Here’s the pros:

1. Cosmetics. A huge part of the allure of buying a custom bow was/is the selection of woods/materials, colors, and tips. My personal selections aside she’s undeniably beautiful. This has everything to do with Nate’s abilities, not my selections. If Nate ever decides to get in the furniture business it wouldn’t be a surprize. The stain job on the Curly Maple is a smokey-brown and blends flawlessly into the Cocobolo. The seams in the bamboo core layers are airtight without gaps to catch any field gunk. The tips use Nate’s typical layered approach, and these also blend seamlessly with the limbs.

The hand-rubbed finish is evenly applied without apparent variance in the thickness. The look is reminisicent of finish found on fine shotguns. Again, to each his own, but this was another selling point that appealed to the upland hunter in me. 10 points.

2. Construction. Nate’s takedown system of the angled male-female handle insert constructed of carbon fiber is a light weight space-age option to that of either the bolt systems or metal sleeves. While some may say that the use of carbon violates the “traditional” aspect we were seeking in the first place, this was actually a huge selling feature for me. Carbon deformation is almost nil and won’t dent or tarnish like metal. While not an engineer, the strength of this material system is legendary. Additionally it’s warm to the touch unlike metal.

Nate has installed a very tight-fitting sleeve/insert that has absolutely no play in the two parts. Once together, the two limbs feel as if they truly are a one-piece bow. In requires about 45-50 pounds of force to pull apart, so the limbs are mated tightly. 10 points.

Performance. After running about 150 arrows through her, the tuning process was pretty impressive. She’s very quiet even without the string-silencers. The draw to 29 inches is smoother than imagined without any hint of stacking or finger pinch. At elast for me, she is delivering the arrow wear I’m looking without the constant concentration required from my recurve. It’s as if she IS more instinctive! This no doubt had alot to do with the design (heavy reflex-deflex) and the increase in length from 58″ to that of 62″, but isn’t this why we buy new bows? Because of the perceived increase in ability to hit the target? I don’t have access to a chronograph to be scientific, but at 55# @ 29 inches she’s only 2-3lbs heavier in draw than my 50# @ 28 inch recurve. However, the arrows are arriving quicker to the target and flatter in trajectory as well. This is already giving me alot of confidence, despite my meager abilities. 10 points.

Cost/amenities. At $800 with shipping the Royal Expedition is extremely reasonable given the amount of customization and quality delivered. Nate shipped her in a wooden box sealed with 16 screws per side! Fort Knox should feel so secure! A 6-foot camo fleece sock and D-50 flemish string completed the package. In all, there are no short cuts anywhere to be found. 10 points.

Okay, now for the cons:

1. Cost. Despite my foaming-at-the-mouth love expressed above, I’m feeling like I could improve upon my selection of materials. Walnut limbs stained Beretta gunstock brown, red phenolic, stag tips…?) Meaning I’ll probably be buying another soon! The presents a huge marital problem, as I’m already in the doghouse! (Better to ask for forgiveness than permission right?)

Seriously, there are no cons. I wouldn’t hesitate to strongly recommend placing a order with Nate if you are considering a purchase of his handiwork, but are unfamiliar with Bama bows.

Mudd foot