JD Berry Duo-Flex bows

Brianlocal3 · April 15, 2014, 10:27:00 PM

As I have made if plainly obvious over the years, I am a huge fan of the bows that James at JD Berry puts out.
I started with a Vixen with plans of ordering an Argos after that. Well that led to a Misty Dawn, then a Morningstar, and then a Northstar.

Well I picked up a Taipan used a few months back (97' era) and it just totally blew me away. I mean all the descriptives you have heard to describe a perfect bow and it fits the bill. Smooth, quiet, quick, gentle in the hand, beautiful. Just absolutely amazing. The Taipan is a Reverse handle duo-flex and just flat out gorgeous. it is 45 pounds at my draw and slings an arrow like 50-54lb straightened bows that I've shot. And not at all finicky or sensitive to boot.

Then low and behold I find a Yahweh for sale that by its specs should be about 51 pounds at my draw so I jump at the chance. Once I got it I noticed the string would not do for my tastes and I could tell this bow has been used hard for a lot of years. So i called james and sent it in to him to have it refinished. After James got the bow he looked it over and there were some cosmetic fractures in the upper limb tip (nothing to worry about_) He also informed me that it was not a Yahweh but rather a Viper (which was the top of the line bow then) and aged it at being born in 1988-89. WOW.
This Vipers limbs are only 1" wide at the fades and has itty bitty tips with the most impressive trap I have seen to date.

Both bows have what James calls his "Dam" core which is a mixed core and I love them, not only in looks but feel also. These Duo-flex bows give up absolulty nothing in stability and forgiveness and gain even softer thumps than the already well behaved Berry straightened bows.

Viper top, Taipan bottom

Bad pic but it shows the mixed cores

Taipan left, Viper Right

To show braced profile Taipan left, viper right

Brianlocal3 · April 15, 2014, 10:28:00 PM

Weather permitting I'm gonna try to get a little video of each of them.

Steve Jr · April 15, 2014, 10:35:00 PM

Very nice Brian, do they have dished or locator handles? Looking forward to the video.
Thanks Steve

Brianlocal3 · April 15, 2014, 10:48:00 PM

They are what I call an Angled straight grip. or 1911 grip. its just a straight taper from the heel to the throat, no dips.
I like my "locators" that way

Steve Jr · April 15, 2014, 10:57:00 PM

Gotcha thanks, I have quite await for my Taipan and getting to see pics of James bows makes it a little easier.

April 16, 2014, 12:53:00 AM

When shooting my Morningstar, I never think of how it looks. 7th street is exactly 24 yards from my target, I had my foot on the curb. "You idiot, you got it loaded backwards." Came from a passing pickup. Seeing who it was, I proudly showed him the backside of one of the fingers of my American Leathers glove. He backed up into my neighbors drive and said, "really, you're all backwards. Can you just do that?" He wanted to see, but I warned him, no drawing. You would think a compound shooter would not notice fade outs that vanish to infinite precision, but he was mesmerized by them. He said "you're ready for the turkey's I see.", pointing at the cantaloupe sized glob of 18 1918s in my target. I ordered mine to be plain and simple with brown glass, it is not plain and simple, James just cannot help himself.

arrow flynn · April 16, 2014, 01:21:00 AM

had a viper in the late 80s killed a big hog wth it it was 61 at 27.5 I would love to find another but lighter.

Ric O'Shay · April 16, 2014, 07:36:00 AM

Most folks can't wrap their heads around the forward handle on JD's bows. That's a shame because they are the most shooter friendly longbows available. They get "on target" quickly are very comfortable in the hand and are absolutely as smooth as fresh churned butter.

'Course some folks are gonna ask "What's fresh churned butter?" That's too bad. Because if they don't know what fresh churned butter is, they don't know how smooth James' bows shoot. :D

Brianlocal3 · April 16, 2014, 07:37:00 AM

Danny im gonna send you my cleaners bill after I just spit my coffe all over lol

Ric O'Shay · April 16, 2014, 07:41:00 AM

Brian, you got my address......

BTW - Nice score on that Viper!!!

BelegStrongbow · April 16, 2014, 11:03:00 AM

Brian great looking bows. Which bows do you plan on bringing the 25th?

Brianlocal3 · April 16, 2014, 11:11:00 AM

Alex, I plan on bringing the Viper the type in and my morning star flight you shoot. Also I will be giving you a call I got tied up with work sorry for the delay

BelegStrongbow · April 16, 2014, 01:35:00 PM

No worries Brian I can't wait to see the Viper. My wife's new bow should be here today so we plan on shooting all weekend.

Brianlocal3 · April 16, 2014, 02:45:00 PM

Alex, I plan on bringing the Viper the type in and my morning star flight you shoot. Also I will be giving you a call I got tied up with work sorry for the delay

DaveT1963 · April 16, 2014, 02:55:00 PM

SO Brian, I know its almost impossible to do, but which Berry do you like the best? My Tiapan should be done in a few months - can hardly wait!

Green · April 16, 2014, 03:09:00 PM

I think Brian's favorite Berry is his Taipan. That said, he should just donate the Argos he has on order to one of his Texas friends!

Ric O'Shay · April 16, 2014, 04:16:00 PM

QuoteOriginally posted by Green:
I think Brian's favorite Berry is his Taipan. That said, he should just donate the Argos he has on order to one of his Texas friends!

Oh by all means!! Hello Brian? You still have my address don't you????

DaveT1963 · April 16, 2014, 04:23:00 PM

Yes Berry Bows seem to have a rather large following in our Lone Star State. I need to find some shoots here and get to meeting some other trad archers.

Brianlocal3 · April 16, 2014, 04:41:00 PM

Touche Danny Touche

JDBerry · April 16, 2014, 07:51:00 PM

Texas Boys, not that hard to get Brain to GIVE the Argos to you guys, just put a little Bamboo in it! ....jSAME