not the bow of my dreams after all

[sticksnstones]

Last night the bow of my dreams showed up on the used rack at the local shop and I got to shoot it for about half an hour. Turns out I was wrong, it wasn't bad but it just didn't feel right to me. I'm glad that thousand bucks can stay in the bank and I don't have to wait a year to find out that it wasn't "the one" after all.

I'm so thankful for my local trad shop and the tradgang-ers who have let me shoot all kinds of bows over the last year or so. If you've ever handed a prized bow to a newbie you just met and said "here just try it out and see what you think" I want to say thank you!
Thom

[huntin_sparty]

It catches on, I used never think of anyone touching my wheelbow!  I found in the trad community whenever I meet up with others shooting trad at the range we get to talkin then try each others bows out.  Great difference.  Unfortunately when ever I pick up someone elses I shoot it lights out until I get my own then the magic is gone!

[Pat B]

How can you know the "bow of your dreams" without shooting it. Going by appearance only sounds like a bad dream to me. For $1000 I can build hundreds of bows of my dreams!!!

[sticksnstones]

Yeah Andrew, I got a nice Hill that way. My arrows were flying like laser guided missiles right up until I paid for it  

My point was to express my gratitude to the gang for allowing me to shoot so many different bows and really helping me figure out what I want in my next bow. Spending hours and hours researching bows trying to figure out which one to buy does give you a prioritized list, maybe "of my dreams" was a bit exaggerated, but it wasn't just about looking at pretty pictures.

FWIW I would never order a bow without shooting the same model first.

[Friend]

‘bow of my dreams’

How wonderful it is to dream and some of us can dream quite well. Recognizing the enjoyment partaken by the pursuit and/or quest just sweetens the journey. Also, and even more important, is finding satisfaction and complete enjoyment of what we already possess.

The previous statement is merely directed to persevere in finding fulfillment in reality, for I am a true believer that we should never stop dreaming.

[Pat B]

No offence meant!!! I've been a dreamer all my life! Can't afford not to be! I wouldn't be heading to elk camp tomorrow(for my second only elk hunt) if I hadn't been a dreamer. My point is it seems lots of folks are more impressed with the appearance of a bow or the brand name or the wood combos in it. Even when folks post pics of a bow they show the riser, maybe the limbs and wood combos used but rarely show a full draw, braced and unbraced pic which, to me says more about the bow than just the riser, wood choices or brand name. I guess I'm just not a good comsumer. I'd rather make it than buy it!!!

[sticksnstones]

No offense taken, but I am quite a bit jealous about your elk trip! Maybe next year I'll head back to Montana...

I've thought about trying my hand at finishing a bow from Seven Lakes for a starter project, just need a little more free time I guess. I just started building arrows, getting ready to learn how to tie my own strings next.

Kinda reminds me of learning how to fly fish; learn the cast, learn the fish, learn to tie your flies, build your own rods....

[Bjorn]

I have 2 'bows of my dreams' hanging on the rack right now..........they have not been shot in a while and will soon be moving to the classifieds.  
It is all about individual preferences with the dream bows and we are all different. Shoot before you buy!

[David Mitchell]

Pat B, I've noticed the same with the picture thing.  Some time back there was a thread asking folks to post pictures  of their longbows--about all there was was risers, most of which could just as easily been recurves.  

[Pat B]

I build wood bows so I love to see them bend. The back profile should show what the braced full draw profile will be and the unbraced pic will show the amount of string follow which says a lot about how a bow will shoot. Braced pics are just sexy!
  You can only tell so much from a pic anyway but why not show the true workings of the bow(the inner beauty) instead only how pretty it is. Pretty is easy. Performance and longevity are a different story all together.

[last arrow]

The problem is whenever you achieve a dream, you start having a new one.

[Friend]

Actualizing a dream could mean you have reached the summit. You still have to come down.

Having and being able to cultivate a new dream may be the gift of a new journey.

[Kenkel]

I have a couple of dream bows with a bunch of $$ tied up in them.  One is too heavy so it sits idle in three pieces in the gun safe.  The other one I shoot every day and love it.  I got one of the less expensive Samick bows on a trade the other day and I will be danged if it dont shoot like a dream.  With a stroke of a file here in there it doesnt look too shabby either!!  Guess you dont have to dream big to get a good shootin bow.  Go figure

[bayoulongbowman]

dont over bow ur self....

[sawtoothscream]

what was it?     im happy with my dream bow. looked at pics of one over and over for months before i ordered. lucky for me she shots as good as she looks.   hope they all turn out lik ethat. next bow is going to be a bigjim thunder child, shrew or kanati. love the looks of them and here good things. that shrew safari is a sweet looking bow

[Trad-Man]

I have one bow to hunt with.  Is it my dream bow?  As far as shooting...it couldn't be better.  Is it pretty with fancy wood, and all the trimmings?  Nope...IMHO it's actually kind of ugly.  I bought it because of reputation.  It's a tool, not a toy or a piece of furniture.

Don't misunderstand, I admire all the fine wood and craftsmanship you find in many a bowyers advertisements.  And at the shows I handle many of them.  I have to fight to keep my wallet in my pocket sometimes!  But for me it hurts to see the artwork get banged up!