Trad Gang
Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: threeunder on November 26, 2013, 10:03:00 PM
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About 6-8 months ago, I gave Sixby a call at Eaglewing Archery and had lengthy talk with him about building me a bow.
I told him I wanted a static tip recurve or longbow that came in at 56" and had belly mounted limbs.
I talked with him about what I liked when it came to how a bow looks. Also discussed my priorities. The two items that topped my list were number 1: Quiet; and number 2: smooth draw. Told him speed was okay, but didn't want to sacrifice either of the top two for it. Steve assured me what he delivered would be no slouch in the speed department though.
We discussed his Talon II quite a bit. He talked about limb geometry and some things he was working on.
So, after we hung up, I sent my deposit to him and began my wait.
Fast forward to about 3 weeks or so ago. Was swapping emails with Steve and he dropped a bombshell on me.
He had added a brand new model to his lineup. This bow was to be known as the Steppe Eagle. And, I was about to receive bow #1 of the model (aside from a prototype he had done R&D with).
That, to me, seemed like such an honor. Steve is such an artistic bowyer. One of the reasons I chose him was that I had never seen one of his bows that I thought was not just astounding visually. The second reason was, of all the research I had done, I had never read one single, negative comment about any of his bows.
4 days ago, I got an email from Steve saying the bow had shipped. Today, I picked it up at the post office and had to open the package while sitting in my truck in the parking lot.
I was floored by the beauty of what I held in my hands. I had told Steve that I liked woods that had contrast and big, bold grain. I then left the rest to him. What he created took my breath away.
The riser is Zebra Wood and Leopard Wood with Zebra Wood veneers. It came in at 52#@28" which is dead on my favorite bow weight.
Enough words.
May I present Eaglewing Archery's Steppe Eagle (#1):
(http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n15/ken613/_1030640_zpscf965986.jpg) (http://s108.photobucket.com/user/ken613/media/_1030640_zpscf965986.jpg.html)
(http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n15/ken613/_1030642_zpsdbd6f1e1.jpg) (http://s108.photobucket.com/user/ken613/media/_1030642_zpsdbd6f1e1.jpg.html)
(http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n15/ken613/_1030653_zpse508c1fe.jpg) (http://s108.photobucket.com/user/ken613/media/_1030653_zpse508c1fe.jpg.html)
(http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n15/ken613/_1030649_zps550a0868.jpg) (http://s108.photobucket.com/user/ken613/media/_1030649_zps550a0868.jpg.html)
(http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n15/ken613/_1030663_zps4c325bff.jpg) (http://s108.photobucket.com/user/ken613/media/_1030663_zps4c325bff.jpg.html)
(http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n15/ken613/_1030655_zpsca00136f.jpg) (http://s108.photobucket.com/user/ken613/media/_1030655_zpsca00136f.jpg.html)
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(http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n15/ken613/_1030658_zps21ad797c.jpg) (http://s108.photobucket.com/user/ken613/media/_1030658_zps21ad797c.jpg.html)
(http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n15/ken613/_1030665_zps4c4b44be.jpg) (http://s108.photobucket.com/user/ken613/media/_1030665_zps4c4b44be.jpg.html)
(http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n15/ken613/_1030647_zps9644607b.jpg) (http://s108.photobucket.com/user/ken613/media/_1030647_zps9644607b.jpg.html)
(http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n15/ken613/_1030646_zpsa8b468cc.jpg) (http://s108.photobucket.com/user/ken613/media/_1030646_zpsa8b468cc.jpg.html)
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Nice one!
Bisch
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With the storm slamming us here in Virginia, I've not had the opportunity to shoot it. The draw is oh so smooth. Feels nothing like 52#.
I'll be following up in a couple of days with some photos from shooting.
Steve has been nothing but a pleasure to deal with through this process. Anyone who has not spent some time with him either via phone, email, or in person is missing out on a true gentleman, a true artist, and a spectacular bowyer.
Thanks Steve!
Ken
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Nice looking bow!
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A real looker for sure, hope Steve checks in a gives us an over view of the new model.
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Nice!!!!!! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
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Stunning
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Beautiful woods, looks fast just sitting there and the shelf is even on the right side. What's not to like? :)
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First, Thanks to Ken for such a fine layout and great pics. I was blessed when he emailed me and asked if it would be alright to do this. I have been trying to stay low profile because I want a bit more home time. I want to keep this bowbuilding fun and continue doing it because I love it.
The Steppe Eagles is a concept that I have been working on for the last ten years. It is my fifth model of Static Recurves and is an effort to comb ine a lot of design concepts that I have worked out in my peanut mind with the aid of first God, then Bro. Kirk and finally my experience with these bows. Everytime I build a new model it is a combination of past models plus improvements.
Up to this time I had not had the personal ability to build a belly mount bow that had a heavy reflex, great speed and good stability. The Talon 11 is very close but not quite as quick as I wanted . Definitely what I consider a great bow though.
When I built the prototype to the Steppe Eagle and shot it the first time I said this is it. With one exception. It was verticaly challenged in the stability at brace. Arrgggggggggggggggg. I absolutely loved the bow though , but I already had built one of these verticaly challenged bows in the Origonal Talon and didn't want to go backwards in that department. Soooooooo back to the drawing boards and finally I decided to deflex the limb with a new wedge. It worked.
God blessed with a super quick, belly mount bow with low brace height, good vertical stability, good horizontal stability, quiet and very easy to pull.
What can I say but God is good!!!!
Oh in case you all had not noticed the thumb rest. It is an add on.
God bless you all, Steve
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Congratulations. That is a reall looker. If it shoots as good as it looks you have a real winner there.
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Ken, That is a beautiful bow! I have a storm eagle
that Steve made me and it is all I could possibly want in a bow. It's my favorite of the 17 bows I own.
Lippe
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" It was verticaly challenged in the stability at brace. "
Could you please explain this comment? I'm not too quick on the uptake sometimes.
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Hermon, Vertical stability is easiest described by grabbing the string in the center and pulling the string back and forth toward one limb end and then toward the other.
This supposedly effects the shot at release although I personaly do not believe it to be as critical as some bowyers say because a limb may not be verticly stable at brace but be extremely stable just an inch or two past brace.
I have shot many D and R bows that are verticaly terrible but shot real good for me. Same with recurves.
It is my personal opinion that horizontal stability or torsional stability is much much more important. this keeps excess oscillation and torqueing of the limbs and insures sure tracking of the string. Just my honest opinion.
However due to the criticism of some of my peers of the marginal stability of the original Talon limb I wanted this limb to be both verticly and torsionaly stable.
I hope my convoluted explanation helps,
God bless, Steve
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3 under where in the wild world of sports is Grundy. I live in a little town north of emporia
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ML,
Seny you a PM
Ken
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Sixby-
Thanks for the explanation, but like I said I'm slow on the uptake...
Is this basically the same as in G. Fred's first book where he is shooting a very light weight bow and showing the difference in how the limbs reacted as he uses a high wrist grip and then a low wrist grip?
But at brace rather than full draw of course.
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Love the low-wrist grip. That's a special bow!
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OOOOHHHH, AAAAHHHH, thanks for the info Steve, Love the thumb rest option. May have to get on the list after bro Kirk finishes another bow for me.
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Wow!!!
Steve - You finally got it!! Glad to hear it finally came together.
Another one on the want list......
Congrats on your bow!
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Thanks guys. The thumb rest is the window cutout. It fits on the opposite side and the stripes match up very close if not perfect. Its hard to tell its even an addition. Also a neat thing happening with this bow is that somehow the stripe changed from leopard wood in the sight window to zebra wood. Almost magical Ha ha. The first time I did that was an accident and it took me a long long time to even figure out how it happened.
God bless, Steve
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Sooooo how fast is it???
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Enough that I'm happy happy :goldtooth: :biglaugh:
God bless, Steve
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Congrats, Ken, and Steve on such a beautiful bow!
Look forward to checking it out in person in the near future.
Let me know when you are going to around C'Burg or Roanoke!
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Will do Bob.
May be that week before the Hill Gang Hunt in Jan.
I'll give you a shout. Will definitely bring it to GA, but won't be hunting with it.
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Beautiful Bow! Steve you are on heck of a bowyer!
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James, Thanks for the kind comments. God is good, I do the best I can do but He deserves the credit. There are some really great bowyers and bow hunters and archers on this site. I count my self blessed just to get to know them and associate with them. Up to the time I started meeting some of these guys on the net and then in person I was pretty much removed from this society being in the west. I've still not made any of the big shoots or trad meets back in the east and mid west. This site is pretty much my bow social life along with Bro Kirk.
God bless you all, Steve
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Steve,
If you ever make it to Virginia, you're more than welcome in my camp.
