First of all, let me just say thanks x10 to Mr. Gregg Coffey of Java Man Archery for donating his time and materials to the wonderful cause that is the Tradgang St. Jude's Auction. Also a big thanks to Craig Warren for donating his Bow-bolt takedown system to the bow build, one of the slickest systems around and an absolute cinch to use! To me the big bonus on the Bow-bolt is the extra mass it adds when combined with phenolic to what would otherwise be a very light weight bow. It was an honor to be able to bid on a bow for the auction and actually win it, AND humbling to know that while my money was going to helping the kids up in Michigan Gregg Coffey was going to work hard to build ME a dream bow without earning a cent from me. This thing we have going here on Tradgang is very special to say the least. Very special.
Over the past two years I have discovered some definite favorites among the many bows and bowyers I have tried. You all have read my write ups. I am not merely a performance junkie, I expect the TOTAL package when I plunk down $ for a bow, new or used. My favorite bows are those that achieve speed, quietness, and ease of shooting while also showing top shelf attention to detail and rock solid construction, where you can see that the bowyer takes pride in their work and does it for the love of it.
Anyway, I had big plans to have Jim Neaves build me another Centaur this month. I had traded away the bow I had him build last fall (crazy! I already miss that one haha) and sold the used Dark Matter 56" I reviewed a couple months ago because I wanted a new zero compromises bow that incorporated the Dark Matter riser and the woods and look I always wanted.
St. Jude's came along and I donated several items and just like everyone else I browsed the listings and threw in a few bids here and there on items to get things rolling. That's when I spied Gregg's listing for a Custom Java Man Bow of the winning bidder's choice. I thought to myself "hmmmmm", but was largely resolved to go with the new Centaur as I had already found a spot on the waiting list to buy via back channels. The auction got going and I left the idea and focused on selling a few bows to continue raising money for the Centaur.
That's when the idea crept back up in my head and I got to thinking. Jim's bows were a known quantity for me. I had already owned three thus far. Obviously they are among the very best in the trad world. I knew I would always be a customer of Jim's. Gregg on the other hand...I had tried and loved two used bows that he built under the Shrew name that I picked up on the classifieds over the last couple years. From those bows I knew his craftsmanship was totally ace. I knew he built bows that performed. He was on my radar for sure, and I considered either a new or used Java Man for well over a year. I even chatted with him several times over the course of a year regarding the two used Shrew bows I had sampled and also inquired about his stock bows on one occasion and asked about his lead time on a custom build. Each time we spoke via email he was very pleasant to talk to, very very forthright and gracious with my questions and didn't ever not once act like I was wasting his time. Time went on, I browsed the online classifieds often, and I had not seen any lefty Java Mans being offered used, well ever. Fast forward to St. Jude's and I suddenly realized I was being presented with an opportunity: here I had the chance to finally try one of the bows Gregg was building under his own name, get a brand new one built EXACTLY how I wanted with basically NO wait time on top of it!...AND, the BEST part--have the money go to a cause like St. Jude's. The Centaur could wait. Time to bid! I got very excited because I realized that this would be a major shot of novocaine for my bow habit..this bow would be built fully loaded AND have a special meaning to me and have it's own little story. A keeper from the get go. Built in mojo from day one.
The result of Gregg and Craig's generosity and my winning bid is a left-hand 2014 Java Man Elkheart 2pc 'Bow-bolt' hybrid longbow, 56" and 52@29. The riser is phenolic and Bocote, the veneers are called "Royal" Ebony (very similar to Macassar.) Now let me tell you how cool Gregg is...he actually allowed me to 'remotely' hand pick the actual sheet of wood my veneers came from via email/photographs. And I'm not just talking a sheet of wood he had in stock either. See, we had been discussing different ebonys and he indicated what he had available, and me dreaming about a unique bow said "well Gregg, that all sounds great but what else can we do?? "Show me the money!!" Haha..well I get an email with a picture of a sheet of ebony that just looks CRAZY and I was like "ooohhh yeah buddy!" and I reply back "WTH is that???!!! Lets DO it!!" I get a quick reply "Sweet. I'll buy it now!" THAT'S what I'm talkin' about!! To raise it another notch, Gregg even let me pick which specific veneer strips from the sheet with different figure and color for the back and belly I wanted on the bow. How COOL is that! The riser and tip overlays are water buffalo horn with such a cool rough 'organic' look to them. Makes the bow look 'alive'.
