Trad Gang
Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: nkartscher on February 28, 2015, 12:32:00 PM
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First id like to give everyone a little background on how this review came to be. I purchased a three piece timberghost hybrid on the classifieds here and was very impressed to say the least.I imediatly called kent to get on the list for one of his static recurves.fast forward 7 months. I saw a review by hubi of a new bow kent had built. The apparition. My curiosity got the best of me. Ive always shot belly mounted bows more consistently but there was something about this bow that called to me.I contacted kent and asked some questions.he explained that the apparition had a little more reflex than the three piece hybrid. What really got me thinking is when he told me it had the same forward riser geometry as his hybrid. Well I only had one more question "do you have one I could shoot?" Kent responded yes he would send me his personal bow a 58" 54lb carbon backed apparition. The only thing I was a little worried about was the draw weight. This bows about 4lbs heavier than what I normally shoot.well a couple weeks after talking to kent I got a email. The bow was heading to jersey. Two long days later I came home and there she was. The first thing I thought when I first saw the bow was "wow" pictures dont do this bow justice. It has a sleek graceful profile.when I picked it up the grip felt perfect for me. I couldent help but think this bow just looks like a shooter.the craftsmenship is top notch. Astheticly the bow is a masterpiece.well the next thing after looking it over eas grab some arrows and step out onto my backyard range. First thing I noticed or dident notice was the extra draw weight. This bow is super smooth. I honestly dident notice the extra weight. This bow has zero handshock. Not even a buzz. Its also very quiet even shooting three under. My favorite thing about this bow is how forgiving it is. It very easy to shoot consitenly. It has excellent cast and just seems to be right there every time. I shoot it better than anything to date. I think kent hit a homerun on this one. My last email to kent was to switch my ordered bow to an apparition! Kent has been great and I want to thank him for sending me his bow.I appreciate the gesture and cant wait for my own.thanks again kent!
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:thumbsup: :thumbsup:
I have had the same experience. Awesome shooting bow!!!
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any pictures of this bow, I do not see it on his web site.
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Thanks for the opinion! I have one coming this spring and am very anxious. Hope you're more patient than me!!
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Danny you can do a search here on Trad Gang and find pictures of the bow or go to Kent's facebook page and see the bow.
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Yes if you do a search for timberghost apparition youll see kents intro. Of this model
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Here are a few pics. I don't have anything about this bow on my website yet. I've got to make time to get my site updated. If anyone else would like to try it I thought I'd do a limited pass around, maybe four people, need to get it back in a few weeks. I really think the Apparition is my best design yet. Very accurate and forgiving, great performance and totally dead in the hand. If you'd like to try it, shoot me a PM. This one is a 58", 54#@28".
(http://i1067.photobucket.com/albums/u428/kentroberts1/image_2.jpg) (http://s1067.photobucket.com/user/kentroberts1/media/image_2.jpg.html)
(http://i1067.photobucket.com/albums/u428/kentroberts1/image_1.jpg) (http://s1067.photobucket.com/user/kentroberts1/media/image_1.jpg.html)
(http://i1067.photobucket.com/albums/u428/kentroberts1/image.jpg1.jpg) (http://s1067.photobucket.com/user/kentroberts1/media/image.jpg1.jpg.html)
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Thanks for the great review Neal. Glad you liked it, I thought you might.
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Kent
If there is room on the list, I would like a turn.
Great looking lines on that bow.
Thanks
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Pm sent!
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PM sent, thanks
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That is sweet looking bow.
Man alive
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I agree whole heartily Gator1, slobbering all over my key board over that one. Love to see the string angle at full draw.
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Wow, that is a sweet looking bow.
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Thanks guys. Guess I'll cut it off at four for now. All I ask is that you post a review after you've had a chance to put some arrows through it and when it's time to ship it on use USPS Priority with insurance. Hopefully a week per person works out, that should fit my plan. It's made a good impression on everyone that's tried it so far, but it never hurts to have more opinions.
Jake since you were first just PM your shipping address to Neal/Nkartscher and I so he can send it your way. Guess it makes sense for Homebru to be next since he's in CO too. Then Phoenixarcher and katman. Katman the string angles are great due to the long riser and the tapers I use in the relatively short working limb. I think I have a pic somewhere of my 58" drawn to 29.5" but will have to see if I can find it.
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Thanks Kent
:thumbsup:
PM sent to Neal
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Thanks Kent :thumbsup:
I'll get a pm sent right out:)
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If this bow is going to be in Colorado, I would love to get a chance to see/shoot it.
Kent, Are you taking orders for this bow yet?
Thanks,
Kevin
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Thanks Kent :thumbsup:
PM sent to Neal
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Thanks Kent!
PM sent to Neal
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Thanks Kent! I'm very much looking forward to trying this one out. :bigsmyl: :archer2:
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Thanks so much Kent, clicked on pic and scrolled thru some and got the bow at full draw, real nice string angle for 58" bow 29.5" Just happens to be my draw length. Looking forward to the test ride.
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I'd love to try this bow and, I'm in n.j. let me know if there is any chance.
Thanks
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Good looking stick!
