So bitten again by the ASL bug. I had decided when I wanted to buy vs making some bows that I would buy from a known and an unknown. Give all bowyers a chance. I am happy with that decision at this time.
This is a Mike Ballenger NAH (North American Hardwood) longbow in the String Follow Carolina Night model.
He builds them from hardwoods that he personally chooses and saves on shipping. He says they are perfect in everyway just not a pretty as exotics and not nearly as expensive. I chose black walnut for my cores because I had built a nice hickory backed walnut self bow that was quite a performer. The white glass is the only up charge on this bow as black glass is the normal. The handled is hickory and walnut and is wider than my Kramer and just as deep which I requested. It feels great in the hand.
It shot great just like you would expect from an ASL, smooth through the draw with the thump you expect letting you know you have shot an arrow, but no to me hand shock. It drove my heavy arrows with authority and sent the arrows deep into my targets.
15 Yard group under high wind warning
Mike can build you one of those pretty bows for more money if you want, but I am very happy with my NAH and at hundreds less than other. He also has a u-finish option that would make these bows an extreme bargain the way they perform.
So happy with my decision to give lesser known bowyers a chance this is a great bow at a fantastic price.