Let there be light....and there was light

[Ric O'Shay]

I was out shooting my new Morning Star from J.D. Berry last evening when I suddenly recognized and understood something that I had ignored for years. The proverbial light came on. Traditional bows have a personality all their own. They develop that personality from the archer that spends time with them, cares for them and protects them from damage or injury. Sort of like raising a kid.
Over the last 50+ years that I've enjoyed archery, I've managed to purchase several new bows. Each and every time, at some point during the shooting process, every bow has come into its own character and seemed to adapt itself to the needs and ability the archer. After a given number of arrows, the bow seems to say, "OK, now I know how you shoot. I recognize your ability and what you expect me to do." It's almost like a freshly overhauled engine.
A few years ago I performed a top overhaul on my airplane. New pistons, rings, etc. For the first 15 to 20 or so hours, the engine performed well enough, but seemed maladjusted. It burned oil and carboned up the plugs. I had to clean the spark plugs before every flight. Then on a flight back from Missouri, everything just seemed to gel. Everything smoothed out, it stopped burning oil and it sounded like the proverbial Singer Sewing Machine.
That's what I'm talking about the bow taking on a personality of its own. Initially, it may seem unwieldy, but after you shoot it for a while, it will smooth out. That's when you, the archer and the longbow, become one unit operating together to accomplish the desired goal.

[jerry womble]

Well said Danny. I couldn't agree more!

Jerry

[gonefishing600]

Beautifully put, I totally concur!

So in your opinion, is it possible to have an intimate relationship with more than one bow?

[katman]

I hear you Danny, some just take a little time to gel, some never do and hello classifieds. Glad to hear your getting along with your new bow.

[Bowwild]

Makes sense too me. I even have a couple on the rack that seem to be just biding their time for when I see the (their) light.

[Ric O'Shay]

gonefishing600 - Just don't let the other bow find out about the first.

Like the song from "The Oak Ridge Boys": says:

"Trying to love two bows,
Is like a ball and chain,
Sometimes the pleasure,
Ain't worth the strain.
It's a long old grind,
and it tires your mind"

   

[Fletcher]

Takes a bit for the rings to seat.

That was a good read Danny! Makes a lot of sense too.

We going to see you at the Cowtown Winter Traditional shoot next month?

Bisch

[Mojostick]

I'm just excited that we've seen our first Tradgang reference to the best rock and roll LP of all time!
http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=ac+dc+let+there+be+rock+youtube&FORM=VIRE4#view=detail&mid=EB051F5CD0FACAE816A5EB051F5CD0FACAE816A5

[Thumper Dunker]

How true.

[WarDancer]

Bish, tell me about the cowtown shoot, might try to come. Bill

[cahaba]

I feel the same way Danny.

[Flying Dutchman]

I feel the same, but sometimes the light goes out again...

[Ric O'Shay]

Dutchman -

Well, my light hasn't gone out as yet. But it has dimmed from 100 watts to 60 watts. Some things on a man just don't work like they used to work.  

[Mike Most]

Originally posted by Ric O'Shay:
Dutchman -

Well, my light hasn't gone out as yet. But it has dimmed from 100 watts to 60 watts. Some things on a man just don't work like they used to work.      

Do ya suppose switching to halogen would help? Good analogy on the wattage, my arrow shooting is still right down the pipe. (kinda like the 1895 Singer Treadle don't make em like that any more)

[Ric O'Shay]

Mike -
As long as Congress doesn't force to me to go to those pig tailed florescent bulbs, I'll be OK.
     

My Mom had one of those Singers that belonged to her Mom.

[elkken]

Good thread ....            my heart belongs to my Bill Stewart Multi-cam, but I still shoot other bows just not with the same affection.