I returned home from appointments Wednesday afternoon to find an attempted delivery notice in my mail box. Hard to believe the bow had made it to Ovilla, TX in two days from Joe Lasch's Prairie Traditions "Bow Hospital". I quickly sped to the PO hoping my post-woman had finished her mail run and returned my package to the PO for pickup. No way I could wait until the next morning to retrieve my prize. Sure enough the package was there and I headed back to my home before opening the box to examine the contents. Would the re-shaped riser meet my expectations? Would I be happy with the new Gemsbox riser overlay? Would the Massie Model "M"
recurve shoot where I looked as readily as my Massie "Longhorns" or even my deadly Howard Hill's? Was the money well spent or should I have just sold the bow and purchased that Hill TD that I have been longing for?
After opening the box and examing the contents, I first noticed the Gemsbox riser overlay. This was the first time Joe known as"Whip" on TG had worked with Gemsbok, and he was anxious to hear my thoughts on the overlay material. Well Joe, all I can say is "Wow"! Once I was able to take my eyes off the riser overlay, I took note of the palm swell Joe had painstakenly reduced and re-shaped. Once again Joe had hit the ten ring. The grip felt perfect, but how would the bow shoot with the change in the grip? Did the change affect the stability of the bow? Would it be dead in the hand upon release? I would have to shoot a few arrows to answer those questions so I quickly went looking for my "allen wrench". After mounting the TD limbs to the riser, outback I went with bow and arrows in hand. After just a few arrows I had a smile on my face that Joe could see from his home in Wisconsin. I couldn't wait to get to fellow TradGanger "Ric O"Shay's" home to show off my prize. My bud agreed that Joe had done a great job and quickly offered to take the bow off my hands if I did not like it. Now there was no doubt in my mind that it was money well spent.The only question that remains to be answered now is, "Will I hunt with my customary longbow this year or my "New" recurve? The decision is mine but the outstanding job done by Joe Lasch and the Priarie Traditions, LLC "Bow Hospital" on this archers only recurve has made it a tough choice. Thanks Joe for a job well done.
Pictures will follow with the help of my bud "Ric O'Shay".
Bill Turner