saphire hawk traditional bow

[rasbo]

Met Ray this morning and we shot the 3d course at Tacoma sportsman club.Ray brought the saphire hawk for me to shot..Wow what an awesome bow..The hawk fit me perfectly,and I have to say I'm impressed with the work,and the performance of the bow.I will be having one made as soon as possible,I have a message in to start the deal.Gotta say it was a pleasure to meet and shoot with Ray.In the short time we spent shooting,I learned a lot about these bows,and getting there gear together.Next year I will be going traditional forsure...Thanks Ray I will be bending your ear from time to time for more info.I also sighted my old 721 Remington 30-06 in while I was out there.1 inch groups, that old gun is an awesome shooter.

[buckhorn2]

There goes the boat. Next thing you will be up on some rock face with Bone.

[rasbo]

well,always seems that something comes up..Boat might have to wait.Im going to buy the bow though.I forgot what it was like to shoot with out aids and advantages..Its a natural feeling that suits me.

[Ray]

Nice to you meet you Jim. It's a great bow. I think you'll be glad to have that one in the toolbox. That bow seemed to really do well in your hands and I believe it would be a good fit for you. 

[boneaddict]

Obviously I like them. LOL    Good choice! 

[scoyoc5]

I went to thier website to check them out and who do I see? Boneaddict with a huge bull moose!nice. one day I too will own one of thier bows.

[rasbo]

I went to thier website to check them out and who do I see? Boneaddict with a huge bull moose!nice. one day I too will own one of thier bows.

:chuckle:hes like a rash...everywhere :chuckle:thats a cool pic on there....

[carpsniperg2]

sounds like a good day

[Hornseeker]

The sad part is that I'm not taking orders anymore    The best I can probably do is get you into one of my blemished bows that I built custom, then ended up getting a check in the wood or something...then hung it in the shop unfinished and built another for the guy... they are perfectly, 100% functional, but may have a cosmetic blem???

I'll PM ya back when i see what I have that might work.

THanks soooo much for the kind comments....

[Machias]

The sad part is that I'm not taking orders anymore   

 

[rasbo]

The sad part is that I'm not taking orders anymore    The best I can probably do is get you into one of my blemished bows that I built custom, then ended up getting a check in the wood or something...then hung it in the shop unfinished and built another for the guy... they are perfectly, 100% functional, but may have a cosmetic blem???

I'll PM ya back when i see what I have that might work.

THanks soooo much for the kind comments....

A blemish would fit my personality...whatever you decide would be fine with me,the craftman ship is still there..besides if ya cant find me one Im gonna steal Rays

[Hornseeker]

I bet I can find something here... If I cant... rest assured...there are a LOT of great Trad bows out there.....

Give me a couple weeks here.

[scoyoc5]

Hornseeker-
i might be in the market for one of your bows..can you keep me in mind after you help rasbo.
thanks, john

[rasbo]

I bet I can find something here... If I cant... rest assured...there are a LOT of great Trad bows out there.....

Give me a couple weeks here.

thank you sir...

[NWWABOWHNTR]

I love my Sapphire! 

[American Rattlesnake]

The sad part is that I'm not taking orders anymore   

Are you getting out of the business entirely, or if I am patient, can I look forward to sampling your artistry at some time in the future?

[Hornseeker]

It is quite possible I will not sell anymore bows after this year, and this year is completely booked. If I end up changing my mind, I will remember this thread and you guys that showed some interest.

Thanks!

[buckhorn2]

Add me to the list Ernie you make an awesome bow.

[Ray]

Here's a few observations on the Sapphire Hawk. Most of which make me like it.

The handle- It doesn't have one of those extreme pistol grip handles. It's got it's own but somehow it fits my small hands real well. I really like the fact that I can grip between my thumb and index finger all the around it with ease. I'm the sort of person who is fairly picky about handles on the bow. In fact I usually prefer a straight handle or a 50's style recurve. A lot of people are confused when they look at the handle but most are pleased when the shoot it and quickly discard any reservations they may have had regarding it's comfort and practicality. The riser is just large enough. Anything larger and I would likely have never made the purchase.

Shooting - Mine has absolutely no hand shock. It's a crisp and clean shooting bow that obviously generates a lot of energy for the arrows. It has a natural feel for shooting. One thing is that I have not been capable of mastering shots under 15 yards like I have with my other bows. Generally this bow shoots extremely flat out to 30 yards (or more but I don't shoot farther than that). Since the riser is not extremely wide I take a liking to shooting it in a style which is natural to me. For example, a lot of recurves have very wide risers which make target sight windows and acquisition of targets feel strange and less than natural for me.

