Zion - Thanks! I tried to shoot some orcs today but couldn't hit any.
I think I need some arrows matched for this bow.... It does shoot well but it seems I'm more of a bowyer than an archer.
Need to spend more time shooting and less time building I guess.
Slimbob - Thanks!
Blackhawk - Thanks!. yeah I think I actually spent 3 times as much time on the finish...work. Get's tedious sometimes. As you know. I have quite a few that are shooters but not "finished". I had to see this one through....got a bug and had to do it. Thanks again!
CMB - Thanks! I used hard maple, I think it is also called rock maple or sugar maple....seems to work pretty good. I've built a few with maple and really like the wood. I've built a lot of hickory bows and now I'm trying to force myself to use other woods. Hickory is still like a security blanket for me....I feel compelled to back everything with it now.... I have one in the works that is hickory backed maple that is highly reflexed with a set back handle...I'm waiting to see how it holds up. I am worried about frets and crystals for sure... Thanks again!
Ifrit617, Badly Bent, ryoon4690, Thanks! I really appreciate your comments.
Weylin - Thanks! Yeah my inner nerd becomes my outer nerd sometimes..
My brother, son and I still play D&D once in a while. We call it "Nerd Night".
David_Daugherty - Thanks! Lord of the Rings is my favorite movie (I consider all three to be one big movie). Glad you and your wife like the bow. And to be mentioned along side Lord of the Rings...I take that as a great complement. Thanks! CAN'T WAIT FOR THE HOBBIT!
spyder1958 - Thanks! I got a leather working "starter kit" from Tandy Leather for Christmas last year. I've always wanted to learn how to tool leather with my own designs. The kit has a book and DVD that shows how. Glad you like it!