Working with your Bowyer

[Chris Jackson]

In my short venture I've leaned a couple of really important things.  Present your ideas to the bowyer and then ask for his feedback and advice based off building bows professionally.  Always remember these guys are all talented artists who are proud of their unique abiliaties.  For example when planning my first bow with James Berry we talked and kind of beat my ideas up a little.  Instead of forcing him into a rigid build format he only asked me what I had to have.  Then he asked for my trust with the rest of the bow design.  The final product was beyond what I hoped it would be.  He crafted a bow with my selection of wood as guided by his talented mind.  What I got was a wonderful bow that is so well made it forces you to sit down 6 or 7 times before you actually realize how much love and detail he has graced a simple elegant longbow with.  When picking up my Morning star from him he suggested another bow in my venture through the history of american longbows.  I only established two design perimaters for the bow and left everything up to the artist 9 months from now I'm positive the product will blow my mind.  I contacted Chad Holm to order an Osprey and provided some guidence for the bow but I am mostly leaving the really artistic side of this build up to the artist.  Kind of a show me what you got deal.  It is after all their art and while we are obliged to have imput don't get so hung up on your vision that you box the artist in and remove his ability to create.  By the way thanks Mr. Berry and Mr. Holm for spending time to explain the why and how of bow woods and bow designs.

[ron w]

Never have worked or dealt with Mr. Berry but I have had 3 bows built by Chad Holm. Great guy to deal with, has a good eye for what goes together and what don't. He will do his best to give you a bow that is pleasing to the eye and that performs to his standards.

[mike g]

It is a good thing to let the bowyer do his thing.
    When I talked to Craig at HHA to order my Big 5 I told him I wanted Black glass back and Brown belly, Up to this time he said he has never done one like that, He then asked what riser wood I wanted...
    I told him to surprise me, So Craig went down the street to a Rifle stock maker and picked up a piece of Nice Walnut, He said it blended very well with the Brown Glass....
    So I agree with the above, let the bowyer do his Magic....

[Sixby]

I love it when a customer says I trust your ability. Surprise me. That customer gets way more than the micro manager because I am bound by the micro managers mind. However I definitely want to know the likes and dislikes of the customer. What I do not like is having them tell me how to build the bow.

God bless you all, Steve

[Brianlocal3]

Well said brother

DEFENSOR FORTIS

[ed cowden]

I agree the bowyer designs and builds maybe more bows than shooters have to shoot in a years time. Putting their hands on that many bows and trying to make them point and shoot just right. They only are trying to give you their best and still give you what you want so it is custom to fit you.

[katman]

Good info. especially for first timers to order a 'custom', listen to what the bowyer is telling you.

[cahaba]

I also enjoyed working with Mr. Berry. He ask all the right questions and gets enough feedback to build a great bow like you want. Mine turned out perfect. It was like he read my mind. I liked that right before he builds a bow he calls you and goes over everything. It gives you a chance to make any changes that you might want and you get a bow exactly how you want it. I listened to his suggestions and went with them Very happy in how my bow turned out.

[hvyhitter]

Pick your wood, draw weight, length and glass then let your bowyer get to work. Dont try to have your bowyer try and build someody elses bow (style and design). Nobody will be happy with the process or the result. You wont be saving either time or money........

[centaur]

Looking forward to working with JD down the road. Like many great bowyers on TG, he knows what makes a good shooter, and I am going to trust his experience to make me a great bow.

[JDBerry]

What works for me is when the person tells me there likes and dislikes, What the bow is to be used for, Time in Archery, If they like in or out of the box design(learned a long time ago, you don't go crazy on that one..lol)   ...James

[JDBerry]

What works for me is when the person tells me there likes and dislikes, What the bow is to be used for, Time in Archery, If they like in or out of the box design(learned a long time ago, you don't go crazy on that one..lol)   ...James

[Chris Jackson]

James my Vixen will be used on the range and in the field when I'm feeling high class.  Brown and white glass and that incredible piece of riser wood you showed me.  Figure you know the rest better than I do.  

Guys Mr. Berry has some of the most beautiful riser wood on hand I have ever seen.   If your thinking about having him making you a bow there really is no time like the present!

[Scott E]

I did a surprise me bow with Jim Neaves and it turned out better than I could ever have imagined. I just got pictures of it yesterday and it is so unique and beautiful. I'll post a thread when it comes in. I totally agree just let the bow builder do their thing,

[Chris Jackson]

Mr. Berry almost forgot to tell you the straight grip on my morning star in incredible! I remember you had to do a little convincing me before I agreed to that style.  Thanks for taking the time to show me how to shoot a longbow then watching my style and building a bow that is an extension of my body and mind.  Shooting it is as simple as picking a spot, relaxing and then just letting the shot flow nice and smooth.