I just heard that Randy Dehnel of Saxon Archery has passed away . Can anyone confirm ?
While I can't confirm as absolute fact, I did read on another site yesterday that he has passed, and that the poster learned this from a Facebook post.Sounds real to me.
About 10 days ago read a post from Randy's grandson. He was saying that he and his father were going to be building bows, with Randy's designs and equipment. He sounded like a good guy (the grandson).
The odd thing is, I just received on Wed a used Saxon bow I bought from Ted Fry. I was shooting it out in the bitter cold yesterday (could not wait for good weather) and marveling what a fine bow it is and what a fine bowyer Randy was. Then I find out he has passed. God's peace upon his family.
Glad to share my connection here.
Some 16 or so years ago, in the first couple of years of my archery path, I bought my young daughter one of Randy's youth bows, so we could share enjoying bows together. I don't remember much in talking to Randy back then, only that the ordering was easy, and he was helpful in the process.
I shot that little bow from time to time myself, and always marveled how sweet it was. If I had had money back then for a custom bow, the Saxon's were one of my few top picks.
Would still love to shoot one.
Well my daughter is grown now, and archery isn't one of her interests, so a couple of years ago I traded it to another fellow here on TG, who was very happy to get that bow for his own daughter. And I ended up with my first (still only) back quiver. Since come to realize it's a very fine Nate Steen, with a special touch I discovered after a while; a piece of bearskin in the bottom, over the stiff leather.
Sorry for rambling and getting a little drifty here - just thinking how the circle goes around within our connections.
I wish Levi (Randy's grandson) and his dad all the best. Might yet get to shoot a Saxon bow!
RIP Randy :archer:
I spoke to Randy several times on the phone, really nice guy. I was a dealer for his bows for a couple of years, his "Hawk" series bows were works of art.
Prayers for the family and may Randy rest in peace.
Pat
My first store bought bow was a Saxon,I still have it.My condolences to Randy's family.
Leland
Never met him but I have owned four of his bows and one of them was a Hawk Recurve. It was a wonderful piece of craftsmanship. Some if not the best I have ever seen. Every one of his bows I have owned were really great bows and I have always recommended them.
God bless his family and RIP Randy.
Steve
Randy's obit
http://dnews.com/obituaries/obituary-randall-robert-dehnel-of-potlatch/article_b43a2d8e-a55a-5d5a-aa4a-096c73cc6956.html
RIP, Randy. I always wanted one of his bows but never placed the order. I hope all the guys that own one keep them with care.
I owned a #65 Saxon American Recurve. I bought it used and knew very little about it. I got Randy's phone number and he was more than happy to fill me in on any questions I had and then some. I talked with him a handful of times and he was always happy to talk traditional archery. From what I gathered, he seemed like a great person. I believe he had a hand in the development of a very popular small longbow baring the name of a burrowing rodent-like animal.
I killed my first trad deer with a saxon longbow.
(http://i958.photobucket.com/albums/ae69/arrow30_photos/Picture-2.jpg~original) (http://s958.photobucket.com/user/arrow30_photos/media/Picture-2.jpg.html)
and killed 2 bucks last season with my saxon recurve.
(http://i958.photobucket.com/albums/ae69/arrow30_photos/saxon%20recurve%20and%20buck%202014_1.png~original) (http://s958.photobucket.com/user/arrow30_photos/media/saxon%20recurve%20and%20buck%202014_1.png.html)
(http://i958.photobucket.com/albums/ae69/arrow30_photos/S1590019.jpg~original) (http://s958.photobucket.com/user/arrow30_photos/media/S1590019.jpg.html)
even killed some fish with it.
(http://i958.photobucket.com/albums/ae69/arrow30_photos/bowfishing.jpg~original) (http://s958.photobucket.com/user/arrow30_photos/media/bowfishing.jpg.html)
Nice. Is that An American recurve ? The bow I just got is made by Randy but is marked "Wisemans Frontier" on one limb and "Grizz" on the other. Must be some outfitter or outdoor store he made a few bows for under their name. Wish I could find out whichever.I think it's actually an American with a bit different layup in the handle. I have an American Longbow, a Mongoose LB and a Kadiak in addition to my new acquisition. Randy was a truly great craftsman.The Lord's Peace to his family.
yes , its the American .
I owned one of Randy's Longbows. Great all around bow! Sorry to hear of his passing. :(
This really hurts,Randy helped me out when I first started building bows 20yrs ago with lots of advice and also supplied me with materials,he was always very nice,sad.
