Ron - I hope she accompanies me up to ADK this year. Those that like the old Bears can fondle her to their hearts content.
Yesterday, I spent some time in PA helping to do one of the final tasks....reapply the SN, length and draw weight. Don't ever let anyone tell you that it is easy......unless of course, all you want is chicken scratch. Then it should only take 30 seconds. Trust me....to get it to look good, it takes some time, especially on that slick non-flat surface!
One of the first things we did when I arrived (well, second - after having a beer) was take it outside so I could see the renewed colors in the sun. I'm not even going to attempt to describe it. When the bow comes home, I'll figure out how to photograph it closeup in the sun without all the glare and let you see for yourself.
I mentioned before about it having all the colors that we expect from crazy BR EXCEPT for the light straw color of sapwood.....well....I was wrong. If you look at previous photos of the area around the coin, there are areas above and below the coin just to the left side of the coin that are light colored. As I was holding it outside, I asked him if these spots were always there. He thinks the sanding just highlighted the sapwood that was already there. He also mentioned that during the sanding process a small area of sapwood in the grip area became pronounced, then just "disappeared". I would have loved to have seen the original "blank" of wood they chose that day....or better yet......to have a stash of that pre-ban crazy wood at home. One thing is for sure though, Bear found one crazy piece of rosewood for that bow!
He is on the home stretch now. It won't be long.