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This past weekend, I went to a local archery center and got my string re-served, renocked, and a new arrow rest put on the shelf (I had a flipper before). I was so excited. I went in so happy to have found this place, run by a single man, who has clearly dedicated himself to archery and bowhunting and even has target and 3d ranges to practice on.
It also looks like a great place to meet local bowhunters (there's a trad night once a week ).I was sold on the place the minute I walked in, convinced I should be spending my money (and my time) at a knowledgeable and community-centered place like this. And was very trusting of everyone as I was eager to learn the trade and get ready for the spring season.
The problem is: My arrow rest fell off within a half hour of it being put on. I then realized the vertical 'matchstick' under the plate was so high my arrow was not hitting it.
I also noticed that when shooting my arrows at 5 yards, the impact of the arrow was very downwards. I asked the owner if that was normal and he told me to just back up the target so the arrow could stabilize. After doing some research it sounds like this was a tuning issue with the nock...
I am bummed. I was hoping to find a place I could just trust. I was eager to order my new bow through him, and willing to pay extra because of the person-to-person help setting it up, but now I am unsure it's worth the extra cost.
Do you guys/gals expect better service at your local shops? Is this the standard? And is it moral to use his range (there are modest fees) without supporting the shop side of his business at the same time?
side note: the bonus of this is I am learning to tune my bow myself - and finding the tools are rather inexpensive compared to service fees.
-------------------- -}--------> Posts: 26 | From: Maine | Registered: Nov 2011
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Learning to do your own work is a reward that has no limit. Use the range if you want, I make my own in the yard. And go on Trad night and learn what you can from others.
Its your money if you are not satisfied with the work dont have them do it. use the excuse my buddy does it for free or I do my own work now. He wont notice the small stuff if its a busy shop. Buy a set of heads or feathers once in a while if you have guilt.JMHO
-------------------- Some people live an entire lifetime and wonder if they have ever made a difference in the world, but the Marines don’t have that problem. —President Ronald Reagan Posts: 7953 | From: NJ to GA back to NJ =Lost ;) | Registered: Sep 2009
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I support my local shop by buying what i can there. They usually have small things i use like rest material or field points or a bag target. I do all my own work to my bows and build my own arrows.. Learn what you can and do your own nock heigth adjustments and rest replacements. You will do better in the long run by knowing what each adjustment does for arrow flight
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I went to a local shop the other day to look for some 200 gr field points and was asked why I wanted them so heavy. I made the mistake of saying I want to hunt with a recurve this fall and was treated to a lecture about how I shoulnt be hunting with a recurve because there will be a lot of wounded deer running around where I hunt.
I wont be going back there.
I got a similar lecture at the local gun shop when I asked for stuff to feed my flintlock rifle.
Its amazing that humantity was able to survive without the use of compound bows and mechanical broadheads and belted magnum rifles to feed themselve for all of those years!
I dont begrudge anyone who uses modern stuff for hunting. The older I get the more I like simple stuff that some folks call primitive.
Posts: 126 | From: Mantua, Ohio | Registered: Dec 2011
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I try to support my local archery shop, but they just don't have much in the way of trad gear or products. I buy a few things from them when I can. I like to support local businesses.
I think its very honorable of you to want to support your local shop. Use their services and buys their products when you can, but certainly don't feel guilty about the situation if they don't serve your needs. You might tactfully give the owner some feedback. If he's a good business man, he will appreciate it and try to serve you better. If not, then move on.
It's good to learn all you can about setting up and tuning your own equipment. Helps you understand things better as well as being rewarding.
All the best to you and by all means, have fun!
Posts: 190 | From: NW NC | Registered: Mar 2012
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It's not hard to learn the basics of working on your own bow. I agree with both guys about the rewards of being able to do it yourself! My local shop are a great bunch of guys, but don't know much about traditional bows and/or setting them up. I was even told I would never get good arrow flight using carbons and not many trad shooters use them. Ha! Some shops or more interested in selling a $900 compound with all the gadgets than a dozen nocks or inserts. Maybe give him another chance and if still dissatisfied, don't go back. You can build a great target with a few hay bales, just be sure and shoot into the top or bottom, not the sides.
