String Follow Creation by 7 Lakes with Review. - Carolina Night

[Bud B.]

I did not take these pics.

I pick the bow up from Mike on Weds and I'll put on the grip leather and strike plate/shelf leather. Not sure what color yet.

Brown Glass
Osage Riser
3 lams actionboo
2 lams maple
osage tips
handle/limbs 1" wide
slightly trapped limbs
semi-raduised shelf
2 3/16" deep straight grip handle

Mike makes some nice bows. I'll post up more after I get it and am able to shoot it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Thanks for working with me on this bow Mike. I can't wait to hold and shoot it.

[Brianlocal3]

BEAUTIFUL!!!  Mike does do some good work.  I like how he made his splice points into a "M" that was is a nice touch.  
I bought my son a nite lite 2 after the last thread you did for Mike when you got one for your grandson? nephew?

gorgeous stick Bud

[Rossco7002]

Nice Bud! Can't wait to hear the reviews on how it shoots!

[Mudd]

[Bud B.]

I thought a green grip might be nice.

But which shade?

[Bud B.]

Originally posted by Brianlocal3:
BEAUTIFUL!!!  Mike does do some good work.  I like how he made his splice points into a "M" that was is a nice touch.  
I bought my son a nite lite 2 after the last thread you did for Mike when you got one for your grandson? nephew?

gorgeous stick Bud

Grandson  

[Joshua Polland]

I like the grip on the far right. Good luck with the bow, I wouldn't trade mine for anything.

[Knawbone]

Looks really nice Bud, Pig killer for sure.        Dark green       Let us know how she shoots. Congrats on a fine one.Enjoy!

[59Alaskan]

Nice looking bow Bud!  Congrats!

I  vote dark green too

[Green]

Another vote for the dark green.  Can't wait to hear how she shoots for you.....been looking myself.

[Bud B.]

I met Mike today and got the bow.


Light in the hand.
No handshock.
Spits an arrow as well as or BETTER than my other Hill style bows. For a SF bow it is phenomenal.

Mike's craftsmanship is high quality. His finish is a satin finish and seems tough. No sand lines are visible anywhere. Wood and glass are smooooooth.

Drawing it is effortless. It draws an even weight and tightens up smoothly as you get back to anchor.

Mike provided a FF string, but a fatter one than what seems to be the trend.

She shoots with authority and is very quiet. As quiet as my HH Big 5 SF.

Mike worked with me closely on this bow. I asked for some things that were not typical of the Carolina Night based on my viewing of one of Howard Hill's personal bows back in Feb on the Hill Hog Hunt. Mike made the handle length to fit my hand and the depth to meet the original Hill I saw.  I asked for narrower limbs and he obliged. I wanted the closest belly lam to come up the belly side of the riser fade.

My first five shots after putting on the handle were withing 5" of each other at 15. The groups after that were very similar and arrow flight was beautiful.

Some pics...

 

 

 

 

 

 


If you're in the market for a Hill style bow give Mike a call. I think you'll be pleased that you did.

[Green]

   

[Mike Taylor2]

I have a 68" String Follow "Carolina Night" from 7 Lakes and I love it.  I have some blanks from 7 Lakes but I love the way Mike did the tips and grip.  

PS Bud,
I'd like one a bit more narrow myself, did Mike charge much more for the extra custom touches??  Did he charge extra for the brown glass?

[Bud B.]

Only extra charge was for the osage riser.

I'll try to get some measurement pics posted.

[Bud B.]

Arrows I'm shooting are 5/16 cedars at 27.25" bop and come out to roughly 9gpp for the bow. Cast is wonderful and flat. Where I shoot in my back yard only allows for a 30ish yard shot and if trying to find a point of aim for the 27.25" arrow I'm still about a foot and a half below target to get spot of aim impact. POA for this bow/arrow combo will be around 40 yards I'm guessing. Well past my effective range.

It likes a somewhat loose grip and a firm heel of hand.


The pics

[Bud B.]

Mike Ballenger is one of those sleeper bowyers I've heard talked about on some threads on this website. There are many good bowyers of Hill style bows out there. I truly believe Mike's bows are with the one's the Hill following would call at the top of the list, but without that top of the list long wait and higher price. Mike's a great guy and will work with you to get you the bow you want. And check his bow guarantee. That speaks for itself.

[nineworlds9]

Outstanding Hill bow.

[smokin joe]

Looks great.

[Brianlocal3]

I have been waiting on these pics.  
You did a great job with the photography and mike nailed that bow! Looks like a great combo

[Knawbone]

Nice Bud, looks nice and shots nice, that's what it's all about. Nice looking arrows too. where did you get those light colored blue fletches? I need some just that color for the arrows I'm making. The dark green handle wrap looks great!