Trad Gang

Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: 1/4 away on July 13, 2012, 04:13:00 PM

Title: I was Speechless
Post by: 1/4 away on July 13, 2012, 04:13:00 PM: Earlier today my buddy Mike DeMaio (md126) texted me to see if I was going to be around as he wanted to come over and fling a few arrows like he's done many times before. I knew Mike had just sold a bow and figured he was bringing over a new 'toy' to show me. When he pulled into my driveway I walked over to greet him and he pulled a TD longbow from his trunk. I asked him what it was and to my amazement he said that he had made it for me. Not sure I heard him correctly I asked him again and again he said he made this bow for me. I was dumbfounded to say the least and could feel a lump swelling in my throat. I knew Mike had tinkered with a kit bow before but to think that he thought enough of our friendship, which actually began here on tradgang a few years ago, left me speechless. Not only do I want to publicly thank Mike for our friendship but I also want to thank him for a bow that I will cherish forever.

This beauty is 64" 54#@28" with an orange cocobolo riser, yew limbs with cocobolo overlays & nocks. Fast, quiet and deadly!!

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v76/quarteraway/IMG_5992.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v76/quarteraway/IMG_5986.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v76/quarteraway/IMG_5991.jpg)
Title: Re: I was Speechless
Post by: limbolt on July 13, 2012, 04:17:00 PM: Fine bow,and a finer friend,congrats. :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Title: Re: I was Speechless
Post by: Rob W. on July 13, 2012, 04:18:00 PM: What a great gift and its a looker for sure! :thumbsup:

Rob
Title: Re: I was Speechless
Post by: Goshawkin on July 13, 2012, 04:23:00 PM: Looks great! That's a good buddy you got there.
Title: Re: I was Speechless
Post by: KOOK68 on July 13, 2012, 04:42:00 PM: Nice!!

I'll PM him and see if he needs another friend. :pray:
Title: Re: I was Speechless
Post by: jcar315 on July 13, 2012, 04:44:00 PM: :clapper: :clapper: :clapper:
Title: Re: I was Speechless
Post by: ronp on July 13, 2012, 04:51:00 PM: Thanks for sharing that great story. Very nice bow and a very good friend!
Title: Re: I was Speechless
Post by: huntingarcher on July 13, 2012, 04:56:00 PM: :bigsmyl: :clapper: :clapper:
Title: Re: I was Speechless
Post by: Blue Tick on July 13, 2012, 04:56:00 PM: Great friend to have. Y'all get out and knock something down with it.
Title: Re: I was Speechless
Post by: The Hawk on July 13, 2012, 04:59:00 PM: That's AWSOME! :clapper: Please tell him that I am a great guy and I draw 60lbs @ 30"! :biglaugh:
Title: Re: I was Speechless
Post by: Blue Tick on July 13, 2012, 05:00:00 PM: Great friend to have. Y'all get out and knock something down with it.
Title: Re: I was Speechless
Post by: raghorns on July 13, 2012, 05:08:00 PM: Very nice!
Title: Re: I was Speechless
Post by: Fidelios on July 13, 2012, 05:11:00 PM: Now, let those who say that friendship is a thing of the past re-think their priorities! What a lovely gift! :notworthy:
Title: Re: I was Speechless
Post by: Stump73 on July 13, 2012, 05:17:00 PM: :bigsmyl:
Title: Re: I was Speechless
Post by: Mike Vines on July 13, 2012, 05:27:00 PM: Beautiful gift. A very good friend indeed.
Title: Re: I was Speechless
Post by: rastaman on July 13, 2012, 05:42:00 PM: Awesome gift!
Title: Re: I was Speechless
Post by: Alexander Traditional on July 13, 2012, 05:46:00 PM: Great looking bow and even greater gesture!
Title: Re: I was Speechless
Post by: Caughtandhobble on July 13, 2012, 05:47:00 PM: That's an awesome friend and bow!!!
Title: Re: I was Speechless
Post by: Osage61 on July 13, 2012, 05:47:00 PM: A great story about a great moment. :clapper:
Title: Re: I was Speechless
Post by: wooddamon1 on July 13, 2012, 05:49:00 PM: :thumbsup: Something tells me you probably deserved it, Fred!
Title: Re: I was Speechless
Post by: Hopewell Tom on July 13, 2012, 06:24:00 PM: BEAUTIFUL! - on many levels.
Title: Re: I was Speechless
Post by: Tom Anderson on July 13, 2012, 06:26:00 PM: Do you think he might need another friend? I'm bowless right now. :D
That's the trad. way, my friend.
Title: Re: I was Speechless
Post by: eflanders on July 13, 2012, 06:34:00 PM: This is just excellent.
Title: Re: I was Speechless
Post by: DannyBows on July 13, 2012, 06:39:00 PM: I love these kind of stories, thanks for sharing! :clapper:
Title: Re: I was Speechless
Post by: BOWMARKS on July 13, 2012, 06:53:00 PM: Super BUDDY and Superb looking bow!! :clapper: :clapper: :clapper:
Title: Re: I was Speechless
Post by: Eric Sprick on July 13, 2012, 06:54:00 PM: Outstanding!
Title: Re: I was Speechless
Post by: Jedimaster on July 13, 2012, 06:59:00 PM: Really like the lines on that bow. Wood choices are great too. What a friend!
Title: Re: I was Speechless
Post by: Butchie on July 13, 2012, 07:00:00 PM: :clapper:
Title: Re: I was Speechless
Post by: 1/4 away on July 13, 2012, 07:02:00 PM: Thanks guys. You could have knocked me over with a feather when he gave it to me. I think Mike may have a new career on the horizon. :archer:
Title: Re: I was Speechless
Post by: Big Ed on July 14, 2012, 06:50:00 AM: That is awesome!!!
Title: Re: I was Speechless
Post by: KentuckyTJ on July 14, 2012, 07:48:00 AM: Touch of Class MD. :clapper:
Title: Re: I was Speechless
Post by: Froggy on July 14, 2012, 07:50:00 AM: That's special bud. A true friend is one that can't be bought, borrowed or taken, they are earned. Sure looks like that's what you have Fred, y'all both are blessed. That bow is pretty special too.....

