I met my buddy down at at the Carlisle shoot last weekend,we had a great time,and did a little horse trading to boot.
I have a story to tell you. This is what I came home with.
(http://i.imgur.com/U7ONZHT.jpg)
:campfire:
A 21st century label, nice :biglaugh:
Many years ago I had the honor of making a long term friendship with this gentleman. His name is Howard Cook. We ran into each other down at the Bowhunters Festival in Forksville Penna. i believe at that time he was in his 70's,and what a guy.
From Syracuse NY, he and some of his buddies,who became our buddies,would make the trip down to Forksville just about every year.
I know some of you guys here on the site knew Howard, he was very involved in the NY state bowhunting and archery programs.
(http://i.imgur.com/yXaIQ8B.jpg?2)
Forksville was our usual yearly reunion and as you can see if you met Howard you really became attached to him. This was part of our mixed group the one year. One of the guys had the orange shirts made up ,they read "HOWARD COOK'S TRADITIONAL BOWMEN"
(http://i.imgur.com/nbt9B6q.jpg?1)
Lots of shoots and lots of years went by before we knew it and Howards time had come to an end here a few years ago (I am sure he is giving archery lessons up in heaven).
He and I had one thing in common, we liked to shoot bows, and he probably had more go thru his hands than I. Every now and then one of us would buy one from him or he would just give it to (http://i.imgur.com/MUYEMjS.jpg?1)you.
That was Howard. Love you buddy!
(http://i.imgur.com/OKknvXJ.jpg) let's get back to that tube. It was shipped in 1996 in a heavy pvc.
(http://i.imgur.com/fMEoetp.jpg)
My buddy bought this one from Howard years ago . I had asked him if he still had it,he said yes and would I be interested in it,I said that I was,and we struck a deal.
The specs were right on....
(http://i.imgur.com/FLkew3o.jpg)
The fadeouts are flawless.
(http://i.imgur.com/h8YfJng.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/pdqfTef.jpg)
Many laminations make up the riser,which is 25" at the fadeouts.
(http://i.imgur.com/1pEDz7p.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/xdGGOQS.jpg)
Beautiful nock tips.......
(http://i.imgur.com/8gqPl3B.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/N0YOGKu.jpg)
What a sleek looking bow. I remembered shooting it once or twice,and it really cast an arrow.
(http://i.imgur.com/a6FGRVl.jpg)
Not trying to hijack your thread, but I watched Jim Ploen give a shooting demonstration in 1994. He would draw the arrow and hang the bowstring behind his right ear with the arrow still on the string. Then somehow release the arrow from his ear without touching the string. Jim and Buddy knew how to build a stable and fast longbow. Some of the colors they used in the risers was ugly as sin, but they sure would shoot.
Hey Ric, the more the merrier,and you are right, what shooters they are.
Howard would usually have his name put on the bow if he had it built for him,but for some reason this one didn't. My buddy had told him that if he bought it Howard had to sign it,and that he did,sitting in his chair at Forksville.
(http://i.imgur.com/HWeoy6o.jpg)
We all use to shoot split back then,and I had no idea what this was set up for as far as shooting style. I strung it up and took it out in the back yard. I shot a quiver full just to get the feel and watch the flight. Everybody seemed to be getting along so on the second quiver I buckled down and I was smiling. 15 yards,second flight of arrows,and not adjusting a thing......
(http://i.imgur.com/p72ZleV.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/HMgM0F4.jpg?1)
I went back in the porch and was getting ready to put things away when I noticed something in the bottom of the tube. Really cool...
(http://i.imgur.com/ZRXTdRo.jpg)
I do not know if these guys sent a belt buckle along with a bow when you ordered one or what,but what a nice surprise. (http://i.imgur.com/njNB26m.jpg)
Well,like I said, this one is for keeps,my wife will be happy. Hope you enjoyed and thanks for looking.
Good Shooting,
Craig
With the history of that bow I don't blame you for hanging on to that one. Really cool story, and one heck of a nice bow. I hope you enjoy it!!
Cool story!
Congrats on your new bow with a special meaning!
Bisch
Great story Craig! Nice looking bow as well!
You did good. The first quality long bow that I bought is a 21 Century bow. Although it is retired, I have never even considered selling it. That was 1996.
Joe
Nice one!
Great story and what a shooter.
Thanks for sharing.
Great story and really nice bow. My friend still has his 21st Century longbow, doesn't shoot it anymore....but won't part with it! Good luck with the bow, a real shooter.
Very cool story and bow. :thumbsup:
Neat story and bow Craig.
Will you be bringing it to Whittingham?
Jim Ploen has been a friend since the 60's and is in his late 80's and still shooting in his native state of Minnesota.
Craig,
Wow! I was crying like a little girl. I miss Howard greatly, we all do. I was smiling at the same time cuz I know Howard is thrilled that you have his bow. You and Lori were good to him.
What nice post and tribute to Howard. It is through him that I met you and Lori.
Now I need to challenge you.... you need to get a deer with that bow for Howard.
Guys,
Thanks for all the great input. I wish those of you that did not know Howard could have,your lives would have been richer for it.
We are going to enter a longbow competition shoot in Sept.(3 man team) and I will be shooting Howard's bow.
Charlie,it will be with me at Whittingham,and hopefully we will see each other and you can check it out. Really looking forward to it.
Frank, I was thinking about you a lot while writing this. You were really there for Howard in the end and I admire you greatly for that.
And yes ,I am with you on getting that bow out for a kill.
Thanks everybody,I am glad you enjoyed it.
Good Shooting,
Craig
great stick and story. congrats
Very nice
Nice story. Jim & Buddy built some great bows. Put them in there, with Howard's bow. :thumbsup:
Howard was one of the nicest guys you could ever meet. When he was getting up there in years I had either a self bow or a board bow(can't remember which)that I had long draw Ray shave some lbs off and gave it to Howard. you'd have thought he got a brand new bow,I agree with fmscan, you need to kill a deer with that bow for Howard!
Sounds like Howard was a heck of a man. Thanks for sharing. I'm looking forward to the "Howard's Bow Got a Deer" thread.
Good for you Craig, Howard, was a real Gem. I have several "gifts" from him, as I spent many years with him in the late 80's at his home, shooting and building selfbows with him. He is greatly missed.
:campfire: :jumper: " OH SHENANDOA!!!!!! " :laughing: :laughing:
Scott,
He could never live down the "Oh Shenandoa" night. He loved it when we would bring it up. I quests the port wine made him think he had a good voice!
Beautiful bow and great story Craig. Can't wait to check see it.
great story!
Good for you Craig, Howard, was a real Gem. I have several "gifts" from him, as I spent many years with him in the late 80's at his home, shooting and building selfbows with him. He is greatly missed.
Very nice memory of Howard, thanks Craig. I have one of his walking sticks, Osage with native drawings on it. Thanks for the memories.