As most of ya'll already know, Mike (owlbait), Michael (Wapiti792), and myself have been "waiting" quite anxiously on our Stalker bows that we ordered from South Cox back in June. We all had our "first exposure" to South's bows at Compton this year and each of us ordered one as a result of this "exposure".
During the "short wait" of only about 6 weeks or so to have the bows built we were in contact with one-another through PM's here on Trad Gang. It turned out that all of our bows were made in the same batch and we all got them within a day or two of each other this past week.
My bow didn't arrive until late in the day on my only day off this week so I didn't have any time to shoot it until last evening. Here is my "brief report" on my findings and a few pictures so that South's craftsmanship can be admired.
I set the brace height at 7 1/2" and crimped on a brass nockset at about 1/2". I always wrap my string from below both loops up and through them with merino wool yarn, and for this bow I put on some mink fur strips for silencers at 1/3 points on my string. She was ready to do what she was built for and I was anxious to bend her limbs.
My findings are that she prefers my 35/55 GT's at factory length (30 1/2") with 50 grain brass inserts and 125 grain field tips. I also gave my AD Trad Lite Hammerheads a go, they shot pretty well but once again the 35/55's grouped the best for me. I knew the string was going to stretch and settle.....so I kept an eye on the brace height. South recommends something between 7 1/4" to 7 1/2" and it finally settled in at 7 3/8". The nocking point might need to be played with a little bit, but right now it's still 1/2".
My bow arrived with high expectations on my part and it has both met and exceeded them. The grip on these bows just melts around your hand and that makes a consistant grip a reality without any thought to make it happen. The woods that South used for my bow were something that I had been wanting to try for quite some time and he sure picked them and crafted them into something that is very pleasing to the eyes, or at least they are to mine.
The bow is smooth on the draw, and not a bit of handshock when you turn one loose. It points very well and jumps towards the target with ease. It does everything that a well built and designed bow should do when I do my part. I am very pleased with everything from the short "wait time".......all the way up to being exactly the way I wanted it to look and perform. I will be the only weak link in the bow being a killing machine, and can only hope that I can do her justice this fall.
I also want to take this time to publicly thank South Cox for being such a pleasure to work with and talk to. He truly loves what he does and will do his absolute best to give you exactly what you want. There isn't a doubt in my mind that his "wait time" will increase as people get exposed to his bows. The looks and performance is second to none and he will go far as a bowyer.
So............without any further adoooo. Here she is !!!!
Winterhawk1960
Stalker "Striker" Recurve - cocobolo and osage with eastern red cedar laminations.
Topic: The "Stalker Support Group" Picture Thread (Read 1235 times)
