My new Holm Made River Runner showed up yesterday and I'll have to admit in 30 years of shooting Stickbow's I have never had one like this. Especially in a one piece. I started with a old Shakespeare one piece recurve. Over the years I migrated to the take down more less due to the weight. Lately I have wanted to get back to my roots of the traditional one piece recurve and after a ton of research and some help from a fellow Tradganger I made my mind up I was going back to one. I wanted to work with Chad Holm because he was highly recommended and his customer service seemed to be spot on. Chad used the phrase "Functional Art" in our conversation. This caught my attention immediately because I have owned and shot "Non Functional Art" There is nothing more frustrating than waiting for a bow and being disappointed. I'm sure there are some that have been there. It happens. We all have different taste in what we like to shoot and how it feels. Well this bow showed up yesterday and it really impressed me as soon as I held it. The craftsmanship is flawless. This thing is gorgeous! But what really impressed me about it was how it shoots.. Super forgiving to tune with a wide range of spine. I shoot wood so that says something. Dead in hand after the shot. No hand shock whatsoever. Speed..Super Quick! And the grip is my favorite part. Chad put a thumb rest in the handle and I love it. The grip makes or breaks a bow for me. This one is perfecto! And on the overall experience? Well, beyond being a super talented guy Chad was a pleasure to work with. I can't say enough about him as a person and his people skills. If you ever have the pleasure of working with him you will see what I mean. The specs on the bow are 62" 56#@28" Woods are Cocobolo dymondwood riser with a black phenolic stripe and accents. Waterfall bubinga limb veneers. I like that riser wood for the weight since I prefer mass in my riser. The bow is incredible. Thanks again Chad. I'm sub par when it comes to posting pics on here but I'll get some up hopefully soon with a little help from my friends.    

You said it all.......that's why I have seven of his bows and I'm on the list for another.

Congrats on a fine bow aaron hope you have lots of success with it afield!

Here is Aaron's bow. Mine are lifetime bows for sure.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Very nice, gotta love a river runner

Sweet bow!

Your post pretty well describes every interaction I've ever had with Chad.

I still want one of his dual shelf bows, "just because", but it will have to wait for a couple of other things I need. Every bow of his I have tried was just beautiful and shot well. I just got caught up in the "try everything" mode and haven't made it full circle yet.

That's my next one Bladepeek, a 64" dual shelf, Kodiak replica.

I have been looking at them as well. That's a beautiful bow you shared TJ

Got an itch for one myself, got a long draw, can't quite get the idea of a 64" River Runner oughta my head..

Congrats on your new River Runner, it is a beauty! I echo your comments about Chad. He is definitely a first rate bowyer and a pleasure to work with!

I need to shoot one of those soon

QuoteOriginally posted by S.C. Hunter:
I have been looking at them as well. That's a beautiful bow you shared TJ

That's not my bow i posted Aaron's bow for him.

Okay. thought you had one as well. Thanks for clearing that up.

Thanks for the help TJ and all the comments guys. I'm a detailed guy I think.. I guess I am just wired that way due to my career. And I am picky about who I give my work to. This has been a wonderful experience. I would highly suggest trying one.

On the chance that some of you Holm-Made fans didn't see it when I posted about it a few weeks back, here's a link to an article in the "Minnesota Conservation Volunteer" magazine. It includes a nice write-up about Chad, with some pictures of him at work in the accompanying slideshow:

  "A Stick and a String"

The nice thing about this little business of mine is the chance to meet and visit with people around the world.  Last week I built this bow for Aaron and also one for Mike in Missouri.  Both friendly, great guys.  Both men welcomed me to come hunt with them.  If I have the time, I would.  Thanks for the nice words.  Chad

Sweet bow! Love the overlays on the riser!  

What is the mass weight on one of those River Runner bows?  Is it comparable to a widow one pc???  Like a PTF???  

Sure like nice!!!