Stikbows

[Odyssey12]

I would like to take a moment to tell you about my experience with purchasing my Sitkbow from Rich Emery in Portland, IN.  I am a 65 year old retired wildlife biologist from Indiana DNR.  I retired last April after 42 years.  I have bow hunted since I was 16 with various types of equipment and have watched archery equipment morph and change most of my life.  I have owned and shot at least a dozen different compounds in my life, but I have always held a soft spot in my heart for traditional.  My first recurve was a Wing Thunderbird that I bought about 1970 or 71.  I also own a Howard Hill Big 5, and a Dick Palmer longbow.  After retiring I sold the last two compounds that I owned and started hanging out with a group of guys that were shooting traditional.  I was given the name of Rich Emery in Portland, IN, as a local bowyer who had taken over for the late Don Dow that I am sure many of you were acquainted.  I didn't want to buy a "pig in a poke" without meeting the person that was actually building bows, so I went to his house and shop in late September and spent a couple of hours talking with Rich and his fiancee, and looking at, handling, and shooting some of his bows.  I was extremely impressed with their genuine friendliness and professionalism.  I ended up ordering a Stikbow from him, and after waiting for what seemed like an eternity to me, because I was anxious to get it, but was in reality only five weeks, it came in the mail.  I am absolutely stunned by its beauty and performance.  It is only 54 inches long, and 48# at 28".  I only draw 27 inches, but I still get no stack and no finger pinch.  It shoots smooth with virtually no hand shock and it is quiet even with no silencers on the string.  I wanted a short bow, because I don't know how many more years I will be able to hunt from tree stands.  It shoots like a dream.  I had one of my bow buddies make me a set of carbon shaft arrows with the wood grain look.  We spent a couple of hours yesterday tuning them to the bow, and they shoot awesome.  I know it's late in the bow season now, but I still intend to get this puppy out and hope for a possible opportunity at taking a deer with it.  If not, well that's bowhunting.  I am so very pleased with the product that I received from Rich Emery it is hard for me to put into words.  I know there a a lot of high quality bowyers out there that sell great equipment, but I would highly recommend that if you are in the market for a new custom longbow or recurve that you give Rich a call and talk with him.  He has a Facebook Page which you can easily find using his name or Stikbows.  You will be hard pressed to find a person that is more honest, straight forward, customer oriented, and just plain genuine than Rich.  Give him a try and feel free to ask me any questions you would like about my bow or experience with Rich Emery.  I have yet to shoot my new bow threw the chrono, but will do so very soon and would be happy to share the results with anyone interested.  I hope that I have not over stepped my bounds with this post.  I am relatively new to tradgang.  I did not intend this to be a commercial for Stikbows, but just wanted people to know what a positive experience that I had with Rich.

[threeunder]

Awesome!  Welcome aboard TG!

[Rob W.]

My first custom bow was a Stik from Mr. Dow. I'm glad to hear they are still being made. Good luck with it this season if you get out.

[nineworlds9]

Rich has a Facebook page with some pics and info.

I had a chance at a used 64" lefty Rich recently built via Fleabay and I kick myself for not jumping on it, it looked very well made and looked like a shooter.

Welcome aboard!

[sheepdogreno]

Thanks for sharing fellow hoosier

[meathead]

Bill glad to see you off the training wheels.  We should try to get together and shoot sometime.  Good luck with the hunting. The place ain't been the same without you. Nate

[Scott Barr]

Heck no.  No such thing as "overstepping" when you are talking about a fellow trad archer, and especially a bowyer.  I love them all. Each is different.  But rarely have I found a bowyer that I did not enjoy talking to and learning from.  That is what Tradgang is all about!  Thanks for sharing.

[ichibuns]

Have two of rich stikbows shoots smooth no hand shock and quiet        

[kiamichi kid]

I love mine. I shoot his 62" longbow, 47# @28".It's taken 3 deer and a coyote this season. Super smooth and throws a heavy arrow well.

[kiamichi kid]

I love mine. I shoot his 62" longbow, 47# @28".It's taken 3 deer and a coyote this season. Super smooth and throws a heavy arrow well.

[Altiman94]

My first trad bow was a stik made by Don back in 2009.  I bought it 2nd hand and didn't have it long.  I went through a couple more bows between then and early 2013 - but finally decided to order another stik from Don.

I received it in March of 2013 and have loved it ever since.

It's 54" and 50# @ 28".  I took my first harvest with it and its a joy to shoot.  I would like to try a recurve made by Rich.

[KentuckyTJ]

Welcome from Kentucky!

Glad you like your new bow and good luck with it.

[ISP 5353]

Great story and welcome fellow Hoosier!