I met Bob about 1984, and I had him build me a TD using all black locust wood from our region. I hunted hard with that bow and I killed some deer with it. Ultimately, I ended up selling it when I switched bows. Although I don't miss it, I'd love to see what it looks like today...out of curiosity.
I made several visits to Bob's home outside Ravenswood, WV over a few years...spent some time shooting bows with him off his elevated back deck. The guy was probably THE most intelligent and innovative bowyer of that time. His art was totally unapproachable by most bowyers of that time. My recurve had an angled, offset grip which was unheard-of until Bob did them I believe. He was devising and building his own taper-grinder (not sander) when most guys didn't even try to produce tapered laminations. His bow shop was state of the art, but half of it was machinery he customized for bow work.
This was just about the time that he started finding and using curly maple in some of his better bows. He traveled around to sawmills in WV, and searched out the wood he desired.
I have a pretty good memory of a canoe that Bob built. It hung on the wall at his place and fascinated me. It had inlays and contrasting woods designed into it. The ribs, gunnels, thwarts and seats were works of pure art themselves. He even made paddles to go with it. A boat like that might cost you $7,000-$10,000 today. He even had it on water a few times. I asked him how it performed and he answered, "Pretty much like crap...that's why it hangs on the wall now"! The guy always had a little smile going on, and a twinkle in his eye.
Bill and Tracy: My best congratulations to you for carrying the torch and keeping Zipper alive. In reality, your bow company is a long-term icon in the traditional world. We appreciate you. Thanks!
Topic: Zipper bows 30th Anniversary (Read 745 times)
