Best tradeshows for checking out bows

jvs9932 · November 24, 2018, 06:52:22 PM

Hey guys,

It's taken me years to realize that despite being able to fall in love with how a bow looks online, I need to actually shoot it before I buy it. With that in mind, I would love your input on your favorite trade shows to check out bows firsthand. Some makers I need to check out include: Holmmade, Javaman, Wagstaff, Wengerd, Blacktail and Toelke to name a few. I visited Kalamazoo last year for the show there but have not been to any others. Which ones do you guys like and why?

Thanks!
John

bear mike · November 24, 2018, 06:57:08 PM

Kalamazoo and Compton are 2 of the very best

sneakybow · November 24, 2018, 06:59:38 PM

ETAR

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Todd McDiffitt · November 24, 2018, 08:43:58 PM

Kalamazoo and ETAR are great.

jvs9932 · November 25, 2018, 05:49:33 PM

Thanks gentlemen. PA is too far but I'm hoping to make Kalamazoo and Comptons this coming year!

Hope to meet some of you there!
John

JohnV · November 26, 2018, 10:25:15 AM

I think the Compton shoot is the best place to test drive a new bow. At Kalamazoo you are shooting maybe 5 yards from a target. Can't tell a whole lot about a bow if that is as far as you can shoot. At Compton you can easily test drive a bow at 20 yards and even further if they let you take the bow out on the range.

Bow man · November 26, 2018, 11:03:55 AM

The 3 mentioned are the best with Kalamazoo and ETAR Having the most choices and The Compton Rendezvous a close third for number of Bowyers. Hope to see you at one of them

jvs9932 · November 26, 2018, 11:25:00 AM

Thanks guys!

mec lineman · November 26, 2018, 12:41:42 PM

head to Rocky Mountain Specialty Gear in Colorado. More bows than a little bit.

jvs9932 · November 26, 2018, 06:15:45 PM

I've been to RMS Gear a few times to train with Tom Sr. I love those folks and buy everything I can from them. Last time I was there over the summer I bought a used left-handed Chastain Wapiti from them. Awesome bow. I'd like to check out Comptons and Kalamazoo just for the volume of bowyers and their bows available to check out. As a lefty it can be difficult to find.

Roger Norris · November 28, 2018, 06:54:56 AM

Quote from: bear mike on November 24, 2018, 06:57:08 PM
Kalamazoo and Compton are 2 of the very best

I came here to post this...

wingnut · November 28, 2018, 11:58:55 AM

ETAR is by far the best opportunity to see and try the largest number of bows.

Mike

jvs9932 · November 28, 2018, 10:29:17 PM

Thanks Wingnut. I'm sure it's great, but getting to PA from CA makes that trip likely to never happen for me.

wingnut · November 29, 2018, 04:07:40 PM

Heck I make it from Texas every year with a trailer full of stock.

Mike

MMW · November 29, 2018, 04:58:03 PM

Bummer. All of these suggestions are too far for a guy that lives up against the Pacific Ocean.