Wooo-hooooooo!
G'day! After a patient wait of eleven or so months, my Schafer Silvertip take-down recurve arrived on Friday!
It was hard to concentrate on the job on Friday, with the knowledge that the delivery truck would be calling at home and leaving a note at some stage. At recess time, I went up to the staffroom for a cuppa, and one of the office ladies brought in a bouquet arrangement of a single sunflower, some ribbons and wrapping, and a couple of balloons - as well as a bow made of cane and fishing line! I knew instantly one of my workmate's was up to mischief! Christine's on maternity leave, and I suppose I deserved it for likening my waiting time to her pregnancy in terms of the anticipation and the emotions involved! Anyway, I soon called my wife (Simone), as she'd said that she'd pop past the house when she had a minute at work to check for delivery notes - she'd checked, but found nothing, or so she told me! I later found that she and my workmate had planned all this monkey business when they were at volunteer ambulance training the night before! A couple of hours later, my mate Shep the janitor brought in a big long box, and my hopes rose momentarily, but the box was too dodgy-looking - I opened it to find a bent bit of steel rod with some thin line as the string (the ratbags!). And, just as the lunch bell went, and I was dealing with the serious business of some upset students, Christine and Shep walked in to the classroom with a proper UPS box! I had it on my lap, so close yet so far! I didn't have time to open it, as I had to drive a busload of kids over for interschool sports for the afternoon! You can imagine the torture! Anyway, Shep promised to keep it under lock and key in his office, and at the end of the day (finally) I put my bike on the back of his ute, and he dropped me home, where I was able to open the box at last!
Here's a picture of the floral / balloon arrangement and the ersatz bows:
(http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l164/b_kleinig/Schafer%20Silvertip/NewBowFalseAlarmsandBestWishes002.jpg)
Here's a photo of the real box:
(http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l164/b_kleinig/Schafer%20Silvertip/NewBow-SchaferSilvertip001.jpg)
Well, I unpacked it and admired it and set it up and shot it. It is an amazing piece of fine, top-quality craftsmanship! Dave Windauer is a first-class bowyer, for sure! He hit my requested weight of 80 pounds at 28 inches. The bow is 62 inches AMO, and is the fastflite model with a walnut stained riser and checkered grip. The limbs are Russian Olive.
(http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l164/b_kleinig/Schafer%20Silvertip/NewBow-SchaferSilvertip002.jpg)
(http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l164/b_kleinig/Schafer%20Silvertip/NewBow-SchaferSilvertip007.jpg)
(http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l164/b_kleinig/Schafer%20Silvertip/NewBow-SchaferSilvertip010.jpg)
(http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l164/b_kleinig/Schafer%20Silvertip/NewBow-SchaferSilvertip014.jpg)
My arrows are about 805 grains worth of Douglas Fir, including the 190 grain tips (Ribteks and Tuskers for broadheads). They are 115 pounds spine from www.surewoodshafts.com (http://www.surewoodshafts.com) (wonderful and helpful people) and made for me by TradGanger Joe Lorenzen (an excellent arrowsmith - Thanks, Joe!). They fly really nicely and look superb! And thanks to Braveheart Archery for pointing me to the shaft supplier and the arrow maker!
It was meant to be just a practice-and-show-off-the-new-bow session with Dave, but you wouldn't believe what happened! We bumped into a pink lion in his backyard! I missed it's boiler room, but spined it, thus saving the day!
(http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l164/b_kleinig/Schafer%20Silvertip/NewBow-SchaferSilvertip015.jpg)
As if that wasn't enough, a little while later, an enormous whitetail stag showed up! I put an arrow straight through his neck! A real wall-hanger, for sure!
(http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l164/b_kleinig/Schafer%20Silvertip/NewBow-SchaferSilvertip018.jpg)
Today it was time to try the bow out on some big, dangerous game. My heart was pounding as I stalked in on the brute. To be honest, I was wondering if I should've ordered a hundred-pounder instead. But, I calmed myself enough to make the shot. It was a clean, one-arrow kill!
(http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l164/b_kleinig/Schafer%20Silvertip/NewBow-SchaferSilvertip026.jpg)
(http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l164/b_kleinig/Schafer%20Silvertip/NewBow-SchaferSilvertip029.jpg)
(BTW - it's a feral cane toad, and very destructive to the native animals that try to eat it, due to the poison glands on found on the back)
Ben,
Congratulations on the new member to your family - of bows, that is! It sure is a beauty and you shoot it well. I will look forward to some more articles and posts as the two of you chase game.
Let us know what your emotions and anticipations are when the little Kleinig arrives. I bet you will be soaring!
Ray
That's awesome Ben! This must be one of the most fun-to-read threads about a new bow so far! The bow is a beauty! Dave builds some amazing bows hey! Hope you enjoy it mate! Congrats!
Awesome.
I love the scence of humor your fellow friends seem to have.
That makes things fun.
Todd
ha ha yes! Ben iv been waiting for this like a little boy for Christmas! :bigsmyl: good on ya and Congrats
Dave is a Quality bowyer, one of the best IMO.
man at 80lbs with fast flight it must smoke and arrow. :eek:
so tell me when you gonna go chase some Buff with it?
Nice bow, it's one I'll order soon.
