I just sent in my deposit to John McDonald for a hill style big river longbow. RH, 68", 50#@ 27", cocobolo riser, five lams of bamboo, with black glass on back and belly. I was wanting a different combo, but Mr. McDonald didn't have the wood I wanted. I was thinking osage riser, osage back and belly with three lams of bamboo in the core with clear glass. I use to own a five lam bamboo McDonald and it was one of the best hill styles I ever owned. At least it shot consistently for me.
What is that small piece of leather installed on the edge of the sight window to keep the arrow on the rest called? I requested that to be added to the bow, but didn't know the proper terminology.
Thanks to Brian, Bigriver, for helping me with the contact info.
I have a hearing disability and between my southern accent and Mr. McDonald's northern accent, we had a spotty conversation. :) But, we got the job done. He says he's been crafting bows since 1957. I guess he knows how to do it by now. :)
As long as you know you like a hill style bow, you will Love John's Creation!
I have not shot one of his bows I have not liked yet.
Also, he has a 68", RH, 58#@ 28", with white glass belly for sale if anyone is interested. I almost opted for that bow, but I wanted a five lam bow and the new one for sale is a four lam creation. Plus, I wanted something a bit closer to 50#s.
Has anyone been crafting bows for as long as John McDonald? 1957?
QuoteOriginally posted by foxbo:
Has anyone been crafting bows for as long as John McDonald? 1957?
Bob Lee???
Bob Lee started crafting bows in 1951 and has more or less turned the business over to his son and grandson?
I guess my question should have been has any one man shop been crafting bows for as long as McDonald?
Cyclic-Rivers, we need more interaction in this thread than just you and I! :)
Where are all the hill fans?
LOL Edward, John has a cult following here, I am only one of them. I am surprised no one else has jumped in.
John is a top notch fellow and Bowyer. I laughed when I heard how your conversation went.
John is a fine gentelman (read crotchety old fart). Who builds an excellent bow, you will be pleased with the new bow.....
I have a very nice Big River Hill style, but it sits dormant most of the time because it is too heavy for me. But it is a extremely well made. I just wish it was 10 or 15 pounds lighter.
I have three of John's bows including a Hill style. I've had several other Hill style bows from other bowyers and John's is at least as good as the best and may be the smoothest I've shot. I'll be seeing him this week - just to drop off a couple of moose steaks - after all he built the bow that took it.
I had one once with five lams of bamboo and it was the deepest core, narrow limb bow I've ever seen.
Does anyone know what that tiny piece of leather is called which is installed on the edge of the shelf to keep the arrow on the shelf? I'v seen lots of hill bows with this option, but can't remember what it's callled.
John is hard of hearing anyway and getting up there in age 80-something...83 maybe? He's gotten quiet in his age and I have a hard time hearing him standing right in front of him. My brothers and I have a number of Big River's and enjoy them immensely.
John typically carries a limited inventory of wood so orders are typically influenced by what he has on hand.
Hope you enjoy your new bow!
Kris
My first longbow was a 66" 21 Century copy 43#@28. I got a great deal from a board member here. I love the bow and while not fast the bow's draw is super smooth and hits where I look. I'm looking for another in the near 50# range to go with it.
"John typically carries a limited inventory of wood so orders are typically influenced by what he has on hand."
I believe you hit the nail on the head. Still, I'm looking forward to receiving any bow from Mr. McDonald. He wasn't too keen on the five lam bamboo limb construction, but I talked him into it. Can you imagine crafting bows for 57 years? That's pretty incredible.
Mine is in line and nearing completion. I told Mr. McDonald that I was in no particular hurry and he should not worry. He said the Zircote riser with Bird's eye maple laminations should be real pretty. Also asked for horn tips. Typical bamboo cores should make it a screamer. I have a recurve by Mr. McDonald that is a thumper.(67#@28") My bows normally take a bit longer cause I like them @65#.
:thumbsup:
Michael
John makes great bows. I shot one of his hill style and it didn't shake my brain loose after:)
Ed just walk toward the light and join us. :thumbsup:
I recently was fortunate enough to pick up one of Mr. McDonald's Hill style bows off the classifieds here on TG. Great bow. If you like a Hill style, you'll love a Big River Hill. I love every Big River I have. Big River Bow Cult!!!
I asked him how long it would take to complete the bow, six to eight months? He said, "Something like that.". :)As old as he is, I feel lucky that he's still taking orders. I just hope he has good health to follow.
Anyone have any pics of the hill style McDonald? I'd love to see some. Thanks...