Ken
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Ken, Thanks for that invite. Sounds better than the Smithsonian to me. :biglaugh:
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Wow! That is a very cool looking bow Steve. :thumbsup:
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Kirk, Thanks, I have built a few risers with zebra and leopard. It has become one of my favorite combinations. The leopard I was blessed with is really heavily spotted and makes some really neat contrast look. I don't have any pics at full draw but if Ken has perhaps he will show it. Again thanks for the comments.
As to draw, Its definitely a high early weight with very even draw to full draw. I will be sending a bow to you pretty soon for full testing.
God bless, Steve
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ttt
God bless, Steve
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Hey Ken,
give us a review about the performance of that beauty please :wavey: :wavey:
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Its coming. I promise. Work has me all tied up until dark every day right now...will post a shooting report asap.
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Now THAT, is one great looking bow! I love the wood combinations, and that design looks outstanding! Great job, and congrats to you both. I've been meaning to try a belly mount, and static to boot! Sounds like a winner to me.
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We definitely need a review and more pics of course.
Steve, I know you make great bows. I test-drove your talon in the past and I still think about that bow. I shot very narrow groups with that bow on big distances, like I owned it for years. Now I read that you even improved that design. Darned... This one looks like a stunner to me.
You are truly blessed!
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Flying Duthman: Now I read that you even improved that design.
The only similarity Ad is that this is a belly mount. It is a completely different limb design, An improvement I have been working on off of the original Talon 1 and the Soverign Ballistic but in a belly mount limb that is different than either one of those but incorporates overall basic design.
Thanks again for all the kind comments.
God bless, Steve
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Amazing looking work. When I finally get an EW this is what I want.
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Okay guys....Just froze my butt off shooting my first few rounds with this bow.
Here's my report. It is a bit long, but I think it helps when you know where the writer is coming from.
I started shooting trad in 2006. My first 2 bows were longbows. Then, about 2 1/2 yrs ago, I decided to wade into the world of recurves. Since then, I've went through a dozen or maybe 18 recurves. Still own some, don't own others any longer. I found recurves to be a bit more fickle about shooting...ohh! and they were loud compared to my longbows.
I acquired my first belly mount bow (BW PSA) and instantly fell in love with the handle forward concept. Physics told me that handle torque would be drastically reduced. That PSA is one of the bows I no longer own because, aside from the noise, recurves were heavy. I didn't like that. Not a deal breaker, but not preferable either.
About a year ago, I was fortunate enough to come across a bow that did it all for me...it was smooth drawing, quiet, and pretty doggone fast. Short, at 56", I found the recurve that fit me. It was a Jack Kempf Kwyk Styk. For the next several months, I started looking for a backup bow (hunting bow) for the KS.
I read and read reviews of the KS, then stumbled onto some posts by this feller named Sixby here on Tradgang...LOL.
I was impressed! He seemed to understand that making a shorter or longer bow, wasn't always just about putting the same limbs on a shorter or longer riser...his explanations of limb geometry and the physics of shooting a bow were so in-depth...but he wrote them so that even I (a nurse by trade) could understand it.
I had made the decision to go ahead and call Jack Kempf and get on his list for a 56" Kempf KS. And I had made the decision that it would be my first true, full-blown custom bow. A bow that myself and the bowyer discuss before any glue is spilled or any saw or grinder is turned on. It would be a bow that both of us would be happy with. I own many custom bows, but this would be the first one that was "my" custom bow.
On a whim, one day though, I called Steve at Eagle Wing Archery. We talked about bow length, longbow vs. static tip recurve, grips, centercut...everything. Long story short...we worked the specs out on this bow right there that day. Several months later: The first non prototype Steppe Eagle was born and on its way to me.
Steve and I swapped a couple of emails. We talked about brace height. He told me he preferred shooting low brace height bows and I told him I would start low and work up if needed. My preference is for low brace height bows also (one reason I like the Thunderstick MOAB longbow so much).
Today I was able to go out and fire the first shots from this stunning bow.
At a brace height of 6", I am totally satisfied with the peformance. Steve said I can go up if needed, but I'm happy right there.
Here are my takes on the things that are most important to me in a bow.
