I met a man from Arkansas in September- he's a fine knifemaker....his name is Jimmy Crowell...during a class I was fortunate enough to take from him he shared with me that his uncle was Bob Swinehart of all people...and so that began a two week long discussion about longbows and hunting.  I got to see some Bob Swinehart memorabilia....Jim was later adopted by a stepdad- otherwise his last name would be Swinehart. A nicer person you will NOT ever meet, in my humble opinion- and he, like a couple other Arkansas folks, are very helpful and always willing to share and offer guidance to fledgeling knifemakers.

He invited me to his home for a few days for some extra learnin'-(I'm guessing he felt like I needed some remedial help- which I did!) Anyway, I fixed him up some with arrows and field points, tuned his Zebra longbow up for him and we shot arrows every day I was there.

He lives in a pretty remote area...with few folks close by...one day he mentioned there was a young lad that came over fairly regular and hung out...about ten years old...and the wheels started turning in my head that maybe I should try to outfit the young man so Jim would have a shooting buddy....so that's what I did.  

As soon as I got home I got with two of the best of the best here on TG- who don't really do things to get in the limelight...but just want to do good things for others...

Kenny Yoder- aka 4RUNR donated a beautiful Kota LB, and Johnny Gottler- aka JAG donated a set of arrows. Allen from Lefties R Us completed the package with a great new string and I packed it all up and shipped it out.

   

   

JD Russell is the young lad's name...and Jim says he's now keeping every arrow on the bale...which after only a week is quite an accomplishment to my way of thinking.  

Hats off to Kenny, Johnny, and Allen because THAT is what the spirit of traditional archery is all about right there!!!!

this is Mom...she approved wholeheartedly!

and the two newest trad archers in Mountain View, Arkansas!

         great job!

           

You all deserve a round of applause  

Amazing! Way to go guys!  
Thom

 Way to go fellas.

Now that's what its all about right there!

That is great.....hats off to everyone involved.!!...  

Very cool Ray. I look forward to talking to Jimmy about it in a couple weeks. I had forgotten Jimmy was a lefty until I saw the pics. Knife guys are much like traditional archers. Thanks for sharing.

Chris

Awesome. this makes me smile.

       

Made my Day Ray.

Thanks Ray, Kenny, Johnny, Allen and Jim!      

Way to go guys,  never fail to see this kind of gratitude from great people on this site.

What a cool thing to do.

Ray -- You da Man.

I hope you are doing well, my friend. Clearly you are doing good.

That's why strangers send you stuff in the mail Kenny. LOL

Hats off to all involved.

bretto

QuoteOriginally posted by Paul Cousineau:
Awesome. this makes me smile.