As I have well shown, Gregg communicated with me through the whole thing. He is very plugged in and easily accessible via phone, email, or text which made the whole experience just so much fun. We discussed the build step by step: we discussed which model I might like to try, he explained the differences between several models, he helped me make my wood/material choices, we bounced ideas back and forth about how the bow should look, and not once did I feel pressured or have anything but a 100% customer service experience. There are keeper bows and keeper bowyers. Gregg is one such.
I ended up deciding on an Elkheart because I wanted a bow that will be extremely versatile and useful in just about any hunting situation I could possibly encounter. I have always favored longer bows and at first I was contemplating a 58 or 60" Falcon because of the larger riser and longer length, however after thinking it through and discussing it with Gregg it became more and more clear that the Elkheart would be absolutely tops for stalking the thick pine and oak scrub of North Florida as well as the dark and gloomy Cypress swamps where the piggies like to hide. The 56" version would flatter my 29ish draw and be very compact. The phenolic and Bow-bolt riser would add mass to stabilize the shorty for precise shooting at hunting distances.
I didn't just want a full phenolic riser, I wanted something with a little flair, so I decided on incorporating some Bocote (one of my favorite woods) so that the sight window and belly side of the bow would 'pop' and constrast the darkness of the Royal Ebony on the limbs. I put the darker more 'blotchy' pieces of ebony on the back of the limbs to mimic light and shadow for a little 'camo' and the more figured and striped pieces that I picked out on the belly so that I had something neat to look at :D
The grip had to be beaver tail of course :D The stuff is a bear to work from what I have heard from most bowyers, and Gregg was more than happy to get some installed to give my hands traction in the September and October sweating that is par for the course in Florida early in the season.
So how is the bow? Well, I got it in my hands on Monday. Gregg texted me and said "tracking said it's at your PO set to go out for delivery, let me know when you get it in your hands!" I was off that day so I was able to intercept the post man. Got the box inside and opened it up. Bow was packed in a nice fleece bow sock twisted up to protect the two pieces and the string was still held in place so that all I had to do was put the bow together and brace it and I'd be good to start shooting. Well, got her unwrapped, and OHHH man, what a beauty! I had already seen pics that Gregg sent me prior to shipping...but you all know pics are not the same as holding it in your hands hahaha. I promptly texted Gregg back "YOU DONE GOOOOOD!!!" Hehe. The bow was absolutely everything I hoped it would be. I texted Gregg my initial thoughts and many hearty thank you's.
Fit and finish is excellent. The 'look' Gregg and I came up with is to me just about as good as it gets. The light color of the Bocote on the riser just pops as a nice contrast to the darkness of the limbs and the horn overlays add character and texture. The bow looks menacing to me. Every bit a hunter. Finish and attention to detail is even better than the older used bows I had enjoyed using so much if that is even possible. And it is 100% up there with the other top shelf offerings out there. I am extremely impressed with how tight and perfectly the materials in the riser are joined. There are so many layers and the phenolic, Bocote, Uniweft and other materials just all flow together beautifully. One detail that is something I am a stickler for is sharp edges on wood where it was been cut to a fade/ thin edge. Gregg does this perfectly and there is no ragged edge where the wood from the grip build up transitions to the limb, just a nice super crisp edge. Same on the tip overlays. To me details like this are the mark of a top shelf bowyer.
The grip is absolutely phenomenal. It has the exact palm swell and contour I had my fingers crossed that it would have. I volunteered some measurements on my bow hand and told Gregg my glove size and said I can send a tracing of my hand if you really need it- I'm worried the grip will be too small. Gregg very casually and knowingly said "don't worry, I'll make it a little larger than normal and I bet you will like it" or some such. A cool cat he is. He worked some magic because it was one of the few grips I have tried that I can just take the bow and gently close my hand around the grip 100% naturally and the bow just sits there perfectly ready to go. I don't have to mess with positioning my palm or anything. I tried shooting with a firm grip, a light grip, all fingers, three fingers, whatever, it all worked.
