This build actually started in 1993. I cut this osage log and several others that year.This is the last of them. Its just been waiting patiently for me to decide to use it.
   
Earlier this year Feb. or March. I can't remember which       :rolleyes:     The PBS had their biannual banquet in Cincinnati.  Tracy and I donated a bow to be auctioned off at the banquet. Some of you may remember seeing that bow.Here is the PBS donated bow.  
Long story short Bill Kissner was the winning bidder.
I first met Bill and his wife Jeanie on one of the pig gigs from some years back. Tracy and I hit it off with them instantly. Its easy to get along with good folks and Bill and Jeanie are some of the best. We kept in touch and when the PBS banquet came up Bill and Jeanie parked their camper at our place. We are only about 45 minutes from where the banquet took place so it worked out well.
I knew Bill had been thinking of buying a Zipper in the near future. We had talked about options a few times.Knowing that it was not a big surprise when Bill bid on the donated bow. Well....He ended up winning the bow. I knew it was not exactly what he wanted so I offered to trade him the banquet bow for the model and wood combinations he wanted. I knew it would not be easy to convince him. Bill is VERY generous and it was hard to convince him that the woods he wanted were actually less money than the donated bow. He was very worried that I would get shorted in the deal. Finally after a few minutes of discussing it he relented.
That brings us to this week when I started on his bow. You see we are going out to hunt elk with him at the end of this month so I figured if I wanted to know where his secret spots are I had better bring his bow.       :D

you have my attention  

Here is what was on the inside of that log.


Bill likes the ZSR riser. He ordered an all Osage riser with 2 curved black phenolic strips.  For the limbs he went with carbon and foam. They are to be 58"57#@28". For the belly veneer Bill chose to stick with the Osage. Once it came time to actually get the limb layed up I could not do it. There was a stack of Olive Ash veneers that just kept taunting me. I called Bill and asked if I could use the Olive Ash and stain it to look like Osage instead of using the Osage I had for veneers. Bill agreed to let me change his order.

Here is how the belly of the limbs turned out along with the riser wood all cut to size.

It gets better!The inside of the riser piece has some interesting grain going on along with some small knots. It should make for a very unique riser.

The carbon on the limbs will get dressed up with a very rare albino diamond back rattle snake skin.Its going to look great with this wood combo.!

Bill is also getting one of our matching Woodie quivers.

That's all I have for now. I'll share some more pictures as they come.

I sure hope you like it Bill!!

Very nice! I can't wait too see this unfold.

IMO Bill builds one heck of a bow and I can't wait 'till he and Tracy arrive here in Colorado with it. The riser and limbs are going to be just beautiful and the albino skin is going to be the icing on the cake!

Bill this build started in 1993! What were you 21 at the time!?
Haha. Oh wait that's me.      
Bow build for Bill
I'm all over watching this. Great great people!

Cool......I love Osage.

QuoteOriginally posted by Matty:
Bill this build started in 1993! What were you 21 at the time!?
Haha. Oh wait that's me.        
Bow build for Bill
I'm all over watching this. Great great people!

No, not 21. I was 17 in 1993   :D

I am tuned in!!

   

Don't get much better than those two Bills  

So,   so, COOL!.  That bow will have the best mojo.

More please...

Beautiful wood Bill! Thanks for taking the time to share this...

Bill that will be very nice.  The widow will be hung up and never touched again.  Can't wait to see it finished.

Bill is a lucky man!

Awesome.  Good stuff Bill....and Bill.

What a beauty that is going to be! Osage is one of my all time favorite bow woods. Understated elegance, classy, and just keeps getting better with age.
Bill, enjoy your bow, and Bill and Tracy, enjoy your trip!

Man this sure is coming along nicely !!! Love the looks of the stained Olive Ash.      Great work as usual Bill !!!    


Bill