I've read about and admired the bows coming out of Mr. Turays shop for quite awhile now. I emailed him and have a approximate wait time (time for me to come up with $$$) as well as the cost of my choice of bows. I am thinking a Shelton with green glass, bamboo cores, vignum litae handlewood (turned green of course) with elk tips. A few questions are rolling around my head though..... What are the pros and cons between his classic and Shelton? Has anyone ever had a problem with vignum litae as a handlewood? I know it's mega dense but also very oily and I'm wondering about longetivity. I had a Mohawk Longview a few years back and loved it and really look forward to shooting a Hill style bow. Thanks ;)
Can't comment on the bows, but I believe the wood is "lignum vitae", which might help with any searches. I've used some in knife handles and had no problems. They used it for bearings on propeller shafts at one time. I put no finish on the knife handles; just sanded them with 600 grit paper and then buffed them. Can't say how they've held up over the years as I haven't seen them since they left my shop.
I don't know about the wood, but love the Shelton. I got a green glass back with white belly and riser wood of bolivian rosewood. With the leather grip, one does not see much of the wood anyway.
I just got a Shelton from Steve. I had antler tips and locator grip done on it. I love it. I am now looking for a used heavier weight Shelton between 60# and 70# to use until I can afford a heavier two piece I want to order.
You will Love Steve's Bows!
I did a nice write up when i visited his shop a few weeks ago. Not sure if you read it yet but here is a link to the article and a bunch of pics from that day.
http://tbwpodcast.com/steve-turay-of-northern-mist-longbows/
Thanks for the replies. And LB hntr I read your article back when you posted it and enjoyed it. Thanks again gentlemen!!
I've wanted a Baraga for years now, just never had got around to getting one.
I talked to him yesterday about prices and such, nice guy.
That GREEN GLASS is just gorgeous. I want a Baraga or one of his Hill styles in GREEN awfully bad.
They don't come on the USED market very often either. That says something right there.
Oh, the GREEN GLASS is a $30 upcharge, if you care. I wouldn't mind that at all considering what you end up with.
I'd like to see some pics of his bows guys.
How about it?
Nalajr
You wont go wrong with any of Steve's bows, he's a super guy to work with. I've had my Baraga for a year now, and love it!!!!...(with green glass of course) Order with confidence and shoot with pride.
Steve is in every way one of the best craftsman going.. He knows his job very, very well.
Super guy and all his bows please !
Oh, the classics are very easy in the hand..
I have both Sheltons and Classics and like them both. If I had to choose the Classic just might get the nod. But either way you'll be very happy.
I had a Mohawk and a Northern Mist Baraga. I still have the Baraga.
I've been drooling over those green bows since I first saw them, pretty sure that will be on the short list when I buy another bow
Thanks..... I'm on the list as soon as I get my order sent out :) :) :)
love his string follow bows!...great stuff!
I also have both classics and shelton sand I am usually shooting the classics more often . Sheltons are great bows though. Can't go wrong with either one. Just got a new classic with red glass ash cores and shedua handle. Another sweet bow .
Thanks genetlemen :)
You're not that far from Kalamazoo. Why don't you go to the Traditional Bowhunter's Expo the last weekend in January and meet up with Steve, try out a bow or two, and get a good look at some wood and glass choices. You'll be glad you did!
Have any of you guys ever seen a Baraga with the straight grip? Just curious. I've only seen them with locator.
Would love to go to Kalamazoo but unfortunately my work schedule will not allow it...
Sounds like you need a new job. Let's get our priorities straight here! :D
You can't go wrong with Northern Mist...Steve pays very close attention to details, he WILL NOT ship a bow that is flawed.
Green glass? I love it....I have 2 NM bows with green glass
Thank you Mr Norris but I had too many unanswered questions so tossed my order form. Talking with some other bowyers......
Anything you need answered I'm sure if you call Steve he could tell you everything you need to know about his bows. He is great to talk to!!
Roger / Ron:
X2 on the communication thing...Steve makes excellent bows backed with stellar service to include taking time during the ordering process.
Honestly, I can't remember ever reading or hearing anything to the contrary.
