I think that John Strunk is one of the most talented and versitile self-bowyers in the world. John makes bows from, yew, osage, hickory, hawthorne, cascara, hazelnut, vine maple, ocean spray, and more. He can make highly refined bows as well as bows with every kind of twist, lumps, bumps, knots and in some cases little branches sticking out the back, and they all shoot very well.
In Japan there is a designation for very highly gifted artists; Living National Treasure. In my mind John is one of our Living Traditional Treasures.
i bought my first selfbow from john in 1987.it's a osage flatbow,cherrybark backed.john's work inspired me to take up the craft myself. he is a MASTER bowyer and as nice a fella as you'll ever meet.
I agree, John is a master at the craft. I feel fortunate to have met him and his wife Pat. His creativity never ceases to amaze me. Just the other night at the archery shop where several of us get together to shoot each week, Gordon Ferlitch was telling me about a couple of bows that John just made that were truely unique. I haven't seen the bows but I did see the yew billet that one of the bows was fashioned from and I'm amazed that anyone could make a bow from a set of billet that wavey. I'll leave it to Gordon to describe what he saw. John's work really sets the standard IMO.
Terry
How about posting pictures of John's bows.
I for one would love to see them.
the more the better :bigsmyl:
Here are a few images. I would like to see pictures of other Strunk bows too.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v383/ghostbow/104-0416_IMG.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v383/ghostbow/104-0415_IMG.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v383/ghostbow/102-0215_IMG.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v383/ghostbow/102-0214_IMG.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v383/ghostbow/100-0006_IMG.jpg)
Mr Strunk makes beautiful bows. He's a master. Jawge
Here is John with a cool looking yew bow, and a few of his twig bows.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v383/ghostbow/SLI014.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v383/ghostbow/HPIM0037.jpg)
NICE,,, drool!
Always love googlein' John's bows.
John has been a big influence on many of us here , he definatley has left a mark on the history of archery. John and his wife Pat have traveled far and wide spreading the love of the bow and arrow.
No finer person around and yes a true craftsman.
I have one of those twig bows. It is about as big around as a broom stick, has all the bark left on, and shoots like a dream; quiet, smooth and good speed. It is made out of ocean spray. Not the kind of bow you would want to lean on the side of a tree and walk away. You may not be able to find it again!
He,and Ed Scott,are 2 of the main reasons,i go to the Trad Expo.They are a huge inspiration for me,and i just like visitin with em.
Very nice!
I think we have a amazing number of talented self bowyers that hang around here.
Just to name the first few that come to mind. I admire the bows of Ferret, NorthshoreLB, Dano, Osagetree, George Tsoukalas, Eric Krewson, Gordon F., and many more....
:notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy:
Jeff, John is one of the most important progenators of the selfbow revival. It is true that we have some very talented bowyers that contribute to TG, and I imagine many of them were inspired by John.
Many years from now, when people look back at this period in traditional archery, John Strunk will be a revered name. His contributions to the Traditional Bowyers Bible is another example of his place in what will be the history of our passion.
Strunk is as nice a human being as he is a bowyer.
ttt
If you want to learn from the master himself, John still has a couple of openings in his class that is held during the upcoming Traditional Bowhunters Expo West here in Boise , March 1,2,3&4. Give John a call at 503-842-4944 for more information.
Beautifull bows !!...any more pictures ? never get enougth of it :bigsmyl:
I still think one of the prettiest bows I ever saw was a John Strunk sturgeon-backed longbow....wow was that thing gorgeous!!!!!!!!!
Bob,
Next time you see John check out the ultra-wavy yew bow that he recently built. It will take your breath away - only a master could tiller something like that and make it look so elegant.
I ran into John the other day while he was teaching a class in town. It had been awhile since I last looked at some of his bows and I was starting to feel pretty good about my abilities. Well, after admiring some of his latest creations (including the wavy yew) I came crashing back to earth and realized I don't know nothing compared to him.
how much do those bows cost???
I don't know. John had this little hawthrone sapling bow - 62" ntn, about 60#, slight bend through the handle, with some little branches still sticking out the back. He mentioned it was for sale and if it wasn't for the fact it was only tillered for 26" I would have paid him whatever he wanted.
Hi Gordon,
I know about those hawthorne bows. I will have to ask Pat to take a pictuce of the yew bow and send it to me.
Buck-tamer, John is listed of Dolores Farmers Bowyers list as Spirit Longbows. He does not have a website but you will get his phone number.
I wish someone would post a picture of his yew bow - something as special as that really deserves to be shared with the rest of the community.
Here are some pictures of my 56" Yew Spirit Bow. Backed with stergion skin.
Rusty
(http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j299/grizbait/Strunk2.jpg)
(http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j299/grizbait/Strunk1.jpg)
Very nice, Rusty!
Gordon, I spoke with John this morning and he is going to send me some pictures of this amazing yew bow, which I will post. I am happy to report that it is too light for me. :saywhat:
Excellent, thank you Bob!
You all are in for a real treat!