Sovereign Archery Input

[richbear]

Hey guy's, I would like to have some input on dealing with Sovereign Archery. I'm also interested in the sovereing ballastik for my next bow. All help appreciated.

[vermonster13]

Great bows but Fazio can be a little quirky.

[Mike Byrge@home]

I had a ballistik for awhile.  It was the quietest recurve I've ever shot even with light arrows and it's a quick bow too.  I like more mass and deflex in a riser or else I would have kept it.

[Molson]

What Vermonster said.

[Cutty47]

I'm going to take a stand here and say that John Fazio might be one of the most misunderstood bowyers around.  Talk with him and if you hit it off, he'll treat you like gold.  If you don't hit it off, don't order a bow.  And if you're impatient to have you bow, he might not be the right guy.  But when you bow comes, it will be a shooter.   I have a Soverign LB and it's an excellent performer.

[heydeerman]

I would agree with Cutty. he is a personal guy and he makes a sweet recurve. Never shot one of his longbows but the kaibab that Chaparral made was designed by him.

[Str8Shooter]

I haven't dealt with Fazio personally but I've owned two of his longbows (purchased used). Both were excellent shooters and looked great. I've shot a couple of his Ballistic recurves and they are certainly a sweet shooting  bow.

Chris

[Plywood Bender-laptop]

I have two Ballistiks and love them.  Very quiet and fast.

I agree with the above. Give him a call and be prepared to talk for hours.  If you hit it off then order one.

BTW- It has been several years since I ordered my last one, so I haev no idea on lead time.

Carl

[jhinaz]

The Balisitk is a great shooting bow. Buy a used one if you can find it and avoid the pitfalls that many people have reported in dealing directly with JF. - John

[rbbhunt]

I have a Ballistik and another on order (if that says anything!).  John can be hard to get ahold of, but will talk to you and is a straight shooter.  Usually about 6-8 months backlog.  He also guides, so that slows down his bowmaking.  But he does make a great bow and will take care of you.

[Tajue17]

I've had a ballistik and I also have spoken to John and I didn't have any propblems..  he does guide and hunts alot so don't expect a quick return on the phone calls.

[jharrowmom]

I have (had) three Sonoran TD (2-piece) longbows.  They were my favorite bows and shot great!  Unfortunately two of them have broken. Both were in the 36# range.

One split at the riser -- had shot it for two months last year.  Put it away for the winter, got it out this spring and it broke 2 weeks later.

The other was 3+ years old and delaminated.
I am not rough on my equipment and these bows were
used under normal conditions.  I am a target shooter and they were stored indoors.
Very disappointed and now looking for replacements.

[heydeerman]

jharrowmom,

Your right there in the neighborhood. Have you contacted John?

I have had several Ballistiks over the years. I own one now and have another on the way. I was also a dealer for Sovereign and Chaparral. I consider John one of the innovators of modern traditional archery and although his designs have been copied by many the original is still the best. I have found him to be an average guy who loves bows, guns, and hunting. I would love to try one of his 50's style static tip recurves.

[vermonster13]

My last conversation with him went very well and he was very accommodating. I have another on the way myself now. Big surprise eh? LOL

[Shawn Leonard]

David, when ya get it. I have dibbs on your old one!! Shawn

[vermonster13]

Someone else already beat you to that Shawn.

[foxbo]

I ordered a Sonoran about six years ago. It took 14 months for the bow to arrive. It's a great shooting bow and really smokes an arrow. If you order a bow from Fazio, send in the down payment and be prepared to wait. If you're the kind who has to have your bow muy pronto, look elsewhere.

I guess we hit it off as we talked and talked. He even invited me elk hunting out at his place and I believed he was sincere. He seemed like a pretty nice guy to me.

[richbear]

Latest update. I had talked with John Fazio a couple of months ago and it was an uplifting experence. The man has his priorities in order and again it was great to talk with him. I ended up buying a new Ballistik from him and have another on order. Without a doubt the best shooting and accurate bow I've ever owned to date. As foxbo said, you might have to wait but it'll be worth it. John might be a little misunderstood because he's a no nonsense kind of guy who takes his bows very serious and his family and is not one to be pushed and talked down to. If anyone should call him, give a listen to what he has to say and you'll learn alot. Thanks to all for your input. Richbear.

[DEAN]

i talked to JOHN and he seemed like a pretty nive guy to me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!