[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: Robertson 'Primal Styk' #9776

Thanks, all. It’s the last bow for a while. I swear! 😉

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: Robertson 'Primal Styk' #9289

Thanks, Dave. Wait time is about 6 mos. but they occasionally have some bows on hand. They also have a ‘try out’ program, and a monthly payment plan, which makes it all too easy… 😉

http://robertsonwolfgang.com/bows-in-stock/

http://www.robertsonstykbow.com/bows/longbows/primal/

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: ''The Hammer '' small game blunt #9197

An update to an old thread – I’ve been using VGA Thumpers pretty much exclusively for the last couple years, and I haven’t had a single problem with them. They’re tough, and they do a number on whatever they hit. Haven’t found much need to experiment with anything else.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: Finger Pinch #8109

That’s my understanding, but there are others on here that are far more knowledgeable than I – I’d be curious to hear if there are other thoughts on the matter.

And happy Independence to all!!

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: Finger Pinch #8079

David –

To me, stacking and finger pinch are entirely different, though they may sometimes seem to be related, since both are more common on shorter bows.

In my experience, “finger pinch” has a subjective component to it – some people feel it more than others, even when both are shooting the same bow, with the same draw length. I don’t think there is really any way to avoid finger pinch on really short bows, as pinch is entirely the result of string angle, and any short bow is going to unavoidably have a steeper string angle. But kind of like handshock – it seems to bother some people and doesn’t bother others. So when I hear someone say that a particular short bow “doesn’t pinch,” I take that to mean that it doesn’t produce noticeable pinch for that shooter.

On a related note, a prominent bowyer recently told me that he doesn’t believe that there is anything to the notion that short bows are any less “stable” to shoot than longer ones. Instead, according to him, shorter bows are more sensitive to a less than ideal release as a result of the steeper string angle. It might be a subtle distinction, but I tend to agree, and its an interesting thing to ponder…

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: Faith in humanity restored! #8066

sinawalli wrote: ….Long story short, after posting an inquiry, I received a pm from a gentleman, who graciously offered to make one for me pro bono! His words “just a old trad guy with nothing to do”!

That’s the kind of generosity, and love for passing on our tradition, that I see time and time again in the trad world. What a great community we have with everyone who carries a stick and string!

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: New books #62988

I thought I’d revive this thread with a book I just started reading:

Wolfer: A memoir

by Carter Neimeyer

His plan was to stay in Iowa, and maybe get a job counting ducks, or do a little farming. But events conspired to fling Carter Niemeyer westward and straight into the jaws of wolves. From his early years wrangling ornery federal trappers, eagles and grizzlies, to winning a skinning contest that paved the way for wolf reintroduction in the Northern Rockies, Carter Niemeyer reveals the wild and bumpy ride that turned a trapper – a killer – into a champion of wolves.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: What ya got goin? #62980

Beautiful day here in the Tetons – got out stumpin’ with a couple good friends. Brought along a classic Marbles ‘Sport 99″ knife that recently came my way (15 years old and unused, in the original box!). Double-dose of cocobolo for ya:

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: Scout Mtn (Idaho) Traditional Shoot – June 28th & 29th #62736

ausjim wrote: That young man and his quiver are too cool 😀

I really enjoy hanging out with Cash – he’s a great kid. And he’s Larry Fischer’s grandson – it’s great to see the tradition spanning generations!

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: New Broadhead Regulation for PA Hunters #62579

smiley1 wrote: J. Wesbrock,

When I inquired about the 3″ broadhead regulation. I found out it was enacted right around the same time cross-guns were legalized during the general archery season. It seems they were concerned nimrods would be running around the woods with cross-guns cocked and such a long broadhead would impose a more dangerous situation if he/she were to slip and fall!!!!

Well that makes sense. 🙄

Maybe they should have just required that crossbow shooters can only have rubber suction cup heads?

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: Scout Mtn (Idaho) Traditional Shoot – June 28th & 29th #60185

Another really fun weekend at the 2nd Annual Scout Mtn. Trad Shoot.

Lots of fun shooting all day long, with an ‘open range’ and various competitive shoots throughout the day, followed by a huge potluck, and presentations by Idaho Fish and Game, Idaho Traditional Bowhunters, The Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership and Backcountry Hunters and Anglers.

A few pics:

Some of the many beautiful bows and tackle in use this weekend:

Cash Fischer’s awesome badger quiver:

And thanks again to the Pocatello Field Archers for the use of such a fine range!

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: List your FOC arrow information for wood,carbon & aluminum/REFERENCE 4 SELECTING NEW ARROWS #60166

It’s funny how experiences differ, but I find tuning high-FOC setups to be quite straightforward, and that all of my bows between #52 and #55, which are all cut either to center, or 1/8″ past center, will shoot a variety of EFOC carbon setups just fine. I can go up or down 50gr. or so, and while I notice a difference in trajectory once the arrow gets out to 30 yds – ish, I don’t find any other tuning fluctuations at all.

My usual setup:

Bow type and Make: Big Jim’s ‘Thunderchild,’ Big Jim’s “Buffalo Bow,” Toelke “Whip”

Bow Length 56″ to 62″

Bow weight@ 28″: #52 – #55

Your draw length: 27.5″

Arrow type: Gold Tip Traditional 5575

Arrow length: 28.5

Feathers number and length: 4 x 2-1/4″

Insert/adapter combo weight 100 gr.

Point weight: 250 gr.

Footing weight 5 gr.

Total arrow weight. 650 gr.

FOC 28.5%

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: Watch covers #57137

Great tip, Jim – I love simple and inexpensive solutions like this. Now if only I wore a watch…:lol:

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: August/September TBM #57134

Another high quality issue for sure, but I’ve come to expect nothing less! 😆

Preston – your article on tracking was fantastic. And what a great reminder that the ‘thrill of the hunt’ and the skills we need to continually hone aren’t limited to being exercised during hunting season.

And I have to say, Doug Borland exemplifies the idea of a hardcore backcountry hunter, yet he does it without any of the ego or fanfare, and thankfully, without ever using words like “extreme” or even “hardcore,” for that matter. He writes about his exploits as simply and matter of factly as if a 3-week backcountry hunting trip in remote Alaska was a perfectly common thing to do – using the opportunity to share all he has learned honestly, rather than to strut his accomplishments. It’s this kind of humility that I find particularly admirable in my hunting “heroes.”

Thanks again, to all who contribute to such a worthy endeavor as TBM.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: Scout Mtn (Idaho) Traditional Shoot – June 28th & 29th #55892

Heck, if you’re in Preston, I bet you’re not even an hour down the road from Scout Mtn! Send me a PM with your email address if you want to join us, and I’ll forward you a map and all the info. There’s no fee to hang out and shoot for the weekend – only a minimal contribution if you want to join in the competitive shoots. Otherwise, the range is open.

[Author]

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