Trad Gang

Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: LimBender on September 07, 2011, 10:11:00 PM

Title: First Custom Bow and Knife (all TradGang)
Post by: LimBender on September 07, 2011, 10:11:00 PM
Christmas came early this year!  

I set my mind on a Zipper, saved my pennies from Christmas and birthday and have been pestering Bill ever since.  All I can say is the man has my nomination for the patron saint of patience.   :D   I changed my mind (not for the first time) when I saw this riser.  For the limb bellies, Bill came up with staining maple to match the osage, which came out real nice.  For the back, I made several attempts at killing my own snakes (water moccasins), but I came up short, so I guess Bill had pity on me and hooked me up with some sweet copperheads.

The bow is an SXT with 58" 51@27" (my dl) carbon/foam recurve limbs.
Well, I got her yesterday and am so dang impressed!  What a quiet, fast shooter!   :archer:   Here are the pics (which is the only reason to read this post):  

 (http://img11.imageshack.us/img11/6358/377rk.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/11/377rk.jpg/)

Part of why I say it is all TradGang is my limb bolts were made by Sticshooter (Frank).  They came out great!  Another is my extra string (I haven't gotten to mess with) is an SBD, which is a good piece of crafstmanship, and the knife will be in the following post (pics are slow!)

(http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t85/whuguet/375.jpg)

Here is a belly shot:

(http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t85/whuguet/382.jpg)

And here is the obligatory strung shot (not best quality):

(http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t85/whuguet/383.jpg)

More to follow (if my computer cooperates)!
Title: Re: First Custom Bow and Knife (all TradGang)
Post by: Benjy on September 07, 2011, 10:19:00 PM
Beautiful bow! Welcome to the Zipper family.
Title: Re: First Custom Bow and Knife (all TradGang)
Post by: BrownA5 on September 07, 2011, 10:23:00 PM
I echo what Benjy said.  Zippers are great bows.. it seems the more you handle and shoot it the more they just seem to grow on you.  That said, I need to go upstairs and take mine down and look at it!

Enjoy!
Title: Re: First Custom Bow and Knife (all TradGang)
Post by: huntmaster80 on September 07, 2011, 10:23:00 PM
wow very nice, I just put a set of copperhead skins over black glass and they turned really gray, not nearly a nice looking as the ones that you have.  Great looking bow!!!
Title: Re: First Custom Bow and Knife (all TradGang)
Post by: LimBender on September 07, 2011, 10:26:00 PM
huntmaster, I'm pretty sure Bill painted a light color over the carbon or they would have been darker.

Oh and thanks guys!
Title: Re: First Custom Bow and Knife (all TradGang)
Post by: bolong on September 07, 2011, 10:43:00 PM
:thumbsup:  That is one nice bow! Copperhead is my favorite skins except when they are on my carport or backyard.
Title: Re: First Custom Bow and Knife (all TradGang)
Post by: LimBender on September 07, 2011, 10:54:00 PM
I can't post up this bow without showing KHalverson's matching scales knife.  It's made from an old file with a pigtail, quench line, and some file work.  Handles real well and holds a great edge.  I think the pictures show that Kevin went above and beyond!


(http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t85/whuguet/402.jpg)

(http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t85/whuguet/393.jpg)

(http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t85/whuguet/385.jpg)


A few more bow notes to follow if I get a chance.
Title: Re: First Custom Bow and Knife (all TradGang)
Post by: Lone Ranger on September 07, 2011, 10:57:00 PM
wow, those are SWEET!

L.R.
Title: Re: First Custom Bow and Knife (all TradGang)
Post by: beemann on September 07, 2011, 11:09:00 PM
Outstanding that makes me want another zipper.  Good for you.
Title: Re: First Custom Bow and Knife (all TradGang)
Post by: LimBender on September 07, 2011, 11:54:00 PM
The bow handles real well, has enough mass, and is balanced.  I came from a very different grip but got used to it quick and it makes for a very consistent, comfortable grip.  The bow points well, seems very fast, and I was impressed with its accuracy.  After playing with grip, brace height and arrows, I was getting very good (for me) but slightly high groups at 15 to 20 - which I would like to blame on more speed, which isn't a problem that really worries me.   :D   Here is the last shot pic (I was aiming for L and only have 2 250 gr. tips from the test kit):  

(http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t85/whuguet/407.jpg)

Last is the textured finish.  My other bows have glossy finishes and compared to them this is perfect for hunting and lives up to its billing.  Aside from cutting down on glare, I've had problems with sweat and slippery grips.  The texture on the finish should really help.

Hopefully my next pics of this bow will be with blood.  Gotta get practicing!  Thanks for looking.
Title: Re: First Custom Bow and Knife (all TradGang)
Post by: dhill1520 on September 08, 2011, 12:12:00 AM
Congrats..That is a beautiful combo..especially the bow!
Title: Re: First Custom Bow and Knife (all TradGang)
Post by: Over&Under on September 08, 2011, 12:13:00 AM
What a looker!!!

