Mike St. John bows

[johnnyrazorhead]

Recently picked up a couple of bows and thought I would share them here.Not really vintage but still very cool bows in my opinion.Both bows were made by a Michigan bowyer by the name of Mike St. John.Many years ago a friend of mine had these bows made for him by Mike.Mike appreciated the old Bear bows and made bows similar to many of the old classics from Bear.One bow I had seen before from another collector(Phil Leone)was a beautiful takedown riser made by Mike that looks very similar to the Fred Bear Signature bows from 1982.Well my friend had one similar to Phil's made for him and decided it was time to  part with it so I bought it from him.It also has a nice set of take-down limbs with yew cores and very similar to the Signature take-down limbs in appearance.These are 60+ lb. limbs,probably a little too heavy for me but they belong with the riser in my opinion.The other bow,the one piece recurve was also made by Mike for my friend.This one happened to show up on the big auction site awhile ago from another seller.Evidently my friend had sold it years ago to someone and then it popped up for sale again from yet another friend so I snagged it.Both have shelves cut down very similar to Fred's personal bows.The take-down riser is very similar to Fred's personal riser and much like the green-stripe risers from Gainesville.Anyhow,just thought you might like to see these bows.The take-down is dated 1993.The one piece is dated 1988,same year Fred died.
 Would like to replace the small MSJ medallion on the take-down riser with one of the Bear "ivory" Bear coins like the ones that came on the Signature bows and I believe the later "Supreme" risers.If anyone has an extra they would be willing to part with please let me know.Enjoy.
   

   

   

   

   

[johnnyrazorhead]

 

 

 

[MR BILL SHORTY]

       

[Lucas K]

I didn't learn about these bows until after the bowyer had stopped making them, really like the way they look! Thanks for sharing.

[East Coast archer]

Awesome!  I have seen Phil's bow in person and it too is amazing.

[vintage-bears]

Mike sure knew his stuff!
Thanks for sharing them John

[Gun]

Why change the medallion? It's not really a Bear.

[Wade Phillips]

John -

Here are 7 more St. John bows that are just a few of dozens that I don't have room for here anymore...  

 

[zepnut]

John here is another pair from Mike St. John
The man sure knew what he was doing.
Top bow...Striped Macassar Ebony
Bottom bow...Brazilian Rosewood
 
 

[johnnyrazorhead]

Gun- I know it's not a Bear but the ones I've seen,like Norm's pictured,look better with the cream colored Bear medallion.IMHO

 Wade- Nice bunch of MSJ bows there.He made some great looking bows for sure.

 Norm- Those are absolutely gorgeous risers.Both equally as beautiful.Thanks for sharing them.

[jrstegner]

There will be an ivory medallion up for auction at the PBS banquet.

[jcar315]

Thanks for sharing.