The post office is holding my new JD berry Vixen and 3:30 can not come fast enough. She is 68" 50@27. Bubinga riser , brown glass back, clear belly . Red elm core. Wedges in the tips. And since she is my first I have named her "cherry popper" Pics to come later. Sorry!!!
James is an absolute pleasure to work with and is a plethora ofr knowledge. This is my first "built for me" custom and I could not be happier with my choice of bower. I will be buying from James again.
Lets see them pics brian just set the bow down long enough
It's after 3:30. Where are the pics? :bigsmyl:
He's too busy shooting
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This says "Defensor Fortis" it stands for Defender of the Force
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The craftsmanship is flawless, the pic shows some weird stuff, but its wax and grease from my hands. I was literally opening the box as I walked from the P.O. to my Truck.
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and some missiles for fun
That's it? :dunno:
Ill Try to get good outside pics this weekend. I leave for work in the dark and get home right at dark.
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One more for you Pat, oh and Pat, you will be glad you have not ordered a bow yet, because when you shoot the Vixen you will be calling James.
Well its bedtime for the kiddo's so I am off to read Rudolf and Frosty, Ill post my initial feelings of the Vixen later after I write my report.
I just figured I'd wait a couple weeks for when you decide to sell it. :goldtooth:
QuoteOriginally posted by emt137:
I just figured I'd wait a couple weeks for when you decide to sell it. :goldtooth:
:laughing: :D
I don't know,I have one of James bows.I think he may keep this one quite awhile!
Very nice! :thumbsup: A look similar of the American Longbow or HH. Congrats
Awesome bro. Good looker.and if its like mine its an awesome shooter too
QuoteOriginally posted by emt137:
I just figured I'd wait a couple weeks for when you decide to sell it. :goldtooth:
Not this time Pat. I have struck gold. I have been playing the field finding out what suits my fancy.
Very sweet bow!!! Now dont go shooting at any reindeer.....that will just get ya put on the naughty list.
:archer2:
Ok, so the kids are in bed, and the minuets of my meeting are typed up.
So after work I went the to post office to pick up the Vixen and as I am walking to the truck I am cutting open the box it was shipped in. First impression is this thing is gorgeous. The brown glass is a phenomenal mocha color, the bubinga jumps out at me and has some streaks running thru the grain the are gorgeous. The Red elm is as beautiful as ever and the caramel color is breathtaking.
I told James I wanted the green leather and it is everything I could have asked for. His handwriting is like calligraphy, but he writes very small, much like Steve Turay does at Northern Mist. I love how it does not distract from the overall appearance of the bow. It is extremely light in the hand, or as Nate (sunset hill) says, like a wand in your hand.
The shelve is cut 1/8th from center, and it stands out because it is a much larger shelve than what comes on a NM or HHA. I like that about it, If I would have known that James cuts his shelves flat, (the sight window is radiused) I would have requested it be radiused also, but it by no means takes away from the bow. James cuts his flat because thats what he has always done.
I get it home and set the brace to around 6 3/16 (that is my fistmele) like all my other Straight limbed bows, and proceed to shoot some mismatched arrows in my quiver just to put spears downrange. At this point I have no nock or silencers on the bow. It has zero buzz, zero handshock and the draw is smooth as butter and the release is crisp quick and silent. I was stacking them in at 15 yards quite well already. The bow is balanced perfectly and handles like a dream.
I found myself just looking at the braced profile of this bow, as it is a picture that drums up sherwood. the gentle curve of the limbs to those little bitty petite tips. I will take a pick later comparing the tips to a quarter like I have seen done before.
Now one of the most amazing things about this bow is how James traps these limbs. I tried taking about 30 different pictures to capture it but can not get it on film. its a steep belly trap, but instead of a trapezoid shape there are no edges and if it were not for the glass on the belly the cross section would be a "D" like on the ELB. It is phenomenal how he pulls it off. Think a steep trap, but instead of diagonal lines to the flat spot it is a rolling curve with just about 3/4' of flat spot on the belly of the lime.
Now, I have not shot a Sunset Hill, Timberline, Howard Hill built bow, but I have shot a lot of others to include a Shultz, David Miller "old tom" multiple HHA and NM bows, and for ME the Vixen has earned its place at the very top of the list in aesthetics, balance, feel, smoothness and speed. James has done a work of not only beauty but functionality with his design of the American-Semi longbow. If you are like me and like to shoot all things Straight limbed longbow you owe it to yourself to at least shoot a Vixen or Misty Dawn someday.
Very nice! Looks to have a bit more shelf cut than my NM Classic. I like that.
It is quite a bit more that the NM classic. If you loosen the leather on the Classic, you can slip in some extra leather on the shelve and build it out. Thats what I did on mine. The Vixen will hold two woodies on it it seems.
Brian,
Hey Buddy Congrats!!! :bigsmyl:
I jsut got home, and after makeing a fire to warm the place up I logged on to see you new beauty. WOW! - She is a real looker!! That trap is something eh buddy?! I am real happy for ya man. Isn't it hard to believe there is no hand schock, and how quiet it is? It is amazing.
Good on ya brother, you have an excellent bow.
Bob. :archer:
Bob,
You and Shawn were on the spot with this one. It shoots a flat arrow too. I don't shoot lightweight arrows and this thing throws them. This weekend Ill throw some out to 80 or so yards and see what she is like.
Very nice Brian!
:thumbsup: :archer:
Looks good!! :thumbsup:
Looks Nice. You gotta talk James into doing some riser work on the next one. Just doesn't look like a JD Berry unless it has some of his awesome inlay work. :notworthy:
Eagads! My key board is sloppy wet... with drool.
I want to see some full draw pictures so I can see her form at her max!
Congratulations!
Enjoy each and every trip you can get to "Sherwood", it's such an amazing place to be.
God bless,Mudd
PS: Thanks for sharing!
Enjoy each and every trip you can get to "Sherwood", it's such an amazing place to be.
It certainly is Mudd!!!
And it was the belly and nocks that drew me to these wonderfull bows!!!
The belly trap is unbelievable . This is a gem of a bow. And Gos, I really do prefer the plain risers. Seems inline with the style.
I recently sold a Johnson longbow. He has that same rounded smooth trapping of the limbs as well, also on the belly side. It's a really nice feel and look.
Sounds awesome, he's been at it since 1980....
Might be my next order!
I would love to try a Dave JohnsonLB. Why did you sell it.
Hey Brian,
Did you get to get out and shoot your bow today? Any outside pics?
Bob.
I just came in from the basement , trying to get a nock on. My schedule has me tied up so I can only really shoot on Saturday and Sunday a bit. I'll be at work from 0530-2100 hrs tomorow so no shooting again. :(
Sold it as I had a few similar bows where the grips just fit me better. I would get another. They are really nice.
Cool
Nice bow Brian, James really knows is stuff. He should after doing it for 32 years. Wow 32 years thats along time and he's not getting any younger. It's official he's a "OLD FART", so if anyone need's another bow from JD I wouldn't wait to long to order,lol. Happy shooting Brian.-------Dan Berry