Okay guys....Just froze my butt off shooting my first few rounds with this bow.
Here's my report. It is a bit long, but I think it helps when you know where the writer is coming from.
I started shooting trad in 2006. My first 2 bows were longbows. Then, about 2 1/2 yrs ago, I decided to wade into the world of recurves. Since then, I've went through a dozen or maybe 18 recurves. Still own some, don't own others any longer. I found recurves to be a bit more fickle about shooting...ohh! and they were loud compared to my longbows.
I acquired my first belly mount bow (BW PSA) and instantly fell in love with the handle forward concept. Physics told me that handle torque would be drastically reduced. That PSA is one of the bows I no longer own because, aside from the noise, recurves were heavy. I didn't like that. Not a deal breaker, but not preferable either.
About a year ago, I was fortunate enough to come across a bow that did it all for me...it was smooth drawing, quiet, and pretty doggone fast. Short, at 56", I found the recurve that fit me. It was a Jack Kempf Kwyk Styk. For the next several months, I started looking for a backup bow (hunting bow) for the KS.
I read and read reviews of the KS, then stumbled onto some posts by this feller named Sixby here on Tradgang...LOL.
I was impressed! He seemed to understand that making a shorter or longer bow, wasn't always just about putting the same limbs on a shorter or longer riser...his explanations of limb geometry and the physics of shooting a bow were so in-depth...but he wrote them so that even I (a nurse by trade) could understand it.
I had made the decision to go ahead and call Jack Kempf and get on his list for a 56" Kempf KS. And I had made the decision that it would be my first true, full-blown custom bow. A bow that myself and the bowyer discuss before any glue is spilled or any saw or grinder is turned on. It would be a bow that both of us would be happy with. I own many custom bows, but this would be the first one that was "my" custom bow.
On a whim, one day though, I called Steve at Eagle Wing Archery. We talked about bow length, longbow vs. static tip recurve, grips, centercut...everything. Long story short...we worked the specs out on this bow right there that day. Several months later: The first non prototype Steppe Eagle was born and on its way to me.
Steve and I swapped a couple of emails. We talked about brace height. He told me he preferred shooting low brace height bows and I told him I would start low and work up if needed. My preference is for low brace height bows also (one reason I like the Thunderstick MOAB longbow so much).
Today I was able to go out and fire the first shots from this stunning bow.
At a brace height of 6", I am totally satisfied with the peformance. Steve said I can go up if needed, but I'm happy right there.
Here are my takes on the things that are most important to me in a bow.
Smoothness: This bow does not feel like 52 lbs @ 28". I realize a lot of that comes from the Static Tips. That is fine with me. I've owned over a dozen bows that came in from 51#-53#@28". The Kempf Kwyk Styk was the smoothest drawing bow I'd ever shot up until the Steppe Eagle. The Steppe Eagle is definitely as smooth as the KS, and, I believe, is smoother. I've only shot it for an hour so far (in 18 degree temps), but Steve definitely hit a homerun in the smoothness department.
Quietness: As I said, every mechanical limb recurve I've ever shot has been loud. The 2 or 3 static tips were lots more quiet. The Steppe Eagle is just as quiet as any of those (more so than 1 owned). Another homerun.
Speed: Now I'm not a speed freak. Really don't care about how fast a bow is as long as I can hit what I'm aiming at. With that said, the Steppe Eagle is stunningly fast. On par with, maybe faster, than my KS of exact same specs.
Handling: Here, obviously, is the more subjective category. I love hunting with 1 pc longbows. They are so light in the hand, just a joy to carry. But, as many others, I shoot more consistently with a bow that has a bit of mass. When ordering, I had that discussion with Steve, so he knew what I was after. Handling was important to me. He didn't disappoint. The Steppe Eagle is a trim riser, with no extra "fluff" (except in the looks dept. lol). There is that bit of mass there to help consistency, but it will be a joy to carry in the woods.
So there you have it. My take on Steve's Steppe Eagle. Anyone looking for a truly stunning bow (looks, handling, shooting) should definitely give Steve a call.
I've already started saving for my next Steppe Eagle which will serve as a backup to this one for hunting.
Couple of additional pics:
Topic: Steppe Eagle #1...Shooting report added! (Read 1430 times)
