I've been seeing alot of trades going on here at the Gang and was wondering if any selfbowyers or any bowyers period here would be interested in building a bow and getting in the list and drawing names to see who sends a bow to who Kinda like they do the knife trade and the arrow trade that was done recently.
I was thinking maybe...
#1 Build a bow between the 40# to 60# range at an average draw of 28"
#2 enter in the post that you are in.
#3 Draw names at the end of three months from the date the post starts. and post the list with who's sending to who and swap some home built bows.
Any Skill level welcome
What do you guys think. Would there be enough guys interested in doing this to make it worth while.
If So I will head up the post right here in the bowyers bench and draw the names and post the list at the end of the given time period
Any suggestions Or Yays or Nays?
Ive thought about that for a long time. Maybee you can have a value estimation minimum so you kinda get what you give type thing.
Yeah mater I was Kinda thinkin the same thing but did not want to exclude anyone, I was thinking selfbows and board bows but didn't want to leave the fibrerglass guys out.
Some of the selfbows I've seen are just as nice as the glass bows and vice versa.
I would say that anybody that wanted in would just have to give it there best and build a shootable bow and leave it at that and hope nobody would send a crapper.
I guess we could do it like the bow classifieds and nobody with a less than trad bowhunter rating just to kinda verify that the entries are genuine Tradgangers
it sounds like fun, but it wouldn't be fair for me to send my humble selfbows and get something super nice in return. From what I have seen, a selfbow's average sale price is much lower. Don't get me wrong, I put my very best in each bow, but materials, tools, and most of all experience are not yet developed to the levels of some bowyers. There is also a liability issue as well. I have a bow right now that I have thought about doing this with. I would do it if it goes down though. I will be watching.
I would be up for it also but it is not practical for me now ; out of work and haven't built a bow in a year.
My take on a swap...I never consider monetary value when I trade. If you like the trade and I like the trade, the trade is good! On PA each year we have a Christmas Trade. Each participant puts their name in the pot and each gets a recipient from that group. The only stipulation is it must be hand made. Some folks send bows, some arrows or an arrow, some leather work, knives, etc. Some guys that are just starting out are ashamed to try to enter but if you think of it as the spirit of giving(and not the receiving) everyone ends up happy. It has worked very well for a few years and will continue to with more and more participants each year.
If I were to participate I would prefer it be selfbows. I have no problem with glass bows but it seems like oranges to apples if the two are mixed.
I love the idea. Just the motivation I need to finish a couple of projects AND they won't be cluttering up the Man Cave.
I sure hope there is some kind of organized person out there.
I have been making bows for about 10 years but was a hack until I got onto this forum in December. I have a r/d design that I am applying all the tricks I learned here. That bow is intended to go to a young man who helped me in my shop, helped us move, glued tips on arrows at events. He is now a machine gunner on top of a Stryker in Afganistan. I have not figured out the shipping process yet. Heard it is tough to get them home through customs so the bow will likely get passed on over there. Just a thought for an excuse to make bows. Guess I have been hanging out at the VA hospital alot lately.
Mike W.
I'm in. 48# @ 27" please :)
i'm in. don't have a bow to send right now, but something tells me i can get one built in 3 months.
I would love to be a part of this. Good incentive for us new selfbowyers to really take care and put a lot of thought into the process. Not sure if I will do a stave or board bow, but will give it my best.
I would be happy with anything that I get from a fellow Ganger and think it should be up to the individual if they want to be included, irrespective of the style of bow they build, jmho.
I don't think I will join this one but am looking forward to everyones contributions coming up in photos...maybe I will learn a thing or two and be able to build a decent bow soon.
I like the idea the bows i have built are not much for lookers but they are shootable. Maybe do a rookie to rookie/pro to pro type trade. I have no where near the building experience as most do here. Just an idea.
John, I like your attitude!
Why stop at bows, You could collect bows, arrows, flint points, knives,etc, leather goods ( quiver , etc ) or leather, anything traditional and handmade. Then have drawings for each of the goods you have on hand. Notify the winner and if they decline the offer draw again.??
I agree with Pat B 100% on the monetary thing. Don't matter to me. I am not a bowyer of the caliber of some of these fellers but I am confident I can build a fine shooter.
