I have had some good bows and never even looked at our very own Bill Dunn at Zipper until I shot one at Compton's two years ago. After that I was on the lookout. Never did see one that struck me. So Lowebow and I rode up to Bill and Tracy's a few months back and shot almost all they had and picked out some woods for mine. I was in the market for a Winge/Bocote combo but Bill wanted me to look at some Morado he had in the shop. Well after Mike hit me in the ribs and winked at me I decided to go with it. I did know I wanted some copperhead skins on this bow so the bow woods were more or less chosen around them. The Morado blended really well with them I think. I did work my Bocote in the bow as well with some stripes between the two woods.
Here was the first pic Bill sent me of the riser block and limb lambs (also Morado).
(http://i.imgur.com/rJKeC.jpg)
Next was the roughed out riser. You know I am certain these bowyers get some kind of sadistic kick out of teasing us with these progress pics.
(http://i.imgur.com/Yh5Tw.jpg)
Tuesday I picked up the finished product at the post office.
(http://i.imgur.com/ErW7Y.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/u7PIf.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/Gn7Af.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/ce1uj.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/7qs5K.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/eqUUh.jpg)
Bill also made me a fantastic looking matching quiver for it but it is not mounted right now as it will only hold four arrows. I have a Chris Surtees broadhead from St. Judes that has a date with a KY deer and I have three other sharp heads and a varmint head making five.
I know what you are thinking but let me assure you even though I picked this bow up two days ago it's ready for its debut. I would also like to give my first impression thoughts. I have one bow I compare all other to and this bow I believe may surpass that one. It is the fastest bow I have ever shot with its foam and carbon limbs and the windage is perfect without me having to make any adjustments to side plate. It pleases all my personal senses and its manners are unsurpassed. Love Bill's new matte textured finish as well.
It really likes my CE 150s with 50 grain brass inserts and 150 grain VPA heads.
Thanks for looking and I hope you all get a chance to try one of today's Zippers, Bills always tinkering to make them better performers.
It's a looker too!
Very nice! What's the specs?
sweet!!!!
Man what a looker!!
I will be honest, I don't like snake skins on bows and I have only seen one snake-skinned bow I liked.
Make it two now. They fit on your bow like nothing else, it really looks spectacular.
One of the most beautiful bows I've ever seen and I bet it shoots great!
Bjorn sorry - 58" and 52 @ 28.
Fing, I asked Bill not to let the skins turn out to orange that I would prefer them a brown tone to go with the bow. I think he hit it spot on.
That's about as perfect as a bow can be! Stunning, absolutely Stunning! Those woods are beautiful and compliment each other just right. Congrats TJ, and Good Luck this season!
Kentucky TJ - Tuesday was a good day for both of us, eh? :D Really nice choices! I'm kinda partial to those skins too! ;)
Can't wait to get off work and do some more shooting. Mine was shooting 55/75 GT XT's at 30" with 250 up front pretty well, and the bow is 51@27" (my dl). Sounds like it might be overspined from what your shooting, but didn't fly that way!
I like it!
Mike
Looks great, love the combo.
Awesome looking bow,love the combination.
good looking combo!
SL
I sold all my others when i started shooting Zippers
TJ i'm not a guy to jump on the "Best looking bow ever" wagon and Zippers have never struck a cord with me for whatever reason, but I must agree that is probably my favorite to date. And the skins came out perfect for that combo. What is the wood in the center?
Eye Candy on Steroids!!!!!
Very, very nice!!
I think the skins look perfect, you're right spot on :)
Now that is one sweeeeet looking bow!!!
Every time I see one of Bill's new creations I don't think they can get any better.
But it seems he always finds a way to top himself. Congrats on a fine looking bow!!
I have to say that is one stunning bow.
TJ, that is a really nice bow. The woods and skins go together sooooooooo well its amazing. Bill did a fantastic job and you got one sweet looker. There is no doubt in my mind that she shoots better than she looks and that is saying a lot.....
