It started with me staining John`s northwoods cabin for him. We decided to trade for payment. I had him build the prettiest bow he has ever built in my not so humble opinion.
The cocobolo is from Hill country bows bought at Kalamazoo, the buffalo horn I got for the tips from Hornhunter, myrtle veneers are from Idaho Curt. The rest is all John. I helped a little on glue up, and spent 8 hours sanding & finishing her.
I wanted to see the phenolic a bunch & John made it happen perfectly. He also made the grip to my specs and nailed it.
I usually buy plain jane hunting bows, but I figure I need to stop buying Bigrivers sooner or later & this would be my last & for sure the prettiest.
Cocobolo & phenolic i-beam riser, bamboo core, myrtle veneers, buffalo horn tips. 60", 50# @ 28"
She shoots as good as she look, hope you enjoy the pics.
No way, man! Pics! :readit: Congrats and sounds like a good deal, trading skills for skills! :thumbsup:
Sounds Great Brian, cant wait to see the pictures!
Congratulations!
I will post them if you want?
:campfire:
Got it, complicated mess that it is.
(http://i992.photobucket.com/albums/af44/bhallstead/masterpiece018-1.jpg)
(http://i992.photobucket.com/albums/af44/bhallstead/masterpiece019-1.jpg)
Looks great Brian! :thumbsup:
You're right, that is a looker! Great choice of woods!
Bernie Bjorklund
NC Iowa/SW Wisconsin
Wow!
(http://i992.photobucket.com/albums/af44/bhallstead/masterpiece021-1.jpg)
(http://i992.photobucket.com/albums/af44/bhallstead/masterpiece020-1.jpg)
(http://i992.photobucket.com/albums/af44/bhallstead/masterpiece016-1.jpg)
OH MY!!!! Im not a recurve shooter by any stretch of the imagination but that thing is beautiful. And the only way I could shoot a curve was with a weather rest, great choice
(http://i992.photobucket.com/albums/af44/bhallstead/masterpiece015-1.jpg)
(http://i992.photobucket.com/albums/af44/bhallstead/masterpiece014-1.jpg)
(http://i992.photobucket.com/albums/af44/bhallstead/masterpiece013-1.jpg)
(http://i992.photobucket.com/albums/af44/bhallstead/masterpiece012-1.jpg)
(http://i992.photobucket.com/albums/af44/bhallstead/masterpiece011-1.jpg)
(http://i992.photobucket.com/albums/af44/bhallstead/masterpiece010-1.jpg)
(http://i992.photobucket.com/albums/af44/bhallstead/masterpiece008-1.jpg)
(http://i992.photobucket.com/albums/af44/bhallstead/masterpiece006-1.jpg)
(http://i992.photobucket.com/albums/af44/bhallstead/masterpiece002-1.jpg)
SWEET MERCY BRO! :eek: <><
HOLY COW.....That is just incredible! :thumbsup: :clapper: John out did himself on that one!
You guys did good on that one! :thumbsup:
What a great looking bow, Brian. That's a good deal for both of,too. But last Bigriver bow you'll buy? HA! That's a good one!
Perty :thumbsup:
That's a beauty!!
Beautiful bow Brian! One of the prettiest I've ever seen. John is an artist.
Dave
A beauty!
Beautiful! I really love those limb veneers.
Yikes!.....I'm partial to one piece recurves and that is the best of the best IMO....Wow! Great trade!
I've shot a couple of his bows....they were pretty plain for looks....this one looks as good as Big River bows shoot....
><>>
Glenn
Very Sharp :thumbsup:
Wow that is one outstanding bow. I hope it shoots as good as it looks.
That is awesome! What a memory you two have created.
Beautiful bow Brian :thumbsup: :clapper: :clapper:
So how many big rivers does that make for you?
One of the nicest bows I've seen all year. Fantastic!
What are the specs? Thanks
Great looking bow!!! Those woods are what i've picked out for my next Centaur Chimera.
Brian,that bow is stunning,all well matched with a lot of attention to the detail. I really love the buffalo and the veneers,cocobolo is very attractive too! Now you have to christen it!
Beauty Brian.
Great Looking Bow.......... :thumbsup:
WOW :eek:
I love John's work, what you did here is create one of his best, great job! That one will never see the market!!! Awesome!!!
WOW, kinda has the looks of the old Kodiaks. Just beautiful.
Brian,
Since you like plain-jane bows, I've got one I'd trade you for that "last Big River" beauty.
Very nice Brian
That is a Beauty!!! :thumbsup: ....KYArcher
Thats's a looker. Gorgeous
Prettiest bow i've ever seen!
Sweet! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Beautiful bow!
:campfire: :campfire:
Is there a website for Big River Bows?
Wow that's sweet. Great wood and antler combo choices.
Very nice!
WOW!!!! That is for sure, handsdown the prettiest bow that i have ever seen of John's made. There will not ever be a Big River that will top that one! Awe.... I can feel all the love a man and his bowyer. HEhehe. Maybe i am a lil jealous. :saywhat: Congrats boss.
Whoa, a lotta stuff going on on that bow. Lotta good stuff that is :thumbsup:
Thanks for the kind words, well most of them.