Congrats,
Lanier
Title: Re: I was Speechless
Post by: stickbowmaniac on July 14, 2012, 08:57:00 AM: Now thats a true friend.Looks Awesome
Title: Re: I was Speechless
Post by: turkey522 on July 14, 2012, 09:05:00 AM: :clapper:
Title: Re: I was Speechless
Post by: md126 on July 14, 2012, 10:16:00 AM: Thanks to all for the kind words and compliments!

I'm far from a professional bowyer, and have infinite respect and admiration for those who are. It's very fun and educational to make bows and the rewards FAR outwiegh the effort and time.

This particular bow is special for many reasons and Fred is very deserving of it (and our friendship)

Of course, the bow will not really be his until he bloodies it up!! :thumbsup:
Title: Re: I was Speechless
Post by: Gooserbat on July 14, 2012, 10:42:00 AM: That's real nice. Both the friendship and the bow.
Title: Re: I was Speechless
Post by: Drewster on July 14, 2012, 10:51:00 AM: Beautiful bow. You have a true friend indeed. Enjoy!
Title: Re: I was Speechless
Post by: **DONOTDELETE** on July 14, 2012, 11:00:00 AM: Great Story! and.... A Nice looking bow Mike.

Once you get the bow building bug it's a lot of fun developing new designs and prototyping stuff.

But....Do yourself a favor and don't go professional. It's a sure way to ruin a perfectly good hobby trying to make a living doing this stuff. Kirk
Title: Re: I was Speechless
Post by: Chester Thompson on July 14, 2012, 11:03:00 AM: Sweet bow. And sweet friendship.
Title: Re: I was Speechless
Post by: limbow on July 14, 2012, 11:21:00 AM: :thumbsup: Very nice indeed! Congrats on a fine bow and a finer friendship. He is top notch for sure.
Title: Re: I was Speechless
Post by: Cyclic-Rivers on July 15, 2012, 02:45:00 PM: Mike, Good looking Bow.

Fred, Built to your specs. It takes a friend to know a friend. I think you probably deserved this bow.

Good stuff indeed.
Title: Re: I was Speechless
Post by: fmscan on July 15, 2012, 03:12:00 PM: Hard to know what is better the bow or the fact that you have a friend like that...I once got a total surprise in the mail, Dean Torges once sent me a bow he made and I was overwhelmed then and I still am ... didnt know what to do, cry, smile, scream, run 10 miles ... felt honored and unworthy at the same time ....you will NEVER forget it!