After reading so many good reports on the RER bows, I gave Kevin a call and talked to him for a while one night. He told me about a couple of lefties he had in stock and I bit on one.
I picked it up from the post office today. Wow! I had been just a bit leery of the woods when I ordered. It was Grenadillo and camo actionwood. But man, I love the way it looks. The camo actionwood is carried to the veneers where it was quarter sawn. It really is stunning.
Specs are 62" and 54#@28"
A couple of members had urged me to post photos up of the bow. I took a few quick ones. Hopefully will get a few more when the rain quits coming down in buckets.
(http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n15/ken613/RER/RERHandle_zpseced69e5.jpg) (http://s108.photobucket.com/user/ken613/media/RER/RERHandle_zpseced69e5.jpg.html)
(http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n15/ken613/RER/RERleftside_zpsf9007be4.jpg) (http://s108.photobucket.com/user/ken613/media/RER/RERleftside_zpsf9007be4.jpg.html)
(http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n15/ken613/RER/RER_zps3d0e0280.jpg) (http://s108.photobucket.com/user/ken613/media/RER/RER_zps3d0e0280.jpg.html)
(http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n15/ken613/RER/Upperbelly_zps5de7215a.jpg) (http://s108.photobucket.com/user/ken613/media/RER/Upperbelly_zps5de7215a.jpg.html)
(http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n15/ken613/RER/RERtopback_zps44b93cde.jpg) (http://s108.photobucket.com/user/ken613/media/RER/RERtopback_zps44b93cde.jpg.html)
(http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n15/ken613/RER/RERontarget_zps595a63d3.jpg) (http://s108.photobucket.com/user/ken613/media/RER/RERontarget_zps595a63d3.jpg.html)
I just finished shooting it a few times indoors (I think someone missed the monsoon forecast here in Virginia...LOL).
All the talk about the RER's being very quiet with only a set of string silencers is true with this bow also. It is very quiet. No handshock and it is smoking the heavy arrows I've shot with it so far.
I'll follow up on this later this weekend after I spend some more time with it.
An XR and a Rinehart Rhinoblock...life is good man...suppose I should start looking for a lefty to go with my right handed LXR...the LXR has the 62 inch recurve and 64 inch longbow limbs...bet pretty soon you are gonna start thinking you need a set of longbow limbs for yours...gonna chronograph mine soon and I have a feeling the longbow limbs may actually be faster than the curves...the nice thing is that if you buy a set of 62 inch longbow limbs they will use the same length string as your static tips...I have been shooting mine for about a year now...I shoot it sparingly because it kind of spoils me for shooting anything else...your initial impression is correct and will never go away
DDave
Wow, that is one good looking bow! Congrats and some dandy shooting. :thumbsup:
Those bows just want to disappear into the background...that is the toughest bow that I own to take photos of...meaning that it is a hunter's bow first and foremost...the fact it is pretty takes a back seat to the fact it is effective...I gave up photographing mine because photos just cannot capture the true nature of the bow and do it justice
DDave
I have an LXR on order and Kevin told me he had some nice Grenadillo on hand. I ultimately went with a nice piece of cocobolo he had, but I have to say that is a very pleasing combination and I'll bet it just about disappears in the woods. Don't set that thing down anywhere - it'll be lost forever.
Sure seems to work well for you.
I have yet to shoot an RER that wasn't a real pleasure to shoot. So far, my Retro is my favorite. I just wish it was 3 - 4 pounds lighter. Unfortunately, it was cut pretty "close to the bone" when Kevin built it originally (the limbs are REALLY slim) and Kevin said 2-3 pound weight reduction would be max. Hardly worth the cost of refinishing. Oh well, cowboy up and quit complaining I guess. Bet yours is going to remain a favorite.
I have a XR, very nice bow. Great choice!
so glad I have a Retro on order. thanks for sharing your pics. that thing is cool looking.
My son, Luke, has a beautiful RER Vortex II with juniper veneers that is a very fine shooter.
Thanks for sharing your pictures!
I need to decide next week
:scared: :scared: :scared:
Wow! What a great looking bow. As far as shooting,RER bows are hard to beat. I believe the word is getting out on the quality and shootability of Kevin's bows. I have not seen a camo version until this one and you chose very well. I bet you will be reporting many pos things on this one.
Kevin builds a nice bow that is fast to boot!
that is a great looking bow...I like that a lot...might have to look into one
If you think carefully about it Kevin is incapable of building a bow that does not look appealing...and they shoot great...there is no such thing as a wrong choice when it comes to RER
DDave
QuoteOriginally posted by Gator1:
I need to decide next week
:scared: :scared: :scared:
i
I consider myself fortuate to live in WI and to have met Kevin early. He's going to be getting real busy.
