(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c210/coaster500/Idaho%20Curt%20Bows/IdahoCurtmyBow004.jpg)
I have fished my entire life and know the value of color, flash and presentation when trying to lure a fish into striking. I feel a bit like a fish right now. While trolling through the threads here on Tradgang I was struck by the glimmer and color of a bait cast by a Master Angler (by the way Curt makes Amazing Exotic Wood Fishing nets). I followed the bait and after a few tentative passes found out that Curt has been building bows for quite a while. He posted some pictures of a Bow he build for one of our soldiers and well, the hook was set :)
I have marveled at the woods displayed by Curt. He seems to have a talent for finding the perfect woods that display only what can be described as dazzling displays of Gods Grace! I have copied every post and saved pictures of his woods to help in my choices for other bow builds.
I Love Walnut and Myrtle in all their forms and there are many. Having been a Walnut grower for years I have a particular soft spot and appreciation for it. Curt seems to have a similar connection to these same woods and is a master at finding their secrets.
A while back he posted a picture of a 3pc bow (the soldier's) that had a very smooth flow and lacked the hardware seen on most other 3pc takedowns. I like the fluid lines of 1pc longbows but also like the portability of 2pc and 3pc bows for travel. It's great to throw a bow in your suit case and hit the road. Curt's bow maintains some of the seamless flow of a one piece and does so with his amazing wood treasures.
Curt found some Walnut very near my Orchard in Northern California. He also found both English and Black samples and sent me pictures. I don't want to sound like Cliff from Cheers but it's interesting to note that most of the older Walnut Orchards would use a Black Walnut root and then would graft an English top to it (in my case Franquette's "it's a variety of walnut"). The English Root can't take having its feet in American soil and is susceptible to Crown Rot :) True story!! The American black root is much hardier and resilient. The English varieties bare the nut and are fed by the black root. The cool thing for those of us who obsess over amazing woods is the struggle that occurs at the point of the graft sometimes and makes some Amazing Wild burls and Crazy grain patterns (pressure spot? they kind of go to war). Well Curt is the proverbial Crazy Wood blood hound.
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c210/coaster500/Idaho%20Curt%20Bows/IdahoCurtmyBow005.jpg)
I feel like a kid on Christmas morning..
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c210/coaster500/Idaho%20Curt%20Bows/IdahoCurtmyBow006.jpg)
No teasing....
Come on! I work with 3rd graders, we don't wait well! Curt sent some tiger myrtle to South Cox for me,and I agree, he can find some outstanding wood. Can't wait to see your bow!
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c210/coaster500/Idaho%20Curt%20Bows/HB17.jpg)
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c210/coaster500/Idaho%20Curt%20Bows/HB25.jpg)
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c210/coaster500/Idaho%20Curt%20Bows/HB11.jpg)
All I can say is wow! :eek:
Curt is one heck of a craftsman. I have placed a few orders from Curt and he is just as top notch as KennyM.
Awesome bow to.
Not sure if even WOW says enough!!!
WOW!!! :notworthy: Beautimous! If you lay the limbs together do the knots line up to form eyes? The veneers I pick out looked like an owl head with big round eyes when the lams where laid next to each other. That is an amazing combo right there.
She is Walnut and Myrtle (Walnut and Myrtle splice on the limbs) and 47 email and a dozen or more calls to Curt she is finished. This is the very first bow Curt has build with his LOGO the Hunter. He has been building bows a long time but this is the first Hunter....
She has Kudu tips and a bit of carbon in the core. The first two arrows from the her after sifting thru some I thought were spined close, with no tuning....and here they are...
The only complaint I have is I'm afraid I'm going to scratch her :(
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c210/coaster500/Idaho%20Curt%20Bows/IdahoCurtmyBow009.jpg)
Is she sexy or what?
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c210/coaster500/Idaho%20Curt%20Bows/HB05.jpg)
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c210/coaster500/Idaho%20Curt%20Bows/HB03.jpg)
OH WOW!! That is just drop dead sexy gorgeous! :saywhat:
I like that one alot! :thumbsup: :clapper:
Holy smokes !! thats a beauty !!
