Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Around the Campfire => Topic started by: Del the cat on March 10, 2019, 01:31:40 pm

Title: Bow for a Serviceman
Post by: Del the cat on March 10, 2019, 01:31:40 pm
Rob was shot in the head in Afghanistan about 4 years ago, he's invalided out and has a wife and 2 lovely little kids. He was really struggling psychologically, until he found warbows and my blog and started getting out to shoots and trying to make bows which he describes as saving him.
He made a heavy Yew warbow, but it exploded at 32" in his hand. He tentatively asked if I sold bows... I could tell he was gutted so I said I'd sort him out something.
I didn't have any decent Yew, but managed to tease a pair of heartwood billets from a badly curved stave and made a boo backed Yew warbow, just under 120# @32". I got it made double quick with a hint of deflex reflex. https://bowyersdiary.blogspot.com/2019/03/boo-yew-warbow-cleaned-up.html (https://bowyersdiary.blogspot.com/2019/03/boo-yew-warbow-cleaned-up.html)
I didn't give it to him, 'cos some times people don't want to feel they are getting charity, but I let him have it at half my usual price.
Now, I can't shoot it, so I don't know how it performs, but, he was going to a roving shoot, and I send the bow along with my mate JT so he could pick it up there.
I was wondering if it would meet with his approval when I got the message on Facebook.

"I just wanted to let you know from the moment I got my hands on the bow I’ve had a smile on my face it is by far, and I’m not just saying this, the best bow I’ve ever had the pleasure of shooting.
So we knew it was going to be fast, but it’s more than just fast, no hand shock, no stacking just really smooth and will shoot a half inch arrow 100 yards direct. I didn’t get to do a flight shoot today but will next weekend.
No words can really thank you enough for what you’ve done
This bow has by a country mile out performed all my other bows. It had a lot of positive comments I even stopped for 15 mins on the way home at the woods because I wanted to shoot it more
Thanks again "


That endorsement makes the work worthwhile.
Del
Title: Re: Bow for a Serviceman
Post by: BrianS on March 10, 2019, 01:52:30 pm
May God bless both of You.
Title: Re: Bow for a Serviceman
Post by: YosemiteBen on March 10, 2019, 02:22:10 pm
Beautiful Del.
Title: Re: Bow for a Serviceman
Post by: Swampman on March 10, 2019, 04:00:43 pm
Great now and even better story to go with it.  Thanks for sharing Del.
Title: Re: Bow for a Serviceman
Post by: Pat B on March 10, 2019, 04:03:56 pm
Excelent for you, Del and congratulations to Rob.  :OK   8)
Title: Re: Bow for a Serviceman
Post by: mullet on March 10, 2019, 05:01:28 pm
You're a good man, Del.
Title: Re: Bow for a Serviceman
Post by: bjrogg on March 10, 2019, 06:07:49 pm
That's fantastic Del. That bow was therapeutic for both of you.
Bjrogg
Title: Re: Bow for a Serviceman
Post by: chamookman on March 11, 2019, 01:09:15 am
 :OK ! Bob
Title: Re: Bow for a Serviceman
Post by: Pappy on March 11, 2019, 05:19:07 am
Very kind of you Del, and beautiful bow by the way.
 Pappy
Title: Re: Bow for a Serviceman
Post by: Eric Krewson on March 11, 2019, 06:34:24 am
I made one for a badly wounded Afghan Vet, he said it changed his life as well by letting him know he could do stuff that the Drs told him he wouldn't be able to.
Title: Re: Bow for a Serviceman
Post by: PaulN/KS on March 11, 2019, 07:43:25 am
Well Done Del.
And to you as well Eric.
 :OK
Title: Re: Bow for a Serviceman
Post by: ohma2 on March 11, 2019, 08:40:13 am
Good on you Del.
Title: Re: Bow for a Serviceman
Post by: Hawkdancer on March 11, 2019, 10:38:02 am
Well done!  Glad to see your bow helping a vet!, especially a wounded warrior!
Hawkdancer
Title: Re: Bow for a Serviceman
Post by: Deerhunter21 on March 11, 2019, 08:52:41 pm
Uhh. that made me very emotional. You did a good thing del. You should be proud.
Title: Re: Bow for a Serviceman
Post by: JEB on March 12, 2019, 07:01:59 pm
Del and Eric : OUTSTANDING support for our American hero's. This thread just warms my heart. Thanks for the post.
Title: Re: Bow for a Serviceman
Post by: Lehtis on March 12, 2019, 11:24:13 pm
Wow!!!
Title: Re: Bow for a Serviceman
Post by: Del the cat on March 13, 2019, 01:40:35 am
Del and Eric : OUTSTANDING support for our American hero's. This thread just warms my heart. Thanks for the post.
Cheers, but just for the record he's a Brit (friendly inter-service rivalry and all that :) )
Del
Title: Re: Bow for a Serviceman
Post by: JEB on March 13, 2019, 05:29:54 am
Makes no difference Del. You two gentlemen did a great thing for a military hero.
Title: Re: Bow for a Serviceman
Post by: Pappy on March 14, 2019, 04:10:10 am
Ya Del, makes no difference to me either, we love our Brits also, after all that is where I originally came from. ;) Goat herders for the King in the 13/1400.  ;) :)
 Pappy
Title: Re: Bow for a Serviceman
Post by: Eric Krewson on March 14, 2019, 07:25:37 am
My grandmother's maiden name was Livingstone, ancestry DNA says I am 30% British Isles. If I was going to war I would rather have a Brit or Aussie beside me than anyone from any another country, no rivalry here.

I spent a little time at Burtonwood Army Depot near Manchester and was treated better by the locals then at any place I have ever been on my travels for Uncle Sam. In 69 they still remembered us helping them out a few years earlier and loved us for it.

Gil is in the middle, Nolan is holding his bow.

Title: Re: Bow for a Serviceman
Post by: JEB on March 14, 2019, 08:23:25 pm
Eric, is that Gil Malingaro (spelling?) who had a very bad head wound? If so I had the honor to shoot with him and his sister at a shoot in Indiana. I have the book written about him and his crew that got blown up.
Title: Re: Bow for a Serviceman
Post by: Eric Krewson on March 15, 2019, 06:24:34 am
Yep, that's Gil, an amazing man.
Title: Re: Bow for a Serviceman
Post by: Pat B on March 15, 2019, 08:46:22 am
I met Gil at the Classic a year or 2 ago. Nothing is too good for our(coalition) military vets.  :OK