TRUE QUALITY IS PRICELESS

[Firecracker]

I began my friendship with "Trad" about 2 1/2 yrs ago. I've enjoyed different types of friendships and relationships, but my journey into traditional archery has not only been truly interesting and informative, but has turned a "city girl" into a "country girl".(thanks everyone, I love research, and I'm constantly astounded by the depth of intelligence, the original and inventive thoughts and info). There's nothing that I like better than walking through dewy fields and paths in the early morning, challenging myself, testing my boundaries, to become one with nature. Traditional Archery to me is "living, knowing I'm alive".
It has given me a natural, healthy influence in the paths my family and I walk. Everywhere that I've went and everyone that I've talked to since I started shooting a longbow and seeing a different side of  life, seem to be from the time era that my grandmother came from, the one where you helped one another, where you worked with your own strengths to support your families, where you had enough respect to say good morning to your neighbor.....
I believe that true quality is priceless and that is exactly what I've seen and received here at "Tradgang". This "Quality"  and "Archery" is also exactly what I was introduced to by my husband- "Chad Francis- Lost Creek Bows". He defines my feelings about nature and hunting, and the way that archery and the outdoors will bring families together. Being a "Bowyer" for him isn't only building a bow or doing a job, it's loving nature and everything in it.
Now, Gentleman and Ladies, don't think I'm tooting my husbands horn, that I'm bragging or writing stories, I am  only stating my thoughts and opinions.  Chad loves his craft and he has the capabilities to be a "Big Name", but he only cares about making others happy, the biggest smile I see on his face is the one from comments like I cut and pasted below.  
Also, believe me, I'm from "Mississippi and he's a Yankee", my new world is always chaotic(LOL)and I don't always agree with him, but I will always believe in his way of life-"TRUE QUALITY"!

Received through yahoo, Many thanks anonymous      
To: Chad Francis
Sent: Wed, March 16, 2011 1:45:07 PM
Subject: RE: Extra String

When you talk to Chad you really can tell what a good guy he is.  I was really surprised with the amount of time he took up with me on the phone, or just talking hunting.  You just don’t get that kind of personal attention from most artisans.  The reason I picked Lost Creek, after a significant amount of trolling time on Tradgang, was that every single word spoken about you and Chad was so positive; not just the product, but the way everyone’s dealings with you and Chad were discussed.  During the years I had always wanted a Black Widow, and came within a hair of pulling the trigger for my first longbow, but something, after reading all of the reviews, told me to make contact with Lost Creek first.  I sent an e-mail on a Saturday, and Chad called back within 20 minutes, and then spent an hour on the phone just shooting the bull and giving me his opinion on bows, based upon what I was going to do with it.  I was sold on Lost Creek.  If you talk to him you just about can’t help but buy one from him.  I don’t post on Tradgang, and nobody on there would know who I was, and I don’t know how to post pictures, but if I did post on Tradgang, and they did know who I was, and if I could post pictures, I would gladly post this same comment.  As a matter of fact, feel free to use it, just keep me anonymous, if you could.  Best regards.
As an aside, when I got into this custom longbow market, didn’t know what to expect.  Dealing with you and Chad has been fantastic.  Easy to see why everyone on tradgang speaks so highly of lost creek bows.  
   
THIS IS THE QUALITY THAT IS PRICELESS!

[straitera]

Had a look at your nice bows. Best to you both incl business success. Like your honesty.

[Focusource]

Chad's a great guy with whom to talk bows and hunting.  He is knowledgable and down-to-earth.  I enjoyed my conversations with him.  Also, the dude makes a fast shooting bow.

Jeff

[buckeye_hunter]

I always try before I buy, but you guys make me want to just go ahead and order one. I'm trying to be patient......

What is the next archery event you will be attending so I can finaly shoot one of your bows?

From what I have seen here on Tradgang the quality is second to none.

[GRINCH]

All right I'm sold will be in touch in the next few months,thanks for posting.

[Steve Clandinin]

I really like the looks of Chads bows,definately on my want list.Mrs. Francis you summed it all up the way so many of us feal,Kudus to you and Chad.

[Firecracker]

Thanks guys for all your kind words and for tolerating all my rambling!    
Buck-eye Hunter, I'm not sure what events Chad and I will be attending this year, but if you'd like, give us a call 641-660-1070 or 641-954-1964

[crotch horn]

Don't know how many of you remember how I got hooked on Lost Creek bows. I bought a used bow from another tradganger that I was very happy to find. When the bow arrived I opened it & it was not the brand that was listed. I did like the way it shot though so I contacted the member to let him know it was not the bow he stated but I liked the bow anyway so good deal. That Lost Creek shot like a dream but I had no idea who Chad or LC were. Well after maybe 200 shots the bow broke. I put it away & went to shooting other bows I had. Eventually I contacted Chad & found out it was a bow that was NEVER to be sold because of previous damage. Well, Chad fixed it for me & I was so pleased with him I ordered my NAT. Just about all of you know how much I love that bow. My Life Ender has quickly become my second choice as well. Chad & his wife are all about what folks on here are looking for. Honest to the core & just happy to please the customer. Thanks for making fine bows that are a joy to shoot & own.

[damascusdave]

I learned, quite a while back, that if you wanna know something about a custom trad bow just pick up the phone and call the bowyer. Be ready to spend some time on the phone, even if you get their wife, cause these are not your average people either.

I woke up Larry Hanify's (A and H) wife one day and had a good chat with her; the last time I got Jon Gharings wife on the phone we talked for about 20 minutes. Of course, if you get the bowyer themself you better set aside quite a bit more than that.

Traditional archery is not just a way of life; it is an exceptional path through life.

DDave

[COLongbow]

Before purchasing my LC, I too read everything on here about them. It was my first custom bow, and I ordered it without ever having shot one. I know, I know, you're not supposed to ever do that, but I lucked out. My LC tops any other bow I've ever shot.

If you ever call Chad, pack a lunch, he loves to talk trad.    Very accomodating and helpful with your build decisions.

[Bowmania]

I'm a little too redneck for, I don't know what to call it, but maybe "high brow" talk.  And it seems that's where that friendship, journey, and influence stuff is going.  I'm not saying it's bad, but maybe a little to "deep" for a redneck.  That being said, lately I've been thinking of conversations where friends have called Trad archery a religion and a sport.  I never said anything, but they're way off.  Religion is a belief in God or some almighty power.  And a sport is a competition against some equal.  The only thing that puts us any where near the senses of an animal is our mind.  And when it comes to Religion, archery is way older, plus we wouldn't be here if it wasn't for the B&A.  So in trying to define it, I say it's closer to a Religion than a sport, just because of it's age and our ancestors/heratige.  You can really feel it walking in the woods, it's a connection.  Somewhat like church.

AND since it is closer to a religion let's call it a religion.  AND since game managers only allow us to "practice our religion three month's a year" (in WI), let's contact the heathens to expand our seasons, so we can "pray" only with a tradition bow all year round.

There, not it's not too high brow.

Bowmania

[Bowmania]

Sorry that last sentance should be "There, NOW, it's not too high brow."