The Bow Bernie BUILT

[IB]

We were all party to Bernie's First BOW    

He got himself talked into showing her off in the "Bow of the Month" event and ended up doing VERY well                

So Tell us what happened "Ole Marine"

[fxe]

Cool,can't wait to hear how he did.  

[UKarcher]

Yeah, I followed the voting, but I'll let Bernie tell it.            
Graham

[swampbuck]

Sweet I'm all eye's lookin forward to see how things worked out

[countrygirl]

Too cool Bernie...pics please!

[IB]

I think he may have run off and JOINED the NAVY      :eek:    

[JEFF B]

come on bernie dont be shy show us your bow      

[gordonf]

Bernie's bow was first rate - hard to believe it was his first! Here is a link to his story.

  Bernie\\'s Bow

[Dano]

First runner-up to Gordon and his fine work is something to be proud of. I for one am very proud of my "Older Brother"        

Semper Fi

[sticshooter]

Bernie you're a superstar!
Ya know how we all feel  

Beautiful bow!!    

Shell (on hubby's login)

[ber643]

LOL - Thanks Iron Bull and guys n' gals (especially Gordon - whom I chased all the way - LOL). I just had a big club shoot yesterday and was tied up, and then "tarred out" when I got home.

I really didn't think about "Ol' HB" getting in the running so I wasn't surprised when it didn't, last month when I first posted it. then I found out that perhaps "Ol Bow" (the one who does a great job of managing the BOM contests) might just not have seen it, due to a misleading thread title. Turned out that was the case, and so he put it in for April - I was thrilled! After all - my first bow and all, ya know? I figgured I'd be lucky to get a couple of votes or so, but I was tickled anyway, just to see it listed. About a day or two later Gordon (whose Vine maple self bows, I've loved from the git-go)posted his first effort with a wood Tri Lam bow. I took one look and said/posted, tongue in cheek, "Oh, why did Gordon have to pick April to do his first lam bow?" (I loved it  too , you see?)

Well imagine my surprise when they opened the bidding, and Gordon and I started off head to head, and toe to toe - in a field of fifteen tough bows. We were tied early on, then the lead "Hoss' slowly pulled away. Then the second "ol' Hoss" started closing the gap ...

but I never did catch up again, and Gordon made a well warranted (and most gracios) win of 29 to 20. It was an exciting time of voting to many, I think (and I know it was to me).

However, I have received so many great compliments and supportive encouragements (including from Gordon) that I am truly humbled by this first bow and first experience. Bless them all, bless us all. A special thanks to Mike Brooks, the Retired Navy Corpsman, who was my mentor on the bow. It shoots good too - better than this ol' hoss, most of the time     :D

[4runr]

Congrats Bernie!! Being runner-up to Gordon, and on your first bow too!!! WOW!!! I'd say that's quite an accomplishment!

Kenny

[vermonster13]

Congrats Bernie! Very well done my friend.

[AZStickman]

 I hope that's the first of many Bernie....... Terry

[ber643]

Thanks, folks. I hope to start on an Osage selfbow in the near future.

[Pat B]

Bernie, You were first for a short while. I was the first to vote and you got my vote. You did a great job on that bow with a little help from your friend but that only adds to the medicine.
   This was a well deserved 2nd place for you in amongst a field of veteran bow builders. You should be very proud. Can't wait to see your next!
  Are you gonna be at the NC State Championships  near Hickory on Memorial Day weekend? I put some info in the "events" section for anyone that needs it. Bring your bow when you come.   Pat

[ber643]

Well, I'll be darned - I didn't get there early enough to see my bow "in the lead" - LOL. Thank you so much Pat, that means a lot coming from you. I do plan to be at Hickory, if all goes as planned (going to Baltimore the weekend before that). I have promised Dick B. that I will bring my Bow for his display of NC bowyers, etc. I may bring my little Holly Bow that Mike made and then I finished also. I probably will take them to B'more and ATAR also - I'm such a show off   :D  - not really    but I do like to share, and get folks opinions, specially bowyers whose work I admire (like yourself, and so many others).

[tradbower]

Bernie
    Great first bow !!  Cant wait to see the 2nd.
                       Pete

[Ga.boy]

Congratulations on a beautiful bow and on such a great showing amoung a host of veteran bowyers. You have truly inspired me to at least contemplate trying to build one myself someday. I can't even sand a piece of wood evenly, but that only means that I should show steady improvement if I can ever find the time and a little tutelage.

You gonna open the deer season with her this year? I can't think of anything that would be more fulfilling than taking a deer with your first bow (except maybe a gobbler this year?)!

Again, congratulations my friend. She is truly a work of art, and having come to life in your hands, the MoJo is already fully ingrained in her.

I hope to see you on the Sponsors Page soon! I would definately place an order.

Chuck

[Lee Viv]

I even managed to wake up long enough to vote for ya, Bernie!