Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: George D. Stout on October 29, 2014, 04:11:07 pm

Title: Dave Mims Self Hickory Longbow
Post by: George D. Stout on October 29, 2014, 04:11:07 pm
Thought I would post this for those who didn't know Dave Mims.   Dave was a gifted bow maker and chose to give his bows away after he shot them a while.   I was lucky enough to be given on of his bows in 2008.    We lost Dave to cancer in 2011 and I wanted to make sure his legacy didn't just fade away.  This is a beautiful hickory longbow/selfbow....by Dave Mims.
Title: Re: Dave Mims Self Hickory Longbow
Post by: Badger on October 29, 2014, 04:18:19 pm
   Thanks George, I always enjoy seeing daves bows. I have one also and treasure it.
Title: Re: Dave Mims Self Hickory Longbow
Post by: George Tsoukalas on October 29, 2014, 04:19:00 pm
Great bowyer. He sure is missed. Jawge
Title: Re: Dave Mims Self Hickory Longbow
Post by: Pat B on October 29, 2014, 04:48:13 pm
I got to meet Dave the year before he passed at the Tenn. Classic. We got to be friends for a short time. We even taked on the phone a few days before his death. His legacy will live on.
 Thanks for the reminder George and for posting one of Dave's bows.
Title: Re: Dave Mims Self Hickory Longbow
Post by: Drewster on October 29, 2014, 04:53:46 pm
George, very nice looking bow.  What are the specs on it?  Would enjoy seeing more pics too.  Thanks!
Title: Re: Dave Mims Self Hickory Longbow
Post by: Eric Krewson on October 29, 2014, 04:59:27 pm
David was the best at bow tillering I have ever seen. When I see a very well tillered bow on this site I think, "that looks like a Mim's tillering job"
Title: Re: Dave Mims Self Hickory Longbow
Post by: George D. Stout on October 29, 2014, 05:24:01 pm
Drewster, I'll post more next week.    This one is 45#@27",  68" long.   
Title: Re: Dave Mims Self Hickory Longbow
Post by: mullet on October 29, 2014, 07:13:55 pm
I only met Dave once, at twin oaks. He was a very nice and knowledgeable man. Everybody that has one of his bows has a treasure.
Title: Re: Dave Mims Self Hickory Longbow
Post by: sleek on October 29, 2014, 08:47:24 pm
I remember him passing. The state he was in, he was happy to go.a little sad but when I think of him, im more appreciative of his attitude than anything. I recall wondering what would happen to all his bows. Im glad to see one. To some a bow is just a stick. They are wrong. It was a stick, until its creator invested some of his life and his personality into it, fusing with all his life experience that led him to that very moment, to the very singular wood chip he is making at that second, to become a bending, working, functional thing that almost meets the standards to be describednas living. Think of all the life he put in that bow. That bow and all his bows, exemplify Mims more so than any other memory. Its exactly what he wanted it to be. Congratulations on being chosen as the care taker.
Title: Re: Dave Mims Self Hickory Longbow
Post by: JW_Halverson on October 29, 2014, 08:57:05 pm
I only knew Dave very briefly here in the Forum.  And like sleek said, I remember him passing.  He did it like a gentleman.  I deeply wish I had been able to meet him sooner. 

Every bow I have ever seen of his was a mighty fine piece of work.  Nothing fancy, or show-off about it.  But everything was executed to a fair-thee-well.  It is  the hallmark of a true craftsman to make something utilitarian and as close to flawless as possible.  Thanks for sharing a classic piece of his work, George.  Long may it serve you!
Title: Re: Dave Mims Self Hickory Longbow
Post by: Joec123able on October 29, 2014, 09:06:00 pm
Looks beautiful lets see some unbraced and closer pics
Title: Re: Dave Mims Self Hickory Longbow
Post by: Pappy on October 30, 2014, 05:32:49 am
David was a great guy for sure and very fine bowyer to boot. He use to come to the Classic  every year,it was he and his wife's anniversary,he would say what better place to spend it than around bow builders.Beautiful bow George. :)
   Pappy
Title: Re: Dave Mims Self Hickory Longbow
Post by: Del the cat on October 30, 2014, 05:50:42 am
Sad to hear of any bowyer going.
At least we leave a little behind us as bows and the skills we have passed on.
I think my Dad's not long for this world, he was never into bows but passed down the engineering know-how which has stood me in good stead.
Here's to all those who live on in our memory.
I didn't know Dave but I'll loose an arrow in his name when next shoot.
Del
Title: Re: Dave Mims Self Hickory Longbow
Post by: Marc St Louis on October 30, 2014, 09:20:31 am
I knew Dave through the PA forums for many years.  His bows always had an excellent tiller and were perfectly finished
Title: Re: Dave Mims Self Hickory Longbow
Post by: rps3 on October 30, 2014, 09:26:47 am
I remember cutting my teeth making bows, reading and looking at his posts, hoping to be that good some day. Thanks for posting George. And greetings from St. Michael. Chuck and Larry send their regards.
Title: Re: Dave Mims Self Hickory Longbow
Post by: Badger on October 30, 2014, 11:12:35 am
  I don't know if Dave phrased this quote or not but he did help make it a standard bow making rule by stressing its importance. I first heard it from Dave Mimms, " Never bend a bow any further than what it takes to expose an area that needs work". This phrase was gold as far as I am concerned.
Title: Re: Dave Mims Self Hickory Longbow
Post by: bradsmith2010 on October 30, 2014, 08:51:04 pm
nice bow,, Dave gifted me some staves that made great bows,,, I shoot one nearly every week,,,thanks for the post,,,
Title: Re: Dave Mims Self Hickory Longbow
Post by: Auggie on October 31, 2014, 06:32:27 pm
Im glad to say i met him,and have one of his bows. Its probably the best shooter i have
Title: Re: Dave Mims Self Hickory Longbow
Post by: rossfactor on November 01, 2014, 02:20:54 am
I never met Dave in person but always read his posts and admired his fine manner and bows for several years on PP and on this site. DCM always had something good to say. You could always recognize his excellent handle work.

Gabe