Selling self bows?

[AKmud]

I have recently had a few people approach me about buying some of my board longbows...  Until now I have been having fun just making them and giving them away to some kids and relatives.  Then I got to thinking if I was able to sell one or two I could buy another power tool I have been drooling over.  

My question....How do you value a "self bow"?  I had a local archery shop owner with a long history of trad equipment say he wouldn't take less than $350 for one of my hickory longbows (which I gave to my bro in law).  

What are bows worth and how do you determine it?

[Apex Predator]

Self bows are tricky.  A good one may be worth $350, but there are tons selling for $75.

[Crash]

I would say it depends on the quality and craftsmanship of the bow.  I have paid 150 for a bamboo backed osage and thought I got screwed, I also paid 500 for a bamboo backed yew and thought it was a steal.  Test the waters, put an asking price of 2-300, if they sell like hot cakes, you may want to raise the price some, if they don't, you can lower it some.  

You also need to prepare yourself before you start selling bows.  Some people will never be happy no matter what you do and that can be hard to take when you are talking about something you made by hand.

[rraming]

Any time or place I have seen a selfbow for sale the are always more than laminated bows - usually 600-800 bucks. I am not talking about childrens bows here - don't let anyone tell you to give them away

[John Scifres]

Making bows for money takes the joy out of it for me.  Now trading them to people I know is a different matter.  I have gotten lots of good stuff in trade.  

Most board bows sell for less than $100.  If you can get them to look more like stave bows, they may sell for more.  You probably won't get more than $250 for your bows until you are established and give people a reason to want your bows other than to have a selfbow.  The $600-800 self bows are very rare.  Don't forget about the 11% P-R excise tax on bows too.  That comes off your sell price and is not passed along directly to your customers.  Liability is another concern.

Recently, there was a good article about making bows for money in the Trad Archer's World Mag (formerly Trad Bowyer's Journal).

[Roy Steele]

Here's want happen to me after I'd built selfbow for a few years.And if this is what you want fine.Word of mouth can be a good thing some times.This what happen to me my bow building venture.It went from friends to 15 bows a year which cut into my bow hunting time.And it's major stress.Which isn't why I started building bows to start.18 Years later I still build a few bows each year for people and my self but now on my own turms.This makes them better bows and less stress on my part.I only took me about 5 years to realize this.
 Don't get to big to quick unless this is what you want.

[AKmud]

Thanks guys, I don't think I want to market bows "commercially", I am just trying to figure out what would be fair for someone I don't really know approaching me asking for a bow.  Materials are cheap, but there is a lot of time involved as you well know.

[Eric Krewson]

Like Roy, I started getting too involved in making bows for people. I love making them but don't want to be required to make one on a time table. I seldom sell one now and plan to donate a few more to charity causes in the future.

When you turn a hobby into a business it looses it's luster. I learned this the hard way back when I was a decoy carver and didn't even have time take a vacation.

I back mine up and have to replace one that fails every now and then. You will have bows break, refunds or replacements are a must.

I paid for all the tools in my shop by selling bows which was nice but it does get to be a headache at times.

If you make a good bow people will seek you out. If you make a lousy bow your reputation will suffer. The problem is most buyers won't know a lot about selfbows and it will be up to you to give an honest assessment about what your bows will and won't do and what to expect.

Lastly, I have known several new bowyers who sold their first few bows before they really had payed their bowmaking dues. You have to know how a top notch bow should preform before you can make one.

[threeundr]

Originally posted by Crash:
 

You also need to prepare yourself before you start selling bows.  Some people will never be happy no matter what you do and that can be hard to take when you are talking about something you made by hand.

Ditto what Crash said!

-Leonard-

[razorsharptokill]

Hobbies that have a deadline are actually a "job". That is the only dirty 3 letter word I know! LOL!

[elkslayer]

I have sold my boo backed bows from between 250 to 400 and I cant make them fast enough.. I have slowed down now because I want to make some fiberglass kids bows so I have been building a form and a footed riser jig and other stuff to aid me in making them. I am not sure if I will sell them. I might have to make adult ones and sell a few. Good luck in deciding but I have been more worried about a warranty for my selfbows. All it takes is a longer draw buddy to pull one and it can blow. Good luck.