EVALUATION: Stacey Archery 'Tom Thumb' Compound Bow by Dave Conrad
Ron Stacey teaches them right
Everyone in the archery industry knows that tomorrows archers are today’s
children. So what are the best ways to introduce young archers into
the world of archery and ultimately bowhunting? Start them out as
young as possible and see if a spark of interest is struck. Stacey
Archery has helped tweak the interest of my two youngest (age 4 and 5)
with their Tom Thumb II compound bow. To look at this bow in a picture
without a scale of reference you would swear it was an adult’s bow.
A CNC. machined aluminum riser accented with a real wood grip are features
quickly noticed on this pint sized beauty. Noticed I said machined
and not cast. Stacey believes in the quality of their products and
the Tom Thumb II shows their dedication. The riser as well as the
wheels and limb pockets are machined from solid blocks of 6061-T6 aluminum.
Not only are they machined but the risers are also anodized in 5 color
choices. My son’s came decked out in Mossy Oak Breakup Camo.
The Power Glass limbs continued the camo scheme which was complemented
with black limb pockets and wheels. Other color choices include red,
blue, green, black and purple.
The poundage of the Tom Thumb II adjusts over a ten pound range with
models starting as low as 10 to 20 pounds and moving up to a peak of 30
to 40. My five year old son Jacob had no problems pulling the minimum
draw weight on his 10 to 20 pound model. So after a couple volleys
we cranked the Tom Thumb up to 12 pounds for a couple more rounds before
we settled it in to fifteen. The Tom Thumb II also includes a five
inch draw range on its round wheel cams (3 models 16"-20", 18"-22", 21"-25")
or adjustable modules of 21-25” on the Speed Cam.
So you can see that the greatest feature about this bow is that as your
youngster grows so does the Tom Thumb II. Stacey will upgrade, for
a nominal fee, the cams as well as the string to increase the draw length
and poundage to keep in tune with your youngster.
What else does this little jewel have? How about a 65-70 letoff on either of the eccentrics, wheel or speed cam, offered by Stacey.
Strings as well as cables are manufactured from Fast Flite material and
the cables are steadied by a full length lockdown cable guard. Limb
pockets with rocker stud mounts that insure stability as well as alignment.
Stacey goes the extra mile stating that “Nothing on these bows is made
from plastic, pressed, stamped or cast. All parts on these little bows
are fully C.N.C. machined from the finest quality materials available today.”
This ensures the Tom Thumb II will provide your youngster with years of
enjoyment.
Tom Thumb II
The bow is a quality piece of equipment that Jacob can
hand down to his 7 month old brother in a couple of years. I know
this first hand as I have a friend, who of his six children, no less than
4 has started on the same Stacey youth bow.
With an overall length close to 30” and with a weight of just shy of
2 pounds little ones should have no problems supporting and steadying the
Tom Thumb II by its two piece wood grip. The grip of the bow seems
to become one as an arm extension. Jacob has no trouble whatsoever
placing four arrows in a block style target from 10 yards. An integrated
accessory that helps little finger placement on the string is a rubberized
finger release. It came installed on the bow and is one of several
accessories offered directly from Stacey. A great addition for tender
fingers and I highly recommend it as it also aids in finger placement.
The wheel cams allow for a smooth draw cycle and stops in a solid back
wall. The high letoff enables little ones to comfortably hold at
full draw while learning the basics of aiming. The Tom Thumb II riser
adds 3/16” more clearance in the arrow rest cutaway enabling a wide array
of rests to be used. Although my sons bow came equipped with a fixed
side mount rest. The bow also features a removable shelf guard which
is an added safety feature. It will protect the little shooters and
keep the arrow on the shelf during the draw cycle is the arrow happens
to fall from the rest.
Upon arrival all I needed to do was attach a sight, make up some arrows
and begin the lessons. Stacey can equip the Tom Thumb II to be ready
for shooting upon shipment with all the necessary accessories available
from the website.
Design 5 of 5 The bow resembles an adult model machined from high quality 6061-T6
aluminum. Machined limb cups and cams complete the precision engineered
product. The Tom Thumb II is designed to grow with your child enabling
them years of quality shooting experiences.
Quality 5 of 5 No corners are cut as this bow is made from the best materials available.
No plastic or cheap imitation materials are used in the manufacture of
the best youth bow available on the market.
Price 5 of 5 For well under $200.00 your child will have a bow that enables them
to learn and grow in a great sport. Compared to an adult bow with
the same qualities this bow is a steal.
Conclusion I have never had the pleasure of evaluating a better product. Watching the expressions on my son’s face and the enthusiasm as he learns the sport with this great tool makes me proud.
Specifications: Axle Length - 30"
Overall Weight - 1.9 lbs.
Brace Height - 5 3/4"
Draw Weight - 10 to 40 lbs. in 10 lb. increments
Draw Length - 16" to 20", 18" to 22", 21" to 25" (wheels or baby speed cams with 21" to 25" draw length modules)
Let-Off - 65% to 70%
