sapphire hawk longbow

[Ian johnson]

has anyone shot this bow?

[Herry]

Yes, I've owned one for over a year. I had it made for me by Ernie in Feb of 2007. It's 54# @ my 27" draw and is 62" long.  I like it a lot. Very good craftsmanship and sharp looking bow. More importantly, it shoots very well and I had a very positive experience during the buying process. I like shooting it a lot. Any specific questions about it, feel free to ask.  

You can see pics of it here.  

http://s157.photobucket.com/albums/t50/jherrett/Longbow/

Hope this helps.

[Ian johnson]

how long did it take him to make yours?, what are the riser woods?

[Bow50]

I have a Sapphire Hawk also. I've had it about a year now. It's 47@27 and 62". It has carbon in the riser and the limbs. It is an awesome shooting bow, dead in the hand and very quiet.
I have been very happy with it. They do have an unusally small diameter riser that takes a little getting used to. I had Ernie make me a second set of limbs for it. I am very happy with the bow but the second set of limbs are gonna be sent back soon. Ernie is an honorable guy.

[Herry]

If I remember correctly, it took about 6 weeks from the time I ordered it until it was delivered. The riser is Cocobolo with Hickory and Mopane accents.  The limbs are red elm.

Mine also has very little hand shock and it's very quiet. I've had guys shooting next to me at the archery range comment on how quiet it is.

[peter c iacavazzi]

I live in Montana and consider Ernie or (lil' Ernesto) as I fondly call him, a very close friend and sometime hunting/shooting partner.

He is a very talented bowyer. He pays close attention to detail and is always experimenting with ways to improve upon his already "excellent" bow design. In fact in a recent independent "stickbow" test, Ernies t/d longbow performed win the top 5 of the many bows tested. His bows speed was in fact significantly greater than some other "big name" bows.

I think this is the beginning of great things for Ernie and his "Sapphire hawk" line of bows. in the near future I think Ernie and his bows will be very popular!

Peter Iacavazzi

[bentpole]

Ernie builds some beauties. Very nice bow Herry.

[JockC]

I have a Hawk as well as a few other excellent, highly sought-after, looong wait-list bows, and its workmanship is the best of the bunch.  Also shoots incredibly well, though I agree with Bow50 that the narrow, no-torque riser takes a little getting used to.  I bought mine at 39 lbs for a practice bow, but I'm  going to be ordering a set of deer and elk hunting limbs soon.  Peter, I think Ernie's bow was #2 in that shoot-out, and there's been considerable gnashing of teeth in this part of Montana and on piratesofarchery.com about what would happen to wait times and pricing now...

In full disclosure Ernie is a close bud, but I have the highest respect for the discipline, drive, excellence, and passion he brings to bowmaking.  Pete is right about Ernie's constant tinkering and communications with other leading bowyers, hunters, and competitive shooters, and, as much as I enjoy the bow I have now, I can't wait to see what the future brings.  He also works his butt off as a Montana Bowhunter's Association officer and contributes a gorgeous bow every year to the fundraiser.

[JockC]

Got a PM pointing out, correctly, that it's piratesofarchery.net, not *.com.  The latter is a blog that is dedicated to slamming the actual website over some pissing match related to Dalaa limbs.  More vindictive internet archery bile...Anyway, apologies for any confusion.