What to do with my childhood bow

[Phrogdrvr]

Not too long ago I posted a photo of me with my first bow holding a big carp that I had just shot of French Creek about 27 years ago.  The bow was a Bear Alaskan (the Halloween bow) given to me as a child by my Grandfather's next door neighbor. That thing was my constant companion for years, and made me the archer I am (at least would like to be) today.

As I mentioned, recently the bow was damaged beyond repair, I thought about just hanging it on the wall as a decoration, but that felt hollow to me.  So with much contemplation and tears in my eyes, I cut it into three pieces and sent it to Maineac to have it turned into the scales of a set of Daddy/Daughter knives.  

Mike (Maineac) notified me that the knives were ready, so last weekend my daughter and I made a road trip to meet him and retrieve our new knives.  Folks, I have to say that Mike's creativity, materials and craftsmanship far exceeded my expectations.  I was pretty much speechless when we lifted them out of the display case; and when I handed Kelly hers, she was smiling ear to ear.

Here are some pics so you can see virtual first hand why we are so happy.
 
It was my bow, so mine is the one with coin     )  
 
I guess that about covers it.  Thanks for reading. And thank you Maineac.

Tom

[darin putman]

Great looking knives can't think of a better use for  childhood bow, Great set of knives!!!

[dhermon85]

Very cool idea! Glad to see your bow lives on.

[wooddamon1]

Very creative and great work by Mike!    

[highplains55]

very nice and a great idea!

[Shawn Leonard]

SWEET!!! Very Nice! Thanks for sharing!! Shawn

[JJB]

That's a really cool story. You'll treasure those forever.
-Jay

[Sockrsblur]

I love that! Great idea and great job by Mike!

[4dogs]

 Very nice

[juneaulongbow]

Really cool.

[Gil]

Well done!

[Thumper Dunker]

 Cool stuff.

[Big Ed]

Very cool!

[Maxx Black]

Great job!

[Froggy]

Instant heirloom.... put the story of how it come together on paper or dvd. Keep it in a safe place to be read and kept up with with the future generations to appreciate. Great story and thank you for sharing !!. That is a treasure your daughter won't forget.

Froggy

[cacciatore]

Well done!  

[Mike Shaw]

Tom brought both knives into the shop the other day. Folks I want to tell ya they are top notch!
What a cool way to keep your childhood bow with you all the time. Well done all the way around    

[maineac]

I am still humbled that Tom would make the trip all the way from the Philly area to mid-coast Maine to pick up the knives. The four hours we had to visit, shoot our bows some and take my dogs for a walk went by very quickly.  I had planned on taking more pictures, but Kelly was a bit shy about shooting in front of a stranger, so I didn't pull the camera out until the end.  I hope I have the opportunity to spend time with them both again.  As Tom left he gave me gift of the flight wings off his Marine uniform.  I have never been more honored by a gesture.  Thank you again Tom.  I have put them in a place I will see them every time I enter my man cave.

 

As always I am amazed at the quality of the people I meet that are members here on Trad Gang.  It is an incredible family.

[LONGSTYKES]

Tom, Thanks for the tread. Great idea for a family treasure. Well done sir, great looking knives.

[Bowwild]

Wow, that gift exchange was a heavy dose of memory sharing!  What a cool idea to make knife scales from something like this.

This is giving me some ideas for my grandchildren. I have antlers from an old Elkhart county buck I bow-killed 32 years ago. He was pretty famous in my circles for having weighed 265 field-dressed pounds on Indiana state scales. Those antlers lie in a pile with others in a large box in my garage.