The bow came with a black D10 8-strand string that I believe is of Gregg's making. Silencers were not included to allow the new owner, me, to choose whether or what to use.
The bow strung up easily and just looked badass, all dark and curvy. Draw feel is smooth, effortless power. I really like that while string tension at brace is high, it doesn't have that excessive early draw weight feel that some radical bows have. It's just comfortable. A steady smooth pull all the way to anchor...wow who would think..like a hotrod longbow :clapper:
I 'reoriented' my brain to these high shots and tweaked a few more tuning adjustments and soon I was approaching outstanding arrow flight and multiple double lung and heart shots on my silhouette bag and I was less than a dozen shots in. Niiiice. Easy tuning and easy shooting is what you want.
All those pleasant experiences aside, the bows physical weight is just spot on. The mass weight reminds me very much of the 56" 1pc Dark Matter Centaur I have been comparing it to in my mind. This Elkheart achieves that nice heft via the phenolic and Bow-bolt combo. It is light enough for all day carry, yet has enough mass that you don't feel like you're holding this twitchy thing that you're going to have to worry about moving around on you during your shot. Super grip, slight deflex to the riser, smooth draw, centralized mass in the hand. Just like the little DM Centaur, what I like to call 'the perfect "short" bow recipe'. A dash of Ron LaClair, a dash and a dollop of Greg Coffey, a sprinkle of Craig Warren, and a drop of Northwoods mojo and you got a pinnacle trad hunting tool my friends.
:clapper:
This bow is officially my number one hunting weapon. I wanted to personalize the bow so I did something uncharacteristic and had him put my name on it and "St. Jude's 2014" AND something else special, one of my favorite quotes from Friedrich Nietzsche that I feel helps me relate to the kids and will help remind me how this bow came to be. Check it out in the pics.
Check out Mr. Coffey's fine work...
2014 56" St. Jude's Java Man 2pc 'Bow-bolt' Elkheart hybrid longbow 56" 52@29 Phenolic and Bocote riser, Royal Ebony veneers over Actionboo and Uniweft, water buffalo riser and tip overlays with Bocote accents, beaver tail grip.
(http://i1309.photobucket.com/albums/s631/nineworlds9/6691E812-657D-40BF-A201-3131D7B922F8.jpg) (http://s1309.photobucket.com/user/nineworlds9/media/6691E812-657D-40BF-A201-3131D7B922F8.jpg.html)
(http://i1309.photobucket.com/albums/s631/nineworlds9/45CA4593-CD60-4509-AE95-B383F274E96F.jpg) (http://s1309.photobucket.com/user/nineworlds9/media/45CA4593-CD60-4509-AE95-B383F274E96F.jpg.html)
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So do you like it better than the tuktu . I thought that was your fave.
I generally write these little reviews of mine after spending at least a few weeks shooting a bow. It makes what is largely 'subjective' just a little more 'objective' LOL, but this bow is too special so I had to post my first impressions a whole lot sooner. Hope you don't mind ;)
Nope just wondering
Great looking bow. We have similar taste :)
QuoteOriginally posted by Dan bree:
So do you like it better than the tuktu . I thought that was your fave.
