Trad Gang

Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: Phrogdrvr on February 28, 2013, 09:09:00 PM

Title: What to do with my childhood bow
Post by: Phrogdrvr on February 28, 2013, 09:09:00 PM
Not too long ago I posted a photo of me with my first bow holding a big carp that I had just shot of French Creek about 27 years ago.  The bow was a Bear Alaskan (the Halloween bow) given to me as a child by my Grandfather's next door neighbor. That thing was my constant companion for years, and made me the archer I am (at least would like to be) today.

As I mentioned, recently the bow was damaged beyond repair, I thought about just hanging it on the wall as a decoration, but that felt hollow to me.  So with much contemplation and tears in my eyes, I cut it into three pieces and sent it to Maineac to have it turned into the scales of a set of Daddy/Daughter knives.  

Mike (Maineac) notified me that the knives were ready, so last weekend my daughter and I made a road trip to meet him and retrieve our new knives.  Folks, I have to say that Mike's creativity, materials and craftsmanship far exceeded my expectations.  I was pretty much speechless when we lifted them out of the display case; and when I handed Kelly hers, she was smiling ear to ear.

Here are some pics so you can see virtual first hand why we are so happy.
 (http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm136/brannan_family/knives1_zps9ef1d09c.jpg)
It was my bow, so mine is the one with coin    :biglaugh: )  
 (http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm136/brannan_family/group_zpsd6ab76ee.jpg)
I guess that about covers it.  Thanks for reading. And thank you Maineac.

Tom
Title: Re: What to do with my childhood bow
Post by: darin putman on February 28, 2013, 09:37:00 PM
Great looking knives can't think of a better use for  childhood bow, Great set of knives!!!
Title: Re: What to do with my childhood bow
Post by: dhermon85 on February 28, 2013, 09:41:00 PM
Very cool idea! Glad to see your bow lives on.
Title: Re: What to do with my childhood bow
Post by: wooddamon1 on February 28, 2013, 09:41:00 PM
Very creative and great work by Mike!    :thumbsup:
Title: Re: What to do with my childhood bow
Post by: highplains55 on February 28, 2013, 09:44:00 PM
very nice and a great idea!
Title: Re: What to do with my childhood bow
Post by: Shawn Leonard on February 28, 2013, 09:46:00 PM
SWEET!!! Very Nice! Thanks for sharing!! Shawn
Title: Re: What to do with my childhood bow
Post by: JJB on February 28, 2013, 09:55:00 PM
That's a really cool story. You'll treasure those forever.
-Jay
Title: Re: What to do with my childhood bow
Post by: Sockrsblur on February 28, 2013, 09:59:00 PM
I love that! Great idea and great job by Mike!
Title: Re: What to do with my childhood bow
Post by: 4dogs on February 28, 2013, 10:15:00 PM
:thumbsup:  Very nice
Title: Re: What to do with my childhood bow
Post by: juneaulongbow on February 28, 2013, 10:22:00 PM
Really cool.
Title: Re: What to do with my childhood bow
Post by: Gil on March 01, 2013, 02:35:00 AM
Well done!
Title: Re: What to do with my childhood bow
Post by: Thumper Dunker on March 01, 2013, 03:11:00 AM
:thumbsup:  Cool stuff.
Title: Re: What to do with my childhood bow
Post by: Big Ed on March 01, 2013, 08:21:00 AM
Very cool!
Title: Re: What to do with my childhood bow
Post by: Maxx Black on March 01, 2013, 08:45:00 AM
Great job!
Title: Re: What to do with my childhood bow
Post by: Froggy on March 01, 2013, 08:48:00 AM
Instant heirloom.... put the story of how it come together on paper or dvd. Keep it in a safe place to be read and kept up with with the future generations to appreciate. Great story and thank you for sharing !!. That is a treasure your daughter won't forget.

Froggy
Title: Re: What to do with my childhood bow
Post by: cacciatore on March 01, 2013, 10:19:00 AM
Well done!  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: What to do with my childhood bow
Post by: Mike Shaw on March 01, 2013, 04:45:00 PM
Tom brought both knives into the shop the other day. Folks I want to tell ya they are top notch!
What a cool way to keep your childhood bow with you all the time. Well done all the way around    :notworthy:
Title: Re: What to do with my childhood bow
Post by: maineac on March 02, 2013, 07:13:00 AM
I am still humbled that Tom would make the trip all the way from the Philly area to mid-coast Maine to pick up the knives. The four hours we had to visit, shoot our bows some and take my dogs for a walk went by very quickly.  I had planned on taking more pictures, but Kelly was a bit shy about shooting in front of a stranger, so I didn't pull the camera out until the end.  I hope I have the opportunity to spend time with them both again.  As Tom left he gave me gift of the flight wings off his Marine uniform.  I have never been more honored by a gesture.  Thank you again Tom.  I have put them in a place I will see them every time I enter my man cave.

 (http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/medium/IMG_06389.JPG)

As always I am amazed at the quality of the people I meet that are members here on Trad Gang.  It is an incredible family.
Title: Re: What to do with my childhood bow
Post by: LONGSTYKES on March 02, 2013, 08:02:00 AM
Tom, Thanks for the tread. Great idea for a family treasure. Well done sir, great looking knives.
Title: Re: What to do with my childhood bow
Post by: Bowwild on March 02, 2013, 08:11:00 AM
Wow, that gift exchange was a heavy dose of memory sharing!  What a cool idea to make knife scales from something like this.

This is giving me some ideas for my grandchildren. I have antlers from an old Elkhart county buck I bow-killed 32 years ago. He was pretty famous in my circles for having weighed 265 field-dressed pounds on Indiana state scales. Those antlers lie in a pile with others in a large box in my garage.
Title: Re: What to do with my childhood bow
Post by: uglyjake on March 02, 2013, 08:20:00 AM
Thank you for sharing.