-------------------- "I am not perfect, but I am forgiven" OMP Ozark Hunter 68" 40#@20 Pearson Javelina 1969 66" 35#@28 Indian Seneca 1968 62" 40#@28 Samick Sage 62" 45#@28 Red Oak Long Bow 63" 40@28 Posts: 104 | From: Mississippi | Registered: Jan 2012
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I would say this is a microcosm of a larger issue seen here at trad gang. If my trad friends came over and I asked them to set my bow up I'm not sure it would work well. Not because they don't know anything. Instead it would just be different than how I need it. Your local guy may just know how he needs it. Not how you need it set up. Not saying you can't use advice from someone else. It just may not work for you. Learn from the others. Buy stuff u need but experiment for yourself is the best answer most times.
-------------------- Life ain't a dress rehearsal. Posts: 967 | From: Weston, MO | Registered: Apr 2003
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I have a local shop where the owner really is knowlegeable. He just can't spend the time adjusting my nock point or brace height to fit me. He has quality equipment for sale and 90% of it is trad stuff. I still do the nock adjustment, brace height, bare shafting etc for myself. I learn more that way. I support him when I can because I appreciate him being there. Trad archery is different than compounds where you need a bow press, etc, etc. My enjoyment is in getting my gear to fit me.
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We have Cabelas, shields and sportsman warehouse. When the guys get bows at those places and they cannot shoot, they end up in the independent shop. Rick fixes the cam bows and tunes them up He shoots a Schultz and can do trad so very well. We are lucky to have him Like others, patronize the guy who services your needs. Also learn to do these things yourself and experience the joy
-------------------- goodness of woodness, Semper Fidelis. Molon labe Posts: 2025 | From: Nevada | Registered: Feb 2004
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In Michigan we are very lucky to have 4 or 5 trad only shoots a year which are supported by trad vendors. Plenty of help there if you need it but like most have said it will pay to learn some of your own set up techniques.
Posts: 1964 | From: Norton Shores, Michigan | Registered: Mar 2007
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yup...pretty basic tuning(nock poing needing adjusting). Its easy to do though I'm suprised if you handed him a tuned bow he didnt get closer though.
The match stick deal could have been a simple mistake on diameter of arrows. Giving him the benefit of doubt...or just a sloppy job over all, only you can judge that. Just because someones been in archery a long time, doesnt mean they can handle a stick. the last 20+ years has been dominated by wheels...who knows maybe he wasnt big into trad archery before hand??? Either way another simple fix.
Serving is also super easy.....heck building your strings is a walk in the park also. Wouldnt hurt to learn both, you're going to need a new string eventually!!! If you do pick up doing the twist or his new video "how to build a great bowstring".
Overall it sounds like he really isnt into traditional archery...or isnt interested in learning it. JMHO.
Posts: 3411 | From: Alaska | Registered: Mar 2003
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The pro shops around here don't deal with traditional gear at all....I guess a couple of em have a couple old recurves they're trying to sell for their buddies, but that's it.
-------------------- is it September yet?? Posts: 727 | From: newcastle wyoming | Registered: Feb 2007
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Yep all our shops are compound based and rightly so. That's where the masses and the money is. The arrows from my bows will shoot a bullet hole in paper at 7 paces. You just need to tune your stuff properly. I would get it tuned and then if you would like to use the fellow's targets go back in pay the range fee and then show him how your arrow flight is much better and walk him through what you did to fix it.
-------------------- "Dog on Point" or "Deer on Ground?" Posts: 6453 | From: Kentucky | Registered: Jun 2007
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I only deal over the Internet, and TG sponsors. People do mention archery shops in our area, I have no clue where they are. Then again I don't seem to spend time in stores of any kind. You can learn way more right here than in a store.
Posts: 8755 | From: Los Gatos, California | Registered: Jun 2005
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Doing it yourself is a just part of traditional archery. If you learn to do it yourself you will become less dependent on others for your needs.
-------------------- Longbows & Short Shots Posts: 3179 | From: Nacogdoches, Texas | Registered: Nov 2003
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).I was sold on the place the minute I walked in, convinced I should be spending my money (and my time) at a knowledgeable and community-centered place like this. And was very trusting of everyone as I was eager to learn the trade and get ready for the spring season. 
