I didn't know he wouldn't make them heavier than 50.  Of course, in my case I never get anything heavier than that any how so wouldn't matter, but it's interesting.

Dave Johnson's longbow is how I became a traditional bowhunter back in 1979!  I was deer hunting with my family in Wisconsin...first year bowhunting.  Everyone was shooting a compound except a friend of my cousin who had this longbow.  I fell in love with the longbow and the next year I contacted a guy just getting going in the business...Ron La Clair.  I bought a Meigs longbow...kicked like a mule but I was still possessed with the simplicity.

Getting back to the Johnson bow, some years later I bought a longbow off of that auction site.  To my surprise & delight, It was the bow that started me in traditional archery.  Still have it plus about six other Dave Johnson ceder limb longbows.  I've said it before here that IMHO they are the best straight limb D longbows with real skinny tips...tippit

Dave tests his own bows when tillering and for final tiller and tune. He doesn't want to over exert himself so 50lbs is as far as he will go. He makes it from start to finish so he alone will get it to the final product.

Admirable, in my opnion.

He draws about 26", I think. So, if you get a bow 50@26 and you draw about 28 then you'll have a heavier bow than 50.

Better yet, go to his website and get his # and call him. He's an easy going fellow that has alot of bow building experience.

Bud, I figured it may have something to do with the weight he himself could deal with.  Those guys have to wrestle those bows around themselves as they finish them out--could be tough on them as they "mature"--I know I don't handle weight as well as I once did.  Thanks for the explanation. Bud, since we both are lefties, why not just have Dave send your bow to me for "testing" first then I can send it on to you.   :D  That way I could get to try one out.  

Maybe it'll be ready for the NCTAC Championships. I'll bring it if so and you certanly may test it. I need to shadow a good shootin' lefty Hill style shooter anyway     ('cept I'm a two under shooter :-/ )

I hope you can make it down to the Tarheel State.

Well, when you said "good shootin' lefty Hill style shooter" that cut me out!  :D

I like to take this topic back to the top for,in my opinion, a good guy Dave Johnson. I had ordered a bow from him a couple weeks ago and requested he work with me on the grip area. I had my left hand crushed about 10yrs ago, which gives me problems in shooting the longbow if the riser does not "sit" right. I had explained what I needed and this morning he sent several pics of the riser area to see if that is what I wanted and asked for my opinion.This is a first for me and felt I should put it out what kind of person Dave is.  

Good to hear....that's what a "custom" bowyer should be doing.  Custom ought to mean more than wood and draw weight choice. I sure hope to see one of Dave's bows sometime this summer at some of the shoots/rendezvous.  The chance of it being a lefty that I could actually shoot is slim as usual.  :rolleyes:

I want one just because we have the same name  

bowhunterdave, it would be like you signed your own bow!

Good to hear all the comments from everyone about my bows....Hey Jeffrey, you  have more of my bows than I have myself.

Re 50# limit.  Well guys, when you get to be my age and experience a bit of arthritis in the left shoulder, you will understand why I choose to avoid working on the heavier bows.  In the course of making a bow, I may string, unstring, test shoot it many, many times.

Dave, I have dealt with quite a few bowyers over the last 40 or so years but you are the first to actually understand and not feel threatened by my involvement in the design of the grip of this bow. Thank you.   Chuck          

You're right Chuck, that's something I forgot to mention.
When Dave was making my bow, throughout the entire process from roughed out stave to finished bow, he would send me pictures.

I also had some things done a little differently, than what he usually does in the riser... Dave made it exactly how I wanted it. Couldn't of been any better, than if I were there with him...it's what custom bow-making should be.

Thanks Dave, for making me the finest Hill style / American Semi-Longbow, I've ever owned.

Bumpin'... since another DJ longbow thread surfaced in the POW Wow recently.

Dave is a fine gentleman bowyer.

Matt, post some pics.

I replaced my used(new-to-me" "Red Dragon" with one made just for me by Dave.

"Trinity"  66" and 48@28.






God bless,Mudd

Raging Water, pics are always welcome, says Nala.

Do you have several shots of Moose?

Beautiful bows!