Trad Gang
Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: longbow fanatic 1 on July 29, 2017, 08:42:00 PM
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I'm interested to hear your opinions of the Wallace Mentor take-down recurve. How is the quality, craftsmanship, fit & finish? Do you like the medium grip, and is the bow quiet on the shot? I would also like to see pics, if you are able to post them.
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I have owned several Mentors. My son is currently shooting one and really likes it. They are great bows and the workmanship is top notch. The only thing I ever changed was the string. All of mine were really quiet with a ten ring string.
(http://i.imgur.com/qP2D2JT.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/jGvplU7.jpg)
Wes is a really great guy!!
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Thanks, Richard. Those are beauties! BTW: What is that on the belly side of the upper and lower riser? Is that a recessed hole with a bolt going into the limb pocket from the back side?
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longbow,
that is the insert for the limb bolt attachment, South uses the same system on Stalkers. It's just a different way of doing it vs the usual insert that's threaded into the wood from the front and hidden. They have a brass finish so it looks quite tasteful.
That question being addressed, I have owned one Royal and one Mentor so far. My overall impression of Wes's work is that it is superb. In fact of the makers Ive recently tried he is one I'm most likely to order a new bow from anytime in the near future if I wanted a 3pc recurve. His build quality is top notch but feels different than a Blacktail or Stalker, it has an old world handmade feel that I can't quite describe, I guess what I'm saying is that with the newer Blacktail bows for example they are so well finished they almost seem like they belong in an art gallery not the back of a pickup truck (this is NOT criticism just admiration), VS Wes's bows to me you almost picture a guy with his sleeves rolled up listening to some John Denver, sweat pouring, sawdust everywhere and taking a quick break to sip on some suds, switching off the sander for a moment to listen to some yotes singing off in the valley LOL...and the end product is still gorgeous with fine attention to detail but feels as familiar as an old pair of your favorite boots.
The grip shape is to die for. Very similar to a Stalker, melts right into the hand. Lots of mass weight. Proportionally a large bow, my 64"er I marveled at how solid and durable it felt. His limb tips are constructed bombproof. This is not a fragile feeling bow in any sense. The longbow is similar. A dedicated hunting tool. He picks some lovely woods. The recurve limbs are thin and wide, tapering to a spear point, with long working fades, they remain stable and are not noodly. VS a Schafer or Blacktail I did find the Wallace to be a bit more sensitive to sweet spot for brace height as far as quieting it down, but it wasn't a loud recurve. I'd say it was similar to a Blacktail in this regard. I most recently had a Schafer and to me the Schafer was marginally more quiet but it was also a 60" bow so who knows prolly not a fair matchup. Anway, the Mentor was a pleasure to shoot and VERY smooth. The Royal longbow was a real sleeper. The trapped limbs where neat and it was quicker than it looked and very easy to shoot. Bottom line Wes is a sure thing and he's one of the nicer guys to deal with and his wait time is reasonable also.
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Here's the beauty I sampled. Tenring string of course.
(http://i1309.photobucket.com/albums/s631/nineworlds9/20160930_151932.jpg) (http://s1309.photobucket.com/user/nineworlds9/media/20160930_151932.jpg.html)
(http://i1309.photobucket.com/albums/s631/nineworlds9/20160930_152020.jpg) (http://s1309.photobucket.com/user/nineworlds9/media/20160930_152020.jpg.html)
(http://i1309.photobucket.com/albums/s631/nineworlds9/20160930_152107.jpg) (http://s1309.photobucket.com/user/nineworlds9/media/20160930_152107.jpg.html)
(http://i1309.photobucket.com/albums/s631/nineworlds9/20160930_152246.jpg) (http://s1309.photobucket.com/user/nineworlds9/media/20160930_152246.jpg.html)
(http://i1309.photobucket.com/albums/s631/nineworlds9/20160930_152302.jpg) (http://s1309.photobucket.com/user/nineworlds9/media/20160930_152302.jpg.html)
(http://i1309.photobucket.com/albums/s631/nineworlds9/20160930_152602.jpg) (http://s1309.photobucket.com/user/nineworlds9/media/20160930_152602.jpg.html)
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He answered your question fully. LOL
Wes's bows are just plain awesome, but don't seem to get the attention they deserve. Wes is a really great guy to talk with and I highly recommend giving him a call. I have always wanted a one piece mentor!! So many bows I want, so little funds! LOL
Oh and I really like the way he checkers the grip.
