Hey guys I wanted to share a few pictures of the first bow blank I have finished.  It is a Seven Lakes Longbows Carolina Night which is Mike's Hill Style with some string-follow.  The bow is 68" and finished at 55 @28.  The limbs consist of three lams of Eastern Red Cedar and one lam of Black Walnut.  Black glass finishes the limbs.  The riser is Black Walnut with an ERC crescent.   Had Mike put in limb tip wedges.  It was a learning experience and I was pleased with the way it turned out in regards to the shaping, rounding, sanding, etc.  Applying the finish was a bit of a challenge to me.  It ended up with five coats of Tru Oil (on the wood) and then three coats of Minwax Spar Urethane.  While I didn't intentionally go for a "crackle" finish that is what I ended up with – not bad just different.  I'm from North Carolina and have been away for several years now serving around the world so it was neat to get a bow built in NC from woods I grew up with.  I named the bow "Carolina Crescent" and while it currently has a Shur-Grip I hope to replace it with a tanned beaver tail from a NC beaver (my brother is an ADC agent for the state and traps several each year).   A beautiful B55 string crafted by Allen Shafer completes the package.  Allen does great work.
To say I'm pleased with how it shoots would be an understatement.  The 55 lbs is heavier than I've shot regularly but I have been working up to it and can comfortably shoot a several dozen arrows before fatigue dictates I put it down.  
Working with Mike was a very positive experience and he provides you with the foundation for a super bow.  Thanks Mike.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Thanks for looking.

Very very nice. Mike is fantastic to deal with. You have a great shooter in your hands now

Nice bow. I just got a bow for my daughter from Mike. Really nice workmanship and a great guy to deal with. I think I'm going to have him build a bow for me this summer.

Nice looking bow.

Thanks guys.  This is my second string-follow Hill bow and they have become my favorite.  My other is a Northern Mist Shelton with bamboo lams, green glass back, white glass belly, and Bubinga riser.  It too is a great bow.  

The ERC makes nice lams which I expected after reading about Dave Johnson's bows.

nice work!

Very nicely done!  I have a friend who's looking to do one as well.....very timely post!  Thanks

Cool.....have fun with it!

QuoteOriginally posted by Green:
Very nicely done!  I have a friend who's looking to do one as well.....very timely post!  Thanks

Make that two friends....that's why i dug this one up  

nice looking bow...from title thought you might be from South Cackalacky...as we have the crescent moon in our flag. LOL

Sweet looking bow...looks like she can hunt!  

QuoteOriginally posted by TxAg:
 

QuoteOriginally posted by Green:
Very nicely done!  I have a friend who's looking to do one as well.....very timely post!  Thanks

Make that two friends....that's why i dug this one up    [/b]

Gotcha - just noticed you did reach back and dig it up Jeff.  Place your order yet?

Nice looking bow.