Rafael you need to just buy 5 or 6 more Bigrivers and top it.
Brian, I remember questioning Roman about selling that piece. I'm glad he did cause it was very well fitted into just an OUTSTANDING peice of art.
Beautiful, beautiful bow!!
VERY NICE :bigsmyl:
Yep, he was really didnt want to let it go. I`m glad he is such a nice guy. It has been a part of 3 tradgang member bows. John has told me if I see another piece like that, make sure I pick it up for him. Best cocobolo I have seen. Thank him for me if you see him.
Duncan, John has no computer. He has enough hatered for the technology of his phone :jumper: At 84 years old, that ship has sailed.
eye candy fer sure :clapper:
Wow,that is a beauty.some great thought and preparation went into it but the skill in putting it together is remarkable.congrats on getting a bow like this one.
Wow Brian, that bow is stunning!! I hope it makes to my shoot so I can get a close look at it.
Nice team work on that one, they just don't get any better than that!
-Jay
Yessir Brian, Thats a beauty!
Hope I get a chance to see and hold it.
Sweet bow Brian! Is that a first for John putting horn on the riser overlays? :thumbsup:
Very sharp ..I like it..
Wow! Really beautiful! !!
Great combinations!
What a beauty!! :clapper:
Mark, I just begged & pestered him till he did it, basically just to shut me up.
Wow that is bow-u-ti-ful. If it shoots half as good as it looks you can shoot blindfold and not miss.
Beautiful!
They don't make bows any prettier than that!
Real pretty. :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Gorgeous!!
Brian, I showed Roman pics of your bow and he was very pleased that Coco was so well cared for :bigsmyl:
Then he pulled out some more and said I should show you guys .
(http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f143/4runr/photobucket-34006-1355237631164.jpg)
(http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f143/4runr/photobucket-31650-1355237673520.jpg)
(http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f143/4runr/photobucket-33407-1355237725178.jpg)
(http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f143/4runr/photobucket-29772-1355237781753.jpg)
Pretty stuff, make sure if he brings them to Kazoo, he hides them or mark them NOT FOR SALE. I might not be able to hold back.
Very nice! Did you string it yet or are you just gunna hang that one on the wall?
Stunning bow!
We'll be at Kazoo, but not as vendors this year. Probably have a piece or 2 stached in the truck.
David, one thing I wont do is set it on top the target at your house, that usually doesn`t end well.
Kenny I hope I see you there, might buy one of those beauties.
Wow, what a beauty! John sure did build a pretty one here for ya Brian, can't wait to see it!
Very nice!
I hear ol John is up to something sneaky???
Absolutely beautiful.
Jeff
Something SNEAKY??????? Whats the old fuddy up to now?? come-on Brian spill the beans :saywhat:
Wow. Very nice.
Wow, beautiful bow!
That turned out beautiful!
Awesome looking bow! :thumbsup:
That is one beautiful bow , I think matching Myrtle Burl veneers (from Idahocurt) are in a BW PTFX with a Zerote riser that will be delivered next week .
These pics have me pumped .
Cheers from the Country that has everything except the Stanley Cup ...
I am looking forward to seeing that one Brian. I won't let you in the shoot with out it.
So John is up to something sneaky?
Looking forward to it, as it usually ends up well!
QuoteOriginally posted by HornHunter:
I hear ol John is up to something sneaky???
Alright, give up your information please!!!!!!!! Pretty please. :pray:
I had a chance to shoot this beauty today. Unreal! It shoots even better than it looks!
I do not need another bow.
I do not need another bow.
I do not need another bow.
I do not need another bow.
I do not need another bow.
I do not need another bow.
:help: :help: :help:
Joe:
You want another bow.
You want another bow.
You want another bow.
You want another bow.
You want another bow.
You want another bow.
:bigsmyl:
Me Joe...or Joe, Joe???? :biglaugh:
I do not need another bow.
I do not need another bow.
I do not need another bow.
I do not need another bow.
I do not need another bow.
I do not need another bow.
Whether I WANT one or not is a whole nother story :rolleyes:
I need another Bow!
I need another Bow!
I need another Bow!
I need another Bow!
I need another Bow!
I need another Bow!
I need another Bow!
I need another Bow!
...and I want one too! :goldtooth:
Brian, I was hunting mountain lion the whole time this thread was running in December. That bow is gor-ge-ous! You ARE Mr. Big River!
That bow is way better looking in your hands and shoots just as nice as it looks. It was pounding my 710 grn arrows as good as the best. I expect the next pic I see of it will be with some unfortunate furry critter.
I neither need another bow or want another bow However, I bet I will be right there in Joe L's and Joe B's shoes one I see this new creation for I am weak.
BowHuntingFool,
I heard tell you got a Bear Tag for this fall!!
You need another bow!!!
Don't know how I missed this! WOW that is one beautiful bow. Thanks for sharing! :clapper:
This one needs back up top. Holy smokes that is a cool bow.
WOW!!
that is awsome didnt see it first time thru
You must have done one hell-of-a-job staining to get a bow like that built !!