Make her proud....
If it shoots even close to what it looks I know we will be seeing some hero pics soon, Congrats! :thumbsup:
Very nice!!
Tom, you did good!!!!!!
Tj very nice looking bow. The woods you picked look great together.
Wow, very nice!
Yours looks great.....My new ILF Zipper Riser should be here next week......can't wait to get my hands on it!
Extraordinary! Bill has one of those "special" woodpiles where he saves the "best" for each of his customers. Great shooters for sure. Congrats TJ. Really nice combo that you chose and Bill crafted! :thumbsup: :clapper:
QuoteOriginally posted by South MS Bowhunter:
TJ i'm not a guy to jump on the "Best looking bow ever" wagon and Zippers have never struck a cord with me for whatever reason, but I must agree that is probably my favorite to date. And the skins came out perfect for that combo. What is the wood in the center?
John, the flare is Morado (a rosewood) I really like the grain in it and it matches the skins perfectly.
I will say this is the first bow I have ever gone and picked out the woods. I highly recommend it. As you all know woods vary widely and when ordering a custom bow believe me its a shocker to wait impatiently for months, open a box full of anticipation and not caring at all for the wood combo in your new bow.
That is a beauty for sure!
Thanks for sharing!
><>
Glenn
Handsome Bow! Enjoy it.
Beautiful bow Tom. The wood combo looks great, and the skins compliment the set up very nicely.
:clapper:
Billy, you don't think I should dip it? :biglaugh:
Thats a keeper for sure!!! Love the skins!! Best of luck with her. Joe
A really nice looking bow. The dark woods and those skins do go very well together. :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
SUPER SHARP TJ!!
TJ-that is one fine looking bow! like some of the other guys, I'm not a big fan of the snake skins, but that is a really great looking bow! Good luck and congratulations!
Kenny
Naaww Tom. It would be a disgrace to dip that baby. I keep going back looking at it, and I like it better every time.....really, really nice bow.
I have 2 Zipper recurves, and they are bout as good as it gets.
TJ, it's killer. I really didn't like the looks of the zippers, however, they do look like they feel great. I know now that they can make a looker as well. Beautiful bow. How is the mass weight compared to Morrison on the light side and Widow on the heavy side? Tom
Dude!!!! I can not wait to shoot that bow! I honestly believe I've been waiting with less patience than you have! OMG! is all I can say! Bill you did an awesome job on it!
I will own one of these bow....
I'm a long draw guy and shot many of Bill's bows during our visit to his shop. I prefer longer bows, but his 58" bows were soooooo smooth! Very impressed!
Tom was very hesitant about the Morado at 1st, but the grain in that board was exactly what the Dr. ordered! Can't wait to shoot this one!
Spurs, I like you from just seeing them on a computer screen never really cared for them until I actually saw one in person. They are much more steamlined than they appear and the grip, weight and balance are very very nice. And like you have grown to love my Morrison for these reasons and this Zipper is very similar in stature. I don't really have an apples to apples comparison to my Cheyenne in speed as it is 50@28 and this SXT is two pounds heavier but I have owned some 53 lb Morrison limbs and I am telling you this bow is very fast and stable. The sight window on the Zipper is more open as well. Not that I have ever paid much attention to that but hear folks talk about it all the time.
This comparison photo was interesting to me and may give you a better idea. Here is the Zipper (back bow) laying next to a Morrison Cheyenne.
(http://i.imgur.com/6mEIQ.jpg)
Wow, that is a great looking Zipper!!! I have a zipper that will be shipping in a few days. I can't wait, and this post is not helping in that area....LOL
Congrats on a great looking Bow!
Thats a stunner!
Tom
Great wood combo there and the skins really touch it off. You cannot question Bills bow building talent...he is second to none.
Good luck with it and the special broadhead.
