New to the fourm looking for a local bowshop.

[philos]

Please let me know if this is not the appropriate place to post this.

I am new to this forum-really great looking forum with some serious knowledge.  I am looking to get set up with some trad gear and I want to go to a good shop.  The challenge is finding one fairly local that works with and sells trad gear. I am in the upstate of South Carolina.

I know of one in Western NC but they do not sell Sage and I am looking to buy a Sage bow.

I could do this online but I prefer to touch some stuff-old school I guess.  I do not mind driving a reasonable distance (hopefully withing a 4-5 hour drive time or less) for a quality shop.  

I appreciate any and all suggestions and I look forward to participating in the topics on the site.

Thanks

[McDave]

I hope someone chimes in with the location of a nearby bow shop.  However, bear in mind that Samick Sages are not that expensive, and are offered by one of our sponsors, Three Rivers Archery.  By the time you drive 4-5 hours, you will have paid for the cost of the bow in gas, and will still have to buy the bow once you get there.

A local shop that can get you started in the right direction is the best way to go.  But if nothing close is available, if you call Three Rivers and explain what you want, they will help you get started with the bow, arrows, a quiver, and a glove or tab.  Also be sure that you get an off-the-shelf rest and string. Probably they come with the bow, but with Samick you can never be sure.

The Samick Sage is a good starter bow, and I have recommended it to some of my friends.

[59Alaskan]

Welcome!  We are glad you are here!

There are a few members here from the upstate that are great guys.  Hopefully one of them will spot this and PM you or respond.  I am in your area frequently for work.  

What is more important than a bow shop is a couple of quality trad friends nearby to help.  

In my travels I have not found what I would call a "trad" bow shop in your area.  There aren't too many out there period, but there are folks working in "regular" bow shops that love trad.  

An example is the guy who works in the local Gander Mountain archery dept here in Ohio, or the manager of a local sporting goods store that displays his trad bow collection in his store.  The store would not appear "trad" but there are folks there that "speak your language" if you get to asking around.

Or ask about winter shooting leagues at a "regular" shop then ask if anyone shoots trad in them.  You will be lucky to find one or two but if you do either join the league or show up at one of their nights and just try to get to know them.

There are many trad guys not using the internet that you can also find through "old school" networking

Good luck!

[Bill Turner]

Its been my experience that traditional bow shops are few and far between. Most big box stores(Cabela's, Bass Pro, Gander Mountain, etc.) sell some traditional equipment(they call it beginner bows) but know little about what they are selling. As mentioned above, if your lucky you might find someone with traditional knowledge at one of these stores, but it is doubtful. Good luck with your quest, but you might be better served by using the TG sponsors (Three Rivers Archery/The Nocking Point etc.) to satisfy your traditional archery needs and do not hesitate to ask questions on this site. Welcome aboard.    

[D.J. Carr]

Local Traditional Archery Shop LOL!

The vast majority of us have no traditional shop in our area.  It's a little past the season, but find a Traditional Archery shoot and visit the vendors. Or be like most of us and use this site and fellow tradgangers as your guide.

[Bud B.]

Eagle's Flight Archery is in Mebane, NC. Don is also a sponsor here on TG.

You can shoot in his shop. He can completely set you up. Give him a call.

 http://www.eaglesflightarchery.com/efa/

[shag08]

Do lots of research here. Then buy what you want/need from 3 Rivers. Everything I know about traditional archery came from the fine folks on this site.

The Sage is a great bow. It has the best feeling grip, to me, of any recurve I've ever picked up. I bought one for my my wife with 35# limbs. I ended up buying a set of 55# limbs for it so I could play/hunt with it myself. I shoot it off the shelf with the soft side of Velcro cut out nicely for the shelf and strike plate.

Order a good fast flight Flemish string to fit the bow when you order it. Then talk with the folks at 3 Rivers about what arrows and point weight will work best for you. Might be best to buy a couple test kits...arrows and weights. Call them to place your order. They are EXTREMELY helpful people. They go the extra mile.

Be sure to check out the shooters form forum here. Lots of great info there.

Don't be affraid to ask questions if you are unsure...it's the best way to learn.

[Bjorn]

My closest real trad shop is 750 miles away. My bowyer is maybe 2000 miles distant. They are both TradGang sponsors and that is what counts for me. I would not trust my local shop unless they were a sponsor. That does not mean that good shops don't exist-they are simply few and far between, and distance can be overcome.

[Terry Lightle]

Don at EFA is a great guy to deal with.

[philos]

Thank you all so much for the feedback.  I am late to the (hunting) party this year but my guess is I will need lots of practice with a recurve.  I hope to get set up soon and maybe try for spring turkey.

Thanks again