Aloha Gang,
It all started three months ago with a phone call to South at Stalker Recurves...

At the time we were discussing the Static Stalker.  I had mentioned to him all the positive feedback that I was receiving from those that shot my bow.  I also stated that there were some who owned and preferred the the original riser but wanted the performance of the static limbs.  That's when he mentioned that after returning from his Colorado backcountry hunt, he'd be working on developing static limbs for the original riser.  Immediately, I told him that I wanted to be #1 on his waiting list!

Jokingly, I told him that I'd love to be able to see what goes into the R&D process of building a prototype bow.  He mentioned that as long as he was in his shop, I was more than welcomed to come and visit.

After I got off the phone, I quickly checked my schedule and saw that I had a one week break in October.  With high hopes I emailed South my available dates for travel.  He confirmed that he'd be there during those times, so I immediately booked my airfare.  

Fast forward to this past Friday.  I left on the "red eye" to San Francisco.  Everything went smooth and the plane was right on time.  It was only one more quick transfer flight and I'd be in Eureka!  Half an hour before departure, the airplane agent announced over the loud speaker "due to the weather flt. 2636 to Eureka/Acadia is canceled".  CANCELED! "What do you mean canceled?"  I thought to myself.  I immediately ran to the agent and asked what I could do.  He told me that "I'll put you on standby for the next few flights but I can only confirm a flight for tomorrow morning".  Tomorrow morning, and what if the weather's bad again!, I thought to myself.  Boy was I in a pickle!

Being from an island with little experience in the mainland, I felt like a fish out of water! With things looking as gloomy as the weather, I sat down to think about my options.  Fortunately, I was sitting near others who were stuck in the same situation.  I overheard that the were planning on renting a car and making the five hour drive.  With nothing to lose, I went over to ask if there was room and if I could join them.  Fortunately there were the nicest group of people and graciously offered me a ride!


"The Bridge" fogged in
   


Sausalito      
   


Passing time, scouting for bears
   


Final pit stop  
 
 

Thankfully, last night I reached my final destination with the help of my new friends from Maine, New York and Texas.

I'll be sure to give the gang a semi-live update with pics and information.  South already has a couple "roughed out".  I'll get to shoot those tomorrow morning and hopefully I'll get to lend a hand in building my own bow.  Let me know if you got any questions about the new static limbs for the original Stalker riser.  I'll be in South's shop till Thursday!!!

Aloha from Fortuna!              :D            
Ryan

Way to hang tough and get out of a bad situation.
You must be a hunter...
Looking forward to the story.

Cool

Awesome! Trying to see gas price....looks like $4 +, Were they hunters as well?

Have fun Ryan. Sounds like you are in for a great time

Great thread Ryan, keep it coming and welcome to the bigger island.

Thanks for the kind words Tom!

Rick,
Yeah gas prices were $4.50+ along the way.  A pilot, a retired teacher and her two girls.  They definitely weren't hunters.  We passed a few elk that looked as if they were residing on a ranch.  The one girl asked why the elk were there and the mother answered "not sure, but I hope they don't eat them!"  

Thanks Ryan,
We'll be spending a day going through all the great footage!      

Aloha TJ!
I'll be sure to get some pics up before lunch!

Ryan

Home of Stalker Recurves



First "original handle"  static tip prototype



Strung Profile



Unstrung Profile



Second set of limbs



One set of limbs are tapered at .003 and the other is .002

South is going to test the draw force curve on these now to see how they "stack"

I'll be back, going take some test shots with the prototype!

nice

South and I were able take a few shots this morning.  Tested out two different limbs at the same poundage.  One was tapered at .002 while the other was at .003.  The .003 had little smoother draw cycle and the hand shock was less noticeable in my opinion.


South taking a few shots  



Bow seems to be shooting well  



A welcomed visitor behind the shop.  



If the initial testing goes well, we may start my bow soon!!!

I cannot wait to try the Static limbs.  South said I would be getting a set once he got started on them. I cannot think of a better R&D team that you and South.

Good deal Ryan. That new prototype looks good!

If it has South Cox's name on it and Ryan's input, it has to be a winner. I dig my Stalker Static and if this prototype/R&D makes it available to more people, it's a good deal!

Thanks for the kind words guys!

Randy,
Send in that riser after hunting season!

How's it going Mike?  Hope all is well with you and your family.

Since South seems to be happy with the way the new limbs are working out, he decided to start working on my new bow!!!

He's going on a "marathon bow build" in the next few days.  

First was choosing the riser woods.  Decisions, decisions, decisions
 


We decided to go with Verawood and Curly Bubinga.
 


First South used a template to draw out a rough cut.
 


Then used the bandsaw to make the initial cuts.
 


Rough cut after the bandsaw
 


Then he took the wood to the belt sander.
 


Rough cut after the sander.
 

Next step glueing...

That is gonna be a stunner!
Great grip on those Stalkers!

Yeah the grips are great, plus I get to truly customize this handle to fit my hand.  

Gluing the riser together with the phenolic and wood trim.



Laying the pieces out on the jig.



Compressing the riser pieces.



Time for the oven.

The first stage of the glueing process is done.  Now just two more times in the oven.
 


More trimming.



and more sanding.



Grooves cut to add the cross section laminations.



Glueing the limb pads



Clamped backed up and throw back into the oven.