Bill has a way with bows there is no doubt.  Fastest bow I have shot to date and one of best looking as well.  As you mentioned....Bill is a supurb guy as well.

Congrats!!
Title: Re: First Custom Bow and Knife (all TradGang)
Post by: cacciatore on September 08, 2011, 01:47:00 AM
Great looking combo and woods of choice.Welcome to the Zipper family,that bow will surprize you!
Title: Re: First Custom Bow and Knife (all TradGang)
Post by: GRINCH on September 08, 2011, 02:08:00 AM
Those are beautiful,congrats.
Title: Re: First Custom Bow and Knife (all TradGang)
Post by: Izzy on September 08, 2011, 05:51:00 AM
Thats some fine gear you you there.
Title: Re: First Custom Bow and Knife (all TradGang)
Post by: Kip on September 08, 2011, 07:27:00 AM
Will everything looks great.And yes go get it bloody.  :campfire:   :thumbsup:Kip
Title: Re: First Custom Bow and Knife (all TradGang)
Post by: KentuckyTJ on September 08, 2011, 07:40:00 AM
Will, our bows were finished together. Got mine a couple days ago. Fantastic bow.
Title: Re: First Custom Bow and Knife (all TradGang)
Post by: KHALVERSON on September 08, 2011, 06:57:00 PM
will
thats one of the prettiest zippers ive ever seen
congrats on the new bow
i hope you get the combo bloody soon
kevin
Title: Re: First Custom Bow and Knife (all TradGang)
Post by: owlbait on September 08, 2011, 07:55:00 PM
Will, I TOLD YOU! The wait was worth it, wasn't it! Great looking combo, and I know those limbs are some of the finest made. I like how you kept the project and accessories "in house"    :D      :campfire:   Looking forward to some kill shots in the near future!
Title: Re: First Custom Bow and Knife (all TradGang)
Post by: glass76 on September 08, 2011, 08:17:00 PM
Another nice Zipper.   :thumbsup:   Cool knife too.   :thumbsup:
Title: Re: First Custom Bow and Knife (all TradGang)
Post by: GWV on September 08, 2011, 09:09:00 PM
Nice looking combo!
Title: Re: First Custom Bow and Knife (all TradGang)
Post by: LONGSTYKES on September 08, 2011, 09:18:00 PM
Will, Great looking set-up. Really nice bow, the limbs are awesome hope she shoots well for you.
Title: Re: First Custom Bow and Knife (all TradGang)
Post by: Thumper Dunker on September 09, 2011, 03:33:00 AM
Nice.
Title: Re: First Custom Bow and Knife (all TradGang)
Post by: zipper bowss on September 09, 2011, 08:02:00 AM
I dont remember ever having another set of Copperhead skins that matched as well as those two do.I'm glad she turned out just how you imagined it would.Now go get it bloody!  :D  
Kevin did a bang up job on that knife.I saw it when it did not have finish on it and it looked great then,but does not compare to the finished product.Great job Kevin.  :notworthy:    :clapper:
Title: Re: First Custom Bow and Knife (all TradGang)
Post by: Shifting Shadow on September 09, 2011, 08:37:00 AM
Wow, what a sharp looking bow (and knife) !
Title: Re: First Custom Bow and Knife (all TradGang)
Post by: LimBender on September 09, 2011, 09:23:00 AM
Thanks for the words guys!  Kevin's knife would match perfect if only he had used Bill's textured finish.   :D  

Gonna try to put some catfish blood on it this weekend, and I am certain that a few of my stand locations will be crawling with dillos! Do they count?    ;)
Title: Re: First Custom Bow and Knife (all TradGang)
Post by: ron w on September 09, 2011, 09:35:00 AM
Real nice......   :thumbsup:
Title: Re: First Custom Bow and Knife (all TradGang)
Post by: LV2HUNT on September 09, 2011, 11:22:00 AM
Yep, those will do! Good stuff.
Title: Re: First Custom Bow and Knife (all TradGang)
Post by: Jake Allen on September 09, 2011, 11:49:00 AM
Wow, ain't that pretty! I am proud for ya'
One of the best looking bows I have seen.
Looks like you picked a winner, and I will
hazard a wager it will look just fine with blood
on it too.
Thanks for the good pictures.
Title: Re: First Custom Bow and Knife (all TradGang)
Post by: straitera on September 09, 2011, 09:07:00 PM
Pick of the litter both!
Title: Re: First Custom Bow and Knife (all TradGang)
Post by: zipper bowss on September 09, 2011, 09:15:00 PM
Hey Will,You know dillos count in my book!  :thumbsup:  
Bill
Title: Re: First Custom Bow and Knife (all TradGang)
Post by: DannyBows on September 09, 2011, 09:26:00 PM
That's some stunning gear right there! Congrats!