Where have all the bowyers gone?

[Sant-Ravenhill]

I have all the Traditional Bowhunter magazines from the very first one and lately I've been reading through them again.

Lots of bowyers that advertised over the years that you never hear of anymore. I bet there are several hundred that have come and gone since 1989 and that first issue.

Lots more out there I'm sure that never advertised in any magazine that have tried it and quit.

Anyway, what do you think are some of the reasons that people become bowyers, some even going so far as spend money on advertising, and then disappear?

[vermonster13]

Because it is a limited market and bows are very labor intensive and hard to make a living on.

[Sant-Ravenhill]

vermonster13,

I see your point for someone trying to make it full time, but there were/are lots of part timers that that only put out a bow or two a month that are also gone.

[Outwest]

They are all laying on a beach in a warm place spending the money they made while making bows.

John

[Cherokee Scout]

There is an entire new generation of bow makers replacing the older generation who have faded away over the years. We have at least 4 in N. Alabama. And each one of them makes a very nice bow, and they are great guys too.
As for making a lot of money and laying on the beach someplace, I would have to see that to believe it. They do not make a ton of money.

[WildmanSC]

It's hard to compete against the big names in the industry.  Some also get sick from breathing the dust from the exotic woods and have to quit.  I know several that had to change the materials they use and a couple that nearly quit because of it.

Bill

[joe skipp]

Back in the late 70's and 80's there was a boom in Traditional bowhunting and bow making. Some bowyers were around for years and survived the birth and growth of the compound.

Most left the business due to the dramatic increase in "Master Bowyers" who in reality were taught by the real masters....like Brackenbury, Fedora to name a few. Too much competition among individual bowyers plus the market blossomed for the larger companies who mass produce bows like Bear and Martin.

Now add to that in the 90's, a few major compound companies jumped on the traditional band wagon and started selling, in my opinion only, inferior quality, cheaper bows. Look at what the late Jack Howard was asking for his business. How many bows do you think the bowyer who took over his business would have to sell just to break even and how many years to reach that plateau.

I personally know 4 bowyers who quit making bows for the above reasons. Its a shame too because they manufactured a quality product at a reasonable price.

[md126]

kinda makes you appreciate the ones that have stuck around...  time tested quality bowyers and their bows are still here

[Sant-Ravenhill]

Thanks for your thoughts!

[Whip]

I'm sure all of the above contribute to the loss of some bowyers to one extent or another.  I'll throw out another guess.  

I think many bowyers start in the business as a hobby, and after trying it for awhile find out that it turns into a job.  What used to be fun, relaxing, and enjoyable eventually becomes just more work and takes time away from family, friends, hunting, etc, etc.  They might not want to take the full plunge and quit their day jobs and go full time, so they give up the part time work.

It happens in all kinds of businesses, not just to bowyers.

[Bert Frelink]

I haven't gone anywhere, am still here, working on the second million so I can lay on the beach next to all the other bowyers.
Regards, Bert

[Nate Steen .]

Whip,  I think you nailed it.

Very few bowyers make a decent living off just the bowmaking, and usually that living isn't really high on the hog.

What starts as a hobby turns into work, and unless you limit the work to what is comfortable in a part time sense, you will come to hate the hobby/work.  

The challenge is trying to keep up with the demand for a good product, while working at it part time, and trying to get the customer to understand that the waiting time might be a while...in today's want it now world.

[LBR]

I think Whip nailed it for a lot of them--what used to be fun wound up being work.  

Some found that they wanted/needed to make more money.  

I've heard of some getting sick from exotic woods.  
I figure some just burn out.  

Some just never figure out how to be competitive--you can't spend 40 hours on one bow and expect to make a living--unless you have a customer base willing to pay really big money.  According to one bowyer I talked to, if you have 40 hours in one bow it's because:  you are counting drying time for glue/finish/etc.;  you are doing some very intricate customizing (inlays, checkering, splices, accents, etc.);  you don't have the equipment needed;  or you just don't have the knowledge/experience to do it any faster.  

Overhead costs can eat you alive. Advertising, catalogs, brochures, t-shirts, etc. all add up quick.  I've heard a few estimates that with some companies around 1/3 of a bow's cost goes straight into advertising--that's $300-$400 plus with some.  So much for getting what you pay for.  I've looked into it, and don't doubt that estimate.  That's why I don't have even a brochure, and if I ever get around to getting shirts done I'll sell them rather than give them away.  Ain't nothing free--somebody has to pay for it somewhere.  

Some may come out with something "new" that keeps them working overtime for a while, until someone else comes up with an improved version/new material/etc.--gimmicks sell, but generally only for a short time before a new gimmick comes along.

Seems to me it's like any other small business--some make it, some don't.  It's not always the ones with the best product that make it, or the ones with the lower quality that fails.  

Chad

[Sant-Ravenhill]

Whip and Chad pretty much gave definitive answers...thanks for your insight!

[Brian Halbleib]

For most of my life, I've depended on business owners, the risk-takers, to give me a job and a paycheck. It's real easy to become sheltered as an 8-hour-a-day, 40-hour-a-week employee and never understand or appreciate what business owners go through. As the son of business owners, I thought I understood a little.

But, not until I owned my own businesses did I really understand. You'd be hard pressed to name anyone who has gotten rich off of traditional archery. Granted, there are very few, I can think of maybe one or two, but most all of us do it because we love it.

And as a bowyer myself (personally, not in business) I understand what goes into a bow and the overhead that comes with the time and sweat. Looking at it from those terms, there are no "overpriced" bows out there.

-Brian
 www.bowyersjournal.com

[John Dill]

Sunset Hill is RIGHT!

[chrisg]

This is so right and so true, I spent over twenty  years as a studio potter, made a living but was always only a step or two ahead of the wolves.
 Ironically I was one of the 'better potters' in our land, but have you ever tried paying for food or gas with a 'reputation'? If your check comes from your own hands and muscles and you are exposed to toxic dusts and fatigue you are  only as good as your body lasts. I went the safari guide route for ten years, it was more pleasant and travel is great but again ultra long hours and rough living nails you. I don't regret those lifestyle jobs at all but never fool yourself, you won't get rich on your own muscle power, some guys are smart and spend quality time developing a name and a market and employ appropriate technology and helpers.If you are a 'purist' you will struggle.

 I don't imagine bowmaking is any different,I've made a few myself, dust, cuts, long hours, toxic fumes and many dud results til you get to produce top quality work, there are no short cuts to perfection in handwork.

Sorry for the speech but I know this path very well, it is a tough journey, it has its own rewards - they may not be monetary in nature. Brian you do understand better than most I would guess.
chrisg

[Sant-Ravenhill]

Really enjoyed your thoughtful posts Brian and Chris...thanks for taking the time to write and post them. Sorry Sunset Hill I forgot to mention you and your addition to Whips post!

Makes me glad I asked the question!