I've heard nothing but great things about them. :thumbsup:
Thanks for the replies gentlemen. Nothing against Mr Turay but im just not getting answers to questions. I'm sure he is very busy getting ready for Kalamazoo as well as filling orders so I will let him tend to that..... Looking at the work of three other bowyers (but no green glass) and all three are sponsors here so.....Thanks again and God Bless :)
Steve is pretty easy to get in contact with. If you have questions, just email.
Edit - I just called Steve and asked about this, he said you guys had traded a few emails, he thought your questions were answered. He is checking to see if he missed an email or call.My suggestion would be to re-send any emails that you fell went unanswered.
Thanks ;)
I have a Shelton that seems to match your description. I really like it a lot. It shoots very well and is quiet. I normally prefer brown or black bows but really got hooked by the green glass. I have shot the Classic but don't own one. I think you will be satisfied with either bow. Steve makes good stuff.
Thanks.... I'm looking at a Bigfoot, JD Berry or Schafer bow now but thanks for the reply ;)
I have a Classic with the Green glass and it really shines as a Hill style longbow, great performance and excellent craftsmanship that does not show well in pictures but jumps at you in your hands.
QuoteOriginally posted by cmh:
Thanks.... I'm looking at a Bigfoot, JD Berry or Schafer bow now but thanks for the reply ;)
All good bowyers with great bows!
I don't think JD is taking orders right now. At least that's what it says on his website.
As for Steve and northern mist I can't say enough good things about his bows and him as a person. If you have any questions call him. He will put on his little head set and talk to you while he is working for as long as you need to and answer everything you want. I have talked to a lot of bowyers over the years and some of them want to get off the phone quick to get back to making bows. I completely understand them doing that and actually expected the same when I first called Steve. But when he answer the phone I told him I have a few questions and he said " one sec, I'm gonna put on my head set so I can work and talk and I'm yours as long as you need me". I was pretty shocked and very excited. I learned more in that conversation than all things combined from other bowyers I talked to.
When I went up to his shop to pick up my bow and talk with him for the article I did his commitment to his customer calls was shown again. We would be talking and his phone would ring. He would say " if this is a family or friend I will be fast, if its a customer I need to help them".
While I was there some of you guys on here called and I got to see first hand how much he cares and pays attention to every detail and makes sure you don't get off the phone until your questions are 100% answered.
Rodger you called when I was there to get a couple bows and when your call ended we talked quite a bit about you. He thinks of you as a great friend.
There are a lot of great bowyers in the world today. But Steve and his bows take the whole experience to a new level.
Jason....I remember that call. Steve and I normally chat about once a week. We share a lot of common interests and beliefs well beyond bowhunting......for example you won't find either one of us without a 1911 on our belt (very often) :)He is a great friend, one of those "how can I help?" guys.
Steve was very proud of that podcast, and your pictures were amazing.
Bottom line is that Steve builds one heckuva bow.
CMH I have owned the Shelton and the classic they are both great bows. I prefer the string follow Shelton slightly over the classic -- think the string follow is tad more forgiving and quieter.
Steve is a great guy and his bows are top notch. I have been to his shop a few times he is truly an excellent bowyer. Good luck.
I'm looking forward to getting my Shelton. Steve explained every question I had inquired about in detail and he's no nonsense. He had arrived at his shop at 2 am the day I was there with my family. He says he's trying to get a good representation of his bows to sell over the counter at Kalamazoo built up, because that's what his customers want to see and he doesn't want to disappoint them. He showed us his forms and how the fire hoses and heat strips work and my daughters were very impressed with how it all works. I took my camera with me, but Jason's pictures were already well done, so I didn't even take it out of the case.
cmh you made a fine choice in Steve Turay and his Northern Mist Bow line. The only difference between the Classic and the Shelton is the fact that The Shelton has a bit of string follow.Folks feel Longbows with string follow are more accurate and forgiving. Which model is entirely up to you . Strung they look the same. I think Steve himself shoots his Shelton Model. I know I had a used Northern Mist Whisper I bought from someone here a while back. I went to a 3-d shoot with that bow with a quiver full of brand new Dougie Firs. I didn't loose or break one arrow and I shot 2 full courses. I shot that bow outstanding! Don't ask me why I sold it. :knothead: By the way I have owned 6 or 7 Mohawks from Vince over the years. As a matter of fact that bow in my avatar pic is a Mohawk. If you liked your Mohawk you will like you new Northern Mist.
