No, I didn't dump my Kanati, but I have been searching for a three piece takedown bow that suited me as well as the Kanati. I have a Badger recurve...a very nice bow, but not "the ONE." I had a Kota Prairie Nomad...a super nice bow, but still not "the ONE," so it will be headed to it's new home down under to the hands of northoz when the mail leaves tomorrow.
Then, in a moment of (hopefully) temporary insanity, Over&Under agreed to sell me his 58" 53# @ 28" Dryad Orion longbow. It arrived a couple days ago and I am totally smitten! Wow! Does that thing sling an arrow! I had to trim my ICS Bowhunter 500s down to 28.5" and build out my sideplate a bit to get it to handle my 235 grain broadheads! That is one full inch shorter than I used in the Prairie Nomad!
I have been too busy playing with it to take pictures so I'll post the ones Jake sent me. It's not just a shooter, it's a looker too. Now my two favorite bowyers are Jasons: Kendall and Westvang. Both these guys are artists.
Anyhow here are a few pics:
The limbs are dirty boo under clear glass with cocobolo wedges. The riser is myrtle and cocobolo. I think the black accent lines are phenolic, but I'm not sure. Maybe Wingnut or Jason can tell me.
I have small hands, so finding a riser that fits has been a real challenge. My 46# Kanati is pure perfection. The Orion has almost an identical feel. It is FAST, quiet, accurate and absolutely dead in the hand. I had it out stumping this evening and was thumping dirt clods at 20-30 yards. Then I got serious and knocked the heads off of three dandelions from 7 to 11 yards away...with three consecutive shots! Did I mention, I love this bow?
Thanks Jason Westvang for building such an awesome bow and thanks Jake Barboza for your moment of weakness!