Howdy folks,

Took a flyer on this bow on the auction site after reading through some Shakespeare history on the invaluable vintagearchery.org and shakespearearchery.blogspot.com sites.

What I knew about Shakespeare was that he was a poet and playwright and also made fishing gear.
Turns out Ernie Root designed a lot of their bows - including this one, an x27 Kaibab made in 1966. (formerly the Root Brushmaster).

A former owner had the good sense to merely tape on his target sights rather than drill holes in a nice piece of wood like this so all I had to do was peel the tape and remove the remaining goo.

A little hair dryer heat, citrus solv and a magic eraser and she cleaned up really nicely.  Nearly pristine with two minor stress lines.  Haven't shot it yet but the limbs are straight - I expect it will be a nice shooter.

Gorgeous zebrawood i-beam.  Really like that olive green glass too.

Jack

very nice!

That is a great looking bow!

That cleaned up real nice. Looks to be in great shape. Good luck with her.

These are under rated bows. I have been looking for one in good condition. The 58" 40#er. Had a 45#er that shot great and fast. Sold it , as I'm reducing my pull weight.

It's still early yet but fit and finish, beauty and quality of wood are comparable to Bear of the period.
This is an Ernie Root design so the bar is set pretty high on my expectations.

Should warm up tomorrow enough to bring it out so I'll report back afterwards.

J

I'm with Murph60 - the Kaibab and Ocala are surprisingly sweet shooting bows.  They ten to have a shelf that an aircraft carrier could fit on - but mine shoot outstanding off a feather rest.

Quote from: TBinMN on January 22, 2022, 01:09:46 PM
They ten to have a shelf that an aircraft carrier could fit on - but mine shoot outstanding off a feather rest.

That's a fact.

The Kaibab (top) and below my Tioga.

Nice bow...I have owned a few...

Just a small clarification...the Kaibab did not actually replace the Root Brushmaster...they were both made at the same time because Root Archery built and marketed both the Kaibab and the Brushmaster.
Also, the design and limb design of the Brushmaster was different than the Kaibab.

Here's one I own...
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Wow! Beautiful bow. Bet it shoots darts

It will as long as I do!!

Root Brushmaster 57" [early 60s I am informed] and S-Proline Osprey 54" [1972]
I have owned a few Kaibabs and remember they shot really well .
Unfortunately I my form  struggles with shorter lengths and may have to let these go soon.