HH bug got me ... Part One!

[Brianlocal3]

Swine , two great bows by two great bowers. Your off to a good sickness!!! And yes, you are infected now!!!!

[BCWV]

Yep, me too Swinestalker! I made a call to Steve too. My Shelton came today. I didn't know how long it would take me to get used to this style of bow but was very surprised that I took to it right off.
 This was my first 6 arrows at 20 yards.
 
 Not banging nocks but I was happy with it!
 Took her for a walk and did a little stumping.
 
 I was shooting at the red leaf. All a little low but one and it was high    
 
 
 Not good pictures but had to use my phone.
 I really like this Shelton and very much enjoyed the conversations I had with Steve. He's a fine bowyer and fellow. I'll be ordering another bow from him I'm sure  

[bicster]

Pat,
That was my Longbowman's Choice. I posted pics on this thread of a bow kill I had and of me shooting it with my baby in a backpack. It was a great bow and I was reluctant to give it up but Ontario Longbow wanted it so bad I said I would part with it and replace it with a Cheetah. Well now I have a Cheetah that I love but I still miss my Longbowman's Choice. It is a great bow but I am glad it has a good home and the possibility of more great adventures.

[Brianlocal3]

Sweet bow. You did good.  What was the wait time?

[BCWV]

Brian, I picked it from Steves in stock bows. Called him Monday and shot it this evening. I got sucked into this Hill vortex and had to have one. Sure glad I did!

[Shinken]

Thanks for the feedback Shawn!  I hope to test one of those Misty Dawn string-follows in the future.

BCWV - that is some good shooting with your new Shelton!  You'll be bustin' nocks before you know it!

Keep the wind in your face!

Shoot straight, Shinken

   

[Brianlocal3]

What are the specs on it?   I did not know he had any in stocks floating around.

[BCWV]

It's a 68",48@28, Burgundy Rosewood riser, bamboo cores and black glass. Check out Steve's website for his stock bow page.

[mikebiz]

So I sent a bow to a fellow TG member on Tuesday.  He received the bow yesterday and found that the tip was damaged.  I packed the bow as I always do.  I built tight fitting tip sheaths from cardboard and duct tape that fit snug on the limbs from the tip to about 5 inches down.  Then I wrap the tips in bubble wrap.  Then I wrap the riser in bubble wrap.  In this case the bow was backset so I put it in a 3" heavy cardboard tube.  The bow was in there tight because the limbs actually sprung up against the tube walls.  One end of the tube had a plastic cap so I secured that with several strips of duct tape.  I didn't have another cap, so I fashioned one out of three layers of heavy cardboard and lots of duct tape.  

I have no idea how this bow was damaged.  The buyer sent me pics of the package.  He said you never would have known there was any damage just looking at it.  The tip never came all the way through the end of the tube.  Basically the tip hit the cardboard cap, barely put a little dimple in the cardboard and didn't puncture the tape.  Someone at USPS must have smashed this thing hard on the concrete or truck floor to get it to move enough to chip the fiberglass and first bamboo lamination.  To say the least I AM PISSED!  

The worst part is the bow was built by a retired bowyer so it's irreplaceable.  I know that USPS isn't going to give me a partial claim refund.  They are going to want the bow if I'm to get a full insurance refund.  I'm going down there today to see what I can do.  Fortunately the tip doesn't seem to be cracked or split, it looks like it's just cosmetic for the most part.  Thank goodness I'm dealing with a great guy who completely understands the risks involved with shipping bows by any carrier.  

So a word of caution.  ALWAYS PACK YOUR BOWS GOOD AND TIGHT!!!  Given that it's holiday season, package volume is going up and there's a rush to get everything delivered.  I'm sure lots of packages just get thrown around with little concern for their contents.  

Sorry, but I had to vent.  I'm not digging on the USPS.  I have a friend who works for them and like my dad say's, US Mail is the best gig going.  For a very fair price 999 times out of 1,000 your mail gets to its intended target in one piece.  Hopefully this was my 1X when it didn't.      Man, I almost feel better now.

[bicster]

Brad,
Vortex is right! I have been caught in it for four years now. I shoot recurve and primitive too but I keep getting drawn back to the HH style.

[BCWV]

I hear you Bic. I love shooting all my bows but that Shelton is a hoot! Glad I took a look at this thread.

[Swinestalker]

BCWV, I looked at that same bow. Steve put it on the scale for me and we determined it was not quite the weight I needed at my 30 inch draw. It is a beauty for sure and I can't wait for mine to be done. Brianlocal, Steve told me he was running 8 or 9 months out.

[Gordon Jabben]

Thanks Swinesstalker, I was wondering what the waiting period for one of Steve's bows was.  I think I ordered one in late Febuary or early March so it should be done soon. Can't wait.

[David Mitchell]

Brianlocal, Steve is showng three Sheltons in stock at present on his web site.  I check it frequently!  :rolleyes:

[tradlongbow]

Mikebiz-

I hope this gets to you before you file your claim form with the USPS. I mailed a bow out during the summer, and they told me it was damaged during processing so I should fill out a claim form.

I insured the bow for $600.00, and they required a receipt for reimbursement so I mailed that too. USPS sent me a check for $395.00, and told me that the bow depreciated over the last 3 years. I appealed it, explained it was custom made, and was denied a full refund.

If I would have not been honest, and changed the date on the receipt they would have given me the full $600.00.

Good Luck,
D

[akbowbender]

BCWV: I was looking  at that Shelton, too. I guess I should have gone for it! Congrats, and nice shooting!

[mikebiz]

Thanks Darren.  I appreciate the heads up.  The guy who bought the bow went to USPS today to make the claim.  Apparently he's going to get some money.  Not sure how much, but since the bow wasn't destroyed it should be enough to cover proper inspection and repair by a skilled bowyer.  I'm a little relieved.  

Sorry to hear about the runaround you got from USPS.  I'm sure they have paying out as little as possible down to a science, yet they're still close to bankruptcy.  Go figure.

[BCWV]

Thanks guys. I just finished touching up a few broadheads for it and hoping for a chance at some venison tomorrow with her.

[Rossco7002]

I'm headed out in the AM with my Half Breed - gonna be -10C (14F). I hope the deer are moving, otherwise it's gonna get painful fast out there! :-)

[Overspined]

My addiction is out of control.  I tried to start to downsize, sold a Johnson longbow to Kestimator, and out of the blue.....I see a Shrew Hill for sale and I pick it up.  It's "yellow dog" and in 8/11 LaClaire posted pics on this thread.  Another great bow. I'm curious how many are out there, the design is very different than All other Hill style bows I've seen being made today.

I think the plastic tubes PVC are the way to go for shipping.  Cost is on size, the weight doesn't seem to make a difference but it sure protects them.