Anyone remember Jim Johnson Legend Longbows?

bentpole · October 21, 2011, 05:34:00 PM

Anyone of you Trad Gangers remember Jim Johnson the Longbow Bowyer? :confused: I remember that years back he made a really nice Longbow.

I believe he was from Texas or Missouri if I'm not mistaken. I know a while back someone did a post about him. I can't find it in the archives.

My Bud picked up or won one of his Longbows at one of The Bunny Hunts. He would like some info on the man. Does anyone know why he gave up building Bows? He was only in business a short time . Thanks Folks!

rainman · October 21, 2011, 05:39:00 PM

He is from Missouri, quit making bows after his wife had some health issues. He made some really nice bows.

bentpole · October 21, 2011, 08:41:00 PM

That's where I thought he was from. Yes he did make some beauties and at a price a working man could afford. I was still shooting recurves when I spoke to him a couple of times. I never "pulled the trigger".

October 21, 2011, 08:47:00 PM

i believe i still have one of his broshers.

glenbo · October 21, 2011, 08:56:00 PM

I have one of his Legend longbows.My first custom.Got it in 95 and treated it to a Whip refinish.great bow!

bentpole · October 22, 2011, 12:04:00 PM

SlowBowinMO · October 22, 2011, 12:58:00 PM

Yep Jim was/is a retired MO State Trooper if I recall correctly. I had also heard he was no longer making bows, a friend on the department here had a couple of his bows and he loved 'em.

Mudd · October 22, 2011, 01:59:00 PM

Jim made an awesome bow!

Now he's building some beautiful muzzle loaders fully engraved like you might have seen in the 1800's.

He is a very private person and retired to his piece of heaven in Calloway county Missouri with his wonderful wife and beagles.

God bless,Mudd

RonD · October 22, 2011, 04:52:00 PM

Mudd is spot on. Jim made my first longbow way back and I believe it cost me around $375 at that time. I regret I do not still have that bow. Jim did work for the State of Missouri and I believe it was in forestry. He was a great guy to deal with. Mudd do you know if he has a website concerning his muzzzleloaders or if there is some type of contact available?

Three Arrows · October 22, 2011, 06:46:00 PM

I had a really nice Jim Johnson longbow in '93! I regret ever selling it! It was a sweet shooting bow.

elkhunter45 · December 29, 2011, 01:41:00 PM

I have a 57# at 28" osage and carbon limbs with rosewood riser. It was my first custom bow. I received it in April of 96. It is a very well made bow. I would love to have one in the 48-52# range. I have now given mine to my son who is 19 and big and strong.

Dave Bulla · December 29, 2011, 01:52:00 PM

I too have a 64" Legend RD longbow that is 60# @ 28" with red elm over osage and carbon with rosewood riser. I bought one for my brother that is 55@28 and 66" long. The 64 stacks at my draw length but is fine out to about 30". I like the 66" better but both are very well made bows that shoot great.

Funny, several mentions of Jim's line or work that are all different and not what I thought he did. I thought he worked for the MO conservation dept.

He's a heck of a nice guy and when I first checked into one of his bows he invited me to come out to his place and shoot some bows, look over some design options and pick out the pieces of wood I wanted. I thought that was pretty cool. I haven't seen or heard from him in about 7 or 8 years.

The last couple of years I saw him he had added a line of recurves that were very nice. Handle like a longbow but recurved limbs. Very light and trim.