Black Thunder Longbow
#1
Thread Starter
Nontypical Buck
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,097
Likes: 0
From: Goose Creek SC
I recently had this line of bows recommended to me by a frequent visitor to this forum. I kept my eye out for a used one. Then last week I found one that had been advertised on Delores Farmers' webpage' s classifieds last July.
I figured it was long since gone, but I sent a reply just in case. The response back floored me. It was still for sale, the fella would ship it to me to evaluate it, if I liked it I would send him a check for $200, if I didn' t I would ship it back to him. To make a long story short, I am sending him a check for $200 and I have my Crusader for sale now!
Since I can' t afford two bows and the Black Thunder fits my shooting style much better, is quicker and just a tad bit quieter, believe it or not, I am going with the Black Thunder. For the first time since I switched to trad bows, Saturday afternoon I was routinely hitting where I was looking at 20 yards with the bow. It took about an hour and a half to get brace height, knock point height and arrow length to the right combination. But once I did, it shoots darts, it shoots straight, and it shoots where I' m looking!
And to top it off, it has absolutely the best finish I have seen on a bow. It is so pretty it almost makes me want to hang it on the wall and just look at it. but it shoots to well to do that!!
Bil
I figured it was long since gone, but I sent a reply just in case. The response back floored me. It was still for sale, the fella would ship it to me to evaluate it, if I liked it I would send him a check for $200, if I didn' t I would ship it back to him. To make a long story short, I am sending him a check for $200 and I have my Crusader for sale now!
Since I can' t afford two bows and the Black Thunder fits my shooting style much better, is quicker and just a tad bit quieter, believe it or not, I am going with the Black Thunder. For the first time since I switched to trad bows, Saturday afternoon I was routinely hitting where I was looking at 20 yards with the bow. It took about an hour and a half to get brace height, knock point height and arrow length to the right combination. But once I did, it shoots darts, it shoots straight, and it shoots where I' m looking!
And to top it off, it has absolutely the best finish I have seen on a bow. It is so pretty it almost makes me want to hang it on the wall and just look at it. but it shoots to well to do that!!
Bil
#4
Nontypical Buck
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,164
Likes: 0
From: Moravia NY USA
I sold Bill the Black Thunder built by Dick VanMarter is Syr Ny. Dick has placed 3rd @ the IBO Triple Crown the last 2 years. Bill Leslie came within a whisker of beating Kieth Baine with a BT at the worlds. I am talking to Dick about a new one for the upcoming season.
Dick is a part-timer (as are many) but his workmanship and attention to detail are as good as any. Call him at 315.476.6439
Thanks
Steve
Dick is a part-timer (as are many) but his workmanship and attention to detail are as good as any. Call him at 315.476.6439
Thanks
Steve
#5
Thread Starter
Nontypical Buck
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,097
Likes: 0
From: Goose Creek SC
Mike,
It' s 53#@28" and a 62" , DF/RF bow. Beautiful cocobolo riser and accents and yew lams.
I' m shooting Blackhawk 3000 Vaportrail Carbonwood arrows out of it. It took a little bit of playing with it, but it is dialed in and shooting great.
The thing that really makes the difference for me on the bow is the grip. It is smaller than the grip on the Crusader and is more of a pistol type grip. I don' t have overly small hands, but the size just feels better, if you know what I mean.
Bill
It' s 53#@28" and a 62" , DF/RF bow. Beautiful cocobolo riser and accents and yew lams.
I' m shooting Blackhawk 3000 Vaportrail Carbonwood arrows out of it. It took a little bit of playing with it, but it is dialed in and shooting great.
The thing that really makes the difference for me on the bow is the grip. It is smaller than the grip on the Crusader and is more of a pistol type grip. I don' t have overly small hands, but the size just feels better, if you know what I mean.
Bill
#9
Thread Starter
Nontypical Buck
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,097
Likes: 0
From: Goose Creek SC
More photos can be seen at the following site. Shows grain of cocobolo better.
http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/lamb1647/...ongbow&.view=t
After a little closer observation of the bow while taking the additional pics, I noticed that the limbs actually have two different lam materials in them. There is a reddish, reverse tapered lam in the center (yew(?)), and two lams of tapered bamboo on the back and belly sandwiched around the reverse tapered lam. This is a design I have read about and have been thinking about using when I start building bows, but it' s the first time I have actually seen it.
Bil
http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/lamb1647/...ongbow&.view=t
After a little closer observation of the bow while taking the additional pics, I noticed that the limbs actually have two different lam materials in them. There is a reddish, reverse tapered lam in the center (yew(?)), and two lams of tapered bamboo on the back and belly sandwiched around the reverse tapered lam. This is a design I have read about and have been thinking about using when I start building bows, but it' s the first time I have actually seen it.
Bil
#10
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 464
Likes: 0
From: Windsor Locks CT USA
Wow, these pictures are even better. This must be a looker in person!!!!! Now you know you may be labeled an axis of evil for tempting me with another bow

I really like that riser/handle style. That' s why I like the Crusader and Selway. Must.... not.....call... Black..................Thunder......help me, .............Scotty beam me up..................need more..........power....ahhhhhhh


I really like that riser/handle style. That' s why I like the Crusader and Selway. Must.... not.....call... Black..................Thunder......help me, .............Scotty beam me up..................need more..........power....ahhhhhhh


