Hello all,
I wanted to get to know my new "Thunderchild" before I posted a review of it. I am pretty amateur, but maybe someone will get some valuable insight.
Before I give my opinion, here are the specs:
58" Thunderchild (Take Down)
50#@28"
Riser Woods: Buckeye & Gaboon (footed riser)
Limb Woods: Buckeye
Tips: Buckeye
Grip: Medium size with locator
So I will start with what I feel is the most important, and that is customer service. Jim and his staff are beyond polite and cordial, every time you speak with either him or his staff they treat you as if you are an esteemed member of society. In addition to the aforementioned, Jim will give you all of the time you need when considering the specifics of your bow build. I was a bit indecisive with grip, woods, and what not, but Jim never made me feel pressured to end the conversation or as if he was pressed for time. When he did call me to get the details for the build, I had all the time I needed and he answered all the questions that I could possibly have. Finally, me being human, I changed my mind a few times through out the build, and at no time did Jim give me the impression that he was annoyed with me.
Now for the bow itself (and where my immaturity as a traditional archer will probably be highlighted). The aesthetics of this bow are just beyond words. Granted, all of this is subjective, but I have never seen a more exotic looking bow. The shape itself is pretty unique in the reflex/deflex world of bows, but the woods and how Jim put them together are nothing short of a work of art. The ergonomics on this bow make it feel as if it is an extension of your body when you hold and shoot it. There have been bows that I have shot/handled that just felt so far from me (if that makes any sense), but not this one. It could be the grip, the mass, the looks, or just a placebo effect of the customization. Who knows...
When shooting the bow, I would say this is one of the quietest bows I have heard. I have no idea what makes a bow so quiet, I am sure it is an accumulation of things such as brace height, string material, and so on. The most important aspect of shooting this bow for me though is how it handles my draw length. I have a 32" draw, and this short longbow doesn't give me any grief for it. There is zero stack and zero pinch all the way through my draw. This is a big deal for me, it seems as if the world of all archery is built around a 27-28" draw. So being able to get into a short bow like this that truly can handle longer draws is a great thing. There are a couple other bowyers that can make it happen in the shorter lengths for me, but I will save those for future reviews.
Finally I will touch on the "hand shock". This a pretty light bow, and I am surprised at how little vibration it has. I would say that the vibration is negligible, and I can shoot comfortably all day. I think the bow-bolt system absorbs more of the vibration from the mass as opposed to the sleeve system, both are great take-down systems in their own right. I would purchase a sleeve system again though, especially from Jim. I know it is not really relevant, but unstrung, the sleeve is still very tight. Maybe it is just a piece of mind or an indicator of excellent craftsmanship, regardless, I appreciate how it feels.
In closing, I would highly recommend Big Jim's Bows and the "Thunderchild", especially if you are a longer draw archer and are seeking a shorter bow. Feel confident in purchasing this bow from this company.
Topic: amateur review of a Big Jim Thunderchild (with pics). (Read 7447 times)
