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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: buejeger on February 02, 2012, 11:41:00 AM

Title: Big Jim Thunderchild Surprise.....
Post by: buejeger on February 02, 2012, 11:41:00 AM
When I ordered my thunderchild from Big Jim I answered his questions on woods with the words "surprise me"  (although I did mention that I like dark woods....

Well  it arrived today, first time I have seen it....  and I was NOT disappointed...  My plan was to pick up from the post office and then get off to work and shoot down the club this evening...  nope,,,  after opening the package in the car, (    :banghead:  )  sitting and caressing the curves and shapes, admiring the work of Jim, I just had to head of home and shoot....  minus ten, snowing and breezy, but this bow was screaming out to be shot!

Big Jim had put a string with  a single nock and string silencers ready to shoot , in the box, the nock height looked good so I just added another nockset underneath as I prefer.  well me and the Thunderchild get along mighty fine after just five minutes...

58" 51# at 29"  smooth all the way and plenty quick...  will have to chrono when I get the time... With my eyeball chrono I can see that the TC is (not surprisingly) not as fast as my border recurves, but absolutely no slouch thats for sure... looking forward to shooting more down the club tonight  :)

Anyhow enough of my ramblings, here are some pics!

Thanks Big Jim!  This is one beautiful piece of work!  
Macassar Ebony and Maple

After five minutes this is 20 yards....     :goldtooth:

  (http://www.lediardfoto.com/TC/tc1.jpg)  

not bad start....

  (http://www.lediardfoto.com/TC/tc2.jpg)

Lovely lines....

  (http://www.lediardfoto.com/TC/tc3.jpg)    

  (http://www.lediardfoto.com/TC/tc4.jpg)  

My Grandfather was Crow native american, so this little detail is just perfect!

  (http://www.lediardfoto.com/TC/tc5.jpg)
Title: Re: Big Jim Thunderchild Surprise.....
Post by: buejeger on February 02, 2012, 11:42:00 AM
Some more pics...
(http://www.lediardfoto.com/TC/tc6.jpg)  
  (http://www.lediardfoto.com/TC/tc7.jpg)  
  (http://www.lediardfoto.com/TC/tc8.jpg)  
  (http://www.lediardfoto.com/TC/tc9.jpg)  
  (http://www.lediardfoto.com/TC/tc10.jpg)
Title: Re: Big Jim Thunderchild Surprise.....
Post by: buejeger on February 02, 2012, 11:43:00 AM
and just a few more   :D  

 (http://www.lediardfoto.com/TC/tc11.jpg)

I really like the inlayed medallion (not least for reasons stated above )
   (http://www.lediardfoto.com/TC/tc12.jpg)  
   (http://www.lediardfoto.com/TC/tc13.jpg)

And if you didnt see.... its a two piece!    
   (http://www.lediardfoto.com/TC/tc14.jpg)
Title: Re: Big Jim Thunderchild Surprise.....
Post by: buejeger on February 02, 2012, 11:48:00 AM
Big Jim, you have surpassed what I expected, I am not a lover of "furniture bows"  but this combines a natural grace and beauty with the glory of natural wood in a purposeful and practical package!  me likey!!!

  :clapper:    :clapper:    :clapper:
Title: Re: Big Jim Thunderchild Surprise.....
Post by: Bill Carlsen on February 02, 2012, 11:49:00 AM
My buddy, Birdbow, got one this Fall. It shoots really well and if I were to buy a longbow I would have to have one of these. I shot his, 56", 60#  with a Beman 340 and 200 grains up front from 40 yards and put it in the 10 ring first shot. I was impressed. i also have Border HEX 6's and the Thunderchild is every bit as much of a shooter as the Borders.
Title: Re: Big Jim Thunderchild Surprise.....
Post by: Covey on February 02, 2012, 11:54:00 AM
Thats the way I like to look at bow pics   :thumbsup:    

Beautiful bow!

