Rick Stillman owner of the sponsor The Feathered Shaft is THE MAN!!!
Quite a while back I was in need of some wood arrows. I had some arrows made by a different guy that I thought were OK but I needed some different ones.
I emailed a few different arrow makers with some questions. Some didn't respond, most did.
A few of the responses were not any help as they didn't answer the questions ( as if the email wasn't read with any intent on comprehending the questions)
Of the places that answered Rick was by FAR the most helpful. There wasn't any doubt that he cared about this out of the blue email and wanted to help me make the best arrow decision possible.
Over the course of a few emails I learned a LOT about tuning, shaft woods, feather sizes etc.
So first thing first I ordered a few test shafts from him. When they came in I thought "Dang! These are nice, straight, well made, good looking arrows" thinking these are just "test" arrows and might be lacking in finish quality or something.
NOPE. They were super good.
After paper testing the test arrows and such and figuring the spine I needed it was time to order.
I emailed Rick about my paper results and he read and CARED about the results.
The 55# spine was slightly weak. 58# shot pretty good. 62# was a bit too stiff.
He recommended 56-59# so if an individual shaft was slightly weak I could shorten it a bit. ( he remembered I had a little length to spare)
I asked if he could fade a stain from one color to another. "Sure"
Cutting to the chase, I just got in my tapered spruce arrows with a red mahogany stain tip fading into Sedona Red. It's hard to see in the pic but the fade looks GREAT.
Also, the arrows are straight. I mean STRAIGHT!
Every arrows seems so identical to another it's just unreal. Each arrow has a little personality as the wood grain takes the stain a tad different.
He did a great job staining too. Just the right amount to showcase the grain and still have good color.
They shoot GREAT. I've always had "THE" arrow out of the doz that seemed to fly the best...not anymore. They are equal. It's awesome and I'm very happy.
Nicest set of arrows I've ever owned. PERIOD!
This picture doesn't even come close to doing justice for these arrows.
Thanks Rick!
(http://i748.photobucket.com/albums/xx121/Zradix/Orangearrows.jpg)
Rick REALLY knows his craft, and he's a good man too!!
Congrats on a fine set of arrows and on a working knowledge of what best fits your setup for future reference.
That boy can make an arrow so pretty you don't want to shoot it.I have a few from the St. Jude auction I won and they are trophy case arrows. :notworthy:
Its always great to hear of someone who listens to his customers and provides great service. Those are good looking arrows. :thumbsup:
Very nice! :thumbsup:
Rick is a hell of a guy. Wait 'till you meet him in person. God never made them any better.
Rick does suberp work. You won't ever find any better
Rick is an artist! PLus..........he's one of the good guys!
Rick did a dozen beauties for me as well. He does such a good job, the arrows are straight, the feathers and dip perfect, and the spine was absolutely spot on. Plus, Rick's a class act, stand-up fella, and I am proud to call him a friend. I can't wait to send him a cheezin photo of his artwork AFTER it has been painted by me :)
If I ever shoot wood arrows, they are going to come from Rick. My brain cannot wrap itself up with the romance of the wood arrow at this point...I have to have "non-natural" shafting right now. Sitting next to him at a show, watching him spin his "seconds" on the spin tester is amazing. Those shafts are very bit as straight as my Full Metal Jacket Eastons.
What jonsimoneau said X 10 ! Mason and I got to share a few days and campfires with Rick at Compton this past summer. What a gent !
He would have all our biz if Mason and I did not roll our own. That is our father / son project during Jan-March. He certainly gives us something to aspire to, that is for sure. His woodies are works of art and show the pride he takes in his work. Something I am trying to teach Mason on each dozen as we build them.
Yes, Steve O, we too drooled over Rick's little spin test display at the Compton booth. Had to look twice to see if that was a Carbon Express on the spinner and not a Surewood. If we would have had a decent crosswind under the tent I am sure it would have caught enough of the fletching to keep it spinning all day on it's own !!! They are that straight. Why not give in to the woodie bug Steve O, there is just something about them...... ? I do know they sure quieten down your set up too. We are hooked.
Good on ya Fletcher !
Rick's arrows are simply outstanding with service to match! :thumbsup:
:biglaugh: It is just me and the way my brain works...I am sure one day I will be lured over for good.
Great Person and Awesome Arrows!
He keeps telling me deer shot with wood shafts taste better but I'm with Steve O...can't bring myself to use them. Not yet at least!
Josh
Nothin' but excellence comin' out of Rick's shop!
He is at the top when it comes to arrow makin'.
Keep the wind in your face!
Shoot straight, Shinken
By far the best wood arrow maker I've dealt with! And the man does care!! :thumbsup:
Great looking arrows. :clapper:
Last year at the Kalamazoo Expo John Vasos and I was next to Rick and his wife. Rick had his business set up and we had our Camp Cuervo Archery Club booth set up. I never met Rick or his wife before and during the slow times we had a chance to talk and share stories. Good folks for sure.
At the end of a long weekend we had to break down our booths and head for home. John V and I took down the American flag and was folding it when I noticed Rick was standing at attention looking at our flag with his hand over his heart.
Actions sometimes speak louder than words.
It made me feel proud to see Rick do that.
QuoteOriginally posted by Jon Stewart:
Last year at the Kalamazoo Expo John Vasos and I was next to Rick and his wife. Rick had his business set up and we had our Camp Cuervo Archery Club booth set up. I never met Rick or his wife before and during the slow times we had a chance to talk and share stories. Good folks for sure.
At the end of a long weekend we had to break down our booths and head for home. John V and I took down the American flag and was folding it when I noticed Rick was standing at attention looking at our flag with his hand over his heart.
Actions sometimes speak louder than words.
It made me feel proud to see Rick do that.
I never met him but what you stated just then tells me that man has Honor and has my respect.That's the kind of person I admire.
OK. You guys have convinced me to give it another go. I have a TallTines longbow due next month. When I get it, I am going to contact Rick and try to overcome my anal nature (no jokes please) and get in touch with my inner romantic and wring out a set of those laser straight woodies.
:campfire:
Hah Steve-o, you're behind again...I just ordered a dozen doug fir, super duper all the way. White caps and barred feathers.
Biggie, be sure to post some pics. I love seeing Rick's work. :thumbsup:
Story of my life Biggie, story of my life!
QuoteOriginally posted by Steve O:
OK. You guys have convinced me to give it another go. I have a TallTines longbow due next month. When I get it, I am going to contact Rick and try to overcome my anal nature (no jokes please) and get in touch with my inner romantic and wring out a set of those laser straight woodies.
:campfire:
Holy crap...us carbon users are going to lose another one. I guess I may have to switch myself now!
QuoteOriginally posted by Oliverstacy:
QuoteOriginally posted by Steve O:
OK. You guys have convinced me to give it another go. I have a TallTines longbow due next month. When I get it, I am going to contact Rick and try to overcome my anal nature (no jokes please) and get in touch with my inner romantic and wring out a set of those laser straight woodies.
:campfire:
Holy crap...us carbon users are going to lose another one. I guess I may have to switch myself now! [/b]
Josh if your going to switch you nwill not find a better person to get them from than Rick
Bow Man
I want to learn the whole process from start to finish...love making my own arrows and have dipped in the past.
I'd love to stain, seal, cap and crest...might even buy a crester and go to town!
Josh
Thanks for the nice words and comments. You all have been very great to work with too, and really know how to humble a guy.
It may be a mental thing, Josh, but they really do taste better with wood arrows, esp those you've made yourself.
Just ordered some arrows from Rick for my new Northern Mist.
Frank X.