Malibu Archery Cougar Bamboo Longbow

[2fletch]

As a kid in the early 1950s, I ordered a catalog from Malibu Archery and promptly ordered a 40# Malibu Panther. After breaking a lemon wood bow and tolerating a hickory longbow that lost it's cast on a hot humid day, this bow was a real treat. It was lightweight and shot great. It was strung backwards and broken by someone while I was in the army. I have been looking for another one for years, but most guys have never heard of Malibu Archery. Recently someone contacted me about a bow from them. It was not the same model but looks like my bow's big brother. I got the bow from him and will include a couple of photos for anyone who has not seen one. The one that I had was all laminated bamboo. This one has a very small piece of hardwood in the handle. Oh, I'll never string it but the weight is about 80# 

[2fletch]

Oops! Looks like I clicked on the wrong image. Here is what should have come up.

[TwistedHollow]

Thanks for sharing! I must say that’s the first I ever heard of them but it looks like they made nice bows

[2fletch]

They were nice bows. They were well engineered with 3-4 lamination of bamboo, using parallel and edge grain fiber in the right places. The nearest bow (that I know of) is one built by James Parker. He uses bamboo on the back and belly with a hardwood core.      

[Chuck Jones]

I have a Malibu archery bamboo recurve. Not sure of the model name. 45#@28”. Mine is like new, but de-laminated a little at the ends. I shot it some when I first bought it at a yard sale, in the late 70’s. Had very good cast, but a bit of hand shock.

[Pine]

80# ??
There was a day when I could have shot that, but

Thanks for sharing.   

[2fletch]

That's interesting Chuck. i didn't know that they sold a bamboo recurve. The slightly reflexed bow that I had was great for cast and no hand shock that I can remember.
                                                     

[Chuck Jones]

I’ll try to get a picture of it in a few days.

[Terry Green]

SUPER NICE!!! 

[Chuck Jones]

On it’s way to 2fletch

[2fletch]

Chuck, I'm kinda like a kid at Christmas. Waiting to see that Malibu bow, but I can hardly wait. This is like to me of going home after 70 years. I'm indebted to you. Thank you very much. 

[2fletch]

Well, the bow arrived today and I spent a while examining it and comparing it to the one I had about 70 years ago. The laminations were similar, but this bow has some deflex whereas mine didn't. It also has a lot more reflex then the one that I remembered.

 Chuck, I'm indebted to you for this bow. It;s been so long since I had my new Malibu Panther. It almost seems like a dream to have another one. Many Thanks!   

[Chuck Jones]

Happy to see the bow in the hands of someone who appreciates it. Also, that it made it in one piece.
Chuck

[Pat B]

Please share some pics, Don.   

[2fletch]

Pat, I'll try to put some photos on tomorrow.     

[2fletch]

Well, I got a couple of photos before the batteries went dead. Did not get exactly what I wanted, but maybe they will be worth looking at. Think of it like this Bud, this may be the biggest collection of Malibu bows in the world. All two of them. 

[Wudstix]

Awesome!!!