The Elite VL: This has become the trademark of the Blacktail line. VL which stands for "veneered limb" feature highly figured veneers of your choice applied over a standard tapered and laminated Bamboo core, then backed with clear glass for a stunning combination. The design over the last 9 years has proven indestructible. The limbs veneers can either match or contrast your riser selection. The veneered limb design creates a limb that has slightly better shooting characteristics than a standard 2 tapered core limb. It allows the use of beautiful woods with high figure and grain patterns that in themselves may not have had the best bending characteristics, physical weight or shooting qualities. The risers are built with a wide selection of exotic or domestic hardwoods from around the world.

Snakebit: This special edition bow is made with some of our planets most exotic woods. The main body of the riser is made with Snakewood from South America and "footed" with Gaboon Ebony from Africa. The limbs feature veneers of highly figured curly Myrtle "footed" with Snakewood over a laminated bamboo core. Myrtle is native only to the southern Oregon and northern California coast regions. The Snakebit bow is built in the same great design and superior craftsmanship that has become the trademark of the Blacktail line of custom bows. This bow is as functional as it is beautiful. It comes standard as shown with the footed riser footed limbs and bamboo limb core. It can also be finished in a high gloss upon request.

Footed Riser: Since it's introduction in 2001 it has become my most requested option. It features a combination of a main body wood and a "footing" that flair at each end of the riser. The combination of contrasting colors and sweeping curves make for a stunning and functional combination. The inlayed accenting between the mated surfaces has become a signature trademark to Blacktail Bows.

Footed Limb: This option was introduced new for 2004. It compliments the Footed riser by allowing the use of two different woods for the limb veneers. It has taken the veneered limb to whole new level.

Risers: The risers are extensively sculpted to eliminate blockiness. This serves to open up the beauty in the wood also trimming excessive weight. Standard risers feature a single piece of wood with two vertical laminated accent stripes. Footed risers feature a "flair" look with the main body of the riser joined with a complimenting or contrasting wood. All risers are then backed with 2 layers of fiberglass. The outer layer being clear over a veneer matching your chosen limb core. Every riser has an internal laminate buried inside the back portion that not only acts as a stiffener but also prevents cracking around the throat area of the grip especially with the use of today's higher performing string materials. All Blacktail risers are guaranteed for the life of the bow!

The grips are sculpted to fit your hand with a slight palm swell. There is a thumb and forefinger groove placed in conjunction with the arrow shelf so the arrow rides no more than 1/8" from your hand for optimal instinctive form. They are angled for proper and positive hand placement so that as you draw the bow most of the pressure is applied in the throat of the grip and the web of your hand. This encourages proper shooting form and eliminates bow torque. They are available in a medium or high wrist. Throat circumferences are generally 4 7/8" to 5 1/8" depending on the size of your hand.

The sight windows are cut 3/16" past center and 5" in height. The shelf and sight window are radiused for maximum clearance. The height of the radiuses both meet directly above the throat of the grip.

Limbs: When designing my limbs I have many requirements: smoothness; stability; performance, especially with heavy arrows; ultra quiet; accuracy; and durability. Through trial, error, and customer input I feel I have met those requirements and then some. They are constructed with your choice of veneers and tapered cores, and then backed with clear glass. They are 1 3/4" at the widest point tapering to 7/16" at the tip. They feature a gradual sweeping curve with just the right amount of preload. They are designed to facilitate a very low brace height (7-l/2" for a 62" bow length) to give them extreme smoothness and performance especially with heavy hunting arrows. They incorporate long gradual fadeouts or wedges to eliminate high stress areas and promote longevity.

Tip overlays are applied to both the back and belly of the limb. Back overlays are applied over accenting reinforcing bi-directional fiberglass and can be built with accent striping matching your riser or constructed plain with no striping. Belly overlays I consider a vital part of a proper functioning limb. There is a long shouldered groove where the string lays on the belly of the limb. This helps to prevent limb twist but also aids in the bows' accuracy by creating a consistent place for the string to fall after each shot. Nothing finishes a custom bow better than beautiful and detailed tip work.