I'll get my brother to post his Hill style McDonald bow. I have a static tipped 21st century profile McDonald LB (the first of two made) with 21" radius limbs...a real shooter! It has maple cores with black glass back & belly and Ziricote riser.
Kris
John is the reason I started shooting a long bow I used to live next to his son and I shot compound with him all the time until Johns grandson came over one day with his hill style bow that John made and I've been hooked ever since. I just stopped over to Johns 2 weeks ago and ordered my second bow from him but now I have to stop back over to his house and order another one for my wife too.
QuoteOriginally posted by foxbo:
I asked him how long it would take to complete the bow, six to eight months? He said, "Something like that.". :)As old as he is, I feel lucky that he's still taking orders. I just hope he has good health to follow.
B.R.B.C (BigRiver Bow cult)..... shoot he can make a bow in two days if he wants, and his Hill Style bows, with his eyes closed :bigsmyl: They are the best out there, but i am not that partial to them :goldtooth: !
Reminds me i have to edit my account, i recently sold a couple and only kept 3 of my Big Rivers, kinda kicking myself for selling one of them, but the new owner promised to sell it back if he ever wants to get rid of it. :banghead:
Can wait to see some pics!
I've seen a few pics of you and your game animals Rafael. Little doubt that you're a big river fan!
(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y100/foxbo/halter_zps60074c68.jpg) (http://s3.photobucket.com/user/foxbo/media/halter_zps60074c68.jpg.html)
It's getting pitiful when you have to hunt and post your own pics! :) This is one of the craftsman himself, Mr. John McDonald. He's the gentleman in the center holding one of his bows.
I'd love to show off my Big River collection, especially the Hill- She's a beauty- Black glass back, white glass belly. But the skill and technological savy required to post pictures is beyond mine capabilities. I'm hopeful that some others will post their Big River Hills.
He gives me a hard time about my southern accent lol!
We never got that far into the conversation. The dang bell's palsy made it much worse and we had a hell of a time, but mostly with the addresses. I finally got his address and after several attempts at mine, I said, "I'll just mail you my address with the deposit!". :)
John called and told my the 62" bow was at 62#, so if a 60" bow is OK he can get it to around 65# like I want. 60" will work better for hunting Texas Cedar anyway.
:thumbsup: :shaka:
I had one of his Hills briefly and it was as fine a Hill as I have tried. Just had wonderful attention to detail, like nicely radiused string nocks and such. I actually preferred it to the Miller OT I also once had. Had to send it on though. It was a straight grip and I prefer a locator.
Talked to John yesterday and the 62" bow was a few pounds light, so mine will be a 60" to get it closer to the 65# I want. That is fine with me, easier to get through the brush.
:thumbsup:
I received a call yesterday on my cell at the Y. It was Mr. McDonald. I thought, gosh, this should be good. He can't understand me very well and I can't hear for crap! The weight room was noisy, so I stuck one finger in my worst ear and rolled the dice. "How wide did you want your grip on this bow?" asked Mr. McDonald. "You've got it about finished?" I asked? "Well, yeah. Did you want me to put it back in the corner?" replied he. "Oh no!", I said, "I'm just so surprised since I just placed the order back in March. Are you talking about the width between the back and belly?" "No.", replied Mr. McDonald, "I'm referring to the width from left to right.". "I'd like it to be about an inch.", I replied. "I only go as narrow as 1 1/16", he replied. "Well, I'll take that then." I went on to say, "Did you craft the bow with the five lams of bamboo?" He replied, "I went ahead and made it a six lam bow." "That's fine by me.", I said. "I've always loved the deep core bows.". Well, hell I only did five", replied he. "That'll work", I said. I figured the ole boy was making sport of me in some fashion, which was fine by me. I've gotten use to it over the years. :)I truly believe if we were to meet, he'd have a great time giving me the business. I couldn't help but thinking that we'd be good friends.
Well, long story short, the bow should be finished and in my hands within a couple of weeks. That's super quick compared to what I thought would take place. Initially, he said six to eight months, or something like that. I'm looking so forward to receiving this 68" gem and knowing that it was crafted by one of the very best in the business. I'll post some pics when it arrives....
Mr. McDonald called and stated that he shipped the bow today! Pics should follow hopefully this weekend.
Foxbo, you are in for a treat. I shot both of my Big River R/Ds this weekend at a 3D shoot and couldn't believe how much pleasure I derive from shooting them. If I need to 'make' a shot either of those bows will do it. Looking forward to the pics.