Smoothness: This bow does not feel like 52 lbs @ 28". I realize a lot of that comes from the Static Tips. That is fine with me. I've owned over a dozen bows that came in from 51#-53#@28". The Kempf Kwyk Styk was the smoothest drawing bow I'd ever shot up until the Steppe Eagle. The Steppe Eagle is definitely as smooth as the KS, and, I believe, is smoother. I've only shot it for an hour so far (in 18 degree temps), but Steve definitely hit a homerun in the smoothness department.
Quietness: As I said, every mechanical limb recurve I've ever shot has been loud. The 2 or 3 static tips were lots more quiet. The Steppe Eagle is just as quiet as any of those (more so than 1 owned). Another homerun.
Speed: Now I'm not a speed freak. Really don't care about how fast a bow is as long as I can hit what I'm aiming at. With that said, the Steppe Eagle is stunningly fast. On par with, maybe faster, than my KS of exact same specs.
Handling: Here, obviously, is the more subjective category. I love hunting with 1 pc longbows. They are so light in the hand, just a joy to carry. But, as many others, I shoot more consistently with a bow that has a bit of mass. When ordering, I had that discussion with Steve, so he knew what I was after. Handling was important to me. He didn't disappoint. The Steppe Eagle is a trim riser, with no extra "fluff" (except in the looks dept. lol). There is that bit of mass there to help consistency, but it will be a joy to carry in the woods.
So there you have it. My take on Steve's Steppe Eagle. Anyone looking for a truly stunning bow (looks, handling, shooting) should definitely give Steve a call.
I've already started saving for my next Steppe Eagle which will serve as a backup to this one for hunting.
Couple of additional pics:
(http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n15/ken613/Steppe2_zps81b3678f.jpg) (http://s108.photobucket.com/user/ken613/media/Steppe2_zps81b3678f.jpg.html)
(http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n15/ken613/Steppe1_zps8fdb2f57.jpg) (http://s108.photobucket.com/user/ken613/media/Steppe1_zps8fdb2f57.jpg.html)
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Sweet bow, Ken!
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Nice review Ken. I'm anxiously awaiting a chance to test one of these out myself. Steve builds a beautiful bow and puts his heart and soul into every one of them.....You chose wisely :thumbsup:
I just love the Leopard / Zebra wood combo on that riser..... Great pictures Ken.
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Yeah I'm pretty much thinking the same bow but in bocote and wenge. Maybe later in 2014 or sometime in 2015...
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Like I said earlier, I am happy happy!! Nothing blesses me more than for a customer to love his bow. That means God is hearing my prayers as I build it.
God bless you all, Steve
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I'm really surprised that there are no comments on that 6 in brace height. How many recurves can you get that are top mounted. Much less a belly mount with a 6 in brace> Now if you like it higher no problem. But you get 2 more inches of string time over even a low braced recurve that is belly mounted.
Nineworld, Bacote and wenge I heve.,
God bless, Steve
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Everytime I see this thread I feel like I have to call Steve again .....
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Notice, I m finishing the first of these with a new belly mount longbow limb. You will be able to get a bow with one riser and a belly mount static recurve and a belly mount heavy d and r longbow same riser. The one I am finishing is presold and is a super custom. If I get permission I will show a few pics of it when I get the finish on. Talk about stunningly fast!!! the d and r limbs are outstanding.
God bless, Steve
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Need pics and details on speed......
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Not for a while Mike. My tester in chief is playing in Costa Rica.
Grin
God bless, Steve
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Updates on testing???!
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Yeah Steve! Would love to hear more about the longbow limbs!
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Sorry gentlemen, Really, I have had some real delay stuff here lately. I have kept up on all deliverys in a timely manner but have had no extra time to even send anything off for testing. I delieverd the last two bows and am finishing up one on an elkhorn platform right now. I do not have a longbow version in stock to test as the customer added in an extra set of limbs at last moment.
Here is what has happened, My father in law who is a ww11 vet and 98 years old got Noro Virus and came down with pneumonia which almost killed him. After a long stint in the hospital and a nursing nome he was completely bedridden and well on the way to dying. I got him out of the nursing home and fixed up a room with a hospital bed and moved him in with us., No choice IMHO. He has required extensive care and rehab which takes every extra minute I don't have. Sooooooooooo Mike and everyone else , please do not feel like I am putting you off. I'm not . I am just completely worn out and do not have one second extra to do anything.
NOw the good news. From not being able to stand up when we got him , Jim is walking clear from the bedroom to the dining room with his walker. He is getting better every day and the coughing is gone and he is finally eating and sleeping. When he came home I bet he was not getting 300 calories a day and that was just Insure. So we are rejoicing and things are really looking up.
