What's a "master bowyer"

[psychmonky]

I'm not sure making a living by doing it should be a qualification. There are guys here who have never sold a bow that are clearly masters of the art.

[T Folts]

Yep

[Swissbow]

In my opinion a master, no matter in what kind of field, is he who is seen as a master by his peers.

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Andy

[red hill]

I think there are folks on this web site that would qualify as "master bowyers."
In fact several of them have written comments on this thread proclaiming not to be such an animal...

Several of you have written that a master would be named such by their peers and satisfied customers. Amen.
Self-proclaimed sounds a lot like a dictator to me.

[Andy Cooper]

There is a gun maker's guild..why not a traditional bowyer's guild?

[PrimitiveSniper66]

T Folts read the same thing you did dont remember where a master bowyer must make a living buy his bows alone for 10 years nothing else but then in those times the bow was the most advanced weapon of its time , a weapon of war, hunting, and self protection , so master bowyers earned their title

[Roy from Pa]

I bait my own hooks, does that mean I'm a master ******?

[LC]

I only know that I'm not even ghost of a shadow of a master bowyer!

[LeeNY]

Roy,
It the field of baiting there are Apprentise baiters and Journeyman Baiters. The Masters only did it for a short time or until they needed glasses.


You see in the upper ranks the hooks are smaller          

[Mike Mecredy]

The most common conclusion seems to be most acceptable, and that's to be given the title by others, peers perhaps, customers, perhaps...

[George Tsoukalas]

MIke, I am so glad you made good use of my site. It has been a labor of love. Thanks. Jawge

[Buemaker]

[Roy from Pa]

Lee, I been wearing glasses for years. Just got a new pair last week, Doctor told me I better slow down or I'm gonna go blind:)

[Mike Mecredy]

Yeah, and lots of references to fishing and bait, and those that are quite good at putting the bait on the hook. I wasn't really trying to connect those with the title "master", but I suppose we each have our own way of thinking.

[John Scifres]

There is a Bowyer's Guild with reference to Master Bowyers.  It is in England:   http://bowyersandfletchersguild.org/index.html

Titles worry me when self proclaimed or used for self aggrandizing.

[LeeNY]

John I researched the Guild for a project back in the 90's. My Great,Great, Great, Grandfather was listed in the Guild.

[dnovo]

Old timer I talked to several weeks ago told me he didn't think anyone should even call themselves a bowyer until they had made 200 bows. This from a guy who made bows from back in the '60's till he finally quit a couple years ago. His bows are some of the more prized ones.

[LC]

The only thing I know about this subject is quoteing from my neighbor about similiar things is " I wouldn't make a good pimple on the arse of a master bowyer". I enjoy making hunting with my own bows but can't imagine what skill level it would take to be a master bowyer!

[GodsApocalypse]

IMHO, since there is no exam, cert, etc.
A modern master bowyer would be determined by the best hunters/clients opinion of the quality of the work, and a certain level of reputation as a bowyer.  I don't think that length of experience is as essential as quality of craftsmanship, durability, and uniqueness.  In my business, many watchmakers and master horologists build unique timepieces and can repair or rebuild nearly any timepiece, antique or current.

[LittleBen]

A master bowyer is someone who has experience, skill, knowledge and the desire to pass that all along.