Bill at Vermilion River Bows sent me a teaser of my bow in its infant stages...the excitement builds! It is my first custom.
It will soon evolve into a three piece 62" longbow. The woods are fiddleback walnut and curly maple. I liked the idea of domestic woods, but I did opt for the actionboo core for performance purposes.
Dusty
(http://i643.photobucket.com/albums/uu158/Stephen_M_Lathrop/bow_pic1.jpg)
I've always enjoyed watching skilled craftsmen work, whether it be an artist, bricklayer, etc.
Bill at Vermilion River Bows is one of these. He is graciously allowing me a peek at his skill through pictures of him crafting my new bow and it is enhancing the buying experience greatly.
Below are several pictures of him shaping my riser.
(http://i643.photobucket.com/albums/uu158/Stephen_M_Lathrop/bow_pic2.jpg)
(http://i643.photobucket.com/albums/uu158/Stephen_M_Lathrop/bow_pic3.jpg)
(http://i643.photobucket.com/albums/uu158/Stephen_M_Lathrop/bow_pic4.jpg)
(http://i643.photobucket.com/albums/uu158/Stephen_M_Lathrop/bow_pic5.jpg)
(http://i643.photobucket.com/albums/uu158/Stephen_M_Lathrop/bow_pic6.jpg)
(http://i643.photobucket.com/albums/uu158/Stephen_M_Lathrop/bow_pic7.jpg)
Now, that's what I call "Black Walnut". That's gonna be sharp, Dusty!
Nice looking woods,looking forward to seeing the completed bow!
Wow I can't wait to see the finished bow.
Jack
You'll love it!!! Bill puts together a great shooting/looking bows. Dana
Yep, Bill will be sending my bow in a few days. Anxiously waiting for the chrono report (60", #58@28"). It's a beauty from the pics.
I'll be keeping my eyes on this! Love that walnut!
firsted,
I'd like to see your bow if you wouldn't mind posting some pics.
I'll keep updating this thread as I receive new pictures.
Dusty
I love these build alongs....I can't wait to see how that walnut finishes? That is some dark stuff :)
I really like the idea of domestic woods. Thanks for sharing.
Very nice.
Limbs being prepped for glue. Now I know I'm a little biased but, are those veneers sweet or what?!?!
(http://i643.photobucket.com/albums/uu158/Stephen_M_Lathrop/bow_pic8.jpg)
(http://i643.photobucket.com/albums/uu158/Stephen_M_Lathrop/bow_pic9.jpg)
(http://i643.photobucket.com/albums/uu158/Stephen_M_Lathrop/bow_pic10.jpg)
Just wanted to add that Bill is in keeping with the 99% of people in the traditional archery world who are helpful, courteous, and patient to no end.
I wish I had the money to have him immediately begin a new bow after this one has finished. I don't even know how it shoots but Bill's personality alone will make me believe it shoots 10fps faster!
Bill builds a great bow in all ways. I have one of his recurves and one is not enough. I will be adding to his work list soon.
Love the wood combo...marco!
Stunning.....
You know that riser looks a lot like an Acadian Woods.
To Dusty, I haven't checked this post lately but if you're still here tomorrow you'll see pics of the Raptor that Bill put together for me. Got it in yesterday. And everyone's right - Bill's a very patient and courteous dude. And the bow is a nail driver!
firsted,
I had Bill check out this post and after seeing my post about wanting to see your bow, he emailed me a picture. Outstanding. That myrtle(I think its myrtle) is awesome. The limb veneers are superb as well!
Hey, Dusty, I'm not too good with pics but here;'s one of my Vermilion River Raptor. The riser is fiddleback walnut and myrtle as are the
overlays and veneer. Limb cores on this one are black locust with the
same for the wedge and the grip is medium. Length 60" 58#@28"
The bow's a nail-driver & shoots right where you're looking. Highly recommended. It may be too nice for me to take to the woods without preliminary planning but that's just me.
Thanks,
Eddie
(http://i825.photobucket.com/albums/zz179/firsted/Raptor%20Pics/raptorresize1.jpg)
oops, didn't see your earlier post; but posted a pic anyway.
Too cool ! :thumbsup:
Is this a TD LB ?
firsted,
No, I'm glad you did post a picture. That view is even more complimentary than the one I saw. This is just adding fuel to the fire! To a one, every bow I've seen of Bill's has been easy on the eyes (okay, except for the "camowood" bows but I've never seen one of those I like).