Believe it, John made out pretty well. He couldn`t afford me if we didn`t trade :bigsmyl:
Joe asked me to go on a road trip today to visit John. Wonder what this trip could be all about?
Bruce, I was just thinking while reading this thread yesterday that Joe should be making a trip to see John pretty soon. Looking forward to pics.
QuoteOriginally posted by smoke1953:
Joe asked me to go on a road trip today to visit John. Wonder what this trip could be all about?
OOOOHHHH BOYIEEE !! :saywhat:
That has to be one of the prettiest bows I've ever seen. I would love to shoot it.
Brian, Just saw this thread and your bow. John did a great job. That was a cool experience getting to build it with him.
Congrats,
Bill
Joe and I went to see the master yesterday so Joe could discuss a new McDonald creation. Well as it turned out there was "the Beauty" hanging on the wall.
(http://i386.photobucket.com/albums/oo306/bhaukom/McDonald019.jpg)
Now John closely examined it and couldn't figure out how it got there. Age does that to us all you know. Joe replied, well you must have made two of them when you were working on Brians. John said, that must have been what happened. Well no need to make a new bow for you Joe since you like Brian's so much, how about buying this one and the deal was done.
(http://i386.photobucket.com/albums/oo306/bhaukom/McDonald020.jpg)
What a fortunate set of circumstances. Thanks Brian for encouraging him to make to identical gorgeous bows!
Ok heart, start beating again!! Leave her alone, shes mine!
I may have stretched that story a bit. We were actually shocked to see Brian's bow at John's shop since Joe had just spoken to Brian that morning about the specs of his bow. Before we got to John's at 1pm Brian had met John at their designated meeting place between Milwaukee and Wisconsin Rapids where John picked up the bow for Joe to look over that afternoon. Now that's really going the "extra mile" for your customer and friends. Thanks Brian and John.
(http://i386.photobucket.com/albums/oo306/bhaukom/McDonald022.jpg)
Here John looks over the wood that Joe brought to be used for the riser on his new "beauty"
Bruce as long as you were there, I seem to remember a few Hill style thumpers I just finished for John. Hmmm, that zircote & dirty bamboo was pretty niiiice. Course who would shoot them bows anyway :p
Brian's bow was my inspiration (or temptation). But I had to try to make it just a little bit different. I came up with a beautiful piece of Ziricote that John is going to use in the riser of my bow.
(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/Jlasch/Ziricote.jpg)
A birds eye maple I beam in the sight window, and some spectacular myrtle burl veneers similar to Brian's should really set it off. Another touch I copied from Brian's bow are buffalo horn for the limb tips. Seemed more than appropriate after my December hunt.
Really looking forward to seeing John work his magic!
You guys are killing me, my bow should be here tomorrow!! Those are beautiful!! Shawn
Question, can ya shoot FF off these bows?? Shawn
You bet, all ff compatable. John makes excellent ff strings for his bows. He has been making strings since he was a teenager I believe.
You know, before the wheel was invented.
Well if anyone has enough time and hunts planned to love all those bows it is Joe. He might as well have another. this one should be a real looker.
Bruce you got me there! LOL...I've got a bow paid in full to John, just gotta figure out what I want!
Joe where did you find the riser wood from?
He mentioned how you couldn't make up your mind.
That's going to be purdy for sure Joe. This time of year the past two years I have ordered a bow from John - and I'm getting the bug again. I need to resist but these pics make it really hard. Can't wait to see John's new creation.
QuoteOriginally posted by smoke1953:
He mentioned how you couldn't make up your mind.
He's right, either a 59'r or a John style recurve like Brians. I'm having trouble finding the Macassar ebony for a riser, any ideas?
Joe, dont inspire me to get another bow please. if you ever make up your mind, do not post pictures. :readit: :help:
No worries Charlie, I'll be sure to post up pics! :tu:
Joe, I was originally looking for Macassar too, but didn't come up with any. I bought my piece of ziricote from Kettle Morraine Hardwoods. They had some Gabboon ebony, but no Macassar.
Question?? On the Kodiak copy is the bottom limb supposed to have a lot more positive tiller I mean mine is about 3/4" or a tad more than upper limb. Thanks guys! Shawn
Question? How does it shoot? no two bows are tillered the same, I personally dont worry about tiller get the brace set nock set,done
You're right. That is one of the prettiest bows I have seen.
Just sent my deposit for one of John's 21st clones. I asked for 65#@27 and 62". Gave him pretty free reign to make me a hunting tool, asked that he use what from his experience has performed best. I did suggest to him that I liked the Zircote that is in the riser of my recurve circa 1998. Bamboo cores and possibly curly maple laminations. I'll have to talk with him about horn tips as well.
Just One More.
That is SEXY!
Wudstix, you made a good choice, that will be a beauty.
Brian; PM sent.
Wow, what an outstanding bow! John's work is outstanding.
Rick
John called and we talked about my bow, I had sent a outline of my hand to help with getting the grip size closer. We talked about horn tips, a leather grip and putting a heavy wood (Zircote) in the riser. He said it might take awhile, but I'll be ready. More time to scrape acorns together.
:campfire: