I did not take these pics.
I pick the bow up from Mike on Weds and I'll put on the grip leather and strike plate/shelf leather. Not sure what color yet.
Brown Glass
Osage Riser
3 lams actionboo
2 lams maple
osage tips
handle/limbs 1" wide
slightly trapped limbs
semi-raduised shelf
2 3/16" deep straight grip handle
Mike makes some nice bows. I'll post up more after I get it and am able to shoot it.
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f94/Equismith/7%20Lakes%20Carolina%20Night%20SF%20American%20Semi-Longbow/MikesWriting4727.jpg) (http://s45.photobucket.com/user/Equismith/media/7%20Lakes%20Carolina%20Night%20SF%20American%20Semi-Longbow/MikesWriting4727.jpg.html)
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f94/Equismith/7%20Lakes%20Carolina%20Night%20SF%20American%20Semi-Longbow/Rider-Shelf.jpg) (http://s45.photobucket.com/user/Equismith/media/7%20Lakes%20Carolina%20Night%20SF%20American%20Semi-Longbow/Rider-Shelf.jpg.html)
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f94/Equismith/7%20Lakes%20Carolina%20Night%20SF%20American%20Semi-Longbow/Shelfback.jpg) (http://s45.photobucket.com/user/Equismith/media/7%20Lakes%20Carolina%20Night%20SF%20American%20Semi-Longbow/Shelfback.jpg.html)
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f94/Equismith/7%20Lakes%20Carolina%20Night%20SF%20American%20Semi-Longbow/SidelineSF.jpg) (http://s45.photobucket.com/user/Equismith/media/7%20Lakes%20Carolina%20Night%20SF%20American%20Semi-Longbow/SidelineSF.jpg.html)
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f94/Equismith/7%20Lakes%20Carolina%20Night%20SF%20American%20Semi-Longbow/Grip.jpg) (http://s45.photobucket.com/user/Equismith/media/7%20Lakes%20Carolina%20Night%20SF%20American%20Semi-Longbow/Grip.jpg.html)
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f94/Equismith/7%20Lakes%20Carolina%20Night%20SF%20American%20Semi-Longbow/Osagetips.jpg) (http://s45.photobucket.com/user/Equismith/media/7%20Lakes%20Carolina%20Night%20SF%20American%20Semi-Longbow/Osagetips.jpg.html)
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f94/Equismith/7%20Lakes%20Carolina%20Night%20SF%20American%20Semi-Longbow/Gripshelf.jpg) (http://s45.photobucket.com/user/Equismith/media/7%20Lakes%20Carolina%20Night%20SF%20American%20Semi-Longbow/Gripshelf.jpg.html)
Thanks for working with me on this bow Mike. I can't wait to hold and shoot it.
BEAUTIFUL!!! Mike does do some good work. I like how he made his splice points into a "M" that was is a nice touch.
I bought my son a nite lite 2 after the last thread you did for Mike when you got one for your grandson? nephew?
gorgeous stick Bud
Nice Bud! Can't wait to hear the reviews on how it shoots!
:archer:
I thought a green grip might be nice.
But which shade?
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f94/Equismith/7%20Lakes%20Carolina%20Night%20SF%20American%20Semi-Longbow/100_9926.jpg) (http://s45.photobucket.com/user/Equismith/media/7%20Lakes%20Carolina%20Night%20SF%20American%20Semi-Longbow/100_9926.jpg.html)
QuoteOriginally posted by Brianlocal3:
BEAUTIFUL!!! Mike does do some good work. I like how he made his splice points into a "M" that was is a nice touch.
I bought my son a nite lite 2 after the last thread you did for Mike when you got one for your grandson? nephew?
gorgeous stick Bud
Grandson :)
I like the grip on the far right. Good luck with the bow, I wouldn't trade mine for anything.
Looks really nice Bud, Pig killer for sure. :bigsmyl: Dark green :thumbsup: Let us know how she shoots. Congrats on a fine one.Enjoy!
Nice looking bow Bud! Congrats!
I vote dark green too
Another vote for the dark green. Can't wait to hear how she shoots for you.....been looking myself.
