Cherry riser
One hickory lamination
Brown glass
Osage tips
I had Mike make this for my 75 year old father.
Thank you Mike.
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f94/Equismith/7%20Lakes%20Carolina%20Night%20SF%20American%20Semi-Longbow/101_0949.jpg)
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f94/Equismith/7%20Lakes%20Carolina%20Night%20SF%20American%20Semi-Longbow/101_0953.jpg)
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f94/Equismith/7%20Lakes%20Carolina%20Night%20SF%20American%20Semi-Longbow/101_0956.jpg)
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f94/Equismith/7%20Lakes%20Carolina%20Night%20SF%20American%20Semi-Longbow/101_0957.jpg)
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f94/Equismith/7%20Lakes%20Carolina%20Night%20SF%20American%20Semi-Longbow/101_0959.jpg)
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f94/Equismith/7%20Lakes%20Carolina%20Night%20SF%20American%20Semi-Longbow/101_0960.jpg)
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f94/Equismith/7%20Lakes%20Carolina%20Night%20SF%20American%20Semi-Longbow/101_0961.jpg)
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f94/Equismith/7%20Lakes%20Carolina%20Night%20SF%20American%20Semi-Longbow/101_0963.jpg)
I added the natural suede grip and the arrow plate.
hey Bud that is a nice long Bow for sure. tell Dad i said hey
:archer:
That's a beauty Bud. I'm sure he'll cherish it.
how's she shoot with only one lam like that? That is a gorgeous bow!
Jon
Simple, classic, beautiful.....and looks to be a shooter. Hope you and your Dad get many more hours afield together Bud.
Beautiful bow! Hope your Dad loves it!
Mike really came up with something nice in an affordable custom bow!! Did Dad shoot that group?? Good for both of you!! Shawn
Outstanding!
Dad has long arms and big hands. He's 6' 4".
I shot that from 15 yards with some 45-50 spined arrows that are 28" bop. Dad's draw is 33" with a compound. I hope it's not longer than about 31.5 with this bow.
Mike makes some nice bows.
Thanks for the compliments guys but Mike deserves all the accolades.
I am a big fan of 7 Lakes.
Nice bow, Bud.
I'll bet your Father luvs it!
That is a nice one for sure. Hats off to 7lakes
As John Schulz said, 'hickory is the most underrated bow wood.'
This single lam of hickory and glass American string follow semi-longbow is smooth and throws an arrow very well for just a 30# bow.
I drove the hour and ten minutes to Dad's house and gave it to him. After 30 minutes or more of looking for his glove and armguard, which haven't been used in many years, here's a few pics of Dad back in action.
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f94/Equismith/PICT1445.jpg)
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f94/Equismith/PICT1446.jpg)
Group one from his porch to the back yard, roughly 12 yards.
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f94/Equismith/PICT1447.jpg)
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f94/Equismith/PICT1448.jpg)
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f94/Equismith/PICT1449.jpg)
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f94/Equismith/PICT1450.jpg)
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f94/Equismith/PICT1451.jpg)
He shot it eight times and called it off for the day. He's recovering from back surgery and he took his back brace off to shoot a little.
The second four shots.
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f94/Equismith/PICT1452.jpg)
I have heard many times of his story of taking the trolley from Norfolk Va to Ocean View and going to the pier and buying a hickory longbow he'd been wanting since seeing Howard Hill in many film shorts. He was around 11 or so when he took the trip alone to buy the hickory bow at a beachside hardware store. A Ben Pearson, I believe.
I chose hickory because of the old bow. I took a few pics of it too. Dad, like John Schulz, likes hickory.
I asked Mike to write a name on the new bow. I named it Mentor. And on the other limb is the word Poppa.
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f94/Equismith/PICT1455.jpg)
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f94/Equismith/PICT1457.jpg)
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f94/Equismith/PICT1459.jpg)
Sorry to ramble guys but I love my Dad. I hate seeing him age and slow down. I hoped this new bow would motivate him. I did see a sparkle in his eye when his first shot just missed the yellow bullseye.
Dang, I hate I didn't tag along. Maybe he'll feel like shooting a little next time I'm up there.
Awsome stuff. Good looking bow.
QuoteOriginally posted by Bud B.:
Sorry to ramble guys but I love my Dad. I hate seeing him age and slow down. I hoped this new bow would motivate him. I did see a sparkle in his eye when his first shot just missed the yellow bullseye.
Bud, looks like dad did a fine job raising a caring son. :clapper:
Just like riding a bike! Hope the two of you have a lot of fun shooting together!
:thumbsup:
Bud this is awesome. Your dad did a great job of raising you :clapper:
Does 7 lakes make the light night at this length standard,or is this a special order?
Does 7 lakes make the light night at this length standard,or is this a special order?
Mike is a great bowyer with the customer at the top of the list. Talk with him. He'll work something you want into what he offers.
As for the Light Night, I knew Mike made them, and asked if he'd make one in Hill style for my father, as my father needed a lighter bow and not a full blown custom. He'll shoot it occasionally. Mike never hesitated. I asked him to make it in the same dimensions as my bow he had made me a few months before, only in 30# and with the less expensive materials as comes with the Light Night. He never hesitated.
I paid him a deposit in early Aug and less than 4 weeks later I picked the bow up for Dad and he loves it. I am a 7 Lakes/Mike Ballenger fan. You couldn't ask for a better custom bow experience. I know alot of bowyers out there are wonderful and I have tried very few, but if they all are like Mike, they have loyal customers as he does in me. I just lucked up and gave him a try. Mike did all the rest.
Sorry for the ramble. But I am one pleased customer twice over.
Thanks again Mike.
Bud
That is just too awesome Bud!!! I miss shooting with my dad. He was the one who taught me. Enjoy the time and do it as much as you can!! It doesn't last forever. Thanks for bringing up some of my fondest memories.
That's the magic of our lives right there. To be able to make a round about connection with their own youth is so very special.
Hope your Dad heals up fast so that he can enjoy that bow and those snazzy arrows more each day.