepers. David
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Here is my Extreme.
My brother bought it for me as a birthday gift. Dang, I have a great brother!
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v229/ckinslow/DSC03168.jpg)
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I've been shooting zippers since early 90's and
they are great bows both shooters and lookers...
I have 5 recurves and two long bows...all works of
art......allen
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Norb,
Where are you finding these used zippers bows? And why can't I find them first!
I like that bocote. Really like that model.
Kinslow
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Hey Chris, I think i have seen that one before! The finished product looks great. Seeing how much i like zippers, do ya think i could get adopted into the family?
I talked to Bill today and my new extreme should be done in about 2-3 weeks. It'll be an extreme riser, 62" 50#@29" kingwood and zebra with kingwood veneers.with matching recurve and longbow limbs. Antler overlays also. Whoops did i say longbow limbs? The new limbs are awesome. I haven't shot them through a chrono but they are quick! Bill should be ready to start taking orders on them in about a month. I'll be sure to post some pics as soon as i get my hands on them! Here is my current extreme.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v81/cjones/100_0718.jpg)
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Alright Chad! I spoke to Bill several months ago, around when he took over, about the new limbs. Glad to hear he's getting close to prime time. Need to get on the list for a set. Bob Thompson mentioned that he was going to help in the design and that he wanted to have "real small tips", he didn't like the bulky tips he'd been seeing on other bows. Have you seen a prototype?
Chris, that is the darkest stain I've seen on a Zipper. I like it! How's Andrew doing on his test drive of Joe's all bamboo model? We need to talk about Kansas too.....
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Norb,
Lamb and I were ready to go do some scouting but then he had to go and get married. Some guys and their priorities :knothead:
We will get it done.
I think Andrew is going to buy Joe's bow. I think he is going to mess around with the riser and stain it so it has a different look. Andrew chronographed it and it spits out 550-600 grain arrows faster than his Brack.
Chris
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Swamper get the pics up!! Would love to see your bow
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Chris, there's no doubt that the Extreme riser design adds to performance. Look at OL's risers and you will notice that they are "deflexed" or backset by quite a bit too. I suspect that the riser has a lot to do with his performance specs along with the limb design...
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I never really paid attention to the zippers much in the past, I guess I thought they were a bit too busy looking. Then Norb let me shoot one of his extreme's at last year's Texas Sweat and everything changed. Three basic reasons:
1. I find that they are the most pointable bow I have ever shot. I am consistently more accurate with a zipper, right out of the box. Norb's was that way, Christopher's, and now Joe's that I am trying out. In the words of Charlie Lamb, "If something happens twice, it may be a coincidence...if it happens three times its a pattern"
2. They are unbelievably quiet & fast. Quiet as a longbow really. The zipper extreme that I tested clocked in with a range of 168fps with cedar shafts up to 196fps with 600grain carbon shafts. My Brack Quest came in consistently ~ 10fps slower with the same arrows. I want to do some more research this weekend, but I am impressed.
3. Pictures don't do them justice. They are very nice to look at with lots of subtle detail, and they fit your hand like a glove.
I think you will find the same results.
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good review everyone. I looked at a couple of Zippers at Denton this year and thought they looked too busy, but the one I'm looking at now is much more subtle.
BTW - Vermonster, I guess I should have seen that coming huh? LOL
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I have owned several Zippers in the past and all of them were not only great shooting but also very nice looking bows! You just can't go wrong with a Zipper bow!
JL
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Whoever said they had a couple longbows from Zipper please post a pic if you can.The only pic I can fing is an add in an old TB magazine.I know hes releasing the longbow limbs but Id love a peak at 1 of the old ones.
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here's the pics. (http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c390/swamper1/100_1370.jpg)
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(http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c390/swamper1/100_1371.jpg)
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(http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c390/swamper1/100_1372.jpg)
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(http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c390/swamper1/100_1374.jpg)
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pictures aren't great, (http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c390/swamper1/100_1373.jpg)
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Zippers are great bows. I initially based my opinion on looks, which are top notch. But then I got to shoot one, and was hooked had to get one. This is the one I have now. I used to have and exteme but I like the standard grip better.
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y211/Nativearcher/P1260240.jpg)
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y211/Nativearcher/P1260243.jpg)
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y211/Nativearcher/P1260244.jpg)
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Swamper that is just off the charts! Now there's some bowyer creativity for you.
These are the only pics I have handy of my Zipstick. It is a key part of my collection...