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Thanks, nineworlds and warden! I truly appreciate all the info. Nine- love your description of the difference between blacktail & wallace bows! :biglaugh:
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I will add his customer service is the best as well. I have a Royal LB. I would put it up against any other bow like it in design and materials. It likes, loves, wood arrows.
Wish Desert Dude would chime in. He has know Wes for many years and has owned a number of his recurves. I am sure he would agree with the others here. When and if I live long enough to need another LB it will be a Royal.
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Brankenbury, Wes Wallace and Blacktail bows have always have always been most intriguing to me. I have been blessed to own all 3 with no disappointment! I still have a Wes Wallace Mentor with Bolivian Rosewood riser and Birdseye maple limbs that is absolutely stunning. It shoots as well as it looks! I do shoot the Blacktail mostly now as it has 52# limbs vs 57# on the mentor. I would be surprised if you wasn't satisfied with a Mentor!!!!
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I saw two guys shooting them at etar this weekend. One fellow shot with us and his Wallace was fast, he also has a 32" draw .I was vert impressed by them and I think they would be at the top of my list for a 3 pc recurve
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Thanks, guys!
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I Bought the Wes Wallace Stealth. 64 inches. I got the green riser and black limbs. It was a great bow. I got the checkered grip on mine. If I order another from Wes; I want get the checkering. I also paid extra for the bamboo. Wes Wallace is one fine guy; he is super cool to do business with. I promise you will not be disappointed. I wish I would not have sold mine; but you live and learn.
They are awesome.
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been shooting Wes's bows since the mid 90's I was a dealer of his bows when I worked in the local archery shops. drove up to see him the first part of this year Wes is a true craftsmen and stands behind his work. feel free to reach out if you have ant questions.... Mark
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I have a 1 piece 64" 48#28 (draw 29.5") and it will be my go to bow for many years I hope. Have had other bows by Wes and just keep coming back to them after many of the other top end bows. Has a checkered grip and although not as elegant as Shafer it is nice to have on sweaty days.
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I'll be darned if Wes doesn't have two lefties in stock both with some nice specs. That could get a man in trouble. Hehe.
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Great bows. Great guy. Love the mass of my mentor and it is very quick which I did not expect. Faster than my palmer
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nineworlds9, DO IT!
longbow fanatic 1, so.... do you have anything to share with the group? I see your sig line in another post is updated :p
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Originally posted by Woodpuppy:
nineworlds9, DO IT!
longbow fanatic 1, so.... do you have anything to share with the group? I see your sig line in another post is updated :p
LOL. Yup. I just bought a used Mentor thanks to our TG member, Roger (zip). Cant wait to shoot it!
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What's the specs on the new bow?
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Originally posted by Warden609:
What's the specs on the new bow?
64" 52@29. I draw 29 1/2", so it's perfect for me. I spoke to Wes today and he said for my DL, the 64" would be best. Perfect! The used bow was in that length. :bigsmyl:
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Awesome :biglaugh:
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Originally posted by Woodpuppy:
nineworlds9, DO IT!
longbow fanatic 1, so.... do you have anything to share with the group? I see your sig line in another post is updated :p
Well. I've been a bad boy yet again. This will be heading my way shortly. Time to sell something LOL. NOT my Stickflinger, I can tell you that much.
(http://i1309.photobucket.com/albums/s631/nineworlds9/20150706_135739.jpg) (http://s1309.photobucket.com/user/nineworlds9/media/20150706_135739.jpg.html)
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Nice! Maybe I'll get to see it at the 2-day HCTAC shoot 9/2-9/3?
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Originally posted by Woodpuppy:
Nice! Maybe I'll get to see it at the 2-day HCTAC shoot 9/2-9/3?
