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Anybody have one of the old bows from Sovereign Archery? If so, how do you like it and which do you have? David
Posts: 239 | From: texas | Registered: Dec 2008
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I have a Ballistik, 60", 52@28"...extremely smooth, fast and shock free. One of the best designs. Grip fits me perfectly. Too bad these aren't still in production, but with John's machinery up for sale, hopefully someone will take over where John left off.
Posts: 288 | From: WINDSOR ONTARIO | Registered: Jan 2005
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Back in the mid '60's, my Dad bought a Golden Souveign Knight for himself and a Mace for me. We both loved those bows, but when I got into those other bows I sold my Mace. I currently own my Dads Knight, and this summer I picked up a used Baron. I like shooting both of them, of course the Knight is special to me because it was my Dads. Cancer took him in '89. Anyways I think the Pearson Soverigns were vary good bows.
Posts: 11 | From: upstate New York | Registered: Feb 2007
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I don't think he was referring to the Pearson Sovereign bows. I believe he's asking about John Fazio's Sovereign Archery bows.
I have a 57" 55#@28" Ballistik. It's super fast and very quiet. An awesome shooter but you have to do your part when shooting. If you have any form flaws the Ballistik will point them out.
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Hate to hear that Sovereign Archery is no more. I own a Ballistik 58" that is 54# at 26 1/2". I have killed over a dozen deer with it. Very smooth and quick.
Posts: 405 | From: Arkansas | Registered: Jan 2010
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I had a 64 inch Ballistik. Probably the fastest bow of equal draw and weight of any I've owned or shot. The limbs were sensitive though, but easy to straighten also. I didnt like the factory finish back then, kinda sloppy. But the bow was the best performing custom I've ever shot. I'd compare it to an alloy risered target bow.
-------------------- David M. Conroy Posts: 2745 | From: Bellingham, Massachusetts | Registered: Jun 2009
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I love those bows and would like to see some more examples. Especially of unstrung and full draw pics.
I have heard that those limbs were "sensitive" but never knew what anyone meant by it. Are people saying that they were easy to twist or not stabile and hard to shoot?
Anyway, I hope someone steps up and buys his forms and equipment and keeps the line alive.
Posts: 132 | From: Texas | Registered: Oct 2009
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Ahhh, the Sovereign Ballistik. Now there is a sweet bow. I don't have one on my rack but wish I did. John knew what he was doing with that one. R.I.P.
-------------------- Ohio Society of Traditional Archers www.tradarchers.org Christian Bowhunters of America Professional Bowhunters Society National Rifle Association Gun Owners of America Posts: 3383 | From: Centerburg, Ohio | Registered: Mar 2003
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I had many of John's bows. I tested them against many high end and low end recurves. They were the smoothest and fastest of all tested. You had to be careful stringing the bow due to the static recurve design. If you use a stringer carefully you should be OK. You could also minimize the risk by keeping the bow strung.
Jim (Heydeerman) I sold you that beautiful Bacote that was a great shooter.
John was a nice guy. I had nothing but good dealings with him. He passed away from (I believe) lung cancer. Rest in Peace John. May God have Mercy on your Soul.
If there is someone that has a desire to be a bowyer they couldn't do better than getting John's forms. I will bet that there is a lot of important info to go with it.
I had many Ballistiks and a Trident. I would love to pick up a Sonoran to try. I bet that was a shooter too.
Having said that out of all the recurves we tested these two bowyers, that are still making bows performed as well as John's bows. Kevin TerMaat at Rivers Edge Recurves followed John's design and also makes a fast smooth static recurve. Also we found that Ben Hamilton at Hummingbird makes a bow that seems just as smooth and fast as the more static tipped recurves in our tests. This testing was just backyard stuff with a chrono. I got rid of my chronos now, because I found most of bows out there, new or old perform good enough for my purposes.
I imagine there are others that we didn't test that are near equals also in performance, but you can't go wrong with Sovereign.
Gil
-------------------- TGMM Family of the bow. Posts: 2730 | From: NewJersey | Registered: Jul 2006
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I know who has it and I inquired about getting it back and he want's double what I sold it for.
-------------------- Ohio Society of Traditional Archers www.tradarchers.org Christian Bowhunters of America Professional Bowhunters Society National Rifle Association Gun Owners of America Posts: 3383 | From: Centerburg, Ohio | Registered: Mar 2003
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Seemed there was always controversy around John but he sure made a heck of a bow. I always found him to be a pleasure to work with and took time to work with youth!!
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