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v306/beachbowhunter/Zipstick/1e95b55c.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v306/beachbowhunter/Zipstick/4bbe02ba.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v306/beachbowhunter/Zipstick/FamilyMay-June05074.jpg)
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Norb, I shot a set of prototype limbs a couple weeks ago. The design has been changed a little since that set. I should have a set in about 2 weeks to play with until mine are built. I'll post pics as soon as i get them. The tips are smaller than the recurve tips but have about the same shape. Now keep in mind these were proto limbs and not the finished product so they may be a little different.
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Who here has a Zipper built by Bob's son Larry?A few years back Larry was building all the bows.That's who built Zipstik and the one piece Zipper's.Yes, there are a very few one piece Zippers out there.
The bow's built by Larry where tweaked abit.
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Hello all, this is my first post but have been reading for quite a while. I have a 66" solid curly maple recurve that Mr. Thompson made for my high school graduation present in 1995. I also have a zipstick that is stained curly and natural curly 66". I have shot alot of the top of the line bows and in my opinion none are any sweeter to shoot. I would not hesitate to buy another. I will say that I can not shoot the longbow anywhere near as accuratly as my recurve so the old bow is my go to bow. Hope this helps, Paul
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That Zipstick brings a tear to my eye.What a beaut.Holler at me when you loose your mind and decide to sell it.I hope they go to Denton this year.
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Oh, Swamper that antler riser is no slouch either.That belongs in a museum.Or in my house.LOL!
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I would love to have one of the antler riser bows. Unless they go way down in price or i get some good info to hold over Bill's head, it just ain't gonna happen anytime soon. I would love to shoot one of the old zipsticks! Never seen one in person. I had never heard about a one pc. zipper curve. Anybody got any pics of them?
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not bad for a gift from my nephew...
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Hey Chad
What's the difference in how an Extreme shoots vs. the standard riser?
Ya gots me thinkin here bud!!!!
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People who like a "traditional" riser usually prefer the standard. The Extreme just feels a little different, points a little different, and shoots faster pound for pound. You really have to try them both to decide which you like better.
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Steve, For me i can't see a whole lot of difference in the way they shoot, other than the extreme is a little faster. My main problem is that i just don't like the grip on the standard as well. It feels a little more bulky in my hand.
As Norbert said, its best to try each and see what works for you. If you want to drive out to Mt. Orab i'll take ya to Bill's house and you can shoot a bunch of them!
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I have a standard. Was the first Tradbow I ever bought. Never shot an extreme but I can tell ya that the standard ain't no slouch in the speed department either. When I ordered mine and conversed with Bob over the phone, he told me that there wasn't a whole lot of difference in speed between the Extreme and the Standard at least not that I would be able to tell without a Chrono. He said that the main diff. as Norb stated above was the feel in the grip and some just prefer one or the other for personal preferance reasons..like everything else. I really can't say because I have never shot an Extreme.....but my Standard is quick and slick as "butta" baby! :goldtooth: I would love to try out an Extreme one day and find out for myself if I like one more so than the other.
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Chad
Come warmer weather, I'll take you up on that!!
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Steve,
Anytime buddy, all you have to do is say the word.
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This is my first time with the new tech digital trying to post, I hope the two pix of my Zipper collection get in here. Here we go...
(http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s84/tbva/DSCN0014.jpg)
(http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s84/tbva/DSCN0029.jpg)
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:knothead: And to think I could have had me a Zipper. LOL Oh well there is always one available in the NEAR future.
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beautiful collection, jamama :thumbsup:
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I talked to Bill Dunn today and he said they were real close to marketing the LB limbs. He said that the ones he had shot yesterday were about 2 fps slower than the recurve limbs in comparable weight. Bill says they will show them on their web site soon as they are available.
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Lately I have been having problems with zippers AND buttons,I'm starting to prefer pull-overs more each day!!!!! (sorry Brent I just couldn't resist LOL)
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I think I used to own one of those zippers....great bows to shoot and look at!
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jomama, Nice collection. Could you show us some more pics of the one pc. and give us some specs on it? That is the first one i have seen.
Court, I know Bill said he would have some of the limbs at the deer + turkey expo in Ohio and in WV at the TBJ expo. I should have a set in a week or so and will post some pics.
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Here are my two..both have arrows on the limbs..a one piece longbow made by Bob's son, and the 3 piece recurve made by Bob..
(http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f279/Marblesonac/Zipperbowsstretch008.jpg) (http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f279/Marblesonac/Zipperbowsstretch007.jpg) (http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f279/Marblesonac/Zipperbowsstretch006.jpg) (http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f279/Marblesonac/Zipperbowsstretch005.jpg) (http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f279/Marblesonac/Zipperbowsstretch004.jpg)
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Im glad this thread keeps going.Gonna post a pic of my satndard tonight,Im technologically challenged and have to have my wife do it for me.Those 1 piece bows sure are fine lookin tools,or should I say art.
