I remember back in the early 80's seeing advertisments for the Dave Johnson Red Cedar Longbow. Read a good review on it in the old "Longbow" magazine, that Bill Bagwell had written. Wanted one but couldn't afford it. If I remember right, Dave was getting $350.00 for them which was top dollar for longbows back then.
Last summer I had gone 2 years not shooting a bow due to shoulder injury. I've got an old hickory backed red cedar longbow that I'd made back in the mid 90's. It shoots great, but I won't shoot it much due to frets and chrysles on the belly. Got it out anyway to see if I could shoot pain free, and it was. Shortly after, I saw where Dave Johnson was back in busniess, so I called him and we talked about him making me a bow. When I got it, it was/is exactly how I orderd it. 66" 45#'s @28" blk. glass on back, wht. on belly. Riser laminated with 1/2" of bubinga and myrtle on top. 12" long riser from fade to fade. Thin narrow peaked grip with a slight dish. Slight amount of backset (3/8")
The thin pigskin leather strike plate & grip wrap set it off. The finish he uses takes several days of work... and it shows.
I understand now why Dave uses red cedar only in his bows.
It is my opinion that it's one of the few bows being built today, that is in the true American Semi-Longbow style.
Topic: Anyone Have a Dave Johnson Longbow? (Read 458 times)
