Several years ago Bill Dunn (Zipper Bows) put together a custom bow for me out of wood off of our family farm. It was a resounding success and honors the legacy (http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=058407#000000) of the farm and what it has taught me.
I was restoring a glade on the property a couple years ago and found an ancient gnarly old dogwood that had finally given up the ghost. The lone tree was at the top of a bluff overlooking the main valley like a sentinel watching over the farm. The main stem was over 8 inches and I rough milled it to see if I could honor the old tree by finding a bow within its lumber. The character of the wood was exquisite, and I knew I had to get in touch with Bill again to see if he could work his magic a second time for a farmwood bow.
I shipped everything I could salvage out of the old relic to Bill and after a few days got an email that he felt that he could craft an SXT out of the lumber. The SXT is the shorter 14" riser option that Bill offers. I was thrilled to say the least. Another farmwood bow was in the works! Started out as this:
(http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q176/akinslow/Bows/DSC02278.jpg)
Over a year and a lot of Bill's blood, sweat, and tears later it all came together. Bill's own words "It was a bear through the whole build,but VERY worth it in the end. That wood is really something.Simple yet stunning."
The Sentinel...
(http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q176/akinslow/DSC02953.jpg)
(http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q176/akinslow/DSC02954.jpg)
(http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q176/akinslow/DSC02936.jpg)
(http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q176/akinslow/DSC02956.jpg)
(http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q176/akinslow/DSC02961.jpg)
(http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q176/akinslow/DSC02960.jpg)
Thanks Bill and Tracy for this heirloom that provides another connection to this land that I hold so dear. Stewardship with the land, stewardship with what comes from it, stewardship through the hunt... we are each Sentinels.
:thumbsup:
Nice. :clapper:
Awesome looking bow and a great story to go with it!! :campfire:
That is sweet! Congrats on a bow that will last you through the years! :thumbsup: :clapper:
That is really cool
Beautiful wood and bow! Congrats!
It's not often that a bow can claim both exquisite beauty and a deep emotional connection for the owner. This one does both in spades! What a special piece of work :thumbsup:
I think Whip said it well :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
A great bow with history spanning before it existed. That is cool!
Bill did a great job,thats some piece of history you have,enjoy.
Man that is one pretty bow!
Cool story. Your sentinel tree made a beauty of a bow.
Outstanding in many ways. Awesome.
Very nice bud!!!
:wavey:
Beautiful!
Very nice, Andrew! What weight did it finish out to? I see (-)2 @ 28. Is that fist number a 5 or a 6?
Congratulations buddy! :thumbsup:
wow... :thumbsup:
Tom, it came in 52@ 28, right in the middle of the range I requested. Feels more like 45 with the new evolution limb design. Smooth!!
Thanks everyone for all the comments. Bill's craftsmanship is truly amazing and matched only by his humble nature. He and Tracy worked really hard on this project and are great people to work with.
That is Amazing!!! :thumbsup:
Bill
This was another of those, easy to get into builds. Just as with the Legacy bow the connection with the Kinslow's family farm makes this wood very special. Unlike the Legacy bow the dogwood from the Sentinel fought me at every turn. There was just enough wood to build the SXT and no room for error. Just enough wood is nothing new. With the price of exotic hardwoods you do not want to make many mistakes. Some of the dogwood from the Sentinel tree was in pretty rough shape and it was quite a chore to figure the best way to use the limited amount of wood. All in all, the bow turned out great and I'm thrilled Andrew is so pleased. I just wonder what he is going to come up with next! I do not think I will ever see another piece of dogwood with this much cheracter.
Bill
I have to say it makes me proud that you chose us to build this special bow.
Great job Bill!!
very nice and great idea Mr. Kinslow.
Beautiful bow, beautiful story.
Almost brings a tear.
Good job Bill.
John
That is a fantastic looking bow with an equally fantastic story. Thank you for sharing.
Way cool!
To the tip top for a awesome bow, bowyer, and owner who seen the diamond in the rough ! What a heirloom there bud.
How did I miss this one?
Well I for one will say that when my brother told me about this bow and I first saw the wood staves I said....well you can always send if off to be camo dipped. :saywhat: :goldtooth:
Another fine bow to go with that osage/walnut Legacy bow you have. Can't say I've ever heard of a dogwood riser, but it is unique with the streak. Cool name too.
:thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Dang those Kinslow brothers are something else. Glad I got to hunt with you both at least once. Bill & Tracy are cut from the same cloth. My hats off to ya'll...Doc
:thumbsup: Special indeed!
Great looking bow :thumbsup: :D
Tracy
Very special bow.!!
That is some beautiful wood.
Wow, That is AWESOME!!!!
quote:
Originally posted by Chris Kinslow:
P.S. Don't you think breaking it in on some hogs would be a nice way to test it out? My wife doesn't count a pig hunt as a big hunt so I think I could pull one of those off this fall!
:saywhat: :saywhat:
Andrew and Bill, you guys make a great team. Chris, you reminded me of Andrew's commitment to use only local hardwoods. Very cool idea. When we met you had a Brackenbury made of walnut and something else right Andrew? Then the Legacy and now this. Wonderful. Of course I take credit for getting you hooked on Zippers!
Tom,
I know, I know... its past time to get another hunt figured out. We'll make it happen. :saywhat:
Norb,
You are right on both cases, I had a Brack made of Walnut and Cherry during that Texas Sweat Hunt. I sold it to help fund the Legacy bow. And your Zip Extreme was the first I ever shot, so you are a part of this story also. Hands down the most immediately pointable bow I had ever shot, and that is what sold me on the zipper design.
We've got to find a way to get on another hunt together soon. Hope all is doing well.
Chris,
Just found this thread. Wow! What a bow! What a story!
Larry