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Daggone those are some purty bows!!!!
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(http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s84/tbva/DSCN0043.jpg) (http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s84/tbva/DSCN0033.jpg) (http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s84/tbva/DSCN0034.jpg) (http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s84/tbva/DSCN0041.jpg)
CJONES, hope this is what you are looking for. Specs are on the riser pix. I have never strung this bow.
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Couldn't you get a lower serial #???? :p
Wow!!! That is a collector bow if I've ever seen one.
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Man that is awesome! Thanks. Any idea how many of the one pc. bows were made? I would love to find one of them.
Well guys i got to doo some shooting with Bill this evening to celebrate his birthday. I would wish him a happy b-day on here but since he ain't smart enough to turn on a pc, i won't! :D :readit: We gave him such a hard time about getting old that it really affected his shooting.
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I talked to Bill last night. He was able to kill a doe with the new longbow limbs with only 10 minutes left in the season. He was tickled to death. He also said that he is now taking orders for the longbows! I can't wait to get a set.
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Heres a pic of my Zipper in its finest moment.First trad deer.I remember seeing someone here had an identical one, besides the quiver.Looking forward to the longbow limbs. (http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o244/2crazyboys_photos/IMG_0709.jpg)
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Bill took my order this afternoon. Can't wait but guess I will have to. Ought to be real comfortable on my riser.
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This thread is still going? DANG! we better watch it or it's going to end up as an other Silvertip thread. LOL
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Ain't nuthin wrong with that Brent!
Court, I'm glad to hear ya got your limbs ordered. I look forward to hearing your thoughts on them. If i don't get a set soon i'm gonna have a talk with Mrs. Tracy! :scared: That should get Bill moving quicker! :knothead:
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I don't mean this question to seem negative. I've seen Zippers at several shoots and the bows are stunning and perform very well. I've shot several and they shoot with authority. My question - with all of the highly intricate work that Bob and Bill do on the bows, it seems to me that the limbs don't fit seemlessly to the riser. From the bows that I've handled, nearly all had some riser or limb overhang. I'm probably overlooking something, but has anyone else noticed this? Again, the bow's are stunning and perform very well (and the bowyers are very nice), but I just haven't been able to get past this to purchase one. Again, I don't mean to offend Zipper or their loyal customers.
Thanks,
Kyle
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Yes Kyle you are correct.I've owned several Zippers and some fit perfect and others w/ a slight lip.The exceptions are the bows built by Larry.I've had 3 of Larry's Zipper and all where flawless.I've had one of Bob's earlier bow that was flawless.Today I have a cocabola bow that Bob built that is also flawless.
Can't speek 4 Bills bows ,yet to see one.
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the three I have are perfect..never see too many of them down here...but the ones I have seen have not had that issue Kyle.
I guess anything that is built by hand is going to be a lot less like CNC work and more art than science.
One good thing is that I believe if you are not happy with it you could always return it to get it worked on to your satisfaction.
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it could be the limbs where ordered and the riser not sent back to get a perfect match
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I'm being too picky on an otherwise perfect bow, but these were brand new, on the display table bows. Again no disrespect to Zipper or their fans. The inlay, wood selection and wood combination of Zippers has ALWAYS (and I used to attend the WVBA convention where Bob got started) drawn me to them. That aspect of these bows is unsurpassed, as one can see by the pics in this thread. Sorry for bringing this up.
Kyle
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good to know these things.
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I bought a used one, years ago and sent the riser back to Bob and got a second, lighter, set of limbs and both perfect....and really zip an arrow and aren't even the fastflight compatable limbs.
It's my favorite recurve to shoot.
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I can give a little insight in to why some limbs don't fit just perfect. At cloverdale last year i went up to the table and picked up a riser that fit my hand perfectly. Since that riser fit better than all the rest, they just started pulling limbs off other bows until they found a set that i could shoot well. Since they do this for anyone who wants to buy a stock bow, you sometimes get limbs that weren't made for that riser. Being handmade each one is a little different. If you order a new bow they will fit perfect! The set on my first zipper are off just a little bit and it drives Bill nuts! He offers to fix it all the time and i keep telling him that he is the only one it bothers!
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I've had other bow maker's w/ the same issues and some that alot of guys say they are the guru of bow building.I'm positive that any bowyer w/ self-pride will do everything in his power to correct it.If not, the internet will swallow them as we seen w/ other bowyers.
