Two awesome bows arrived - pic's

[suttoman]

I will try and keep this short.  I sold all of my custom bows about three months ago.  They were all good bows and I wrote some nice stuff about them - but they all had things wrong that niggled me.  They sold very quickly so I was suddently without any bows.

I had been doing a lot of research and honed in on two bows that I thought would be awesome.  Unbelievably they both arrived within a day of each other - last week.

I also had a Red Stag hunt planned and they were there just in time.  The three piece T/D is my hunting bow.

One is a Firefly three piece T/D R/D lonbgow by Jim Jones and the other is the new Fox Royal crown by Ron Fox.

I will start with the F/F.  You may have noticed there have been some very good things said about Jim's bows of late.  All I can say is that the superlatives don't do them justice.

I can honestly say that it is the best bow I have ever shot.  It has the smoothest draw of any bow that I have ever shot and it is the quietest bow I have ever shot.

It suits me perfectly - Jim nailed the high wrist grip exactly.  I can drive tacks with it and it is just a joy to shoot.   Some of my other good bows that I sold shot well in some aspects -but did not appeal in every way - this bow does.

What can I say about my Fox Royal Crown - WOW???? This bow is truly the Stradavarius of archery.  It is the most sumptuous gorgeous bow that I have ever had the joy to shoot.  The finish on this bow is second to none!!

I am as happy as a pig in the muck.  My only problem now is which bow to go outside and shoot - they are both so enjoyable.

My search is over and I am just going to enjoy these two awesome bows.  

I must say though that the Fox cost twice as much as the F/F  (the F/F is the cheap basic model), but the F/F shoots right up there with the Fox.  Both great shooters, fast smooth and nail drivers.

Finally - the service.  Fox's service was adequate.  However Jim offers the best service hands down.  I have ordered dozens of custom bows over the years from the States and have had a lot of lousy service along the way.

Living in Australia just compounds the fact by virtue of the tyranny if distance. However, not Jim - he always answered my emails straight away and bent over backward to make sure I was happy.

The F/F has a stained Walnut riser with boo limbs under clear glass.  It is 44# @ 62".

The Fox has a Cocobolo riser with Yew limbs under clear and bamboo cores.  It is 42# @ 62".

Sutto

PS - could somebody please put up my pic's - I still don't know how!!

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l167/suttoman/Resizeoffff.jpg
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[elk ninja]

Those look fantastic!  
Mike

[SlowBowinMO]

Here you go Phil,

                   

[SlowBowinMO]

Nice bows Phil.   :D   I wasn't kidding when I told you that Firefly just about didn't make it out of here!      The rest of your pics:

                   

[Drew]

Both beautiful bows!!

[KentuckyTJ]

Very nice.

[LITTLEBIGMAN]

That Fox is gorgous. Ron King makes beauties for sure!

[suttoman]

Yes it truly is.  After having more customs from the States that I can remember, these two bows are the best.  Both very different but both bows that are keepers.  More than that - I will not be ordering any more bows now.  If another one did come down the track it would be a fancier Firefly.

Jim does something different with his limb veneers that I have never seen before.  With the Fox and all other bows I have had the laminations get thinner culminating at the tip.

Jim's veneers get thinner as they leave the riser and get thicker again toward the tip.  Whatever he did it works and as I said is the smoothest drawing bow I have ever pulled.

If anybody wants a F/F they had better order up cause I reckon Jim/s bows are going to go off soon.

Sutto

[Rob DiStefano]

Congrats, Phil - I know they were worth the wait, mate!    

[BodarkOkie]

Beautiful bows, Phil.    

Gene

[Kevin L.]

The Firefly is sweet, but the Fox qualifies as "Bow Porn"! Even the wife said that was a beautiful bow.

[straitera]

You're not excited I'll bet? Both exceptional. Be glad to break the red one in for you at no charge.

[JimmyC]

What is the accent in the Fox riser?  Is it yew or maple maybe?  Dang, that is just awesome.

Jim

[suttoman]

Yea I am not too sure Jimmy.  I have been so excited since my bows arrived I have not even had time to email Ron and ask him what the brace height is - I am just guessing it at the moment.  When I write I will ask him that question.  Also he has a red veneer that goes up the centre of the bow - between the bamboo.  It is the most gorgeous red timber I have ever seen.  It is maybe a Rosewood or something.

He has that on the tips too.  I will write and ask him what that is as well.  Dang this is a gorgeous bow - I just can't say enough about it.

Some don't like it because it has the big old 1960's type recurve riser - But I love that old look just so much.  And particularly I can get it on a L/B.  It is the most comfortable grip and you just can't miss with a bow like this one.

Sutto

[Rob DiStefano]

That Fox riser shape is SO much akin to the vintage Damon Howatts - a lot like the Ventura.  Old school is cool.  :D

[LEOPARD]

Nice bows!

[Whip]

Very coll Phil!  That Fox is a stunner!  Beautiful bow, and I know they shoot too!  Now if Ron would only finish developing a T/D version I think it would be the ultimate bow.

(Oh, FYI, Ron Fox was the original Fox bowyer, but Fox is now owned by Ron King)

[suttoman]

When does your Fox arrive Joe??  Yes that my was mistake - I meant Ron King - he is a true craftsman

Sutto

[Bear]

Congrats! My search ended with Fox as well.

[BRONZ]

Originally posted by Kevin L.:
The Firefly is sweet, but the Fox qualifies as "Bow Porn"! Even the wife said that was a beautiful bow.

"Bow Porn"-- I have to agree!