Does Ben Pearson get the Recognition he deserves....History added.....

[Cyrille]

I don't remember the "name" of my first Ben Pearson bow. It was a 40# with white laminates and a blonde wood core, the riser was of the same wood. My next Ben Pearson I still have and shoot a 56# "Colt" with green fiberglass laminates and dark wood core & riser. I also have a Ben Pearson Compound with black glass laminates and dark woodcore and riser and a Lord Mercury target bow that I would like to get relaminated but don't know if that work is or can be done in today's "throw away world."

[Benny Nganabbarru]

Where is that DVD available from?

[Liquid Amber]

You can contact Ben Jr. through his website.

 http://www.longbowresorts.com/

[Ray Hammond]

I found a Pearson lemonwood longbow in a custom fitted wooden box with six arrows, a glove, and armguard...it was a boxed set.  I sold it years ago when I had a shop...someone really wanted it..and I wish I had kept that thing!

I've looked around trying to find that setup in a Pearson catalog but no luck...perhaps it was an early early thing when he was first starting out or something...but it sure was neat.

I have an old black and white movie of he and Howard Hill bowfishing together and hunting pigs and goats on Catalina Island. He was quite the shot!

[red44]

You can add me to the list. My first bow was a used Cougar, and I took my first deer with it. You never forget your first right? Just from what others are saying about him, I'm sure he'd be happy to hear of so many that got into archery with his equipment.

[Blackhawk]

Great topic...and good to see it revived.

As others have mentioned, my first "production" bow was a BP Hunter.

 

Here's another BP Pinto, a classic from the early 60's.

 

[Friends call me Pac]

Man I learn something new everyday.  I don't live but about an hour from the cabins.  Is it set up kind of like a museum for people to look at?

[Grant Young]

I agree completely- Pearson is too often passed over. His work with groups like Boy's Clubs and the Scouts and other benevolent groups should be enough to qualify him as a "Great", and that's not to mention his enormous influence in the field of archery manufacturing- that pre-dated Bear's by a good bit, and I'm a Bear fan- and bringing affordable quality equipment to the attention of the general public. My first bow was a Pearson hickory longbow set which I received for my sixth Christmas in 1960. My next was a Pearson "Jet" solid glass bow three years later. Like Terry said, the man could SHOOT, too. Ask Van- he knew him pretty well.   Grant

[Sam McMichael]

My first hunting bow was a Pearson Gamester at 45#. I still have it. I killed my first deer ever with it back in the 70's.  I also got a neat longbow from my father in-law. It is a Hill style bow of hardwood (probably lemonwood but I'm not sure) backed with bamboo.  The only marking on it is the Ben Pearson decal with the arrow through the Peasrson name. Don't know how old it is but it looks similar to one I once saw in a 1940's era Pearson catalog. It pulls 55#, which I've been told was quite stout by the standards of the 40's & 50's. A lot of bow hunters got off to a solid start because Ben Pearson offered good equipment at affordable prices. He doesn't get the notoriety of others in the field, but he certainly had a tremendous influence on archey.

[Killdeer]

Ben Pearson made my second REAL bow and I bought it secondhand in 1970 or thereabouts for twenty dollars. It was a Colt 707, a little under 35 pounds with a beautiful olla wood riser. I got pretty good with it, won some stuff in college with it. I ought to shoot that bow more, 'cause I don't shoot as well now as I did back then...

 

Bowdoc refinished it for me a couple of years ago, along with another Colt that belongs to a friend.  I often have said that I think the lines of the Colt are far more graceful than a Super Kodiak's.

Now I have two Colts, a Stallion, an All American and a little Bronco in the box, cute as a bug's ear. My zebrawood Hunter is on loan to a coworker. I think I might pry that loose from him this spring, and chalk up the arrows as a loss.   :rolleyes:    

Never met Mr. Pearson, indeed, never heard of him until shortly before his death. He holds a warm, fuzzy stronghold in my heart, though, and I never get tired of hearing about his accomplishments and skill.

Killdeer

[trapperDave]

He gets ALL DUE RESPECT from me  

Love my Pearsons!!!!

[bloodyarrow]

Same here trap, my first bow was a signature series my mother bought my father for there first wedding annaversery back in 63 and i still have it. Now I have added several more BP bows and still adding.

[toddster]

Like you all, I don't think he gets the same reconition.  I have a video of him put out by his son pretty good.  I think Ben was more of the behind the scene guy, who promoted archery, which to me makes him more special.  wish we had more footage.  Would love to see someone do a book on him like done on Mr. Hill and Mr. Bear.  I would buy it.

[Brian Krebs]

my first new bow was a Ben Pearson; and I took many squirrels and rabbits and woodchucks with it; and even went deer hunting with it... then I joined the Air Force after winning the draft - and loaned it too someone. I sure miss that bow !!

 Maybe - just maybe the person who borrowed it; will still have it in an attic somewhere...

 I too think Ben Pearson was overlooked. Seemed like his bows were more availible; as I recall you had to have a Bear dealership to sell Bear Archery bows; and short of that; you could not sell them. So a lot of us bought Pearsons; and they were good bows !

 tip of the hat to you Ben !!!

[Hatchet]

My second bow was a Ben Pearson, my first bow was the result of a neighbor kid sneaking some hickory sticks out of his Dads work shop. I was eleven and the other guy was about 15. I guess my uncle did'nt think to much of our creations. He bought me the little 20lb fiberglass recurve, I wish I still had it. I'm 55 now and still at it, have 6 recurves I play with. It' good to reflect on where we came from. Thanks Mr Pearson.  

[TonyW]

First real bow was an early 60s Old Hickory. Quality control of these mass produced youth bows, at least the one my dad bought me, was sad.
Still have the old crooked stick, just as good as new.

Result?

My first real hunting bow, bought a few years later with my hard earned dollars, was a Bear Super Grizzly. Didn't even ask to compare with a Pearson. Now, 40 years later, I can see that BP made some fine bows, but his mass produced youth bows probably cost him a lot of return biz.

[bayoulongbowman]

Ive been hunting for ben pearson lefty recurve 64 incher @ about 55-58 pounds for years no luck yet!!!Ben was the man!!!  

[LoneWolf73]

Ben Pearson bows are still "working" today to get people into Archery. They are still around because they are quality bows and generally at a lower price. I have had many pass thru my hands to people young and old that wanted to try Archery. I have a "Deerslayer" and a couple of "Old Hickory" bows in my collection as a constant reminder of the Legendary Man!

[Benny Nganabbarru]

Thanks for the contact information, Liquid Amber!

If anyone's keen on getting that DVD, just contact Ben Jr. via his e-mail address on that website Liquid Amber provided. Ben Jr. is happy to help.

Cheers,

Ben

[Liquid Amber]

Its not well known but Ben Pearson was the largest manufacturer of archery equipment for nearly three decades.