Craftsmanship - Ernie pays attention to the details. The tips and laminations are well done. I chose black glass and might do so again if I was to get another.


As to not fulfilling any more orders - sorry to hear that. It's obvious you are gaining a base of potential customers though.

[rasbo]

gee Ray rub it in that thing is a flat shooter..everything you posted is a fact..I felt zero need to even think of another trad longbow for me...Ray has to many bows,he should part with that one..I feel a poll coming on

[boneaddict]

What he said.   

I'll add its the fastest Trad bow I have ever seen. 

[boneaddict]

.

[rasbo]

thats sweet bone,,,Im jonesing big time..

[Machias]

Well, I have a Sapphire Hawk that I would probably sell if anyone is interested.  It's not something I was going to put in the classifieds and if this is inappropriate I'll delete this thread, just let me know Mods.  I have always been left eye dominante and after getting my first Hawk from Ernie, a bow that is beautiful and sizzles, I decided to do it right and make the switch.  I had Ernie make me a new bow this year, with two sets of limbs and Left handed.  The transistion has been REALLY smooth and easy.  I was just going to keep the RH bow for my son, but he is really not showing much interest.  So if you guys are really wanting a Hawk, I have one I would part with.  It is 47# @ 28 inches.  If your interested shoot me a PM.

[scoyoc5]

is a persons draw length the same between compound and trad? 

[NWWABOWHNTR]

is a persons draw length the same between compound and trad? 

No.... it is possible but not always.  WHen I first started shooting trad my DL went down 1 inch... Since then I have changed my "form" and have increased my DL to an inch longer than with a compound....   Most people will lose DL because of shooting with fingers vice a release with a loop....

[buckhorn2]

Put me on the list Machias.

[Hornseeker]

Here's that bow...

[American Rattlesnake]

It is quite possible I will not sell anymore bows after this year, and this year is completely booked. If I end up changing my mind, I will remember this thread and you guys that showed some interest.

Thanks!

Thanks for the reply.   I've kept you in the back of my mind for the last two years, waiting for cash to "come available" if you know what I mean.    I'll give you a shout when it does and see what you're up to.

Thanks again, Ernie, and good luck.

[Ray]

That's a good photo Ernie. It shows the handle quite well. As I mentioned before I prefer the straight or 50's style recurve handles over pistol grip handles which are on many bows today.

The bottom photo below is what I don't like. In a photo the differences may seem subtle, but when shooting it is noticable for me. It's all a personal preference thing though.

[quadrafire]

One thing is that I have not been capable of mastering shots under 15 yards like I have with my other bows.

Ray, Why do you think that is? Just curious!

[Ray]

Well it's just me. It has nothing to do with the make of the bow. The problem likely stems from the fact that I own too many other bows which have different shooting characteristics. I have been unable to dedicate enough time to this one particular bow that's all.

[quadrafire]

Maybe arrow spine is off? Doesn't stabilize fast enough at that short distance? Do you find that you have to shoot different spines from differnt bows even with similar draw wt?

[Ray]

quadrafire,

I have not played too much with the arrow spine and arrows on that bow. It could be the arrow material (carbon). I don't really know for sure. In fact I might go try to shoot some port orford cedar through it at short range next time. I believe wood recovers faster than carbon and I have been shooting exclusively carbon out of that bow.

All of my bows with the exception of one are in the 55-60lb draw range. Now only one of those require differently spined shafts. That's the 67-70lb longbow.

[quadrafire]

I have not played too much with the arrow spine and arrows on that bow. It could be the arrow material (carbon). I don't really know for sure. In fact I might go try to shoot some port orford cedar through it at short range next time. I believe wood recovers faster than carbon and I have been shooting exclusively carbon out of that bow.

Interesting, Let me know. I really like the idea of shooting wood, but just don't know how practical it is. I see there is a DVD out on how to Make a footed shaft. I may look into that.

[Ray]

FWIW Rasbo didn't have any problems with shooting that bow. So I am more inclined to say it is a personal matter.

[rasbo]

close shots always feel weird as far as aiming point,for instinctive its just hard to lower the bow that low for the shot but that's all it is ..hope that made sense..

[Hornseeker]

That under 10 yd stuff does take some effort, but once you get it... its a cinch...