For all you folks out there who haven't tried a Jim Jones' Firefly yet - get your hands on one. I cannot find the superlatives to describe Jim's latest creation.
Just a short history. I Have been searching for one great bow for years now and it has cost me a veritable fortune getting them from the States into Australia. Many were one-piece bows and each cost me nearly $200 just for the postage, plus our wretched sales tax and exchange rate.
I have lost count of the number of bows that I have had and consequently sold off. Some have been good and many I have written good things about on here before. However when I ordered a cheap entry level F/F about six months ago from Jim's stock bows - I knew I was holding something very special.
As time wore on instead of the shine wearing off as it did with all the others - I became more endeared to my F/F and started selling off the other bows. I sold the new Bob Lee Elite, the gorgeous Fox Royal Crown, out went the Black Widow, the Hornes, the Toulkey Whip, the Martins the Renegade the Quest the Swan the Hall ............ I think you get the picture.
The only bows I have now are my little Turkey Creek (the style of handle does not fit me well but a beautiful fun bow to shoot) my original Firefly and the new one that arrived today.
I ordered the new one from Jim about three months ago and it arrived about one month ago. It was nice but there were a couple of things that took the shine off the bow, as far as I was concerned. There was certainly no wrongdoing on Jim's part - mainly because I am a pedantic perfectionist and very hard to please.
The grip was not exactly the same as my first F/F, the poundage was a couple of # too light and I did not like the matt finish.
I told him of my concerns and could not believe his reaction. He told me to shoot it straight back to him and he would make me a brand new bow and pay the postage both ways to Australia. How is that for great service - it does not get any better than that?? Particularly because he really did not do anything wrong and was not obliged to make me a new bow. I would not let him pay the postage both ways but did take up his offer for a new bow.
This one is absolutely awesome - just does not get any better than this. It is deathly quiet, the grip fits me like hot butter, it is very quick (exactly the same as my T/C - and they are well known for their speed), and most of all it satisfies my exacting eye - the finish and attention to detail are perfect.
The riser is Cocobolo, the limbs Tamo Ash with Zebrawood highlights she is 43# @ 28 (my draw is 29 1/2) and the cores are bamboo.
The thing that I really like is what Jim does with his limbs. He has a reverse taper on the end that I have not seen used the same way before. It makes for the smoothest pulling bow I have ever shot - but better than that - it really likes heavy arrows.
My T/C is the same poundage, but it has very delicate tips - more like a whippy fly rod. It shoots fast too but the F/F really comes into its own when shooting heavy arrows. The way Jim has set it up these bows are perfect for hunting. I don't have a chrono to give any figures, but it smokes my heavy hunting arrows out even better than the T/C does.
One final thing - the price. Most of my other top of the line bows were all around the 750-900 dollar mark. This one blows them all away and only cost $579 - awesome value.
Jim has been an absolute delight to deal with and is the very best of the best. The other plethora of companies I dealt with over the years of this pursuit were a mixed bag, some terrible, most fairly ordinary and one or two good ones. However none of them have come close to Jim Jones - he just absolutely bends over backward to make you happy.
Can somebody please put my pics up (Mike??) - I still haven't figured that out!
Sutto
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l167/suttoman/ResizeofDSC04793.jpg
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l167/suttoman/ResizeofDSC04795.jpg
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l167/suttoman/ResizeofDSC04796.jpg
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l167/suttoman/ResizeofDSC04801.jpg
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l167/suttoman/ResizeofDSC04806.jpg
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l167/suttoman/ResizeofDSC04813.jpg
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l167/suttoman/ResizeofDSC04821.jpg
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l167/suttoman/ResizeofDSC04824.jpg
Oh yea - here is the link to his site http://www.braveheartarchery.us
Sutto
(http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l167/suttoman/ResizeofDSC04824.jpg)
(http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l167/suttoman/ResizeofDSC04821.jpg)
(http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l167/suttoman/ResizeofDSC04813.jpg)
(http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l167/suttoman/ResizeofDSC04806.jpg)
(http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l167/suttoman/ResizeofDSC04801.jpg)
(http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l167/suttoman/ResizeofDSC04796.jpg)
(http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l167/suttoman/ResizeofDSC04795.jpg)
(http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l167/suttoman/ResizeofDSC04793.jpg)
There you go, bud. Nice looking bow. You keep promoting them like that and I'll HAVE to try one...Mike
Duuuuuuuude!! Sutto that is a beautiful bow, those Tamo Ash veneers are exquisite and the riser timber is awesome!! :)
Im really glad it finally arrived I know you've been excited to get this one. Holy smokes you did good on the timber combo, I cant stop looking at the pics. Greats stuff all round especially with Jims customer service.