Have a bocote LX and a Chechan/black diamondwood/black glass XR. Both look and SHOOT sweet.
If I was smart...I would just quit looking at other bows, but what fun is that?
Just ordered a Bubinga/red stripe Bear takedown from Big Jim. Supposed to be a good shooter too.
Beautiful bow! Congrats!
Sweet bow, Ken!
Good luck on the Thunder Chickens!
I'm glad that you're a left hander - it greatly minimizes the chances of me buying a buy from you :pray:
QuoteOriginally posted by beaunaro:
i
I consider myself fortuate to live in WI and to have met Kevin early. He's going to be getting real busy.
Have a bocote LX and a Chechan/black diamondwood/black glass XR. Both look and SHOOT sweet.
If I was smart...I would just quit looking at other bows, but what fun is that?
Just ordered a Bubinga/red stripe Bear takedown from Big Jim. Supposed to be a good shooter too.
What you have there is an LXR with an extra riser...if we ever get rid of the snow around here I am going to do some serious chronograph work with my LXR...the limbs are both the same draw weight and I think my longbow limbs are every bit as fast, or maybe faster, than my recurve limbs...what is your impression?
DDave
DDave,
I first bought the longbow and based on the few other trad bows I had shot up till then, I loved it and still do.
The grip fits me really well, the bow doesn't stack at all and I think for my 52# weight at 28...(my draw is 27") it slings an arrow with pretty good authority.
I never chronoed it.
Both my RERs are something I will probably die with.
The grandkids will know their value and keep shooting them.
Can't say enough good about them. Great workmanship and really nice family.
Irv Eichorst
www.truesouthadventures.com (http://www.truesouthadventures.com)
Got to put my hands on this bow yesterday, and, wow, the pictures don't do it justice!!
Fast and quiet!
Only problem is the cut-out is on the wrong side :p !!
Nice bow, Ken!!
I fiinally decided on #2,
Another XR Curve, 58" to go with my Fancy 60"r .
This ones gonna be:
Charcoal Dymond Wood Riser
Black Glass Limbs
Tempered boo core
Hour Glass Boo Stripes. A hunting machine.
June can't come quick enough....
:archer2:
QuoteOriginally posted by Gator1:
I fiinally decided on #2,
Another XR Curve, 58" to go with my Fancy 60"r .
This ones gonna be:
Charcoal Dymond Wood Riser
Black Glass Limbs
Tempered boo core
Hour Glass Boo Stripes. A hunting machine.
June can't come quick enough....
:archer2:
Sounds sweet! My XR is a keeper as well. I don't think I've seen one of Kevin's bows that wasn't easy to look at. Mine is smooth, fast and quiet. The grip fits me perfectly and the arrows go where I point them. Sounds like you are going to have another one to pass on to the grandkids!
Right Mitch. And of course we all believe this will be the last bow you ever order :laughing:
And of course Mitch Gator1 wont change his mind again about the wood choices either. LOL
Sounds beautiful Mitch!
I've spent a few days with this bow now. Its definitely a sweetheart. Speedy and silent.
The XR is a great bow. This one will definitely stay with me for quite a while.
Ken
Wow that a good looking Bow!
Those limbs are sweet
Josh,
The riser is a great looking riser, but the limbs make you say, "Wow!"
Still haven't taken any nice pictures. I've got to figure out a way to retire early. Work is taking most all of my time right now.
Ken
I recently got a used RER XR and its my favorite recurve Ive ever shot. Ive just been real consistant with it, was easy to tune, and quiet. Good luck with yours shes pretty easy on the eyes.
Were you able to shoot it through a chrono? I am curious about the static limb performance. Thanks
No....I've not used my chrono in probably 15 years...the only thing I can tell you is it is no slouch in the speed department....and much quieter than my other recurves that aren't static tip.
I have an RER Vital and an LX. Both are very nice bows. I just bought the Vital this year. Kevin had it at the WTA banquet. After I robinhooded Kevins loaner arrow I figured I better buy the bow. LOL
Anyhow, if anyone is interested RER will be at our Traditional shoot on May 11th. I think they will only be there on Saturday, there are always ppl around their table.
http://www.bigfootarchers.com/
Bill
Bill,
Now that wasn't very nice....LOLOLOL...
Kevin makes an awesome bow. Wish I was closer.
QuoteOriginally posted by duncan idaho:
Were you able to shoot it through a chrono? I am curious about the static limb performance. Thanks
I ran my XR through my chrono and got 184 fps with 10 gpp arrows. I thought that was pretty darn fast with hunting weight arrows. My XR was a used on Kevin had on hand. I love it!