:eek: What a looker!!! That is an Amazing looking bow. The SXT is an Awesome bow, and Bill Dunn is a true artist !!! :notworthy:
Bill
Tj, your killing me with these new bows.If its anything like a Morrison i need to look into it.
Good luck, Randy
TJ, that is AWESOME!!
Absolutely beautiful..... Tom, I got dibs !! :thumbsup: :campfire:
Lanier
So when do we get the "Kentucky TJ's How To Pick Out Bow Woods 101" video???
I am very impresses with it Tom. A Zipper is on my short list of bows if I'm ever in the market for another one! :archer:
Nice bow! Cool to see the "development" photos.
Sorry double post. :dunno:
[QB]
QuoteOriginally posted by A.S.:
[QB] So when do we get the "Kentucky TJ's How To Pick Out Bow Woods 101" video???
That is one video I would have to have.I really did not think these two woods woould look this great together.Boy was I wrong!!
Charlie your bow will be shipped on monday.I gotta say its looks will rival Tom's bow.It is also gorgous.Over the years there have been several bows that I have hated to see go.The woods just worked so good together but never this many stunning wood combo. in one month.
Allen, I'll try and put into words my thought process on putting together a bow. I have always liked brown tones in a bow and knew I wanted the copperhead skins. I also don't like light colors due to these are hunting weapons for me and I know a critter sees something light while moving before they will detect something dark in movement. Hence the reason the deer has a whitetail. Anyway back on track. I think the key to what (I think) is a good looking bow is not to get woods that are too contrasting. Subtle contrasts are good.
After all that it's really up to the talent of the bowyer to make it happen the way it is in your mind due to variations in the same species of woods. That is the most important reason I think of why you should pick out your own woods. If you don't convey what you are after they really can't make your dreams come true. Bill should get all the kudos here as he took my mental picture and brought it to life. I will have to say Big Jim is in my opinion one of the best at making bows the way I like to see them put together. He is a true genius when it comes to designing bows and matching up woods.
Nice looking bow TJ! The comparison pic of the Morrison and Zipper are interesting (I've never shot either brand). While the bows look very different the face of the grips (where your hand sits) appear extremely similar.
These pictures make it tough on a guy trying to swear off any more brands. I can't do skins in my house. My wife would have it on the floor beating the tar out of it with a broom.
I will say, I wish the foam cores in the limbs came in readily available different colors. If those grey cores would have been a tan color matching the bocote stripes shuweeee.
Bill told me he built a sister long bow to this one for his own personal bow. This is his new design. Bill post some picts of it when you get a chance.
Beautiful Bow,Bill does excellent work.Congrats.
Beautiful bow...congrats.
So Bill, how much fun did you have finishing that wenge :saywhat: ?
Awesome, Great Job Bill !!!!
You know TJ....You've had quite a few "new bow" days this year :dunno:
Congrat's buddy, love the wood combo's!
The big questions is..."Which one are you carrying this weekend"? :rolleyes:
Tim, I'm done with new bows. :jumper: I have found all the "right ones for me" I need. Going tonight and this weekend when I can. Here's what's in my back seat.
(http://i.imgur.com/Eu12W.jpg)
When Tom said Wenge I said :scared: I guess it was worth it though. :D I will try to get some pictures of the longbow up later today.
So Norbert, how is yours coming along?
Bill
:thumbsup: You done real good!
OMG that's a beauty! Unique! Congrats
QuoteOriginally posted by beachbowhunter:
Beautiful bow...congrats.
So Bill, how much fun did you have finishing that wenge :saywhat: ?
Hahaha, Norbert, yeah when I asked Bill for Winge he fell on the floor and kicked and screamed like I had just stolen his lolly pop. I told him if he didn't like to work with wood he should have chosen a different profession and to suck it up and make it happen.
NICE !!!!!
It came out great. I'll put up a thread once I get some pics uploaded. You can expect some quiver orders! Thanks again!
Quess if you really want to mess with your Bowyer, start the conversation off by saying how much you love wenge... :p
Nicest looking Zipper I have seen. Well done Bill!
Wow, its outstanding
That is one beautiful Zipper....bow!
TJ,your idea of matching woods is exactly like I like,more subtle blending than deep contrasting tones.Great looking Zipper but the real beauty is in the performances!
Tom, Great looking bow. Hope she serves you well. Enjoy her and shoot straight.
TJ.
That is a fantasic combo, and they are shooters to boot.. Shot one at KZoo.
:thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Great looking Zipper and congrats!!
Not surprised she is a keeper....shot ~1/2 a dozen of Bill's bows at the Trad Worlds.
What does surprise me is that these bows aren't in much-much higher demand. His bows perform at the extreme level, but just don't have the hype behind them yep. The Zipper is one bow that well deserves the hype since it can live up to it.
My experience with them is still weighing-in on my mind.
Like the way these beaut woods meld together. Also the energy boost thicker limbs at the riser. Figure it a great hunter!
One more time up for the eye candy!! Damn it TJ, I gotta send Bill a PM! LOL!!
Man, TJ, you have me on a boil now! I'm calling Bill next week(we were both away for a bit) to place my order. I told him that I like a dark bow and he recommended the foam and carbon limbs. I really like the look of the riser in yours. Don't want to be a copycat, but maybe can't help myself! Well done.
Tom, doesn't bother me. You know beauty when you see it. I can't wait to see the results. Please don't forget to send me photos of it when she arrives. Good choice brother.
If I get a busy signal when I call Bill on Monday I know why... :biglaugh:
I hope you go with the zirocoti/bocote Fred, can't wait to see it.
Sweet bow these Zippers are starting to catch my eye.
What a stunning bow !!!
Congrats :)
Man that is a beauty!! I may have to order another one.
My exposure to Zipper bows, has me convinced that their popularity, in my eyes, should be growing at an even faster rate. These bows have a pleasing, yet unique shooting experience, all their own. Yes! they are rocket launchers and quite dead in the hand.
Bill Dunn builds a great stick.
Congrats!!
Thanks guys, this bow is my all time favorite hands down. Having a bow hanger installed in my casket for this one. It's nice to have a truly "Handmade" bow that performs like this one does. At 52 lbs and with its performance I can now shoot a heavier arrow setup and not have it drop out of the sky at 20 yards. After running the heavier arrows through two deer with this bow I really really like this setup. Arrows fly perfect and hit very hard.
Tom,I agree with you about the Zippers.
I killed a boar,one before the last one and the bow performed flawless.
Now I am waiting for her sister twin :) ;)
Which woods did you choose in this new one Felix? What are the specs?
The bow will be 58"-55#-@29"
Macassar/Zebra riser with white spacers.
Limbs Carbon/foam and accelerator wedges :scared: skinned with Canebrake and sheep tips.
It is the reverse of the 57# I have.
(http://i765.photobucket.com/albums/xx293/dazzafelix/Zipper-EvolutionSXP-1.jpg)
Good stuff Felix. I hope Bill gave you a discount for putting the shelf on the wrong side though. Hehe.
You bet Tom,40%! :bigsmyl:
Glad I got my order in when I did. Bill is going to be one busy guy after deer season!!
Sweet, so how long before we can see another masterpiece?
I finally sent Bill an email, but since my wife just got laid off and her last day was today, I will have to save up my allowance to get one! LOL! But I will have one!!
Bill is a great guy. But don't let him fool you. Tracy is the one who actually builds all the bows, and shoots all the deer. She just keeps Bill around as a trophy husband.
I really DO LOVE that new finish that Tracy has been putting on the bows!
I had my suspicions all along. :thumbsup:
Somehow I missed this one, or maybe I just forgot about it! :knothead:
Anyway, awesome bow!
I guess this is the bow you killed this year's bruiser with?
It is Doug. No worries, I just figured you were mad at me for selling the Kanati.