Nope just wondering
LOL I posted that last post before I saw yours, it wasn't actually a response to your question..BUT, to answer your question... Yes I would have to say I definitely prefer this bow. If you read my post on the Tuktu I said it was my favorite recurve to date. Not my 'favorite favorite' LOL. That is mostly coming from the fact that I lean toward longbows and hybrids as my preferred bows. Don't get me wrong, the Tuktu is a brilliant bow. It's almost not a fair comparison for a couple reasons. That Tuktu I got from Abe was a stock bow, so while the grip was excellent, I wasn't able to have any input on the final dimension like I did on this Elkheart. The Tuktu grip just due to the riser size more than anything was just larger and filled your hand more. The Elkheart grip is slim yet substantial enough that I can hold my hand closed in a very neutral grip and it is 100% enough without feeling too small or too large. Also, I prefer the bows like Elkheart because I don't "have" to have a stringer to string it or unstring it if I need to in a pinch. The Tuktu is such a radical recurve that trying to do it without a stringer would surely damage the bow or at least greatly risk damaging it. I can't even imagine a safe way to string it except for perhaps a very careful step-through. Also the Tuktu just being a recurve, and a radical static recurve at that, has a different draw feel to a bow like the Elkheart. The Tuktu has a lot of early draw weight that smooths out the closer you get to the peak of the draw force curve. I enjoyed it immensely, but it's just different. As I said, in the end it just comes down to aesthetics and feel. I enjoy apples and oranges but ultimately gravitate toward one or the other. Would I be happy if all I could have was a Tuktu? You bet. To me it's my favorite recurve out there right now other than the Toelke SS. Those two are just ACE. I will probably get another Tuktu someday actually, a 2pc the next time around. This new Java Man is the no.1 on the rack for the rest of 2014 and into 2015 and even beyond that more than likely :D
That's an AWESOME bow!
I have an idea 9 .... go stick an arrow through an elk's heart with it. :thumbsup:
Outstanding!
QuoteOriginally posted by awbowman:
That's an AWESOME bow!
I have an idea 9 .... go stick an arrow through an elk's heart with it. :thumbsup:
That's a dream of mine, but a good ways off. I would be thrilled with a nice whitetail or piggy come the fall. Might go after some yard squirrels sometime soon LOL.
Great looking bow and an equally great cause. That St Jude mojo can't be beat. Thanks for sharing the review and pictures of your special bow, it is sweet !
You gotta a beauty. Love Gregg's bows.
9, can you tell me the throat mesurement?
QuoteOriginally posted by cacciatore:
9, can you tell me the throat mesurement?
Felix,
I will take full measurements of the grip tomorrow when I get home from work and post them here. Stay tuned.
PS: she's not for sale :biglaugh:
Chuck,I have one on order,LOL.
THANKS
That's a beautiful bow! Congratulations and good luck this hunting season.
WOW!! That is one gorgeous Elkheart...and it has St. Judes mojo.
Enjoy every minute with it.
Beautiful bow 9worlds. And I am enjoying your old Tuktu. Removing the Beaver wrap from her made it fit my hand right. :clapper: :shaka:
Chuck, great review...!! Mine will be here tomorrow and I can't wait..!! Awesome bow..!!
Wow is all I can say... Please PM me first if you decide to part part ways with that one!
That's a work of art.
QuoteOriginally posted by Guss:
Chuck, great review...!! Mine will be here tomorrow and I can't wait..!! Awesome bow..!!
Guss can't wait to see some good pics of yours out in the sun! I love how similar our bows are, yet still different. It's like we were on the same wavelength when we designed em. Look forward to hearing your first impressions once you've had time to get acquainted.
Chuck, I'm pumped...especially after reading your review!
I'll be sure and post lots of pics and a full review.
Greg Knocked that one out of the park.
Great looking Bow!
Nice one buddy!
I'm glad you all are starting to get on board with my reviews!
Felix,
here are the measurements I came up with:
Grip with beaver tail wrap
4 3/8" total height/length of grip
4 1/2" throat circumference
1 3/4" deep at throat, back to belly
1 1/2" wide left to right at max palm swell
5 1/2" circumference at max palm swell
Thanks for your time Chuck!
Mine will be with the same specs of your,poundage,lenght,DL,dexterity,just with different wood and TD of course!
Chuck I was going to offer you $50.00 for the bow :bigsmyl: BUT since you put your name on it I will only consider a $40.00 offer :thumbsup:
Looks like a awesome bow,congrats.
