Joy Longbow?

[varmint101]

Hi all, I'm in need of some info on a Joy longbow.

I've never heard of Joy before and it is suppose to be a nice bow/collectible.  I wouldn't use it to collect as I would be trading my NIB Encore muzzleloader for it off another site.

I don't need any of the extras, but it would come with some arrows, broadheads, quiver, and it is red elm.

Any info would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Matt

[Mike Bolin]

Matthew-The only bowyer by that name that I know of was Randy Joy. Randy passed on due to complications with diabetes several years ago. He made an excellent bow and at one time they were sold under the name of "Hornet" longbows I believe. I used to make him really mad when I suggested he call the "Joysticks"! Randy was a fine fellar and he got started building bows after shooting at a big shoot in Aurora IL. At this shoot, the shooters were placed in groups rather than shooting with your buddies. He was shooting a compound at the time and shot with a recurve shooter....older gentleman who took time to answer Randy's questions and this man lit a fire in Randy that couldn't be contained. The older gentleman was Jerry Pierce. Jerry made a bow for Randy and after his passing, I told Randy's sister about the the Pierce bow so that she could put it away, but the bow was never found to my knowledge. Most of Randy's bows were relatively short and pretty heavy in draw weight. Randy was bigtime in to weight lifting and looked like he was chiseled out of stone! He was a lefty as I am and I often picked up his proto-type bows. I let them go in various trades over the years prior to his passing, figuring I could always have him build me another one. You never know what tomorrow will bring. Ed Pitchkites still has some of Randy's bows if I am not mistaken. Hope this helped some and I hope that we are talking about the same bows. Mike

[varmint101]

Yes, same guy, thank you very much!  I didn't know his name, but Joe said the man had passed.  I have a 60# Halcomb-Rader recurve also if that strikes a chord to you.

My friend is wanting to trade me the Joy bow for my Encore.  Joe has had this bow in closet for quite a long time and I believe bought it from the man years ago.  I have never seen it or shot it, but he speaks highly of it.  He didn't say on the length, but I know it's 62@28.  I'm not chiseled, but I can handle that weight just fine.

I'm really not sure it'd be monetarily 'worth' a NIB Encore since it probably would have no resale value.(not that I'd resell it though, but still)  I was thinking more along the lines of an older Widow, Silvertip, another Timberhawk..something I know.

I'm not sure.  Anyway, thank you for the information.  If I don't get any other offers I will give the bow a try.

[Mike Bolin]

Sent you a pm! Mike