I Also Agree with the selfbow and glass bow thing. Maybe we could split it up and the self bow guys can swap with other selfbow guys and the glass bow guys with glass bow guys. I particularly don't care wether I get a self bow or glass, I love'em all
I also think it would be a good Idea to maybe stretch it out on a four or five month line to give whomever plenty of time to build a bow and have it ready. This would still give every one a month or two to shoot and tune for season.
DVSHUNTER.. If anybody would be worried about liability we can throw a disclaimer in the rules and everybody that trades would would take it upon themselves to use sound judgment in shooting the bow they recieve and in no way be able to hold any one liable for an accident.
Pat B..
I've seen some of your bows on here and we can't let you slip out of this thing if it goes. I'll send you a good stave if I have to. Some lucky feller would be missing out on a heck of a bow if you miss out
Give any feedback and voice any ideas that would help on this and if you are interested So far theres about ten guys who give a Yay.
i'd sure like one of pat's bows. always wanted an all wood bow
Two years ago we organize a bow exchange here,and it went well.It will be alot of work putting it together for someone,but well worth it.We had at the time about 15 guys participate,and having an odd # was alittle problem,it worked out in the end.Also the time span needed adjusting for some.One of the criterion was to post a pic of the bow you received and only positive criticism.Hope it gets a go.Frank
Frank,
I like the the pic posting
I also think that 10 or fifteen guys would be worth it.
I just thought it was a good Idea and would be fun to swap some bows that the Gang made.
Kris you might want to post this on Pow wow and see what kind of response you get.Then you need to consider bow poundage,type,that everyone is considering to make and match it all up via email.Keep all informed and give each guy an address to mail the bow to.Comunication is one of the most important factors to monitor progress of the builds.It will work and very rewarding for all. I will be in when and if this takes off.
I'm in keep all of us informed
I'd be interested, Kris, given the proper arrangements. Good suggestion.
Kris, a stave is no problem. I have a basement full. The time line you suggest makes it more possible for me. I need to get back into building bows again anyway. I really miss it.
As far as glass or selfbows I prefer selfbows. I have a Jeffery's custom recurve and a Treadway custom long bow I haven't shot in years.
Posting pics after you have received it is the way to go. That's the way we do our Christmas Trade on PA. The surprise is the fun part.
I generally build all my bows for myself; that is for my hunting weight. Anywhere from 45# to 60#. If everyone that participates will list a bow weight at a specific draw length they prefer then the one building their bow can make it close to their specs.
Also, if someone is worried about liability, an exchange is probably not for you. The K.I.S.S rule works best for these types of trades. Things can get way too complicated if allowed then all the fun is eliminated. It should be about trust and giving.
that sounds good Great Pat,
I think if we list the weight we like in a 10# range would be good. I was thinking about drawing at the end of the time frame but I guess either way would work. On the weight restrictions I was thinking of keeping at a minimum of legal hunting weight so doing it first and listing the weight we like would probably be great
I think we have enough interest,
I will head this up and post with the rules in a few days and we will get this started.
Everybody will know who they are gonna build for but the guy you are gonna send to won't know who he is getting from until he gets the bow. That way pics can be posted through out the build if any body needs any advice or tiller critique and the suprise won't be ruined for the recipient.
I got a real nice piece of Osage picked out for this, It's gonna be fun ain't it :D
I just participated in a swap of native american style flutes.The whole idea of that swap was random matchups and trade info.If someone felt they were matched with someone who needed guidance,or may have some to offer,this would promote learning and give the chance to meet other builders.some people got valuable,professional items,some got an opportunity to exchange ideas and help on a more personal level.
Robert
I have a hickory board bow I just started I could add in, it's already for a lefty though(I'm a lefty) so that would need to be considered
What do you guys think about limiting this to members of trad bowhunter status or allow anyone in. It don't matter to me. I was just thinking of the trouble on the classifieds that was stopped by this restriction recently.
I don't wanna leave any body out but don't want any guys coming along and joining trad gang just to get a free bow and not building one either.
What say the regulars here Yay or Nay on the restriction. I'll leave that up to majority opinion.
If you are matching people up at the beginning then trad bowhunters only, if you do it at the end, allow all, but require the ones without the status to send pics of their bow to you two days before the draw
Can you use one you have just built or build one for that person?
