New Bow (Holm-Made River Runner)

[KentuckyTJ]

I tend to like 3 piece bows for their mass weight. I have had a few light weight one piece longbows and recurves in the past but I would always get an occasional flyer out of most groups I shot. It was the indian not the bows I assure you. A year or so ago I bought a very small risered Thunderhorn from Tim that has some phenolic in it that I really shoot well. The added weight from the phenolic keeps me on target.

A couple months ago I began talking with Chad Holm about a new bow. I had heard his bows are very nice. Well at that point the wood selection process began. I like Bocote and I knew I wanted the phenolic in the riser. We worked through the particulars and I decided on his 58" River Runner recurve. He began on the bow soon after that.

 

 

I was unsure of what veneers would go well with the Bocote then one day Chad sent me a photo of a board he found at his local wood lot.

 

It was a very nice cedar board with chevrons running the length of it. He bought the board cut the veneers and he said he thought it would go well with the bocote in the riser.  I asked him to wipe some alcohol on it so I could see the inner beauty it would have and see if it would go with the bocote. When I got this photo I knew it would work for me.

 

He then proceeded with the build.

 

 

 

 

[KentuckyTJ]

     

He then added the tip blocks and the back and belly overlays.

     

Next came the thumb rest

     

It arrived today and I took some pics before I ran any arrows though it. That was very difficult to say the least.

     

Chad has three grip options. A 50's style, a 60's style and a Fred Bear Kodiak grip. I went with the 60's style and it is perfect for me.

     

     

     

After cleaning all the photo equipment up I strung her and started flinging. I could instantly tell this bow will be a keeper and am pretty sure now it is in the top three of all the bows I have owned and shot (and that includes the foam and carbon limbed bows). The craftsmanship is phenomenal the grip fits like a glove, it is very quiet, stable and pretty quick.

[**DONOTDELETE**]

That is one sexy looking riser block.... I like it!  

[ron w]

Looking good......I don't have a 58"er......lol !!

[KentuckyTJ]

My 4th-6th shafts through it from 18 yards in the basement. This bow is amazing and is definitely one of the best deals from any of our great bowyers.


   

[Pheonixarcher]

Beautiful bow! Congrats. Chad is definitely a master craftsman. Nice shooting too!

[Biathlonman]

Looks good.  I'm gonna have to try that one.

[ron w]

I knew you would be happy with it.......     There's a reason I have 6 of them.

[KentuckyTJ]

Originally posted by Biathlonman:
Looks good.  I'm gonna have to try that one.

Anytime Brad. I will bring it to the KY Trad Fest in April for sure.

[Cyclic-Rivers]

Chad Builds a  great bow! Yours is exactly what one can expect.

[KentuckyTJ]

Originally posted by ron w:
I knew you would be happy with it.......        There's a reason I have 6 of them.

Ron, I have shot other bows folks really loved and they weren't for me. In this case though I can say you were absolutely correct with your glowing reports! Thanks for sharing with me about them. Much appreciated.

[Keith Zimmerman]

The whole package looks great.  Bocote is one of my favorites.

[KyStickbow]

Thats gorgeous Tom! Look foward to trying that one in April.

Awesome lookin' stick, TJ!

Bisch

[Elkchaser]

Great looking bow and obviously it (and/or you) is a shooter!!            
 

[beaunaro]

Chad's a great guy.

And a craftsman.

Sold my Grandson a River Runner at Comptons about three years ago.

His favorite.

[Jwilliam]

That River Runner is a looker for sure !!! I have had my eyes on Chad's bows for awhile. Never had a chance to shoot one yet though. What are the specs of it Tom? I know you said it was 58". Congrats buddy !!!

[T-Bowhunter]

Beautiful Bow!

[Tater]

Great looking bow.....  

[A.S.]

Great looking stick Tom!  I really like the shape of the riser.