Thinking of calling and ordering one, maybe with Phenolic riser and strip of carbon with bamboo limbs if these are options. Anyone know the prices of his bows? Thanks for any info.
Anybody got a lefty 68-70" at 45-50lbs they want to let go?
Here is a phenolic riser and bamboo limbs. 68" and 47 @ 28.
Great Bows! I am not sure of his pricing at the moment but you can call him and see what he says. I think a lot would depend on how easy he can find the materials you want.
Good Luck!
(http://i1135.photobucket.com/albums/m637/cjohntalk/Colorado%20Elk%20Hunt/1315176748.jpg) (http://s1135.photobucket.com/user/cjohntalk/media/Colorado%20Elk%20Hunt/1315176748.jpg.html)
(http://i1135.photobucket.com/albums/m637/cjohntalk/Colorado%20Elk%20Hunt/1315177451.jpg) (http://s1135.photobucket.com/user/cjohntalk/media/Colorado%20Elk%20Hunt/1315177451.jpg.html)
(http://i1135.photobucket.com/albums/m637/cjohntalk/Colorado%20Elk%20Hunt/1315177783.jpg) (http://s1135.photobucket.com/user/cjohntalk/media/Colorado%20Elk%20Hunt/1315177783.jpg.html)
Sent you a PM.
Thanks gentlemen
macster, best to call John and ask. The last one I got from him was $525 but that was two years ago. Zircote w/ osage I-beam, boo cores and black glass belly and back. 66" 48@28
(http://i839.photobucket.com/albums/zz313/Petemcm/dominatrix1_zpsbf1bfac2.jpg) (http://s839.photobucket.com/user/Petemcm/media/dominatrix1_zpsbf1bfac2.jpg.html)
Sent you an e-mail with pictures.
Rick
That's a beautiful bow Charlie!
Bernie Bjorklund
NC Iowa/SW Wisconsin
QuoteOriginally posted by Cyclic-Rivers:
Here is a phenolic riser and bamboo limbs. 68" and 47 @ 28.
Great Bows! I am not sure of his pricing at the moment but you can call him and see what he says. I think a lot would depend on how easy he can find the materials you want.
Good Luck!
Charlie, that is one slick looking stick!
Bisch
I have shot Charlie's bow...... First couple of shots at 25 yards were right in the kill. Smooth as silk and real pointable. Just a real nice bow.
Some people do not care for the added weight of the phenolic riser.
Although it is noticeable, You dont really notice after carrying it.
Personally I think the bow is about as good as they get.
This one is called Ravenous.
Macster, please provide us with pics with whatever you decide on. we have a hidden Big River bow Cult here at Trad Gang.
Just sent my deposit (23 Dec) for one of John's 21st clones. I asked for 65#@27 and 62". Gave him pretty free reign to make me a hunting tool, asked that he use what from his experience has performed best. I did suggest to him that I liked the Zircote that is in the riser of my recurve circa 1998. I like the added stability of the slightly heavier wood. Bamboo cores and possibly curly maple laminations. I'll have to talk with him about horn tips as well.
I'll get pics posted as soon as I get this bow in my hands.
Just one more !!!
:thumbsup: :campfire: :archer2:
Michael, your bow will be beautiful and a great performer. Looking forward to the pics.
I have several of Mr. McDonald's bows, two of which are 21st Century style, and one of those has a phenolic riser, which is the one I take to the woods most often. I would post pics but that is far beyond my computer skills. She looks just like Charlie's anyway. I love shooting all of them. I echo Cyclic-Rivers statement- "your bow will be beautiful and a great performer". Can't wait to see the photos. Big River Bow Cult.
Charlie, I am confident it will be. That does not make the wait any more bareable. :thumbsup: :archer2:
I'm trying to talk wife into letting me get two of them. 60" for treestands and 70" for 3-D
Use all my 60#+ bows for both hunting and 3-D. Makes those targets rock.
Talked with John the other day. Bow is getting close with Zircote riser, bamboo cores and Bird's Eye maple laminations. It might be too pretty to hunt with, Nah!!!!
with no website.....how does anyone know what they are purchasing and how to make a choice of which to buy?
There are enough of his bows floating around and I have not heard anyone unhappy with his work. I saw a recurve a fiend had and told John I wanted a dark heavy wood in the riser, with tunan cnae under glass. Pretty much took it on faith and am still very happy with this bow. My longbow should not desappoint. Will post pics as soon as I can of both.
:campfire:
QuoteOriginally posted by dougedwards:
with no website.....how does anyone know what they are purchasing and how to make a choice of which to buy?
John has a loyal following and usually has people lining up for his bows.
You either trust the master to do his work or you don't, if you don't, buy used or buy elsewhere. I think people these days get too tied up with what their bow looks like and put what it shoots like in second place.
At Johns point in his life his system serves him well. I doubt he cares about getting hoards of new customers through his doors. He just wants to build bows for the love of it and to stay busy.
