I want to give Kudos to Jim Neaves. I have dealt with a good many bowyers over the years and while many have been nice, none have come close to Jim. He always answers the phone and is willing to answer questions.
A few years back I decided to try and build my own bow and he was more than willing to help with whatever advice he could. Although I have never actually met him, after talking on the phone many times, I think we would get along great in person as he is a genuinely nice guy.
Now onto my post here, I recently bought a used Habu Vyperkahn which I love. I had been considering having the grip checkered and talked to a few people about Silvertip checkering. Heard nothing but great things about it by the way.
Ultimately I called Jim to discuss his stippling work. We talked designs and time frame. He said it would be in shipping longer than it would take him to do the stippling.
He basically did a larger dimple stipple, a smaller, and a random pattern. He also does various carvings if you choose.
I decided to go with the smaller pattern and elected not to get any carvings.
I mailed my riser to him on Tuesday. It arrived at his shop on friday afternoon. Jim called me Saturday and texted me pics of the finished bow! Fast forward to today and the bow arrived at my doorstep! West Virginia to Montana , stippled, refinished, and back to West Virginia in 6 days!!
He also touched up the word Vyperkahn for me as the paint was peeling there a little.
I couldn't be happier with the look and the feel of this stippling. It turned out great! Honestly looks as good as checkering to me.
and all this including the refinish for $75 plus shipping.
I taped off the areas I wanted done, staying away from the throat and the back of the grip where your fingers sit.
If you are considering getting stippling done, I highly recommend Centaur.
(http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d36/warden415/20150202_143304_zpsd2ead7d9.jpg) (http://s32.photobucket.com/user/warden415/media/20150202_143304_zpsd2ead7d9.jpg.html)
(http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d36/warden415/20150202_142503_zpscaa0e259.jpg) (http://s32.photobucket.com/user/warden415/media/20150202_142503_zpscaa0e259.jpg.html)
(http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d36/warden415/20150202_142452_zps83e563db.jpg) (http://s32.photobucket.com/user/warden415/media/20150202_142452_zps83e563db.jpg.html)
(http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d36/warden415/20150202_142440_zps262efb8c.jpg) (http://s32.photobucket.com/user/warden415/media/20150202_142440_zps262efb8c.jpg.html)
(http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d36/warden415/20150202_142421_zps68f82e9d.jpg) (http://s32.photobucket.com/user/warden415/media/20150202_142421_zps68f82e9d.jpg.html)
Yup Jim is the man! One of my favorite bowyers ever!
I have heard nothing but the highest praise for Jim when it comes to stippling and checkering.
Such good things that I just might have to find an excuse to send a bow off to him to get done sometime soon :thumbsup:
Looks fantastic. Jim is one of the great ones that's for sure. What he did with my SK is absolutely phenomenal.
Jim Neaves is one of the good guys :notworthy: Very nice work as usual.
Bill
Damn you Steve you keep showing me more toys I like the looks of. :banghead:
:thumbsup: Looks good and you sure can't beat the service.
Wow very attractive riser work. :thumbsup:
Vety cool!! Man that is fast service for sure!
Looks great!! Congrats
A gifted craftsman.
Mighty fine job, looks great! :thumbsup:
Looks Good! I wonder how a stippled grip would look on a hill bow???
Wow looks great!
I like it...congrats!!
Very nice!!!! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
I had Jim reshape the tips of both of my Pronghorns and he took Herbs bulbous and rather ugly tips and made them really perfect. He trimmed weight on one and corrected the tiller. Each bow was back in just over a week. Yesterday I got back my Great Northern Bushbow from Jim after about 10 days including shipping both ways. The weight was marked lower than actual new and Jim trimmed 4#'s plus put on a set of Copperhead skins that my buddy Terry Sunstone gave me. The bow was and now is truly a masterpiece. Jim Neaves is a class person and the finest craftsman. In our world of hurry and low personal touch he is a standout. Thanks Jim Neaves and God's best to you and your family my friend.
Yes, he is good in many ways! Very detailed in all aspects of his life! :thumbsup:
Good shootin to ya!