The Root Game Master

The Root Game Master - 

"The Butcher Block" 

by Larry Vienneau

 

I have been planning to write this post for a very long time. The Root Game Master is, without a doubt, one of Ernie Root's most remarkable designs. The use of the Butcher Block style laminations was strikingly beautiful, and this model is often called The “Butcher Block” Root. I have had problems finding online references for this bow that go beyond its physical appearance.  However, I have the pleasure of owning a Root Brush Master and Field Master. Both of these two bows have strong similarities to the Game Master and I feel confident now that I can write a post that will do justice to this uniquely handsome bow.

Ernie Root began making bows in the mid-1950s in the basement of his Chicago home. Within a few short years, his company grew to become one of the largest manufacturers of archery bows in the country. 

Ernie Root taught Bob Bitner ( second on left with Root Game King) to shoot properly. He won multiple national championships shooting Root bows. In 1967 He became the first person to shoot a perfect score, he shot with Ernie Root and Phil Grable Golden Eagle Bow

The Game Master was one of his earliest bows and it evolved as his company evolved. It started out as a fairly simple straight profiled recurve bow with alternating laminations and ended with “internally stabilized” wood and resin composite construction. The last Game Master was a 1969 bow with a “Root by Shakespeare” decal which signaled the merger of Root Archery with Shakespeare. 

Joe Zoppa's early 1950s Game Master with woven fiberglass

early Game Master with stamped serial numbers

late 1950s Game master with woven fiberglass

 All of the bows in the Shakespeare archery line were based on Root bows. For example, The Root Warrior became the Necedah X26  in 1964 as a 55” bow, The Root Brush Master became the Kaibab X27, the Root Field Master, and also the Root Game Master would become the Ocala X17. The Kaibab 56” AMO and Ocala 60” AMO are very similar and so are the Game Master 62 AMO, Field Master 66” AMO, and Brush Master 56” AMO. The main differences are the length of the limbs. Root bows are longer-limbed and are great shooters for a taller archer. Shakespeare bows have shorter but wider limbs and are also good shooters for taller archers. Ernie Root started as a tournament archer and therefore preferred longer limbs. Shakespeare was catering to the 1960s trend toward shorter hunting bows. However, if you placed these Root and Shakespeare bows together you can easily see the resemblance. 

Comparison of Root Game Master, Field Master, Brush Master, Shakespeare Ocala X17, and Kaibab 27

Joe Zoppa 1968 Game master X132

Lewis Kent's 1968-69 "Root By Shakespeare" Game master X132

When I looked online for opinions about the Game Master, I found nothing but praise for this bow. Often, I found posts lamenting the fact that they had sold their Game Masters to buy the earliest compound bows. All wished they had their Game Master back. The owners of the Butcher Block Game Master lovingly hoard their bows so needless to say, they rarely show up in auctions. I have never shot the Game Master, but I do own a 1957 Field Master and a 1968 Brush Master. My 1957 Field Master is in outstanding condition and shoots as well today as it did when it was made 57 years ago. The 1968 Brush Master is in near-perfect condition, and it was dead on with my very first shot. Lewis Kent has won two Game Master bows, one a "butcher block" and the other a "Root by Shakespeare" There is a world of difference between looking at these bows as a digital image and holding one in hand. And, as usual, I am jealous of Lewie's bows!!!

The Game Master is a masterful example of Ernie Root's design. I look forward to finding a left-handed Butcher Block someday.

Lewis Kent's Beautiful "butcher block" Game Master

1956? -1969 Root Game Master

·         AMO 62”

·         Weight: 30- 60 Lbs.

·         Brace height 8 inch

·         Riser: 1956-60 leather wrap. Serial number, length, and weight stamped on the riser.

·         1961-67 assorted laminations of exotic and domestic hardwoods. (1965 solid Bubinga)

·         1968-69 Phenolic resin with hardwood

·         Limbs: 1956-63 1 ¾ after 1964 2 inch

·         Fiberglass: early woven, after 1963 parallel

·         laminated tip overlays

a fine example of the Butcher Block with unusual arrow rest and strike plate

TradGang.com "reddogge" perfect Game Master.

Aaron Brill's Game Master

Edward Campbell's butcherblock

my Lefty 1970 Game Master X132

Update: 2/19/23

I finally have a Root Game Master "Butcher Block" recurve, 45# and it is in nearly perfect condition. the only thing I did was add a feather rest and arrow strike. I took it out today and discovered that it was a very fast bow, casting arrows higher than other bows of the period. After becoming used to the bow I was able to get consistent fist-sized groups at 40 yards, 30 yards, and 20 yards. 

My 1967 Root Game Master "Butcher Block" 45# beauty

 I want to thank Lewis Kent, Joe Zoppa, and Reddogge for their help and for letting me use their bows and photos. If you have any information to add or corrections, please comment. As usual, thanks to Larry Root, Rick Rappe, and George Stout, they have forgotten more information than I will ever know!!!

© Copyright, Larry Vienneau Jr.

All rights reserved.