Well this is my story of my search for the perfect bow. I grew up shooting compounds and stuck with them well up into my early married years. I started shooting trad about 17 years ago. It all started with a friend enviting me to go bowfishing with him. I brought along an old compound but he had a slick little bear recurve. I was hooked my first trip even though I missed a hole bunch of fish! Lol!! I knew I had to get my hands on a trad bow.
Well as fate would have it I was working in Jacksonville, Tx. at the time and I heard about 21st Century Longbow. So one day after work I went and met the owners Jim and Buddy. I am a Tool and Die Maker by trade and one thing led to another and Jim had me making some taper fixtures for his laminations. When I was in his shop one day he gave me a prototype longbow. It was a Venus model it was 58" 60#@28" it had carbon in the limbs. Over the next few years I bowfished with that bow. I deer and hog hunted with that bow. I shot 3-D with that bow. I fell in love with traditional archery.
A few years later I was called into the ministry and for the next ten years I did'nt shoot at all.
In 2006 my teenage son got interested in archery. I found myself being drawn again to the sport I dearly love. I wanted to start him off right so I bought him a Martin Rebel recurve. I wanted to see if he would stick with it. Needless to say he shot the string off that bow, literally! I put another one on and he kept on going.
I bought a Bear Montana longbow off a guy I knew and shot with my son all the time. He and I became very close. I never had that kind of relationship with my father growing up.
I liked my Montana but I wanted a better bow. Money has always been an issue for me. I stumbled upon Tradgang one day while I was on the internet and discovered the classifieds. I had never heard of such a thing as bow trading. Well thus began my journey. I began to get into custom bows and the search was on. I wanted to find the perfect bow for me. I have traded for at least 50 bows in the last two years. It's kind of embarasing when all the people at the post office know you by name and they know what you are shipping based on the shape of your package!Lol!! I have tried so many high end bows, recurves and longbows, only to discover I still love longbows but I really love a recurve grip. I have come way down in weight since I started shooting Trad 17 years ago.
Last weekend my son and I went to an archery shoot they have every year in Chester, Tx. This was the 23rd year for this event. When we go we always have a blast. Lots of great people, good food and a great 40 target course. This was our second year to go, we missed last year because I had to preach a wedding that weekend. I went with a hope of finding a bow that fits me. After two years and so many bows it can get frustrating. To my surprise there were quite a few vendors there. I began checking out the bow selections right away. Soo many bows and soo little money! Lol!! I knew I had to make my selection count. I tried several bows and on my way outside to the practice range I saw Rob Lee set up under a tent with his bows. I went over and began to check out his inventory when I saw it. One bow caught my eye. It stood out from the rest. I just knew when I picked it up that it would be the wrong specs. I needed a bow about 40#. Well to my surprise I picked it up and it was 64" 41#@28". As I looked at it I knew it was going to be to expensive. Rob came over and began to explain to me that a man had custom ordered the bow with a solid phenolic riser but he changed his mind on the weight and paid extra to have Rob make him another one. Rob explained that this would normally be a $700.00 bow but he was selling it for the same price as his regular stock bows. It was in my price range!! Now to see how it shoots. The first six arrows were all within a six inch group at 20 yards. I shot it for awhile and nothing changed. So I bought it! This is the only new bow I have ever bought! All others I have traded for.
I always knew about the other boyer in Jacksonville, Tx. but I had never really shot one of his bows very much. In the last couple of years I have traded for bows from all over this country in search of the perfect bow and all the while it was in my own backyard. My house is about 25 minutes from Bob and Rob's shop. Rob is a great guy to deal with and they really stand behind their product. She may not look like much to other people but she works for me!
I want to thank my friend Robert Painter aka. "two timer" for helping me with my form and shooting style and helping me decide which direction I should go. He sent me a longbow he and James had made at his own expense. He told me to keep it for awhile and work on my form. The time I spent with that bow helped answer alot of questions for me about what the perfect bow might look like. I sent it back to him and I will forever be in his debt for his act of kindness.
It has rained here all week long but today it has been beautiful outside. I decided to take my Bob Lee out in my back yard to shoot and take some pics along the way. Here she is my perfect bow. Bob Lee Stick Pro, Phenolic riser w/Black Walnut accent stripes. Maple limb cores w/Black Walnut vaneers. Black Walnut and Micarta overlays on the back of the riser and limb tips.
Thanks for looking,
-Leonard-
Topic: Bob Lee in my backyard!! (Read 596 times)