I met Mike today and got the bow.
Light in the hand.
No handshock.
Spits an arrow as well as or BETTER than my other Hill style bows. For a SF bow it is phenomenal.
Mike's craftsmanship is high quality. His finish is a satin finish and seems tough. No sand lines are visible anywhere. Wood and glass are smooooooth.
Drawing it is effortless. It draws an even weight and tightens up smoothly as you get back to anchor.
Mike provided a FF string, but a fatter one than what seems to be the trend.
She shoots with authority and is very quiet. As quiet as my HH Big 5 SF.
Mike worked with me closely on this bow. I asked for some things that were not typical of the Carolina Night based on my viewing of one of Howard Hill's personal bows back in Feb on the Hill Hog Hunt. Mike made the handle length to fit my hand and the depth to meet the original Hill I saw. I asked for narrower limbs and he obliged. I wanted the closest belly lam to come up the belly side of the riser fade.
My first five shots after putting on the handle were withing 5" of each other at 15. The groups after that were very similar and arrow flight was beautiful.
Some pics...
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f94/Equismith/7%20Lakes%20Carolina%20Night%20SF%20American%20Semi-Longbow/100_9998.jpg) (http://s45.photobucket.com/user/Equismith/media/7%20Lakes%20Carolina%20Night%20SF%20American%20Semi-Longbow/100_9998.jpg.html)
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f94/Equismith/7%20Lakes%20Carolina%20Night%20SF%20American%20Semi-Longbow/101_0004.jpg) (http://s45.photobucket.com/user/Equismith/media/7%20Lakes%20Carolina%20Night%20SF%20American%20Semi-Longbow/101_0004.jpg.html)
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f94/Equismith/7%20Lakes%20Carolina%20Night%20SF%20American%20Semi-Longbow/101_0012.jpg) (http://s45.photobucket.com/user/Equismith/media/7%20Lakes%20Carolina%20Night%20SF%20American%20Semi-Longbow/101_0012.jpg.html)
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f94/Equismith/7%20Lakes%20Carolina%20Night%20SF%20American%20Semi-Longbow/101_0024.jpg) (http://s45.photobucket.com/user/Equismith/media/7%20Lakes%20Carolina%20Night%20SF%20American%20Semi-Longbow/101_0024.jpg.html)
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f94/Equismith/7%20Lakes%20Carolina%20Night%20SF%20American%20Semi-Longbow/101_0028.jpg) (http://s45.photobucket.com/user/Equismith/media/7%20Lakes%20Carolina%20Night%20SF%20American%20Semi-Longbow/101_0028.jpg.html)
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f94/Equismith/7%20Lakes%20Carolina%20Night%20SF%20American%20Semi-Longbow/101_0018.jpg) (http://s45.photobucket.com/user/Equismith/media/7%20Lakes%20Carolina%20Night%20SF%20American%20Semi-Longbow/101_0018.jpg.html)
If you're in the market for a Hill style bow give Mike a call. I think you'll be pleased that you did.
:thumbsup: :thumbsup:
I have a 68" String Follow "Carolina Night" from 7 Lakes and I love it. I have some blanks from 7 Lakes but I love the way Mike did the tips and grip.
PS Bud,
I'd like one a bit more narrow myself, did Mike charge much more for the extra custom touches?? Did he charge extra for the brown glass?
Only extra charge was for the osage riser.
I'll try to get some measurement pics posted.
Arrows I'm shooting are 5/16 cedars at 27.25" bop and come out to roughly 9gpp for the bow. Cast is wonderful and flat. Where I shoot in my back yard only allows for a 30ish yard shot and if trying to find a point of aim for the 27.25" arrow I'm still about a foot and a half below target to get spot of aim impact. POA for this bow/arrow combo will be around 40 yards I'm guessing. Well past my effective range.
It likes a somewhat loose grip and a firm heel of hand.
