Does It Exist?

[LBR]

I was just wondering...is there some kind of archery guild in the U.S., or anywhere?

The reason I ask is, over the years, I've seen a few different people referred to as "masters";  Master Bowyer, Master Arrowsmith, Master Fletcher, Master Archer, Master String Maker...there's even "Masters of the Barebow"!   :p  

Are these legitimate titles, or just exaggerations (I was kidding about MBB)?  If they are legit, how does one go about joining their perspective guild?

I've yet to hear about any such, but I figured I'd ask, just in case.

[David Mitchell]

I think those titles are holdovers from a time in the past when, for example, a bow maker would apprentice to a highly respected and recognized "master" of the trade, and only after several years of apprenticeship did they earn the title "master bowyer."  Today almost nobody apprentices and the term "master" is really not bestowed by anyone other than satisfied customers or ads in various media.  I believe that the same holds true for fletchers, etc. In this day and age, these arts seem to be learned more by trial and error or copying the designs of others.

[LBR]

That's what I thought, but I've been wrong before.  I know many trades still require apprenticeships, wasn't sure if archery still had any in existence.

Honestly, if I recall correctly, the "master" designations I've seen weren't from customers--more like sales pitches.  If they have actually been earned, that carries some weight.  If not...well...

[FerretWYO]

I have often wondered that myself.

[Grey Taylor]

Yeah, I think David is right.
Way back when, and over the pond, there were guilds for the different practices. To get a particular title the guild had to give it.
That may still be a practice in Great Britian but here in the states I think it's all advertising and maybe an occasional puffed up chest.

An exception I know of is for knifemaking. The knifemaking groups have standards and exams for testing makers before they can claim to be Master Bladesmiths, or whatever the title is. Even then I don't now if those groups have a copyright or something to the title. There may be nothing to keep a guy not associated with the group from claiming to be a master smith or something similar.

Guy

[Fortun81]

There is the ATA (Archery Trade Association).
And, for master instructors, and range masters, they have to be certified through either the IBO (International Bowhunters Association) or FITA (International Archery Federation).

There are a couple more, but these are the big ones. If you have anything to do with an archery business, the ATA knows about it.

[BWD]

There are many Masters and many more Grasshoppers.  :D

[Moon]

Chad,

I would consider you a master string maker.  The last four I bought from you were great.

Moon

[bigbadjon]

I think referring to these folks as experts may be more legitimate. However a master is just an expert who paid some dues and put in some time for an organization to bestow a title on him.

[Crash]

I'm a "master" bow buyer.  Still working on my certification of "master" bow seller.    

[LBR]

Moon, I appreciate that but I don't deserve the title.  I haven't earned (or even bought) the title.  I'm not comfortable with "expert" either.  I like "experienced".

I appreciate the input.  I just wanted to be sure I wasn't missing out on something.  Wouldn't be the first time.

Chad

[Fortun81]

I agree with BigBadJohn - Masters mean they paid dues and were "certified" of some sort. Experts, in my opinion, are the real deal, that have proved their abilities many times in real life.

It's like having a master's degree from College. Just because you have the piece of paper, doesn't mean you are an expert. I means you were able to afford the classes, and had the time. Where the true experts were probably busy mastering their craft. I would rather get advice from an expert than a "master" any day. : )

[LBR]

I agree with that, but I was wondering if such a title actually existed for folks in the archery business (other than coaches), either bought or earned.

So far, it seems that is no such thing as a true "Master" when it comes to building bows, making arrows, strings, etc.  It's more a moniker anyone can give or be given.  It's not like a martial arts or archery coach "Master" that one has to work their way up through the ranks and earn, or a college degree that has to be paid for (and grades made for).

Thanks again for the input!

Chad

[duncan idaho]

The term "Master" is so abused in martial arts, that it is a sad joke. Drive through any strip mall and notice how many "masters signs" you observe.

"Those who constantly strive to learn any art,will always be students, never masters"

Sorry, I got a thing for that word, but, we are blessed with a large amount of "Professionals", like: Dale Dye, Jim Belcher, Bob Morrison, Dick Roberson and many, many more.

[jhg]

Originally posted by Fortun81:

..It's like having a master's degree from College. Just because you have the piece of paper, doesn't mean you are an expert. I means you were able to afford the classes, and had the time....

Wow. Thats true as long as that person didn't learn a thing. Its easy to discount the hard work many of us put into our advanced degrees when you don't know what it might take to obtain one. No, a degree does not mean experience. But it certinly means a lot more than your description of it, I assure you of that. Not to mention having to "make the time" AND work two jobs, scrimp every penny to pay for it and do without while everyone around you was buying ski boats and diesel pickups. Does not sound like what you describe at all.
Regarding "master". The title comes over to us from Europe and indeed, after going through the apprenticeship of many years you were a master. Head and shoulders above anyone who had not gone through that process.
The designation had nothing to do with talent or wisdom. But a level of skills that few could duplicate without having gone through the system. As a carpenter renovating old homes back east, homes often trimmed out by master carpenters/cabinetmakers who bought their passage over to the new world as ships carpenters, I can tell you those guys knew what they were doing. We had to duplicate what they did. It was quite the learning curve since there is no apprenticeship system here.

Joshua

[Rob DiStefano]

i've never seen or heard of any american "guild" related to archery. to be recognized as a "master" of anything implies receiving accredited training/schooling which results in a "degree" that's recognized at least nationally.

in the long and short runs, if you provide a product or service, your actions speak volumes more than any "mastery degree" moniker attached to yer name.