WOW just seeing this now! My Buddy was a dealer for Saxon at traditional archery supply and I'm not sure he even knew.. I have Randy's original stave horse he built by hand for making self bow's when he first started his business it came with all these home made jigs and stuff I have no idea what he used them for but now its more special to me.. to this day me Personally I have yet to find a bow that looked as nice and shot as nice has Randy's Hawk recurve "T/D".
Prayers for Randy and his family and friends,, RIP.
Randy built a great bow and was always a pleasure to talk to. Although I never met him in person, through the years we visited a number of times on the phone. He was always helpful and a fun guy to visit with, he had a great sense of humor. I have owned seven of his bows from the Longbow Elites, the American Series Longbow, and I even had a Shrike he had made. I still have two of his bows. His workmanship was excellent and he will surely be missed. My prayers go out to his family and friends.
I agree on all points made about Randy and his ability as a top bowyer. I have one of his plain Jane Saxon American recurves 58" and 64# @ 28". A great little bow that really exemplifies Randy's talent as a bowyer. My condolences to the family.
Mr Dehnel is the reason I am here. I was getting back into archery and my sister said she'd sell me her Saxon Mongoose. I'm new to traditional archery so I had to do some research ( a lot here). Almost EVERYTHING I read was good stuff. So, last week I traveled through horrible weather to shoot it and buy it (and shoot with my family. I fell in love with it! I cant believe that I own such a sweet shooting bow. The work definitely praises the laborer. My sister bought a Saxon for her kids when they turned 21. I wish I could tell him how much I love his bow. (//%5Burl=http://s1171.photobucket.com/user/PointPlacer/media/IMAG0227_zpsrdwosdtd.jpg.html%5D%20%5Bimg%5Dhttp://i1171.photobucket.com/albums/r551/PointPlacer/IMAG0227_zpsrdwosdtd.jpg)[/url] [/IMG]
The Mongoose is a wonderful bow. I do believe mine is the prettiest LB I have ever seen.. Randy did not just make bows, he made art.
I bought a Mongoose for my daughter, years ago. I was amazed at how sweet a bow that was. Passed it along to someone when she outgrew it. He got it for his daughter. I feel good about that.
I wish the best for his son and grandson, reviving the Saxon bows.
and don't forget Randy made the shrews for a bit I'm suprised Ron hasn't posted.
Tajue, Ron did post on another site. Wasn't the kindest thread over there though.
In fairness, Ron's comments were concerning who designed the Shrew and were made before Randy's death.
Flinttim, I appreciate that note. For my part, I was not referring to Ron's comments, rather the way so much of that thread went.
Thank you all for your kind words regarding my dad and his bows. There were many twists and turns along the way for him but he remained true to his love for Traditional Archery and the valued the community of people that keep the tradition alive.
Troy, I asked Levi this and I'll ask you. Do you know anything about your Dad making some bows for maybe some sporting goods outlets or other places? I just bought a bow that was obviously made by your Dad and appears to be basically an American Recurve with some handle differences and it's signed "Wisemans Frontier" on one limb and "Grizz" on the other. It's the typical Randy Dehnel fit and finish and carries his and a helper's initials in the serial number. When everyone catches their breath and you have the time, I'm just curious. Thanks, Tim
Prayers to the family. The first custom bow I ever had made was made by Randy for my daughter. Although she's out growin it I'm sure she will keep it forever.
My first long bow was the Saxon American longbow....
At the time he only made them 64", I wanted a 66" and the company I bought it from, Told me he dose a lot of business with Randy and he will ask if he will make a 66" for me, We'll he did, So I had the first 66" American long bow....
I won a lot of 3D shoots with that bow....
Not long ago I was thinking of getting another one.
R.I.P Randy....
Randy made my Shrew bows for awhile. Before that he made a line of "Signature" bows for me, both longbows and recurves. Randy was a good bowyer and a great guy. His passing is a big loss to traditional archery.
Here's my wife and I hunting together with a couple Saxon bows.
(http://www.shrewbows.com/rons_linkpics/Nancys_buck.jpg)
Tim, "Wisemans Frontier" was owned by Larry Wiseman. It was a small black powder and traditional archery shop here in Michigan. Randy made bows for them for a time.
Cool, thanks Ron. Knowing a bow's story is always a fun thing.
Tim, I emailed you a little more info about your bow.
QuoteOriginally posted by slowbowjoe:
Tajue, Ron did post on another site. Wasn't the kindest thread over there though.
thanks slowbowjoe,, this is belated to your reply to me because Ron posted just above this post but my original post above was not a dig towards Ron but more to the fact I was wondering if Ron even knew yet, Randy made some shrews so I figured there might be more of a personal connection.
Understood, Tajue.
Godspeed. ....prayers for the family