Savage Deathmaster ??

[Tim Hoeck]

Does anyone still use one of these. My brother still shoots his all the time. Not real fast or prety but a real work horse of a bow. I think he bought it from Bob back in the 70's and still uses it and a Shaffer bow back in the the same time frame. I'm wondering if the Savage bows were all the same or did he make different models ?

[Mark Baker]

I talked with Bob a couple months ago....he came by and took specs on one of my bows so he could make himself one.  Bob keeps a pretty low profile these days, but he is still around and apparently building a few.

I approached him to do an interview and he consented...just have to make the time now.  He did some stuff for the upcoming (we all hope) book about Paul, too.  

Bob made several versions or prototypes of his Savage Deathmaster.  I've seen a few, anyway. They look alot like Pauls early stuff, go figure.    I'm pretty sure Bob had a hand in Pauls development as a bowyer, as well as many other bowyers here in MT.   Rocky Miller also reproduced the Savage Deathmasters for a short time, with Bob's blessing.    I hope to bring out a version of my own, after getting together with Bob in the near future, and talked to him breifly about it.   Bowbuilding season is nearing.

[Gun]

I had one for a few years back in the 70's. It was  nice Bow. Shoulda kept it!

[Tyler Carlson]

When Paul first began learning to building bows, he went and lived/worked with Bob for a month or two.

[Bill Carlsen]

Mark:I have a Rocky Miller Predator 3 piece take down. I remember when I got it he was making a one piece Death Master and it seemed to me the Predator I have is a take down version of the Death Master. Do you know if that is correct? It is one of the sweetest drawing bows I have ever shot and it as quiet as a long bow. Is Rocky Miller still around? If so what is he up to?

[joe skipp]

I had 3 of Rocky Miller bows...the Predator was my favorite. I sold one to my buddy, still has it. Rocky left the business when bowyers started popping up all over the place. He sold the business to a fellow in PA. After one year, this fellow dropped out of sight and with it all of Rockys bows. They were nice, sweet shooting bows.

[Tyler Carlson]

Bill- I think I heard that Rocky was making custom cowboy hats...I might be wrong though.

[Mark Baker]

Bill, I think your takedown was one of Rocky's originals.  They were real shooters.  

Rocky did indeed quit building bows, bowyer burnout.   That and a few health issues I think.  He moved to N.Mexico, closer to his kids.   He was still guiding fly-fisherman here in MT  during summers for some time, but I have'nt talked with him for years.   He gave me the first option to buy his business, but I declined, not wanting to make something  I loved turn into a job.  Sold out to a kid that lived in Bozeman named Duane Shumaker (sp), who took the business to PA.  Duane had some prior experience with another bowyer, I can't remember who...but apparently could'nt keep Rocky's line going.  Duane also helped me in figuring out how to build quiver caddy's in bunches for sale.  He had a good "production" background.  

Rocky's best bow, IMO, was his Bridger MT  Longbow, and I still think it performs as well as any longbow I've ever shot.  Hard to find them these days, and the guys that have em, don't want to get rid of them!

I am also planning on bringing back my version of that bow, calling it the "Inspiration" longbow.  I have the form built....just have to take the time and get some built now.

[Mark Baker]

Bill, I should add that Rocky could certainly have used the Deathmaster as some sort of starting  point  in  his recurves.  He and Bob are still good friends.  In fact, Rocky was back in Bozeman this summer for his Dad's funeral, Bob told me, and he stayed with "the Savages".

I don't think Bob will mind me calling his family a bunch of Savages!     :D    

[Frisky]

Check out this link to part of a letter Bob sent to me a few years ago. I have an 83' Deathmaster made for Bob by Owen Jeffery. It is 54# and 60". An extraordinary bow, it is very fast, quiet, and the smoothest bow I have shot. It is faster than my DH Hunter at the same poundage and weighs just under 1.5 pounds. I'm completing graduate school this week and will have time to post letters and pics if you are interested.

Joe

 http://groups.msn.com/FriskysLair/shoebox.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=57

[Mark Baker]

Very cool letter, thanks for sharing, Joseph.

[Tim Schoenborn]

Here are a few pictures of one guys. This was Sergio's bow and he asked me to post the images.............

     

     

   

[Frisky]

Sergio told me about that bow. It was an oddball 61", if I remember correctly, and it did not shoot all that great. Bob commented to Sergio that he should not have let that one out of the shop. If I'm wrong, sorry Sergio! I would like to see one of Gene Wensel's Deathmasters. He named the bow.

Joe

[Mark Baker]

If anyone else has any pics of those older Deathmasters, and can post them, I'd love to see them.

[Paul J.]

i have an old Deathmaster that I bought from
Gene Wensel. It is 55". Gene had put several coats of paint on it, but it originally was white. I stripped the paint off and sent it to
Duane Jessop to be refinished. He finished it a
light brown and put snakeskins on it. It is
a great looking and shooting bow. Without a doubt it is the quietest bow I have ever shot. i wish i knew how to post
pics.                    Paul J.

[Frisky]

Paul:

You finally got a Deathmaster! I never forgot to keep looking for you but I just do not see them. I could not give you mine because it is the only lighter pulling Deathmaster I ever saw. I cannot pull heavier bows.

Joe

[Tim Hoeck]

I have a deathmastter and I need to get it refinished as I had painted. Who would do a good job at doing this ?
Thanks  Tim