Dark Shadow ASL Longbows

808trad · August 25, 2024, 04:04:32 PM

Does anyone have any experience with Dark Shadow ASL Longbows and have any contact info for the company? I met Mike Nelson, the bowyer at the Compton Rendezvous this year but lost his contact info. Any help will be appreciated.

Michigan BEAR · August 28, 2024, 08:57:51 PM

Mike makes great bows at a very affordable price with a fast turnaround. I'll be picking up my 2 piece custom from him this weekend. Mike's # (231)920-5541.

Undomesticated · August 29, 2024, 12:20:03 PM

Where does one see these bows?

Michigan BEAR · August 29, 2024, 02:11:26 PM

Mike isn't computer savvy, so he has nothing online. He'll get a booth at the big shoots in Michigan and he plans on being at the K-Zoo expo. If you call him he'd probably be more than happy to text you some pics of his bows. What I noticed from the bow I shot of his is how quiet it was with very little to no hand shock. I'll be picking mine up from him tomorrow. Can't wait.

Michigan BEAR · August 29, 2024, 02:15:17 PM

BTW it's the best price on a custom I've paid by far.

808trad · September 02, 2024, 09:46:00 PM

Thanks for the input Michigan Bear. I was able to speak with Mike. Great guy and great prices on ASLs. Good place to start if you want to get into ASLs. My son is saving up his money to buy one. he fell in love with his bows at the Compton Rendezvous.

ehartunian · September 29, 2024, 09:06:50 AM

Did you ever wind up getting one of these bows? I'm really interested but there isn't a whisper about them online other than this single thread. The only way I found out about Darkshadow was seeing their sigh in the background of a video from Compton.
Thanks,
Eric

808trad · September 29, 2024, 12:35:02 PM

My son still hasn't pulled the trigger yet. He just got his first job at age 16 and is slowly saving his pennies. I did speak to Mike on the phone and he texted me photos of a recent build. When we do make the order it will be for a takedown version with a G10 riser. His turn around is approximately 6-8 weeks or shorter. Hopefully we'll have one in hand by next year.

ehartunian · October 01, 2024, 09:51:16 PM

Well, I spoke with Mike a couple times the past couple days and placed an order. I'll certainly post a pic of the bow when I receive it. Can't wait!

808trad · October 02, 2024, 02:22:37 AM

We'll be looking forward to the pics. Thanks!

ehartunian · October 20, 2024, 05:58:50 PM

Well, I'm happy to report that I received my bow from Mike. This must be a record for a custom order- 18 days from order to my door! I can say the bow is really nice. The finish doesn't have any flaws to my eye. It has zero hand shock, though I'm I am still working out arrows- the arrows I thought would work are too weak spined. Regardless, if you are in the market for a asl style bow, call Mike- you won't be disappointed.
Specs- 40@26", one piece, bamboo cores, green glass on the back, caramel on the belly, Osage riser.

Sant-Ravenhill · October 20, 2024, 09:16:11 PM

Congratulations...

808trad · October 20, 2024, 10:09:14 PM

Looks great! Looking forward to hear how it shoots!

Tim Reese · November 03, 2024, 06:57:27 AM

18 days !!!! Holy cow. That is amazing. I always thought Craig was fast but man that's insane.

Gil Verwey · November 03, 2024, 09:57:11 AM

As soon as I sell some stuff I will be ordering one. There was one on another site up for sale used, but it was deleted quickly. It looked nice and the person that had it I know and he usually has good bows.

trad_hunter · November 09, 2024, 11:44:23 PM

I've owned allot of ASL bows and I've yet to find any bow out of all of the top ones being made that shoot as good as a Dark Shadow and a Redtail.

Mike does amazing work, I got mine 2 weeks ago instantly ordered another and have taken two bucks with mine since getting it 10/28/24.

Mine is 40@29" 68" gray glass belly, black glass back, shesua/zebra wood riser with bamboo cores.

I have a Osage dymondwood 68" 45@30 maple cores with green glass back and gray glass belly coming when it's done.

Mikes bow has the most amazing Hill Style grip and his shelf is the best there is hands down.

The bows are super smooth, fast, quiet, and dead in the hand. Mine points amazing and is super easy to tune and very very forgiving compared to many others I've owned. His limb tips, string grooves, riser fades, glue lines, trapping, and finish are excellent on the one I have.

I cannot speak about how great it is.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=vLco-HVkY7Y&feature=youtu.be

trad_hunter · November 09, 2024, 11:46:07 PM

Here is pictures of the two bucks I've taken with my Dark Shadow.

Mine love black eagle instinct arrows.

trad_hunter · November 09, 2024, 11:46:53 PM

Another picture

trad_hunter · November 09, 2024, 11:47:49 PM

And one more picture.

Guss · November 10, 2024, 12:37:49 PM

Congrats on the bow and deer..!! Let's see some pics of the shelf, grip and the tips..!!

Thanks, Jr.