Kris: I would suggest trying to nail target weights within 5#. Is everyone gonna hit it? Maybe not, but it'll be a lot tighter than 10#. Plus, I can shoot my 42# bow all day. I can't shoot my 49# longbow more than one leg of 3D course before I'm tuckered out. Just a thought. Maybe others will feel differently. Thanks for doing this. It'll be fun!
Not all archers are hunters but most folks come to TradGang because it is a traditional bowhunting site. I have no problem either way.
I do think that any bow entered should be built specifically for this trade and not just one someone has hanging around. With 4 to 5 months, everyone should be able to build a bow for this trade.
A random drawing of names will make it more fair to everyone. Issue each entry with a number then draw a name to go with that number.
Posting pics along the way is a good idea also. I'm sure everyone would appreciate a bit of help and seeing different techniques others use to create the bow and/or solve problems...and it adds to the "community" effect of the trade. Just keep the recipients name out of it until they get their bow and post their pic with their new bow.
On PA we had a 3rd party doing the drawing so nobody knew who or where. I don't know if that is possible here though.
Fewer rules. This should be fun. I have someone's bow picked out already. It's a bamboo backed osage, 48# @ 28". I don't care what I get but it has to be a good faith effort and be signed.
Well I have a Osage stave with the bark on and been drying for about a year. I might have to find some sinew for the back because the rings are very close. I think I might put some skins on it also. This is going to be great fun. When the numbers are pick the weight and draw should be specified.
I want in.
but, shipment from usa to netherlands, or vice versa, is way to expensive... :(
Nick
Hey Nick, if you want we can do a bow swap within Europe. My first thought was the same as yours, "sounds good, but way to expensive to ship". Maybe there are a few more guys from Europe here on the tradgang site that would like to do something like that.
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Andy
the way we did it over on Pirates of archery is they drew names of all participants. YOu were given the name of who you were building for and then you p.m.'d that person to see what draw weight and length they needed. there was no stipulation for glass, wood or other. I personally would send what ever i have, glass or wood. I make self bows and fiberglass with equal effort. I wouldn't mine getting a board bow from anyone or a selfbow. Remember its the giving thats the best part. receiving it just icing on the cake. Count Me In guys!!
stik maybe a separate thread with a list of participants and guidelines. I get excited about swaps, never know what your going to get!!
Personally, I like the idea of making a bow to a person's draw weight/length. I want to make sure I build them a bow they'll shoot. However, I don't want to know who it is. Perhaps you could get all the names, draw weights, and draw lengths submitted to you via personal message. Then, you draw who builds for whom and pm the builder their mystery recipient's draw weight and length. Just a thought. Either way, I'm in!
sounds like fun only i'm having a baby this month don't know if i'll be able to make a bow.
Alot of good thought's here guys. this ought to be great. I appreciate everyones opinions and thoughts on how this should go down.
Nick.. I'll Check on shipping to Netherlands. I would hate for you guys over the pond to get left out. If nothing is feasable then you Swissbow and any other guys from over the pond can swap with each other.
I'll start a seperate post with the guidelines and keep it simple as possible.
Can't hardly wait to see this happen.
Kris
I really like this idea, but my bow building skills are not near those of some of the fellow memebers are though. I do put my best into each bow I build and can build a shootable bow. Count me in.
Be sure to post in the sign up thread if you are in so I can keep track of it.
thanks
OK, I will bite, count me in.
How about a Bamboo Backed something 50# ish@ 28"
Just let me know when to start.
Regards.
Bert. :campfire:
I think this a great idea. I would like to take part in it, I only make glass lam. bows but would be interested in either wood or glass as a swap. I will be watching for details in the future.
Thanks for organizing a great project for all of us...I agree with Pat, these should be built rather than selected from previous bows.
I think it would be nice to have a glass category and a wood category,...to better allign interests and costs, but I am up for anything.
Hi Tradgangers,
I'd love to participate, but I figured out that the shipping fees from/to Switzerland would be about 50-60 bucks. I don't know how you guys think about it, someone would be forced to pay that shipping fee. Myself I would gladly ( more or less... ) pay it to participate.
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Andy
I don't have an issue with it at all Swissbow.