Very nice bow. Looking foward to seeing some pics of the upcoming hunting season.. :clapper:
Wow...great post and pics. Just like being there. Beautiful bow and great shooting! Continue to shoot her in good health. :thumbsup:
Congratulations Ben! great choice in Recurves, best recurve on the market IMO! It's got an awesome blend of speed accuracy quiet and inherent stability that tops most other recurves. not to mention that Dave and Beth are wonderful people . Have a great time shooting and hunting.
Gotta love the silvertips! Have fun with her. Love the pics you are always posting, cant wait to see what she brings down.
J
Impressive toad there by the way, deserves a place on the mantle.
Nice bow Ben. I have one very similar with antler knobs. I must say though the frog shot is just showing off :notworthy:
Beautiful bow Ben, hope it brings you years of enjoyment.
Burnsie
Can't believe you didn't get a clean pass through on the little brute with an 80# bow and 800grn arrows. Better sharpen up those broadheads before you try for another.
Congrats on the new TIP. FINE BOWS & FINE PEOPLE.
Ben, I can see you're really happy with the new toy. 11 months seems too long to wait, the bowyer must be really busy. I was going to point at the lack of penetration but mikecc did it first!
I can confess that a silvertip is in my wishlist.
Congratulations and enjoy the bow!
José.
Pucci,
Yall didn't know that cane toads are armor plated, arrow resistant? thought the whole world knew bout them. Australians gave up on frog legs cause a gig wouldn't penetrate em. Not to mention how tough the legs are.
No go buy the only bow known for being able to penetrate cane toad armor! (might go with a 85lber though 80 is lookin a little weak.)
Beware the cane toad!
J
I'll bet you Ben... $5.00; a cup of tea & two peices of toast with vegemite on 'em that you did not eat that toad after the kill...LOL!
Well done on the new bow mate, nothing like opening a box with a new bow inside. I keep the boxes now!
We'll have to do some hunting mate, soon.
Regards,
AK.
Beautiful pics and a great story too. Those bows are mighty nice..........but not a lot of penetration on the toad-they must be awful tough?
Lads, it is indeed a nice bow, and the Windauers are indeed wonderful people; as for the toad, well, he only copped about two inches of the Silvertip's draw, and still died instantly. :)
Ben you are a character! Really enjoyed your TBM artcle by the way. Hope you continue to submit stories. Australia's a facinating place.
Would you mind posting some pics of your limbs? Russian Olive stained to match the walnut riser was my main choice for my own upcoming Tip. I'd really like to see how yours turned out.
Dave
Great looking bow! Some great friends too! :)
Dave,
I really liked the looks of the Russian Olive limbs stained walnut version on the website (and the one belonging to TradGanger Losty); when I requested it, Dave told me that the Russian Olive veneers were a great match on their own without the staining, so I went with that. So, here are some pictures showing off the Russian Olive:
(http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l164/b_kleinig/Schafer%20Silvertip/SilvertipLimbPhotos005.jpg)
(http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l164/b_kleinig/Schafer%20Silvertip/SilvertipLimbPhotos006.jpg)
(http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l164/b_kleinig/Schafer%20Silvertip/SilvertipLimbPhotos008.jpg)
(http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l164/b_kleinig/Schafer%20Silvertip/SilvertipLimbPhotos001.jpg)
(http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l164/b_kleinig/Schafer%20Silvertip/SilvertipLimbPhotos010.jpg)
Congrat's Big Fella! After meeting the family and going hunting with your little Bro Nick - I can see where he gets it from!!!
Awesome bow Ben - and I know what the excitement is like. I have a beautiful Bob Lee Elite in solid Bubinga coming soon - a bow of the same ilke as your Silvertip.
Sutto
Thanks for posting the extra pics Ben. Beautiful, beautiful bow! Congradulations on your new hunting partner. Great choice!
Great story, and a stunning bow!!
Beautiful bow!!
Silvertips, and the Windauers....First Class all the way!
Sweet!
Hello BEN, a late question on your beautiful bow ... exept the chekered grip is it a basic Walnut one or is it a custom one ?
thank you
david
Hey David,you look to be pretty hot about those Tips!
G'day David,
It is rated for low-stretch strings, and so it is the standard Dymondwood stained walnut.
Cheers,
Ben
Hello Felix like we said here "A DONF" ... you can traduce that by "full attention" !!!!
Thank for your anwer Ben , your bow is pretty and since i discuver in can have paiement solutions to get one i 'think in some long months i'm going probably to get the same ! :pray:
By the look on your face I would say your very satisfied... :D Nice looking bow and groups..
Excellent Ben! Congrats on your new beauty. What happened to your old Schafer?
Ben...Very Cool!!
The mother of all beauty and function - Congratulations!
Congrats, that is a good looking bow. Nice shooting as well!!!
Very,very nice! Hope to get my hands on one soon. :archer2:
Congrats Ben! I love to see smiling faces on everyone that gets a new bow, especially mine... But, yours is a close second!
Enjoy! Like I need to tell you that!
Awesome bow and shooting, Ben.
Congrats to you!! I have bought two used ones in the last 30 days. Want to have them make me a one piece recurve now.....Randy
Randy,
Nice pick-up on the The charcoal/green camo Tip!!! That used to reside next to the other Tip you bought from me :) Enjoy my friend, they are a couple of winners for sure!
Kevin
G'day Ben, I missed this thread first time around. Beautiful bow FOR SURE. 80# !!! Is that for hunting rabbits or what?
Take care and good hunting!
-Ryan
Too funny, fellows! This is an old bow, now. I'm actually not shooting such a heavy weight anymore. Cheers, Ben