My trade bow... I think. Please help me decide!

[Matt S.]

I think I may have a winner here, but I'm also constantly second guessing myself. Any advice or opinions welcome!

This bow is an asymmetrical D-bow, similar in layout to the "Yew Longbow" in the first TBB. It is about 73" ttt and about 71" ntn.
The bow pulls right around 42# at the recipient's draw length, which is a couple of pounds light. I always struggle when making bows for other people because I get so worried about it being perfect or breaking, I think I need bowyer counseling 

This is about 2-3 inches short of recipient's full draw. The tiller looks a bit off but that may be because the bow is slightly canted to the side and I'm using the wrong hand to pull the string!


Another almost-full-draw photo.


Never mind my goofy face in this photo.




Here's one tip, a bighorn sheep ram.


The other tip.


Another shot (it looks hairy or dirty in these photos, ugh)


And a detail shot of the leather handle.


I have some more photos but these ones came out the best.

So what do you think, should I mail it or not? I probably have enough time for one more attempt before the deadline.

[half eye]

Matt,
     fine looking specimen ya got there. Love the carved tip fineals and the grip detail. Way back when this started I made a comment about how talented ya new bowyers were......just proves my point. It looks like you spent a lot of time and talent on it.....I'd ship it
rich

[Lee Slikkers]

Matt, 3 thumbs up!  Absolutely love the carved Rams...I was thinking about carving on my nocks as well but now I have to wait a couple months    I know I'd be a happy man if that showed up at my door.  Wrap it and ship it!

[PEARL DRUMS]

Ship it!

[BowJunkie]

Matt, That bow looks good. I would hunt with it. If you need Bowyer counseling,, you came to the right place.
Building more bows wills also boot that confidence.
By the way,, What kind of wood is that?


Johnny

[hammertime]

I like it, those tips are awesome,defiantly unique,great work-Hammertime

[Almostpighunter]

Love the carved tips! Great looking bow. Anyone would be happy to receive that beauty!

[soy]

What more can be said the carvings are a great touch...ship it!!!

[RyanY]

Those carved tips are an amazing touch. I think the tiller looks pretty good. I'd be super happy with that bow even if it came in a little light.

[John W. Cooper]

Great carvings!  (hairy or not! )  That really sets your bow off.  I'd say be happy with it and stick it in the mail.  On your next asymmetrical bow, maybe make the inside 1/3rd on the bottom limb do more bending.  My eye might be playing tricks on me, though so let someone else add their $0.02.

~John

[tetaxidermy]

Cool tips man, like the others said ship it.

[johnston]

Matt remember that opinions vary on most things. For instance I am just not sure if you should send this beauty by USPS or UPS.

The grip is my favorite stand-out feature but the whole thing is very nice.

Lane

[Del the cat]

Not much wrong with that.
If you really want fussy criticism I'd say the lower lower limb was bending a whisker hard middle third and it could do to bend a whisker harder in the third near the grip...
But now't wrong with it... ship that bow.
Yeah and for pities sake tell us what wood it is Elm? Oak?
Del

[Matt S.]

I'm feeling a lot better about this after reading through each response. Thanks for the kind words everyone!

The wood is red oak with red oak tip overlays (the rams).

And I do appreciate fussy criticism (or would that be furry criticism ). How else can you improve without knowing what to work on?

[jonathan creason]

If you decide not to send it I happen to know a guy in NC that shoots lefty and is always willing to give a bow a new home. 

That's a very nice bow, Matt.  I'm sure your recipient will be very happy.