P.S remember I am left handed also :eek:
Chucks name on it should make it worth at least $65.00
Come on you jokers, this bow is worth at least a Benjamin!? :bigsmyl: :laughing: :archer2:
The only thing better than Gregg's superb work and talent as a master bowyer is his ability to work with his customers and provide the utmost in service and satisfaction. Gregg is the "best of the best". Great bow.
:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Great review. I couldn't agree more. I received my Elkheart from Gregg in mid April. I haven't been able to shoot it as much as I'd like to lately, but I've shot it enough to know that this bow is a shooter and a performer. Mine is cocobolo/curly Koa with buff horn tips, 54" and 51#@my 28" draw. I intend to post a thread about both my Inferno and Elkheart soon. Stay tuned. Congrats on a great bow, and a great cause btw.
Gregg has donated many bows over the years for the St Judes effort, some when he worked for Ron LaClair....and I'd like to personally thank him for that.
As usual, the bows are stunning.
:clapper:
QuoteOriginally posted by Terry Green:
Gregg has donated many bows over the years for the St Judes effort, some when he worked for Ron LaClair....and I'd like to personally thank him for that.
As usual, the bows are stunning.
:clapper:
:clapper:
quote:
Originally posted by Terry Green:
Gregg has donated many bows over the years for the St Judes effort, some when he worked for Ron LaClair....and I'd like to personally thank him for that.
As usual, the bows are stunning.
:thumbsup:
Chuck. All I can say is WOW, what a beautiful Java Man. What a nice gesture from Mr. Coffee.
Enjoy it and good luck in Calvary. :archer2:
TTT
I just ordered one, like to hear from anyone else? Chuck, hows it still shooting
Brian, since you're asking, I'll chime in. I bought a Javaman Falcon a few months ago; same design, with a little longer riser; basically Gregg's evolution of the Super Shrew from what I understand.
Now I didn't intend to buy one - talked with Gregg about a "test run". he didn't have anything on hand when I spoke to him. Called me back a few weeks later, saying he had this one, my specs, and we worked out the trial. Very easily, I will add.
Well, to keep it simple, I have nothing but praise for the bow, essentially echoing what Nineworld's has described so well.
( Biathalonman, your reviews have been a great help to me also. I've been listening!).
Get to know the bow a little ( easy to do, as it gives great feedback), do your part (mostly - it's actually pretty forgiving), and this bow just wants to shoot where you look.
The grip is indeed quite amazing. I've got a little of the "Princess and the Pea" in me - very sensitive to the grip. Took this bow out of the box, held it, and WHOA ! Could not have been better, it just melts into a natural, repeatable grip.
Also happened to suit me perfectly in appearance.
So, short story turned long - I had not intended to buy a bow at the time, but after a little quality time with the bow, I couldn't bear to send it back, and bought it.
Lol! Slowbowjoe, that's the same thing that happened to me with my inferno! He sent it to me to 'try out', and it shot so well for me that I just couldn't stand the thought of sending it back.
I got on his build list when I first asked him about any stock bows that I might try. When I decided to keep the inferno, he asked if I wanted to stay on the list, and having previously shot an Elkheart at k-zoo, I said that I did. When my name came up, he asked if I still wanted another bow. As much as I liked my inferno, that Elkheart left lasting impressions and desires. And the rest, as they say, is history.
I'm very happy with both my inferno and Elkheart! You can't go wrong with any of Gregg's bows. My Elkheart is shooting great, and is all tuned up, ready to leave a blood trail.
Thanks guys.
Gregg mentioned sending one out to try when he gets some stock built for Kalamazoo.
I left everything up to him exceot weight. All I said was surprise me, and NO BAMBOO :)
Cool to see this thread dug up, I love helping with Java Man PR! LOL!