I have to add that I have no experience with your handle wood of choice. I do know my favorites in a longbow are cocobolo, ebony, purple heart, wenge, bocote,and bubinga. Something dense and heavy in a wood :archer2:
makes for an accurate shooter.
QuoteOriginally posted by bentpole:
I have to add that I have no experience with your handle wood of choice. I do know my favorites in a longbow are cocobolo, ebony, purple heart, wenge, bocote,and bubinga. Something dense and heavy in a wood :archer2:
makes for an accurate shooter.
My bow orders are boring....I pick the lamination, and tell the bowyer to decide the rest. My bows are all very plain, but great shooters.
I guess I'll just wait awhile until he is not so busy..... I can understand his need to have bows on hand for the show...... That's a big deal ;) Lignum vitae is a very dense and heavy wood as I understand. It has been used to make bearings for ships. When subjected to o2 it will change to a olive green with darker swirls in it which is why I wanted it with green glass..... And of course some green arrows :) Thanks again gentlemen ;)
I'm glad to hear that you're giving Steve another chance. He's a busy guy this time of year, getting ready for K-zoo. Honestly, you can find him in his shop any of the 24 hours in a day. He is truly a great guy and a fantastic bowyer.
homebru
I spoke to him again yesterday....I was driving across Indiana and he was eating his lunch. He is working 17 hours a day right now, trying to have a good representation of bows for Kalamazoo.
Also spoke with Ray Lyon last night, which might end up costing me some money. It seems he discovered Steve is bringing a 61# Shelton to Kzoo.....there goes my lunch money..... :knothead:
QuoteOriginally posted by Roger Norris:
Also spoke with Ray Lyon last night, which might end up costing me some money. It seems he discovered Steve is bringing a 61# Shelton to Kzoo.....there goes my lunch money..... :knothead:
Hey buddy, what are friends for anyway. Better I spend your money for you than my money for me. I was totally ready to beg Steve to allow me to buy one of his stock bows (Whisper or Shelton) and then have him make me a bow to my specs when I came up on the list. Unfortunately, the Mrs. was along, so I stuck with the custom order only. ;)
Was it in green glass?
I do believe that one had green glass Roger, but Steve had about a 12-15 bows hanging there and I was more interested in the bows that were around 55#'s and 66".
Sorry to hear Roger was a little slow on the draw and someone gobbled up that green glass Shelton before he got to the expo today.
Better get back on the list buddy. :p
There is no one more concerned about the needs of his customers than Steve. He truly wants you to have the bow you desire. Any question you have is answered with the utmost integrity and Steve's craftsmanship is second to none. You can't go wrong with Northern Mist.
:)
I talked with Steve quit a bit at his booth yesterday, again as said above super great guy to talk with. Always made sure he answered everyone's questions as best he could, and even if he was talking with someone he made sure if anyone else had questions he would excuse himself answers their questions and then go back to who ever he was with before hand.
That's nice :)
Talked with mister Turay at the expo yesterday VERY NICE GUY and VERY talented as a bowyer I shot a Superior and loved it so much I had to get one I ordered a 64" 50@ 28 green glass with bamboo cores can't wait to get it at great lakes longbow inventional in August
I ended up stopping at Steve's booth all three days. I had 3 little kids with me each time and each time he would include them in the conversation. I did see him excuse himself several times to get all questions answered. I would say he had the busiest booth there all three days.
He knows all his bows and even which ones were sold on the rack and to which state they were going.
I almost wore out my welcome with how many bows of his I shot. Hey...they were all there to try so Believe me I did. Especially today when due to the weather, the range was wide open. I ended up with a sweet shooter riding shotgun on the way home. An all elm whisper. :archer2:
Steve's booth is always a Bee Hive of activity.