He is doing just that! a Website would probably kill him lol.
Michael, I look forward to seeing your new bow.
QuoteOriginally posted by Cyclic-Rivers:
QuoteOriginally posted by dougedwards:
with no website.....how does anyone know what they are purchasing and how to make a choice of which to buy?
John has a loyal following and usually has people lining up for his bows.
You either trust the master to do his work or you don't, if you don't, buy used or buy elsewhere. I think people these days get too tied up with what their bow looks like and put what it shoots like in second place.
At Johns point in his life his system serves him well. I doubt he cares about getting hoards of new customers through his doors. He just wants to build bows for the love of it and to stay busy.
He is doing just that! a Website would probably kill him lol. [/b]
I would like to know about lengths and types of bows available, but maybe ole John is too busy for ordinary guys like myself. I don't know.
I do know that I love my 21st Century Edge and this thread caught my eye.
Doug
The several times I talked with him on the phone, he was very helpful and answered all my questions, even the stupid ones. I've owned several of his bows new and used, never been disappointed. May be time to start a thread with photos of John's handiwork.
Dougedwards,
please understand John is almost 85 years old, is a one man operation, and has some health issues. He does the best he can, I help him whenever I can.
Like most older fellas, technology for him stops at cell phones. It`s nothing personal, he just makes bows when he wants, he has earned that right.
He is not a sponsor here, so I try not to pump his bows too much out of respect for the other bow sponsors on here who pay the bills. Sometimes I cant help it, I like them that much, as do most of us Bigriver groupies.
Dont take offense, get a hold of him or one of us groupies, & find out what they are all about. Maybe in private.He wont turn down anyone who wants a bow. Hope this helps.
Mods I hope my post is ok, if not, yank her down.
Amen to what Cyclic River and Bigriver said. John is a very humble man and makes awesome shooting tools, they usually look pretty good, as well.
:thumbsup:
Michael
Thanks for explanation Bigriver. I did not intend to cause any disruption.
Doug
Doug, if you want his contact info, send one of us a PM. we'll be happy to share :thumbsup:
I should have re-read my post and hope you didn't take it the wrong way. I think Brian hit my sentiment a little better.
Either way, if you are curious about his stuff, give him a call. He is in the midwestern time zone.
Talked with John a couple days ago and the bow cam in a couple pounds lighter than I wanted at 62", so it will be a 60" bow to get it closer to the 65# I want. Also, added horn tips. Zircote riser, bamboo cores, Bird's Eye maple laminations, should be a beauty!!!
:thumbsup:
No worries, 60" will make it a better bow in the Texas brush.
Sounds like a dandy. Looking forward to some pictures.
I bought one from one of our better known Georgia based members. That bow was such a pleasant surprise to shoot, really quick and dead in the hand. My second favorite design after Bob Sarrels' Sierra.
I was lucky enough to pick up one of John's 21 Century copy at a song last fall. It has been a lot of fn to shoot. My first but not last longbow.
Great looking Bow!
If you want craftsmanship buy Big river. If you like
less give Milton a call.
I make my own any more but have personally dealt
With Milton and it was the last time I would.
In hindsite I should thank him as it led to my copying a Jim and Buddy bow, one of four I picked up from Jim at his home long ago.
Lou
John called today and he is waiting for my check. Payday on Friday, check will be headed to Wisconsin, I'm pumped.
:bigsmyl:
I have 4 Big River Longbows in the shop right now. Give me a Call for more info. Terry
I just received a new bow from Mr. McDonald this week -- a 21st Century, bamboo core, yew veneers, osage riser. 68" and 50# @ 30". I am very pleased to own the bow. I have owned several of John's bows, and really like this 68" bow.
Jim Ploen is still alive and around John's age and they talk quite often. I email Jim about once a month and he like John still shoot.
Rick
Mr. Hansen;
You must have been 1 or 2 in front of me. We also share a birth date.
:thumbsup:
John should get my money this weekend and hopefully get the bow right in the mail. Have some new Grizzly Instinct broadheads that need a push.
:thumbsup:
Michael,
I hope that you enjoy the bow Mr. McDonald is building for you.
Best,
Rob
I just stopped over to Johns house last week and dropped off two peices of dymond wood for the two bows I have on order with him one for my wife and one for myself. I wanted to get my wife a pretty bow so I had her pick out the color she wanted and since I was ordering hers I figured I'd go ahead and pick out what I wanted. I know John doesnt like going on the internet so I thought it would just be easier to do it. Now its just time to sit back and wait for them to get done.
I would really like to be able to stop in and talk with John. We have had some fun with each other on the phone over the years.
Rob, I'm sure I will.
:thumbsup:
Its here!!!!!! I'll see if I can get some help posting pics from Charlie.
65#@27" so I am pulling @66#, a few more push ups needed!!!! Hogs be afraid, be very afraid. If my 63# MOAB blasts through you then, Bu-ah-haaa-haa!!!!!
:thumbsup: