Custom Bowyers....?

[BlackDog]

Seeing how there is an average wait of a year or so for a new bow, how many bows a year do you think these guys build? Seeing traditional archery expand since I started shooting 25 years ago I have seen the waiting period increase with everyone.
   I am talking about shops like Robertson, Wallace, Brackenbury, Schafer etc., with one or a few people working. I assume these guys work hard to keep up. What do you think?

[mooseman76]

I think a 1+ year wait for a bow is more the exception than the rule.  Lots of bowyers out there that can get you a bow sooner.  I have such a hard time waiting that I don't think I'll ever order one with that long of a wait.

 I'm sure they make enough to get by and still have enough time to hunt, vacation and anything else they want to do.  That is the point of being your own boss, right?

[Brandon Stahl]

[BlackDog]

I guess a year wait is really more than most. Just wondering how the demand has increased over time.

  I remember getting brochures in the mail and picking out woods then waiting for my bow in the mail...good stuff.

  Brandon, that is interesting info. I thought somewhere around 1-200 bows a year, but had no idea. I like that King Panther bow!

[bihunter]

Brandon,

 I love my Wildcat. You should be swamped with work with your quality. The performance of your bows is second to none.

 Sorry, I got carried away.

[TomMcDonald]

Dyad Orions were, when I ordered mine 3 months ago, on a 3-month waiting list.

[Brandon Stahl]

[Danny Rowan]

A one man operation can become backlogged very quick if the bows produced become "the Bow" to get. Bill Howland of Brackenbury Bows has a 12-14 month wait and he is working on bows every day and does not have time to hunt. O.L. Adcock became so backlogged when he started making the ACS that his list got to be 4 years out and he had to stop taking orders. Norm Johnson is over 12 months. Dale Dye is over 12 months. Quality bows all. Shrew bows are a year long wait also and even Jack Kemph is about a year. I would think a bowyer would really have to love what he is doing to keep at it day in and day out with hardly anytime for himself. My hat is off to them.

[wingnut]

Jason and I work between 50-60 hours a week a piece to make sure we keep a 3-4 month wait list.  I'm not very good at waiting myself so I try not to ask others to do so.  We are getting much better at scheduling and try to meet the duedates we give customers.

Mike