Jason
Title: Re: Big Jim Thunderchild Surprise.....
Post by: buejeger on February 02, 2012, 12:00:00 PM
Yes bill it really is a shooter, absolutely NO handshock. smooth, it feels longer than 58"  smoother than the shrew I had before in fact, and I suspect faster... (a friend has my shrew so easy to confirm)
For a short longbow  (for me anything under 66" is short for a longbow) this is the smoothest I have tried! is it as smooth as a 70" bow, no, but not that far off!!! No perceivable stack at all.
but numbers only mean so much, archery is also about a feeling... and this bow gives me that in spades....   just a great little bow! great fun to shoot and a great antidote to all the serious FITA barebow shooting  :)    This bow is gonna spend a lot of time in the woods with me!
Title: Re: Big Jim Thunderchild Surprise.....
Post by: centaur on February 02, 2012, 12:23:00 PM
If he has made a bad one, or an ugly one, we have yet to see it. Enjoy that great looking TC, and welcome to the group of happy Big Jim shooters.
Title: Re: Big Jim Thunderchild Surprise.....
Post by: Steve Clandinin on February 02, 2012, 12:26:00 PM
It does not get any better than that!I think Big jim ceases to amaze us all.The man himself is also every bit as good as his bows!
Title: Re: Big Jim Thunderchild Surprise.....
Post by: wildgame on February 02, 2012, 12:31:00 PM
Man that thing is stunning!
Title: Re: Big Jim Thunderchild Surprise.....
Post by: rushlush on February 02, 2012, 12:34:00 PM
Nice bow! Those are some really great pics of your bow.
Title: Re: Big Jim Thunderchild Surprise.....
Post by: elkken on February 02, 2012, 01:05:00 PM
Great bows ... I love mine !! Congrats on a fine looking bow.
Title: Re: Big Jim Thunderchild Surprise.....
Post by: SveinD on February 02, 2012, 01:36:00 PM
Wow! Nathan, you have to bring this to Vinstra Spring Hunt if you're coming  :)  I'm really thinking about going for one!
Title: Re: Big Jim Thunderchild Surprise.....
Post by: cacciatore on February 02, 2012, 01:48:00 PM
Great looking bow,I love Macassar and the td feature is a must have.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Big Jim Thunderchild Surprise.....
Post by: Keith Zimmerman on February 02, 2012, 02:03:00 PM
Beautiful all the way around.  Love the braced look and the tips.
Title: Re: Big Jim Thunderchild Surprise.....
Post by: coaster500 on February 02, 2012, 02:09:00 PM
Jim just keeps getting better  :)

Great job with the pictures,,,

Beautiful TC, Congrats!!!


 :campfire:
Title: Re: Big Jim Thunderchild Surprise.....
Post by: A.S. on February 02, 2012, 02:39:00 PM
I'm lovin' it!!   :notworthy:
Title: Re: Big Jim Thunderchild Surprise.....
Post by: joevan125 on February 02, 2012, 02:46:00 PM
He just keeps getting better and better!!!!
Title: Re: Big Jim Thunderchild Surprise.....
Post by: RM81 on February 02, 2012, 02:51:00 PM
Awesome bow!  Jim does outstanding work.  The medallion is actually a US nickel from the early 1900's called an Indian Head Nickel.

http://www.usmint.gov/mint_programs/nickel/?action=fraser
Title: Re: Big Jim Thunderchild Surprise.....
Post by: BOHO on February 02, 2012, 02:57:00 PM
stunning.  congrats.  wish it would snow here. were still running our a/c's
Title: Re: Big Jim Thunderchild Surprise.....
Post by: Gen273 on February 02, 2012, 03:04:00 PM
Congrats, That is a great looking bow!!!
Title: Re: Big Jim Thunderchild Surprise.....
Post by: huntingarcher on February 02, 2012, 04:01:00 PM
Sweet bow you have there.Great pics also.Got on the list last Nov.hate the waiting...
Title: Re: Big Jim Thunderchild Surprise.....
Post by: iohkus on February 02, 2012, 05:00:00 PM
Beautiful bow buejeger, AND professional looking photos (are you a pro.?) If not, you could be one!
Title: Re: Big Jim Thunderchild Surprise.....
Post by: ronp on February 02, 2012, 05:06:00 PM
Wow, is that bow nice.  Congrats!
Title: Re: Big Jim Thunderchild Surprise.....
Post by: buejeger on February 02, 2012, 05:46:00 PM
Thanks guys   :)  
As for the pics, yes I am a pro photographer... These were just very quickly done, too busy at the moment but the subtle tones of the woods really deserve a more complex lighting scheme to show them off...
Just spent some time down he club getting to know the bow a little better...  Great shooter!  A real fun bow to shoot   :D
Title: Re: Big Jim Thunderchild Surprise.....
Post by: drewsbow on February 02, 2012, 05:48:00 PM
very nice congrats , I have yet to see one of these I didn't like   :thumbsup:    :clapper:
Title: Re: Big Jim Thunderchild Surprise.....
Post by: daveycrockett on February 02, 2012, 05:57:00 PM
Great looking bow. But I've wondered with that short riser if a bow quiver would be functional?
Title: Re: Big Jim Thunderchild Surprise.....
Post by: Jwilliam on February 02, 2012, 05:59:00 PM
Great looking bow !!!  :thumbsup:  


Bill
Title: Re: Big Jim Thunderchild Surprise.....
Post by: buejeger on February 02, 2012, 06:15:00 PM
QuoteOriginally posted by daveycrockett:
Great looking bow. But I've wondered with that short riser if a bow quiver would be functional?
I have seen Thunderchildren with bow quivers, but personally I like this kind of bow without...
Title: Re: Big Jim Thunderchild Surprise.....
Post by: GMASIUK on February 02, 2012, 06:15:00 PM
Very nice looking bow! I have one due any day now and I hope it looks as nice as yours.

Great pictures by the way. I have a lot of respect for professional  photographers they are the unsung heros of the art world IMO. Glen
Title: Re: Big Jim Thunderchild Surprise.....
Post by: buejeger on February 02, 2012, 06:18:00 PM
QuoteOriginally posted by SveinD:
Wow! Nathan, you have to bring this to Vinstra Spring Hunt if you're coming   :)   I'm really thinking about going for one!
Hei Svein! Probably not, May is real busy at the studio and every year it clashes with confirmations.... Business first I am afraid...
Title: Re: Big Jim Thunderchild Surprise.....
Post by: buejeger on February 02, 2012, 06:21:00 PM
QuoteOriginally posted by GMASIUK:
Very nice looking bow! I have one due any day now and I hope it looks as nice as yours.

Great pictures by the way. I have a lot of respect for professional  photographers they are the unsung heros of the art world IMO. Glen
Thanks, I am sure you will love yours!
And thanks  :)  I am always saying I am a frustrated artist... My mind sees what I want to produce but my hand won't move the pencil or brush to make it... But with a camera, well that is my paintbrush... Talking of artists... Big Jim is one for sure!
Title: Re: Big Jim Thunderchild Surprise.....
Post by: buejeger on February 02, 2012, 06:44:00 PM
QuoteOriginally posted by RM81:
Awesome bow!  Jim does outstanding work.  The medallion is actually a US nickel from the early 1900's called an Indian Head Nickel.

  http://www.usmint.gov/mint_programs/nickel/?action=fraser  
Thanks for the info and link! You learn something new every day!    :)
Title: Re: Big Jim Thunderchild Surprise.....
Post by: Lamey on February 02, 2012, 07:12:00 PM
NICE,  and great pics!
Title: Re: Big Jim Thunderchild Surprise.....
Post by: elknutz on February 02, 2012, 10:16:00 PM
What a fine looking bow.  The tips on Big Jim bows are just fantastic.
Title: Re: Big Jim Thunderchild Surprise.....
Post by: smokin joe on February 02, 2012, 10:20:00 PM
That bow is just beautiful. Congratulations.