The pics
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f94/Equismith/7%20Lakes%20Carolina%20Night%20SF%20American%20Semi-Longbow/101_0182.jpg)
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f94/Equismith/7%20Lakes%20Carolina%20Night%20SF%20American%20Semi-Longbow/101_0184.jpg)
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f94/Equismith/7%20Lakes%20Carolina%20Night%20SF%20American%20Semi-Longbow/101_0186.jpg)
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f94/Equismith/7%20Lakes%20Carolina%20Night%20SF%20American%20Semi-Longbow/101_0187.jpg)
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f94/Equismith/7%20Lakes%20Carolina%20Night%20SF%20American%20Semi-Longbow/101_0188.jpg)
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f94/Equismith/7%20Lakes%20Carolina%20Night%20SF%20American%20Semi-Longbow/101_0189.jpg)
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f94/Equismith/7%20Lakes%20Carolina%20Night%20SF%20American%20Semi-Longbow/101_0190.jpg)
Mike Ballenger is one of those sleeper bowyers I've heard talked about on some threads on this website. There are many good bowyers of Hill style bows out there. I truly believe Mike's bows are with the one's the Hill following would call at the top of the list, but without that top of the list long wait and higher price. Mike's a great guy and will work with you to get you the bow you want. And check his bow guarantee. That speaks for itself.
Outstanding Hill bow.
Looks great.
I have been waiting on these pics.
You did a great job with the photography and mike nailed that bow! Looks like a great combo
Nice Bud, looks nice and shots nice, that's what it's all about. Nice looking arrows too. where did you get those light colored blue fletches? I need some just that color for the arrows I'm making. The dark green handle wrap looks great!
Thanks for the pictures, dimensions, and great review Bud. One of these Carolina Night's may very well be in my future. :thumbsup:
Arrows were bought off the classifieds here. They were made by All Wood Arrows in Tennessee.
The bow's a great little slim shooter ;)
Dang nice bow and great review.
I too was impressed with Mike when he built my sons bow. Even though it was the cheapest bow in his line up he took the time take my input. And while cutting the riser he found a small knot that he didn't like so he built a whole new bow.
Very nice Bud! Mike builds a great bow and that one is exceptional....AND the shelf is on the correct/right side of the bow. :thumbsup:
I know you will enjoy shooting this one and you are right...it's hard to beat Mike's guarantee!
Nice thanks for sharing.
Bud,that's a beauty! I really like that slimmed down design. I wish work would pick up here,there are a few bows I want to try and one of Mike's is at the top of the list. He built a kid's bow for my daughter and I was really impressd with the workmanship on it and the amount of time he spent with me making sure it came out just right for her.He even put a cool pink metal flake finish on the limbs for her.I just looked at my bow rack for a victim to send to the classifieds! :D
QuoteOriginally posted by Goshawkin:
.... I just looked at my bow rack for a victim to send to the classifieds! :D
Oh heavens!! Just make another rack! :thumbsup:
QuoteOriginally posted by Bud B.:
quote:
Originally posted by Goshawkin:
.... I just looked at my bow rack for a victim to send to the classifieds! :D
Oh heavens!! Just make another rack! :help:
I am REALLY beginning to like this bow.
A love/hate relationship.
The love;
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f94/Equismith/7%20Lakes%20Carolina%20Night%20SF%20American%20Semi-Longbow/101_0275.jpg) (http://s45.photobucket.com/user/Equismith/media/7%20Lakes%20Carolina%20Night%20SF%20American%20Semi-Longbow/101_0275.jpg.html)
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f94/Equismith/7%20Lakes%20Carolina%20Night%20SF%20American%20Semi-Longbow/101_0277.jpg) (http://s45.photobucket.com/user/Equismith/media/7%20Lakes%20Carolina%20Night%20SF%20American%20Semi-Longbow/101_0277.jpg.html)
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f94/Equismith/7%20Lakes%20Carolina%20Night%20SF%20American%20Semi-Longbow/101_0279.jpg) (http://s45.photobucket.com/user/Equismith/media/7%20Lakes%20Carolina%20Night%20SF%20American%20Semi-Longbow/101_0279.jpg.html)
The hate;
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f94/Equismith/7%20Lakes%20Carolina%20Night%20SF%20American%20Semi-Longbow/101_0276.jpg) (http://s45.photobucket.com/user/Equismith/media/7%20Lakes%20Carolina%20Night%20SF%20American%20Semi-Longbow/101_0276.jpg.html)
If that problem gets too bad, Bud, send her to me for a while and I'll teach her how to shoot much larger groups and thus save your arrow supply. :D Anything to help a fellow TG'er.