One question what style grip is that...looks like a high grip?
Sweet bow :thumbsup: :archer:
Glad you found "your" bow, Sutto. Hope the shine never wears off.
Thanks heaps Mike - I knew you would load them up for me.
Wow - I have just come in from shooting my new F/F and that is all I can say. It just smokes my big heavy hunting arrows, is whisper quiet and I am driving tacks with this bow.
I guess the only this bow is so pretty I will have to take the plain Jane out on my hunting trips - would hate to scratch this bow.
Thanks for all the comments guys - really love this bow.
Sutto
very nice!
yes Matabele is a high wrist grip!
Sutto
Looks great, Sutto! But heck, I still reckon you're a fussy bloke, as all your bows have looked pretty good! Now, it's getting nice and warm out in the desert, so go find a waterhole and introduce that magnificent Firefly to a feral goaty-oaty! Have a good one, mate! Ben
Yes you are correct I am a fussy bugger. However it has all been worthwhile cause I have three keepers now and don't need to look anymore.
Yes I plan on giving Nick a buzz soon and we will get out there and chase some critters around. I have been too busy at work for the last three months but have got on top of things so will take time for a bit of hunting soon.
sutto
If anybody wants to put some pic's of their F/F on here feel free to do so. I would like to see what other combo's are around.
Sutto
You mean suttoman has finally found his bow!?
Doggonit, now how are the rest of us supposed to buy his used bows now....
Very nice! Congrats
Jim's a top notch bowyer and person, and his service is the best there is.
Glad you got your perfect bow, now Mr. Jones can move on to the rest of us on the list!
:thumbsup:
Beautiful bow Sutto
Sutto, great looking bow. What length did you get for your draw length?
Great, Sutto. I've been following your search for a while now, and I'm glad you found your bow. Good luck with it!
well I'm glad you like your bows looks.
But more importantly I'm glad you found THE ONE bow. I personally have always liked the idea of one particular bow that is yours and yours always. Hopefully you have a life long companion for the field.
Yes I really do have a companion with this bow lads. Some of the other bows I have had I have been pleased initially, but there was always something that niggled at me and eventually it would get sold off.
However I have had Jim's basic entry bow here now for over six months. Unlike all the others, the more I shoot this bow the more it amazes me. I could have been happy with just that one basic bow it is that good, so you can imagine how stoked I am with this gorgeous looking creation.
sutto
hey britts - you asked me what length I get for my draw length - I think you meant what poundage.
I get about 46#. Unfortunately that is all my poor old shoulder can handle at this stage. I would love to get some heavy hunting limbs up around the 50-52# mark - this bow would really smoke!
Sutto
Good on ya Sutto. She is a looker. I know how she shoots. i got a new one last week. Mine was inspired by the one who went to South Africa. Its sorta like it but not the same. I just got back on the web after the winds of Ike knocked out everything in my area so I'll get some pics up soon. I'm on my second FF and have already put Jim on notice for the third next year.The next one is gonna be a light weight 3D bow.
Here you go, Suttoman. I'm not much of a photographer but this one is 58" and 50#@28".
Bocote with Wenge and bloodwood accents.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v290/Hatrick/BacoteFirefly1.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v290/Hatrick/BacoteFirefly3.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v290/Hatrick/BacoteFirefly2.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v290/Hatrick/BacoteFirefly4.jpg)
Heydeer - Yes I remember when you got your first F/F you liked it so much you then got rid of the Widow. However I did not know you had another one. I would really like to see pics please when you get back to normal.
Thanks heaps for the pic's Hatrick - she is a real looker. I like dark coloured bows that are sort of an understatement - this one fits the bill fine.
Cheers - Sutto
Sutto, Was really asking what length your bow is. I have a 60" FF and at my draw lenght of 29" I wish it was a bit longer.
Looks like it says 62" on the limb...Mike
Yes mike is correct - they are both 62". My Turkey Creek is the same as well. I find it is a good length, a compromise between not being too long but long enough so as not to pinch the fingers.
Sutto
Britts, I draw 29 as well but really like the 58". I have shot a 60 incher and it was a bit smoother but I like the length and am gonna stick with it. I am gonna order another next year for 3D. it will be 62-64" and 45-50 pounda.