The riser was build from my hand or PAW print and Curt nailed it :)
Look Mom no limbs bolts
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c210/coaster500/Idaho%20Curt%20Bows/HB10.jpg)
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c210/coaster500/Idaho%20Curt%20Bows/HB09.jpg)
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c210/coaster500/Idaho%20Curt%20Bows/HB08.jpg)
ooooooo purrrrrdy! I like the profile too!
Absolutly gorgeous That bow is a beauty.
Thank you Curt the bow is all that an more!!!
Those who want to look here is a slideshow with my Bow the Soldiers Bow and a bunch of SWEET lookin Idaho Curt woods...
http://s28.photobucket.com/albums/c210/coaster500/Idaho%20Curt%20Bows/?albumview=slideshow
She a beauty for sure!!!! Gorgeous!!
Too stinkin cool!!!
Enjoy!!
I want to just thank kip for giving me the chance to build him a bow and the fact that we both love Walnut made it a real pleasure.
Thanks to all for the kind words,I truly appreciate it.
Awesome looking bow. Shoot her well.
Kip, you have the best looking collection of bows ever!!! Congrats on adding another beauty to the stable!! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Curt, Amazing craftsmanship sir!!! :notworthy:
WOW!!!
Thanks guys, I love this bow.... and Curt you built an drop dead gorgeous Shooter!!!
Beautiful bow sir! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
That bow is stunning! I have never seen more beautiful woods. Truly one of a kind! I'll bet it is a shooter.
That has to be the prettiest woods I have ever seen on a bow.
How do I get one? Who is this Curt you speak of?
I couldn't even get through the slide show! Way to much for one man to take in!
Wow! That is crazy beautiful!
Yea man! That's a looker!!!! Like the case too!
Combining woods like that is an art. Curt, sir, you are an artist. Bob
:mad: :mad: :mad: I hate you!
very sweet stick.
Bjorn my friend :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
I'm saving the pics of this bow because those are the BEST looking limb veneers I've seen.
She sure looks sweat
THAT was quite the strip tease there Kip!
how the heck are those limbs fastened?
Very, very pretty wood and a lovely design, too!
Hey Jim if you can't have a little fun what the heck :)
Hocus Pocus !!
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c210/coaster500/Idaho%20Curt%20Bows/HB07.jpg)
Wow, How much did you say you wanted for it?
Kip that a beautiful bow.
That is absolutely stunning.
Kip,That is UNREAL,What a beauty,and now another great craftsman rises.I can feel my wallet twitching.LOL
Curt really has a love of wood and it shows :)
It's very cool for me to have a bow made with woods that grew very close to my ranch :)
That is beauty!!!!
Kip: Very nice, I have one on order as well, doing Walnut and Yew. I have had two sets of limbs made from Curt's veneers ( Myrtle) they both turned out spectacular. He is also making me a new net Myrtle/Walnut/Yew, the guy is just amaizing with wood...Enjoy RW
Nice bow would be an understatement! Congrats.
"Myrtle/Walnut/Yew"
Roy I'd say Curt was the go to guy for that combo :) Sweeeeet !!!!
wait i knew that i could find a fault in it, its wrong handed
:thumbsup: Drop dead gorgeous!!!
That one sweet bow! There is going to be a three piece in my future.....someday.
Absolutely, incredibly, gorgeous!!! :thumbsup:
:notworthy: :notworthy:
Now that's a hawt bow! Grats on it man :)
As a side note to this story and completely independent of it, I was looking at the Associate Sponsors page a few weeks ago and noticed the beautiful Curly Walnut lamination Curt had for sale. A PM inquiry about purchasing some thicker pieces of wood for knife handles and shebang a box of beautiful wood arrives at my clinic this week. Time to dress up some steel...Doc
man i can not freaking wait until its my turn. im getting a bocote one
that bow is really really nice looking and looks like a shooter
that is so gorgeous im awe stricken. In love, astounded.
Thanks guys, I'm still struck by the beauty of these woods... I just need a little time to find out what she likes to launch :)
Jim I think Curt could figure out how to build a backwards riser for you :)
Jeff, can't wait to see one of your blades dressed up in some of Curt's walnut :thumbsup:
Beautiful craftsmanship!
just stuning one of the best Thanks Shane
how high did you jump when you opened that box! thats one beautiful bow.
Beautiful woods! I really liked your story to go with it, a very special bow for sure. Enjoy!
kwc, don't jump that good anymore but had the wife close by with the smelling salts :)