VINTAGE SHAKESPEARE / ROOT ARCHERY: Shakespeare Graduate X6

Monday, August 8, 2016

Shakespeare Graduate X6

Shakespeare’s Last Bow

Ernie Root had been crafting and designing Shakespeare Bows since 1959. In 1969, Root Archery and Shakespeare Archery joined forces, with Shakespeare acquiring the Root factory and Mr. Root assuming the role of consultant and production manager. However, in 1972, Shakespeare made the decision to relocate their Archery division from Kalamazoo, MI to Columbia, SC, a move that Mr. Root disagreed with. As a result, Shakespeare proceeded without Ernie Root, which ultimately led to a decline in both quality and production.

The Graduate X6 bow is just one of the exceptional designs created by the remarkable bowyer, Owen Jeffery. In fact, Mr. Jeffery was brought on as President of Shakespeare Archery to revitalize the brand, thanks to his inventiveness and talent. Before his time at Shakespeare, he served as Master Bowyer and Vice-President at Bear Archery, where he managed to double their production. Despite his best efforts, however, poor corporate decisions ultimately led to the closure of the Shakespeare Archery Division. Fortunately, Mr. Jeffery was able to salvage all of the equipment and began his own venture, Jeffery Archery, in 1976. Today, Jeffery Archery remains the last remaining vestige of the once-great Shakespeare/Root archery legacy.

1975 Magazine Ad with Purist X4 and Graduate X6

The Graduate X6 was the sister bow to the Shakespeare Purist X4.

Kevin Sperber‎'s matched set X-4 X-6 with original paperwork..lefty too

The Graduate X6 was one of the last models made by Shakespeare in 1975. It only appears in the 1975 catalog which describes this bow as an economy tournament bow. It is nearly indistinguishable from the Purest X4 however it has no tip overlay and uses natural exotic wood rather than Blue Wonderwood. The Purist also came with a flipper-style rest and the Graduate had a rug rest.