I sure don't want to see this thread harm Bill or Bob w/ possible customers.I feel the amount of responses to this thread shows a great following of Zipper bows.That alone should surpass any questions of doubt.
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If someone decides because of that to not get a Zipper then they are missing out on a top tier bow over something silly.
What someone does with a bow after they get it- IE swapping limbs with other bows, or as Chad says buying a stock bow and taking what you can get from the table for limbs in a custom one at a time situation, is really beyond Bob or Bill's control.
All they can do is OFFER to fix it - I've ordered and seen about 15 of these personally over the last 17 years and every ORDERED custom Zipper has been PERFECT in every way..glue lines, fit and finish, and wood quality. If you are considering a Zipper the NON ISSUE issue mentioned in this thread should not dissuade you from buying one.
I am not endorsed by Zipper, I am not paid by Zipper, I get no special favors from Zipper- I've just used my 1989 Zipper to kill a ton of animals and would trust the bow with my life against dangerous game if need be, before ANY bow I have ever shot..because it gets the job done in every way possible, while looking great as well.
And Bob, and now Bill, like a lot of other folks in this business, are a class act that stand behind what they do 100% :readit: :archer:
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Very well said Ray! :notworthy:
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Here's mine. Can't wait for the Longbow limbs.
(http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q271/bowmac_photos/Zippers.jpg)
(http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q271/bowmac_photos/Zippers2.jpg)
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They are FAST...Quiet... and ...Beautiful!
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CJ... your response (concerning the riser/limb fit) was / is right on the money. I've been at the ZIPPER table at many shoots, and without a doubt... you will see potential customers mix & match limbs and risers to their preference, and then become buyers. As for me, I have two ZIPPER's and love shooting 'em. Hopefully...Lord willing, later on down the road - I'll pass the two bows down to my future grandkids.
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Just wanted to add... Kyle Lancaster, your point is vaild, and if it bothers you... YOU ARE RIGHT not to get a ZIPPER off the table. May I suggest that you call Bill Dunn...tell him your concerns (pardon the pun, but "put everthing on the table"), and then order one! If you liked everything else about the ZIPPER bow, I don't think you'll be disappointed with your completely CUSTOM bow. They are SWEEEEEEEEET! ----->
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David, Are you coming to the expo in march in Wheeling? Look forward to meeting you in person.
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There was a teacher from Missouri I think who emailed me about a pic.Sorry I must have erased the email but I did not get to send you that pic.Mail me again and Ill send you a few.Its maple, cocobolo and bocote.
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CJ...no, won't be there. I would like to but it's just to far for me to walk. (SMILE) I'm going to BBTC (in May...I think). David
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Herk,
I was the one inquiring about pics. Thanks for getting back with me. I sent you an email.
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I own one and have one coming...I really enjoy mine for all the smae reasons above, quick, quiet, light, no shock, easy to point....one thing that hasn't been said...the "In Stock Bows" section has been updated with available now stock....
:knothead: :knothead:
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http://s79.photobucket.com/albums/j157/coondawg3098/?action=view¤t=squirrelzipper2.jpg
Here is picture of my Zipper back in 94.
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Hey guys; I have three zippers and are as follows:
Bow #1, curly maple / ebony riser and curly limbs . the back of the handle and the limb tips are covered in pieces of buffalo horn schrimshawed in white india ink. There's an indian warior, big twelve pt. buck , and a white wolfes head, the limb tips have a Dall sheep head, and the other is a grizzly head. There's another set of lighter limbs crafted from Maccasser ebony .
Bow #2. The zipstick thats shown in the picture of Bob's brouchure. The one with curly maple rizer and has the arrow inlays on the limbs.
Bow #3. I have an elk antler bow and matching quiver with Bocote limbs . this bow is #6 that Bob crafted from elk antlers. Yes I do love them all. Greyfox
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Dave is a easy guy to spot. Just look for real big fella with Zipper in tow. Looking forward to flinging a few with you and Allen in Baltimore, Dave. Our daughter was born last Tuesday and she needed light therapy for a bout of johndus(sp?) but she's coming home today! Good thing, Momma hasn't slept worth a darn since she has been seperated from the baby, worrying.
I started selling a few of Bob's pool cues for him. I have been playing since I was a young kid (better then 30 years now, yikes!) The guy does amazing work.
JL
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Greyfox, You can't just tell us about all these pretty bows, we want to see pics!! :D
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Chad, just sent you a PM.
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When is the expo in wheeling?