Come on down to Sissipahaw and shoot the 7 Lakes AND the Dave Johnson ;)
Aug 17th. :thumbsup:
I have a back quiver for the club raffle, too. :campfire:
Bringing this back up for a Tradgang sponsor that really does not advertise. Mike is excellent to work with and customer service and satisfaction are his goals. Word of mouth is his best advertiser and I certainly want to give him what he is due.
Thank you Mike.
BTW, I showed the bow to my father, who is 75 and recovering from his third back surgery, and he loved it. He has an old Ben Pearson string follow all wood Hill style bow from the early 50s that he bought when he was around 15 or so. I could see memories in his eye as he gleaned over Mike's work. I should really look into getting Dad one.
Yes Bud, you should....know what else you should make him? Lol.
Wow, what a bow! I like the looks of the strung profile and the use of osage in the handle and tips. Mike is one of the underrated bowyers out there. I have had 2 u-finish longbows from him. Very satisfied.
QuoteOriginally posted by Green:
Yes Bud, you should....know what else you should make him? Lol.
Oh yeah! ;)
Thanks Bud, Know I'll have to have a 7 lakes Too. Does this wonderful sickness ever end? :banghead:
Nope. :)
Nice shooting and a fine-looking bow.
Is there some place where I can learn to post pictures. My 7 Lakes, Carolina Night that Mike finished is the only bow I have that isn't for sale. I love this bow.
Mike, if you have a photobucket account, just copy the IMG link by the pic and paste it in the reply box and it will come up.
If you don't have photobucket then ill post them for you if you email them to me.
Same here Mike...I'll post up for you if you want. budnstefb aaaat aol dot com
WOW! That is a really beautiful bow. Looks like she will be hard on the arrows. Have fun!
JW
I just ordered a SF Carolina Night with 1" wide limbs like yours. No extra charge. Can't wait to compare it to my regular SF Carolina Night.
Like Potato Chips, can't have just one.
Good deal Mike!!
Bud, You nailed the leather work. Give me a call the next time you go pick up more. I know you gave me directions to the leather shop but my memory is on a down hill slide.
PS,
I still have that sister bow blank that missed weight.
Wow, what a pretty bow...
And you shoot it well !!!
Thanks for bringing it back up..
Sent you an email about the bow blank Mike to get some info.
Awesome bow and a great review. Congrats
Oh how funny fate is...
I went this AM to the leather store. Just got back. I ran into herndondt with his friend Stephen. I think you've made a bow for Stephen Mike. The cedar one.
Straight up Hwy 22 from you in Ramseur Mike. It's behind the McDonald's. On Moffitt.
I bought some more back quiver leather ;) Gotta make Dad a back quiver :)
As for the bow, it's going to the woods this evening. Fingers are crossed. :thumbsup:
Braggin' on those Carolina Nights!
Sweet bow. (//%5Burl=http://imgur.com/ZtIUTPF%5D%20%5Bimg%5Dhttp://i.imgur.com/ZtIUTPF.jpg)[/url] [/IMG] (//%5Burl=http://imgur.com/nVR3QWZ%5D%20%5Bimg%5Dhttp://i.imgur.com/nVR3QWZ.jpg)[/url] [/IMG] (//%5Burl=http://imgur.com/O6Udk6E%5D%20%5Bimg%5Dhttp://i.imgur.com/O6Udk6E.jpg)[/url] [/IMG] (//%5Burl=http://imgur.com/7OIuubU%5D%20%5Bimg%5Dhttp://i.imgur.com/7OIuubU.jpg)[/url] [/IMG]
I almost went for that one.
I love those accents above and below the grip on the belly!!
How's that stingray while shooting? That's some tough stuff!
Re Stingray grip:
After the bleeding stops, you don't notice it!