Brian- sent you a reply to your original PM, most of what I said there is here also:
I have never been so 'one' with a bow as I have with this little Elkheart of mine. You know I've owned a bunch of hot bows, and this bow for me ticks more boxes than anything else I have owned. IMHO it is the perfect hunting bow. I really believe the 2pc with Bow-bolt recipe is the secret sauce to what is a great design. I opted for a 1/2 phenolic, 1/2 bocote riser with the Bow-bolt and the mass weight is just spot on. Going all phenolic would surely be just as good perhaps a couple ounces heavier if desired. The mass of the steel Bow-bolt along with the phenolic means this little bow is neither too heavy nor too light. It has a heft to it that does not seem to match with its short length and slender dimensions, and you can feel that all the weight is right in the palm of your hand, literally. I have shot my highest 3D scores yet with this bow, which is crazy because I usually am a better shot with much longer bows. IMHO it peforms like a bow 6" longer easily simply because of the combination of design elements- forward handle, hybrid limb profile, mass weight. I'm no Robin Hood by any means, probably average at best for the most part, but this bow recently has helped me pull of some shots that have blown my mind. One was at the last tournament at my club I went to. I got called out to shoot from the master stake on what was already a long downhill shot on a 3D deer. At the master stake it turned into what had to be a 50 yd shot easy, probably more. I laughed and told the group of guys they were crazy, but that I would try it anyway to get them to stop teasing me. I had been shooting well up to that point and had already shot my highest score to date with the Java. I lined up, put my utter trust in the bow and let her rip. I'll be damned if I didn't nail that deer double lunged textbook from that long distance. Pure moment of Zen. The fellas cheered and several let out whoops and guffaws. I just grinned and shook my head. I was on a roll from that point and did some other great shots that day including a perfect 10 on a running bear target we have that is setup to 'run' through heavy cover along a creek. That one blew me away too.
I credit the design and Gregg's artistry, but mainly I credit my absolute trust in this bow achieved as a result of those things. To me that's a very personal thing, so I can't promise you the same results, but I think with how well the combination performs that the odds are very very good. The other guys seem to have a similar experience which is also promising.
Again, it is without a doubt my favorite bow that I have ever had. I have sold a lot of bows I said I would not sell, but this one hands down will stay. That's saying a lot considering I am a huge fan of bows like Centaurs, Stewarts and Habus to name a few.
Every bow design gives up a little of one thing in order to gain another. Longer for stability at the expense of being handy in the woods, faster at the expense of being quieter, lighter at the expense of being stable. For example, my other current 'favorite' bow- my 62" Habu triple carbon, is a veritable shooting machine, it boggles me how consistent it is, HOWEVER, like so many other bows the trade off is that it is pretty heavy for a 3pc...not too heavy to carry in the field, but definitely becoming wearisome after an all day hike, and not nearly so pleasant to stalk with as the Java Man.
Other shorties like my Stewart Lil Slammer are so featherlight that they lack the inherent stability of a bow like the Java and require far more discipline to shoot beyond anything over 20 yds.
My Elkheart, 'as configured' is without a doubt good out 35 yds, or more as I illustrated. 0-25 where I do most of my shooting it is simply outstanding.
You did not say if you were going 1 or 2pc, that I think will have some influence on the longer distance accuracy, like I said the steel and phenolic really help anchor the bow and stabilize to make it behave like a longer one.
Also, I cannot stress enough how much of an improvement Gregg has made over the Shrew CH's he was building under Ron. The 2012 Classic Hunter I had for a time simply is not the same as my Elkheart. The Elkheart is notably faster, smoother, and quieter.
I have taken the Elkheart hunting twice in the last week or so and it is simply a joy to carry and have as a hunting weapon. The 56" length makes it so handy in the thick hammocks here in FL and the balance and mass give me the confidence to take most any shot that is presented, within reason based on the conditions.
Gregg will deliver. He is just a great guy and working with him on the St. Jude bow was an utter pleasure and we still text with each other from time to time. He went way above and beyond doing such things as letting me pick the specific veneer sheet right down to which portions of the sheet I wanted reserved for the bow's back and which for the belly. He sent me progress pics during the whole build and I have a little album showing roughed out to finished.
There are few bowyers who provide this kind of service. Jim Neaves at Centaur is similar, as are the Windauers at Schafer, and there are others too. Just reinforcing that you are making a great choice.
Java Man has donated another custom bow in this years auction.
Hopefully Chucks bow review will inspire some high bids this year!
Nice bow, great stuff