I am working on bows as fast as I can with being called every 10 minutes to come do this or that that the girls cannot do LOL . But we just keep going and praising Jesus and things are great.
I will probably be sending this elk antler bow out to test but it is a short draw. 27 in and high poundage. 65 lb. I am building another really quick and it will be in the new D and R version. Probably in a 60 in model. The limbs are exactly the same limb as the recurve but without the recurve. The bow I just delivered with thim was lower poundage target and 45 lb hunting limbs. The really felt fantastic and it was a tackdriver.
God bless, Steve
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Pray the lord delivers your Father in Law to 100% and provides strength for you and the wife :pray:
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I sure appreciate that prayer!!!! God is really good to us. We were able to give him the first shower he has had in two months just now. Have had to sponge bathe him in the bed. He is happy happy. Me too . haha.
God bless you all, Steve
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Prayers for his recovery Steve.
We will be here my friend...take care of business at home.
If you need any help in testing anything that will fit on the riser you built me, you have my info. Would be more than happy to do anything I can.
World would be a better place if there were more people who put family first.
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Prayers for your Father in laws recovery and God Bless you and your family for doing for him. Some folks are quick to throw the elderly into a nursing home at the first problem..... I started reading this thread very impressed with the bow I saw ( I gotta have one) and am even more impressed with the man who builds them!! God Bless ;)
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This one needs to go back up top!
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Isn't that the truth...... That's a purty bow :)
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Be thinking about ya Steve....I have a dad in assisted living now too...and I'm run ragged doing his job and mine at work. All the while trying to keep wife and two daughters happy, helping my mother around her house, and keeping TradGang on course.
I've never been busier in my life.
Beautiful bow BTW.
Take care.......... :campfire:
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Hope all is well. Glad it went back to the top so I could see this bow. Very unique riser and limbs. Interesting!
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I hope your father in law is doing well!
Any new devolopements or info on this fantastic Steppe Eagle?
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Thanks for bumping this. Ken's beauty deserves a second and third and fourth look. This is one that I would be happy to take off Ken's hands one day in the future so I can get a sample of Sixby's work :D
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Originally posted by Sixby:
First, Thanks to Ken for such a fine layout and great pics. I was blessed when he emailed me and asked if it would be alright to do this. I have been trying to stay low profile because I want a bit more home time. I want to keep this bowbuilding fun and continue doing it because I love it.
The Steppe Eagles is a concept that I have been working on for the last ten years. It is my fifth model of Static Recurves and is an effort to comb ine a lot of design concepts that I have worked out in my peanut mind with the aid of first God, then Bro. Kirk and finally my experience with these bows. Everytime I build a new model it is a combination of past models plus improvements.
Up to this time I had not had the personal ability to build a belly mount bow that had a heavy reflex, great speed and good stability. The Talon 11 is very close but not quite as quick as I wanted . Definitely what I consider a great bow though.
When I built the prototype to the Steppe Eagle and shot it the first time I said this is it. With one exception. It was verticaly challenged in the stability at brace. Arrgggggggggggggggg. I absolutely loved the bow though , but I already had built one of these verticaly challenged bows in the Origonal Talon and didn't want to go backwards in that department. Soooooooo back to the drawing boards and finally I decided to deflex the limb with a new wedge. It worked.
God blessed with a super quick, belly mount bow with low brace height, good vertical stability, good horizontal stability, quiet and very easy to pull.
What can I say but God is good!!!!
Oh in case you all had not noticed the thumb rest. It is an add on.
God bless you all, Steve
Steve, That my friend is a Steppe in the right direction! (Pun intended! :clapper: :clapper:
Bill
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Gentlemen, I thank you all for your prayers. My father in law after a very hard fight went to be with Jesus. He went very peacefully and it was a blessing under the dire circumstances. He was a very strong man even at 99 years of age. He loved God and family and country and served all well.
He was so loved by all that knew him and a blessing to each of us.
I am just now getting back to building a few bows and recuperating some myself. I want you to know how much my family and I have appreciated your prayers. God's blessing to each of you for your kindness and care. Steve
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So sorry to hear of his passing Steve. Prayers still for you and your family.
Take care my friend.
And Chuck...LOL...It is one that will not be leaving. But I'm sure we can work out a test-drive if you'd like.
Now go kill a hog!
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Steve, my condolences to you and the family.