Black River Pass Around Bow Info/Review Thread

August 26, 2016, 09:27:00 AM

Awesome!!!

Bisch

TKO · August 27, 2016, 01:02:00 AM

Today, I woke to rain, which lasted throughout the morning.

Fortunately, by this afternoon all that remained of the storm were these puffy clouds.

So, I rushed home to swap limbs on the Black River riser.

TKO · August 27, 2016, 01:07:00 AM

I got to the range and shot this 5 shot group cold at 20 yards.

Hybrid or recurve, I love this bow.

TKO · August 27, 2016, 01:14:00 AM

I shot a few more groups at 20 yards then moved to 25.

The Black River was stacking them in until I dropped the last shot. I think I got excited and was attempting to watch the arrow strike. I could kick myself... This was the first 25 yard group with the recurve limbs.

TKO · August 27, 2016, 01:24:00 AM

Feeling like I couldn't miss with this bow, I moved on to 30 yards. By this time, the range was getting a little crowded with people attempting to get their equipment squared away for the upcoming deer season. In an effort to be courteous to the other archers waiting to set their 30 yard pins, I rushed slightly and, unfortunately, my groups show it.

TKO · August 27, 2016, 01:43:00 AM

Feeling a little frustrated with the growing crowd (how dare they encroach on my public archery range), I decided to pack up and call it a day. As i started to step into my Jeep, I looked to the east and was reminded again what is really important...

"Your unfailing love, O LORD, is as vast as the heavens; your faithfulness reaches beyond the clouds. Psalms 36:5

Glory to God for the overwhelming blessings he has bestowed upon me!

South MS Bowhunter · August 27, 2016, 02:14:00 AM

AMEN!

Pheonixarcher · August 27, 2016, 02:59:00 AM

BRONZ · August 27, 2016, 02:03:00 PM

Tom (TKO) was able to figure it out without me messing things up!

BTW Tom, those are some great pics accompanied by scripture!

I was able to get the bow out after mowing the lawn to fling a few. Unlike some guys, I don't have a host of different arrow spines laying around so I can't show off groups like Tom did!

Here's some pics...

BRONZ · August 27, 2016, 02:04:00 PM

BRONZ · August 27, 2016, 02:06:00 PM

BRONZ · August 27, 2016, 02:19:00 PM

Couple of humble observations after shooting...

I agree with Tom that the bow is narrow through the throat with a nice palm swell and thumb groove making each grip repeatable. Unlike Tom, my hands are small... I should have been a plastic surgeon...

I'm a recurve guy, but decided to bolt up the hybrid limbs first given the 48# is closer to my preference of near 45# weights. My upper body musculature matches my hands... I enjoyed the draw cycle and lack of noise even with the wool silencers.

After a dozen arrows, I switched over to the 50# recurve limbs. I was surprised to find that I preferred the recurve's draw cycle to the hybrid's. It was a thing of beauty! I didn't feel 50# at 28" and it was easy to notice the slight let off at the terminal phase of the draw-- an easy indicator of a well made bow.

BRONZ · August 27, 2016, 02:25:00 PM

My gear has to be as attractive as it is lethal and this bow lacks nothing in the aesthetics column! If I was placing an order, the ONLY thing I'd ask for is a little more radius to the shelf. I'm a sucker for bocote and the swirled grain in the recurve limbs was worth staring at for a while.

It may be naive for me to say, but it appeared to have a thin layer of cork glued to the limbs where they bolt to the riser. I can imagine that this would limit some of the creaking I've heard from my 3-piece from time-to-time.

I'm going to return to searching the couch cushions in hopes of generating enough capital that I can begin persuading the Mrs to let me call Black River. If you're in the market for a new stick before deer season, I'd give some serious consideration to one of these.

Thanks again Tom for offering to put me in the rotation today!

God Bless all and good luck this season!!

-Manolito

TKO · August 27, 2016, 03:14:00 PM

I agree almost completely.

I don't think I've never held a more beautiful bow. The limb wood is phenomenal and the lines of the strung bow, in both hybrid and recurve form is almost mesmerizing. The form of the limbs meld with the curves of the riser and gives the bow a soft, organic, semi-fluid look. I found myself getting a little distracted from shooting because I couldn't keep my eyes off the combination of wood and curves. Had I never launched an arrow, I'd have likely declared the bow a winner.

But, I did shoot close to 200 arrows over the last few days. I can say with conviction, I have absolutely never shot any bow, traditional or compound as immediately, exceptionally well. I've also never shot a bow of this quality. The first 5 arrow group out of the Black River left no doubt this bow is really on another level. Smooth to my 29" draw with no hint of stacking and no discernible hand shock. The bow shoots so well for me, I would feel completely comfortable hunting with it tomorrow. It took me well over a month of shooting my current bow daily before I felt half as confident. I believe I'd have never wondered the dark road of compound bows had I started my archery journey with a Black River.

I can't get over the astonishing, graceful beauty of the recurve. However, the hybrid actually feels like a natural, biological extension of me. If made to choose, form or function, I'll reluctantly choose the latter. Fortunately, the hybrid configuration is graceful and beautiful in its own right. Either way, you cannot loose.

Whoever said, "It is better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all" obviously never loved and lost a Black River bow.

Longtoke · August 28, 2016, 06:26:00 PM

Cant wait for my turn, what kind of arrows were you guys putting through it?

TKO · August 28, 2016, 09:40:00 PM

QuoteOriginally posted by Longtoke:
Cant wait for my turn, what kind of arrows were you guys putting through it?

I ran Easton aluminum 2018 Legacy, 30" with a 4" foot of 2216 and 175 grain point. It was actually quite weak but, that's all I have at this time. I wish I had some 100 grain points but, I'm guessing they would have still been a little weak.

Steelhead · August 28, 2016, 09:53:00 PM

Sounds like you men enjoyed the bow in form and function.Very nice looking piece of work.

The cork gaskets are nice to have on a 3 Pc.Thin Rubber gaskets work very well to boot.As you would expect

They can quieten a bow.But one of the main benefits IMO is it keeps moisture from getting between the riser and limb butts.You dont want moisture sitting in their believe me.I made my own from rubber.I have had other bows supplied with cork from the bowyer.Its a good idea.

Look forward to seeing some more reports.Have fun

TKO · August 29, 2016, 05:06:00 PM

jt85

The bow is on its way!

Enjoy!

jt85 · August 29, 2016, 05:37:00 PM

Thanks TKO, I'll let you know when it gets here.

TKO · August 29, 2016, 06:46:00 PM

I hope you enjoy it as much I did!