To anybody else who owns one of Bill's bows; feel free to post some pictures!
Gordy,
Yep, the first I will have owned or shot.
The bows Bill puts together not only look great, they are very good shooters--fast, quiet & stable.
Yep, I have to say that my bow is as quiet as any I own (Black Swan, Bighorn, BW, Roy Hall Navajo, couple others). I intend to have great success this fall with it.
Oops, sorry Gordy, but no, it's a TD RC
Really coming along nicely, and really like his riser design, and those lams, and....I could go on and on!
Does anyone know his wait time?
QuoteOriginally posted by Over&Under:
Really coming along nicely, and really like his riser design, and those lams, and....I could go on and on!
Does anyone know his wait time?
Sent you a PM.
Bocote and Texas ebony (http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d180/oscar-eleven/GetAttachmentaspx.jpg) (http://s35.photobucket.com/albums/d180/oscar-eleven/?action=view¤t=GetAttachmentaspx.jpg)
Oscar-eleven,
Wow! That is a sharp looking bow. These bow pics make me doubt my wood choices.
Dusty
I would have to agree with the statements made before. I have 5 of Bills bows several of which are on the home page of his website. They shoot and handle better than about anything else I have owned including Assenheimer and Blacktail. He recently started making a shorter 65" recurve that I bet is sweet and a new longbow and I have one and can tell you it is as sweet as anything out there. Every bow he has built for me he has sent pictures as its being built. Bill is one great guy and makes a really good bow. Give one a try and you will not be sorry
Terry
I love that riser Wish I had the know how to do it :cool: :cool: :notworthy:
Next installment:
Newly glued-up limbs
(http://i643.photobucket.com/albums/uu158/Stephen_M_Lathrop/bowpic11.jpg)
Gluing tip and butt overlays
(http://i643.photobucket.com/albums/uu158/Stephen_M_Lathrop/bowpic12.jpg)
Bill's contoured riser option. I think this is a nice depature from most modern bows.
(http://i643.photobucket.com/albums/uu158/Stephen_M_Lathrop/bowpic14.jpg)
Nearly completed limb. Veneers are lookin' good!
(http://i643.photobucket.com/albums/uu158/Stephen_M_Lathrop/bowpic15.jpg)
STRUNG!
(http://i643.photobucket.com/albums/uu158/Stephen_M_Lathrop/bowpic13.jpg)
Bill says it should be ready to spray at the beginning of next week. I'm hopeful to take my first turkey with it in April.
Very very nice. Great job Bill.
WOW!!! That fiddleback walnut is stunning!! I've alway loved Ziricote and Walnut and that is some of the prettiest walnut i've ever seen!
Very nice Dusty! Bill uses some of the prettiest woods I have ever seen. Congrats on a fine bow. I agree the new grip is a good one.
I really like the looks of the riser...I can't wait to see the finished product...
That walnut is the perfect color for a ground blind. Great profile, beautiful woods !!
Thats going to be a stunner for sure.
Very nice!!
ttt
That is a nice looking rig!I'm really impressed with Bills workmanship.
Dustin I talked to Bill for an hour yesterday he told me he was spraying your bow. Come on we need pics!! Cant wait to see the finish make the walnut pop.
Didn't know he had sent pics to me! They'll be posted soon.
Plot spoiler...it rocks!
The walnut finished better than I could have hoped.
(http://i643.photobucket.com/albums/uu158/Stephen_M_Lathrop/bowpic16.jpg)
(http://i643.photobucket.com/albums/uu158/Stephen_M_Lathrop/bowpic17.jpg)
(http://i643.photobucket.com/albums/uu158/Stephen_M_Lathrop/bowpic18.jpg)
(http://i643.photobucket.com/albums/uu158/Stephen_M_Lathrop/bowpic19.jpg)
Wow Wow Wow!!!
You both should be very proud of that one!!
Beautiful bow Dusty.
Congrats
Thanks for taking us along on the journey.
Excellent looking bow Dusty and some fine work by Bill!
Really nice work :)
Sweet Rig!
Wow, that is one nice looking bow.
Very pretty, congratulations!
Thanks guys. I'm getting very antsy now.
Dusty
Beautiful. I love the lines on the riser.
I knew it would look good, you should be proud. Bill is such a great guy and a craftsman at that.
Domestic woods are tops!