Does any one know anything about a Hill style bow called a Jim Bow?
Can't remember the feller's name, but his company was JimBo.
I have one of those bows, Made by a real nice fellow named Charles Willaford (sp?) from Ohio if memory serves, he passed away several years ago. There was talk of his son taking over the business but I dont think it ever materialized. Mine is a 60# all osage, I havent shot it in quite some time but its the only bow I wont sell.
There were two different fellows making bows under that name at the same time. One was from Colorado and the other was from Ohio I think. Neither had the name trademarked and there was some animosity between them. I met the one of them at Cloverdale years ago and he expressed his displeasure with the other but I never heard how it was settled.
Jim Garoutte in GrandJunction Colorado has also his company "JIMBOW". Jim has been using this name since 1989. Jim learned his craft of a bowyer at Damon Howatt in the mid '70's. He has sent many Jimbows to Italy and Europe. His bows are all reverse forward riser style, and he builds a great 3pc. recurve, td.flatbow,and '60's style 1pc. recurve. His bows are well known in the Western states. Valley Traditional Archery Supply in Silt Colorado is his only outlet, and a sponser of TRADGANG. Just a little info on another Jimbow. Jim told me he spoke with Charles and he was a wonderful man to talk to. With different spellings there was never a problem. Thanks for letting me ramble on. Dick
The one I referring to was in fact a Jimbo, Sorry my bad..
The guy I met was from Ohio. He went by JimBo, not Jimbow....enough difference for copyright issues to be nonexistant. The bows were plain but shot very well. He used to setup at Denton Hill but hasn't been there for awhile.
The JimBo I was wondering about is the one from Ohio, I bought one 45# @28" 70" long looks like a Hill and shoots like one to! any more Info is appreciated! MIKE
I have one. I got off of Archerytalk a couple years ago.. I got the same info that the maker was from Ohio and has passed away. He made plain bow for a good price. Mine is 40#@28" 60". Clear glass with maple lams. It is a nice bow.
A couple things that I remember about the fellow at Cloverdale that sold the Jimbos was that he was an older gentleman and his bow were priced very reasonable, at least a third less than other comparable bows.
I bought this one for my Sun, Needless to say he is very happy!
Tradbowhunter did an interwiev with Jim Garoutte Aug/Sep 1993