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i would love to try the bow if its not to late..
gaff
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Thanks, Kent. I sincerely appreciate the opportunity to put this one through some paces.
Warmest regards,
homebru
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Pm sent to nj loco and over under
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Sorry Neal, but I haven't received any pm as yet from you, only received one from Kent. I did send a pm to you this mourning.
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Any updates?
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Jake said he was taking it to the range to put it through the paces today. Should be seeing his review soon. :campfire:
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Kent is the real deal!!!
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I've had a little time with the apparition...here are my thoughts
Kent was certainly correct on the brace height:). The bow was set a little over 8 inches, it looked a little high to me when I checked it but I didn't think it was that high:)
I dropped it down to 7 1/2 and she's sweetend right up.
I shot distances from 10 to 80 yards and was very very pleased with the cast... Surprised in fact. My arrows were just over nine grains per pound and they flew great.
I will be honest the grip is a little too narrow in the throat where the web of my hand sits, which is probably an easy fix and the riser is too long for my personal taste, more of a looks thing than anything... I prefer a short riser on my longbows. That being said the riser and grip had no negative effects on how the bow shot or pointed. My grip seemed to be very repeatable.
I was very surprised with how accurate I was with the bow, my form is not perfect and I felt the bow was very forgiving.
A lovely little thump at the end of the shot with no other noise or vibration. Extremely quiet, and it drew very smooth for having the shorter working limbs.
I really like the overall strung appearance and that the flat section in the limbs seems to be a characteristic that I've come to like... I've shot a few other bows with that same flat spot (unbraced) and they all have been great performers with good manners
Overall a very impressive little shooter and makes me remember what I love about hybrid longbows.
Thanks again for the opportunity to shoot the bow I have homebru's address and will be sending them to him shortly
Jake
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Thanks for the review Jake.
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:bigsmyl:
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Ive shot that bow and yes its a screamer. Dead quiet and zero hand shock. Like all of ke ts bows ive shot. I shoot it very acurate. Will hopefully have him make me one someday.
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Ive shot that bow and yes its a screamer. Dead quiet and zero hand shock. Like all of ke ts bows ive shot. I shoot it very acurate. Will hopefully have him make me one someday.
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Well, I guess it's my turn. I'm pretty much strictly a hybrid guy. I've owned / shot recurves and ASL longbows but I'm a hybrid guy.
I do like the the looks of the forward / reverse / belly riser format that Kent offers. I've looked closely his 3-piece and really like what it offers, just haven't had the chance to shoot one.
The only criticism that I have of this bow would be the width of the riser. I'm used to shooting a bow that has more palm swell. That could be remedied by having Kent build a riser that's got more width. Easy to address.
The Apparition is also a lot lighter than what I'm used to shooting but that's an apples to oranges comparison (1-piece vs 3-piece). I actually like the weight of the Apparition. It's always a joy to shoot something so light in the hand that spits an arrow out like it does.
I think the Apparition draws very smoothly, right up to the stacking point. When it starts to stack, you're done drawing, it won't really go any further, functionally. I think there are some other more radical hybrid bows that might draw just a touch longer, but not much. That is probably because of the shorter riser of the other bows. I like the long riser on the Apparition. Don't know why but, I like it.
The Apparition has nice preload (higher draw weight at brace height) which I'm used to. I like that.
I really like the looks of the bow, overall. My wife said "that looks weird" when I pulled it out. It certainly "sticks out from the crowd" and I'm not afraid to do so.
It shoots an arrow with authority and seems to be a bit more tolerant of release problems than my current bow. If I were in the market for a new bow, I wouldn't hesitate to give Kent a call. There are only a few on the market that I'd be willing to put my money into and this is one of them.
I think Kent has a great design, functionally, and I think he's got something that nobody else has got. That's a winning combination.
Thanks for giving me the opportunity to test drive this bow.
Warmest regards,
homebru
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Received the bow and got to play this evening. :bigsmyl:
What a pleasure she is to shoot, although about 5# heavier than my bows she was smooth without stacking nor finger pinch drawn to 29.5", very good for a 58" bow. Grip was comfortable and most important easily repeatable, once of the best I have felt with a nice flat spot in the correct place for the base of thumb. Although I prefer a heavier riser she was very accurate from the getgo as the limbs are extremely stable and the forward riser.
Woods choices blend together making a real looker with fine craftmanship. The finish is a very nice satin, perfect for the woods but still showing off the wood grain.
She also spit out the arrow with authority having excellent cast at distances. I would heartily endorse this bow for anyone looking for a great shooter in a compact one piece design. :thumbsup:
Developing a bow like this takes a talented bowyer and extensive R&D. Putting together a package that is smooth, quiet, quick and stable/accurate is not luck. Hats off to you on a excellent design Kent, and thanks for the opportunity to shoot her and now your three piece takedown hybrid is on my short list.
Katman
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Glad you enjoyed shooting it Katman. Thanks for the review. Coming up with a new design does take some effort and expense but when it comes out like this one did it's all worthwhile, they don't all work out that way.
Thanks again.
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:thumbsup:
homebru
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Not quite sure how I got skipped in line, but I'm looking forward to dropping the string on this one.