Went to Compton- first time

[mustang]

I just had to go sometime, I have read so many articles and books by the main organizers and attendants... people like Fred Asbell, TJ Conrads, the Wenzel brothers, not to mention the history of the place... Glen st. Charles and Art Young.
Well I drove the 13.5 hours from Mississippi (saw LOTS of young corn growing along the way), and arrived at pretty Berrien Springs, Michigan.

I was immediately welcomed by very nice folks, and set up my awning in the show area even though I didn't see any self bowyers around. Well there weren't many, but I actually had the most success (sales of the StavePress) I've yet had at a rendezvous. As it turns out, the stick bow builders that were there were really dedicated, and the new bow builders I talked to were all ears and welcomed any advice me and others could give (not that I'm an expert).

What seems to be the norm at nearly all traditional gatherings- it rained a few times, but mercifully short bursts.
They had raffles, auctions, speakers, and dinners in the evenings and lots of Fred Bear and Howard Hill historical displays throughout the day in the clubhouse. There is an enormous camping area, 4 3-D ranges, kids range, aerial target thrower for flu-flu shooting.

I just wanted to post here and thank the guys on Tradgang who stopped to talk to me (I just wrote a note to the PA guys too). It was a lot of fun for the entire long weekend, and I saw some "big shots" of print and video fame who seem to put their pants on just like I do.

BTW- I met a guy named John Brooks who makes the best looking and shooting self bows I've ever seen!

I can say that it is a cool place to go... maybe more stick shooters will be there next year?

Jon

[Jon Stewart]

Jon, Chris and on stopped by on Sunday around noon.  We spoke about the Camp Cuervo Archery club and soldiers making bows in Iraq and Afganistan.  I told you I would send you a copy of an article written in the Primitive Archery magazine on making bows.  Article is copied and on the way.

[ron w]

I have only been once to Compton, but I found it to be a very special place to spend a few days........I hope I can make it back out next year!

[mustang]

Hi Jon Stewart-
It was good to meet you at Compton.
Thanks for your dedication to the troops- I'll be glad to help.

Jon

[owlbait]

Jon, if you make it to Compton's again and have time to man your booth and coach some bowbuilders, have the Compton folks put it in their flier. Just an idea.
Mike

[Kevin Winkler]

Jon, Glad to hear that you made the trip home safely. I enjoyed the time that we spent talking about selfbows and Ed Scott. I'm looking forward to using my new Stavepress in the next few weeks.

God Bless......and Thanks

Kevin

[mustang]

Good point Owlbait... if I get back next year I might put on a little class (and let them know before-hand). Its just that I was automatically expecting to see some bow building going on and didnt... I did hear from one fellow who had his shave horse working in the camping area.

Also, Gary Davis came by to chat... he must have been there to shoot. He didn't have yellow sawdust all over him like usual.

Kevin- I enjoyed talking to you too. Good luck with all you do, and thanks for buying the StavePress. I just heard from John Cooper (young pro-bowyer you may have seen at my booth) he bought one also and called for measurements from my traveling rig. He is going to use the SP some on the road at other rendezvous around.

Jon

[Whip]

Glad that you made it Jon - it wasc nice to see you there. I wonder if we could somehow attract a few more primitive skills type vendors like yourself?  Sure would be a great place for someone with a trailer full of usage to sell.  

Maybe we could work in some seminars/ bow building lessons?  With the rock pounders there it  would be a good fit.

[mustang]

Hey Whip,

Good to see you too...
What an osage vendor opportunity!
I had gone up there with only one klunker last choice stave that I had in the corner of my barn. I just KNEW that I'd find an osage salesman there to get a nice stave from, but NO. I had to whittle all weekend on one junk stave- worm holes and splits all in it.

I wonder which comes first (at Comptons) the stave vendor or the selfbow builders. At this point there are not good numbers of either group.

I greatly enjoyed it though- good people.

Jon

[JPE]

Jon ; it was good to see you again. Glad you made it home ok and the time at Compton was good for you. I have to say that even though I am not a self bow user your product was awsome. It was good to see it in action.  See you on the road some where.  Jim Pyles

[mustang]

Hey JPE-
Warning...Shameless Plug:
You must have won the friendliest vendor award...
Folks- next time you see JPEnterprises at your rendezvous, go by and see him. Nice guy and nice wife too. All the good products, and he has a website too.
End of Plug.

It was good to see you Jim.

Jon

[Warchild]

It would be great and I think draw a lot of interest if you were to come next year and put on a class. In the past at the Great Lakes Longbow Invitational there was a guy that gave classes on self bow making. For the reasonable price of $99.00 he would provide an osage stave, work bench, hand tools to use and instruction to anyone interested in building a self bow. By the end of the day on Sunday (last day of the event) you had a functional shooting bow. I shot with a couple of guys that went through the class and I was super impressed with their bows. After the event they had to take the bows home and put finishing touches on them but what a great class. I always kicked myself for not partaking. I also understand that there would probably be a cost increase over the GLLI event as that took place in the 90's.

[Whip]

I think that would be a great idea for a Compton activity.  Jon, would either you or any other self bow type guy like to try to put some something  together?  If there is enough interest I'm sure we could set aside some space for instruction. If we could attract a few more vendors, like some one with staves, etc. we could group self bow vendors together.  I think it would make a nice addition to the rendezvous.

[mustang]

Semper Fi Warchild,
and Hi Whip,

I am capable of putting on a class for beginners as you suggest but I'll be needing to man my booth up there- its a time thing.

I agree that there would be interest if advertised before hand by Compton. What I may do is ease on over to the Primitive Archer message boards and ask if there are folks interested in coming up to Berrien Springs to teach.

Gary Davis would be the natural choice for that mission. He has the roughed out staves, and he is the best teacher for beginners I've seen. AND he lives up there in Michigan I believe. I have seen him put on classes at the Tennessee Classic for the two years I've gone, and I know he's been going there lots longer than that. I'll call him and let you know what he says.

Jon