Frank SanMarco

oberon · January 30, 2008, 04:36:00 PM

Any Shooters out there with Frank SanMarco longbows? Would like to hear from you about your bows and how you feel about them.
All the best,
Oberon

BodarkOkie · January 30, 2008, 06:46:00 PM

I haven't seen one in several years. The ones that I remember were
works of art...and shot well, too.

Gene

shick · January 30, 2008, 07:12:00 PM

Oberon, I've gone thru a lot of bows over the years. I like them all. A few bows I still have inspite of this 'sickness'. The San Marco is one of them. My wife went with me when we picked up the bow from Frank and sort of claims that it is hers, and I'm never to sell or trade it. It is a thing of beauty. I've never owned a bow that can compare to it in looks and workmanship. I've shot bows that felt smoother and were quicker, but really no complaints in the performance. I really don't use it too often. It's 69" and 52#'s. I've bought and sold '70 Bear A's and B's. '83 and '84 Bighorns, but won't lose the San Marco. I remember the early years of the Pa. Bow Festival in Forksville, when the longbow contingent was strong and the main focus. Frank was always there. I guess I think as much of the man as his bow. It's more a feeling thing about the bow than what a 'bow report' would have to say. Sorry for dragging this out.............Shick

Red Armed Panther · January 30, 2008, 07:16:00 PM

I have seen two, just incredible pieces of work. Would love to have one, ya and I'll win the lottery this week.

tippit · January 30, 2008, 08:48:00 PM

You mean something like this! Doc

Sacred mt · January 30, 2008, 09:10:00 PM

67"...57#@27"...is worth the wait. Its exactly like Tippit's

TimZeigler · January 30, 2008, 10:16:00 PM

Funny you mention him, I was on the net just last night looking for pictures and info myself. Ive read through the first 5 chapters of Dan Bertalans book, Traditional Bowyers and Frank San Marco was the first chapter. What a great book, everyone should read it.

Tippit, that is a beauty. Dan made mention of the fluted tips but the books pictures just don't do them justice. Very very nice. Tim

Red Armed Panther · January 31, 2008, 06:16:00 AM

I have been told that Frank is no longer making bows, is that correct?

Rich LaBombard · January 31, 2008, 07:08:00 AM

Great photo, that wood is beautiful.

Rich LaBombard · January 31, 2008, 07:15:00 AM

Tim, that is a great book. skip ahead to the M.R. Hamiltion chapter, and you will want to go buy one of his bows, too. (from what I hear, M.R. no longer is making his bows. shame.)

joe skipp · January 31, 2008, 08:44:00 AM

1987 Frank San Marco....I believe he's still dabbling in bowmaking but not on a wide scale basis. Years ago he had a 5 yr waiting list for his Yew bows..

oberon · February 01, 2008, 11:27:00 PM

Hey Guys,
Great hearing what you all have to say about SanMarco longbows. I love mine , bought it from Frank back in 1988 or 1989 I think. Will never let it go for it has become woven into the fabric of my life.
It is 69" bow with 80# at 28 inches. A beautiful bow to behold and a joy to shoot. Nice to see the photos that were posted as well. I will post some photos of my bow as soon as I can figure out how to upload them to photo bucket.
All the best,
Oberon

Tom Phillips · February 02, 2008, 12:31:00 AM

Oberon,
I am fortunate enough to have a San marco longbow that was built for me.It is a work of art.The gent that got me into stickbows over 20 years ago was hunting with one and even though his was Right handed I still admired it and drew it and shot it many times and had to have one.zhe must have arrowed closr to 50 whitetails with it !! He changed the tip overlays a bit scalloping them out and stopped using the goat skin lacing opting for Elk hide.He changed the grip a bit to to a locator type which I like.Although it is not the fastest longbow by any means,it is a work of art.May arrow a bear with it this year using the Hunters head Frank liked that was designed by John Schultz.

Tom Phillips · February 02, 2008, 12:34:00 AM

Oh forgot to mention that when I ordered bow from Frank back in 1989' it was 5-1/2 year wait.Well I never thought I would get it,BUT after 12 years 39 days I did :-) Yes I said 12 years 39 days !!!!!

alligatordond · February 02, 2008, 08:50:00 AM

Tom,

Man I though 5 years was long for one of my beloved Randall Knives.

I will never complain again about the wait. I remember reading of him in Bertalan's book when the book first came out. Almost ordered one. Dang!!

oberon · February 02, 2008, 05:09:00 PM

Wow 12 years and 39 days, now that is a bit of a wait. I lucked out on mine. There was a client of Frank's who, backed out on a longbow order before it was finished that was just like what I wanted, length poundage and all. So Frank finished it up for me , and if I remember correctly I got mine in less than a year. What luck eh , the wait back then was 60 months.
Oberon

tippit · February 02, 2008, 07:59:00 PM

Hey Tom, I got mine in ONE day! Remember at Denton...Doc

Alex.B · February 03, 2008, 08:51:00 AM

One of his new longbows, a RH around 50-55@28" is for sale at my local archery shop. Frank S lives close to that shop

Robhood23 · February 03, 2008, 11:56:00 AM

Hey Alex,
Do you know how much they want for the bow or do you have a contact number for that archery shop.

John Reith · February 11, 2008, 09:24:00 PM

I met Frank San Marco in 1981, and ordered a longbow for myself and my brother. I moved to California Jan. 1, 1982, and we received our bows in the summer of '82. About 8 months. I still have the bow, but have not shot it regularly, in recent years. It is 62# @28 inches, and still looks great. I plan to get into shooting it again in the summer. Have been shooting a 46# Wing Chapparral, from approx. 1966 for quite some time.