9/2 I may have to work but 9/3 sounds like a plan as of right now!
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Originally posted by nineworlds9:
Originally posted by Woodpuppy:
Nice! Maybe I'll get to see it at the 2-day HCTAC shoot 9/2-9/3?
9/2 I may have to work but 9/3 sounds like a Olan as of right now! [/b]
A lot can happen between now and then, including TBOF. Havent decided if I'm going to takes the girls to Ocala or not, they start kindergarten the Monday after.
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That's a beaut, Nine! Congrats! Whats length and weight?
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Originally posted by longbow fanatic 1:
That's a beaut, Nine! Congrats! Whats length and weight?
62" 50@28.
I had a 64" 52@28 the last time. Wes said for 29" draw the 62" should still be sweet and I'll get all the performance out of it. Can't wait.
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longbow',
I know your new to you Mentor will be arriving soon, my new one came yesterday! I feel spoiled lucking out and grabbing a stock bow that was just like what I would order! Man what a sweet bow!
She is a real beauty, the Bocote riser in person and normal to dim light is actually really dark, with a lot of crazy figure, it's awesome! It almost looks like Rosewood, but then when the sun hits it it looks like in the first picture I posted. Wes must have some crazy fluorescent lights in his shop. The veneers on this one have some of the prettiest Bocote I've ever seen, with some neat orangey brown swirls mixed with the more yellow brown. Build construction as I noted on my last Mentor is 'bomb proof' yet elegant. Nothing fragile about a Mentor, and yet it is graceful. The elm cores on this one seem to be excellent, she's a screamer and real quiet with the stock D97. I already ordered a new Fury string from Allen for her to dress her up. There is something about these bows, I mean the grip shape just melts into the hand, but there's something more. I dunno if it has to do with the direct lineage to Brack' or how the bows have that unmistakable shape to them. I've owned two Blacktails, and while I really really enjoyed them and they are gorgeous, something has drawn me back to Wes' bows, as I sold both Blacktails after I had the first Wallace and knew I had to have another Wallace and so here I am.
Check out this killer!
(http://i1309.photobucket.com/albums/s631/nineworlds9/20170807_125627.jpg) (http://s1309.photobucket.com/user/nineworlds9/media/20170807_125627.jpg.html)
(http://i1309.photobucket.com/albums/s631/nineworlds9/20170807_125616.jpg) (http://s1309.photobucket.com/user/nineworlds9/media/20170807_125616.jpg.html)
(http://i1309.photobucket.com/albums/s631/nineworlds9/20170807_125605.jpg) (http://s1309.photobucket.com/user/nineworlds9/media/20170807_125605.jpg.html)
(http://i1309.photobucket.com/albums/s631/nineworlds9/20170807_125549.jpg) (http://s1309.photobucket.com/user/nineworlds9/media/20170807_125549.jpg.html)
(http://i1309.photobucket.com/albums/s631/nineworlds9/20170807_125438.jpg) (http://s1309.photobucket.com/user/nineworlds9/media/20170807_125438.jpg.html)
(http://i1309.photobucket.com/albums/s631/nineworlds9/20170807_125427.jpg) (http://s1309.photobucket.com/user/nineworlds9/media/20170807_125427.jpg.html)
(http://i1309.photobucket.com/albums/s631/nineworlds9/20170807_125356.jpg) (http://s1309.photobucket.com/user/nineworlds9/media/20170807_125356.jpg.html)
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Wes's bows are "the" bow (if this is possible) for me and like 9 says they are bomproof with a hard as nails finish.Beautiful bow and glad its working out for you.
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Very nice! Taking it to TBOF this weekend?
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Hey Chuck,
That is one beautiful bow. Congrats! I will have mine this week and can't wait to shoot it. Thanks for your review.
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My Wallace mentor is one of my all time favorite take down recurves. I've got two sets of limbs for mine, both with rattler skins on em. I picked it up here in the classifieds several years ago from a Tradganger down Texas way. Of all the bows that I've had and still have this one will be staying in the family.
I'll have to see if I can dig up a photo or two.