TG Bow Swap - What to make?

[Stiks-n-Strings]

Part of it is to kinda find out a little about your recipient but knowing some general info would help.

 Part of the bow swap spirit is to try and get to know the guy or gal (Bona)    you are building for with out giving it away. It makes it a little more personal I think and is part of the fun.

 This is a good thread.
 
 Stiks

[No-sage]

As we're all (mostly) amateur bowyers here, it will also give most of us the opportunity to move out of our comfort range and try and make a different style bow than what you're used to making (Scifres still doesn't have to make a 3 piece though).  Only good can come of that.

I know I've settled into a certain style bow that I mostly make anymore.  Kind of got bored with making bows from it too.

I guess it could also be the fact that I'm a hunter, and always like to make bows to that purpose.  

I hunt a certain way... I like a certain bow for the way I like hunting... I make the same hunting bow over and over and over hoping to make a better one each time......

This is going to be fun.

[hova]

you know i think it was bejamin franklin who said that to him , the definition of insanity , is doing the same thing over and over , and expecting different results....


 

[Ranger44]

I have very, very little experience in bow building.  I was talked into joining the swap as a learning experience.  What I build will be new to me as I have built exactly one red oak board bow.  I will build more before I start my swap bow.  

Whatever I receive is up to the builder and whatever it is will be displayed in my home.  That way I can always say to people "that's the bow that was built just for me by some person that didn't even know me."  If it's a great shooter or an average looker it will be special to me.  Thanks, TradGang

[No-sage]

Maybe hova..  

but you never know what that next piece of wood can do until you put it into your bow and bring it hunting a few times.

Ranger44,  every bow is a learning opportunity.  I've learned more from my many failures than I have from my best shooters.  1-0 is a good record... hope you keep the streak alive.    

[Pat B]

The main purpose of this trade is for each of us to build the bow we think our recipient would like. Do a little research and see if you can come up with any info and go from there.
  I'm an archer and a hunter and probably in that order. I love hunting but I like to just shoot too. When I build bows I build them for hunting, ie. durable, easy in the hand and well ballanced. I will try to accomidate my recipient by building a bow that he(or she) will enjoy shooting and not just stick up on a wall to look at. I also think we should all try to step out of our comfort zone as bowyers like No-Sage said and expand our ability and knowledge base to build a bow that not only our reciepient will love but will improve our bow building abilities and self confidence. We have 6 months to accomplish this. Just like with bow building though we don't have to rush and get it done by next week. Take your time and build the best bow you have ever built with your recipient in mind.
  If it is OK with Kris and Kelly...anyone that wants info about recipient that you can't find here in their writings contact one of us and we will try to find out what your reciepient wants, needs or would just like to have. So contact one of us if you aren't sure and we will see what we can find out. If it is not OK with Kris and Kelly...Too BAD!!! I'll bug the hell out of you until you tell me what I need to know! d;^)

[Stiks-n-Strings]

Well said Pat. It is all good.

 As far as me I like all bows without wheels. But I do like to hunt with my bows as much as I like to just shoot'em.
 
 Pat as far as me or Kelly being ok with anyhting..... as far as I am concerned you are just as a valuable part of putting the bow swap together from the get go as any of us. It takes us all to make it go and when I put it together last year I took alot of advice from many that joined and applied it so it ain't just me or Kelly. It's Trad Gang bowyers and you are a very integral part of that as are many.

 Stiks

[NTD]

Well said Pat!

[GREG IN MALAD]

I don't think it really matters what you build as long as you gave it a good effort. Personally I have bows for hunting and 3-D and bowfishing, and some that I just enjoy looking at. Whatever you send I'm sure it will get used.

[Bradford]

I think you all have great points and ideas.  I would hope that everyone is happy with no matter what they get.

But for some of us, it is nice to have a goal.. maybe a way for us to please the other.. that for me is very fun.  If I have a little info, then I can make a goal and go for it.

So I say this is a great post.. give the info.. if your skill lies in one set, then great.. I know I will be happy with what ever for the shear fun and supprise of it.

But the builder side of me wants to try to create a master piece for that person if possible.  Armed with the right knowledge, I am going to give my self a great challenge.. a way to better my bow building.  Kind of like the bows I built for my kids.. each one had a bit of them in it.

So carry on everyone.... this is fun.  I have some ideas from reading the profile page and the ideas are flowing heavy.. so more info (if they have not already...LOL) is terrific!

[Dick in Seattle]

good thread... fun to read...

For myself, I can shoot most styles of bows, but the last couple of years have pretty well settled into true longbows, either the ones I make, glassed Hill styles, most of which have been posted here after I built them.  I have some similar by others.  I love to compare features and design, see other builder's wood preferences, try to figure out their tillering.  It's all learning.   I do prefer a true longbow.  I can appreciate recurves and R/D's, but rarely shoot them.  Don't care what the rules say, an R/D isn't a longbow  ;^)   My main problem is physical limitation.  When I shoot, I shoot a lot and if the weight is over 30#, I pay for it for days afterward.  However, I stated that up front when I entered, so I'm not too worried.

This is my third bow swap, first where I couldn't communicate with my intended victi... uh, recipient. Last year I got to conversing with the buildee and ended up trying a new design... a forward riser Schulz longbow copy.  I like it so much I've built three others, including one for me.

[Aram]

Funny how little things make us so different.    I thought I can shoot anything. But reading Dick's reply I remembered: the only thing I can't shoot is a Hill style handle. Even a bend through the handle sapling will work for me but I just can't wrap my hand around what I think it's the traditional Hill "deep broomstick".
Now, for one of Keith's bows, though, I'll learn archery from the beginning if I have to.         Good thread!

[DVSHUNTER]

I shoot everything.  I already know what I'm building for my person. I always snoop around and read up on people. I definitely like this type of thing because it does connect us all not just your own person or builder. We get to see names and building styles, help with all issues anyone would have, and push ourselves to give that bow that someone is going to happy to own. This is a good post and my person already replied and verified what I was thinking. If my person needs a hint, I like osage.

[Stiks-n-Strings]

Hey David What if you ended up getting a sweet yew bow    Just saying.

 Stiks

[Osagetree]

I just love bows and so do others in my family and friends circle. Any bow I receive will be charished and used well by this circle of family and friends.
Just trying to take the pressure off anyone building for me. Sometimes my efforts backfire!  

[ranger 3]

I don't really care what I get, I will shoot it and enjoy it. If it is to light to hunt with I will shoot 3-D and target, I want the builder to enjoy making it for me so don't feel bad if it is under or over weight or doesn't look the best just have fun.

[Stiks-n-Strings]

That's the spirit Ranger.

 I think we all need to push ourselves but at he same time we need to build a a safe shootable bow that is our best. I don't think we'll have any issues with who get's what.
 
 The Bow I got last year was a beauty! I never got a chance to shoot it much as I already had my hunting setup tuned to a T. A buddy of mine was admiring it and could not afford a bow and the next thing you know I got him shooting it and ended up giving it to him.

 I ain't gonna lie I wish I still had it but the enjoyment he get's out of it is priceless and I converted him to trad so now I got a new trad shooting buddy so I would say it was worth it. I still get to shoot it a little   :D  

 Stiks

[Ranger44]

I hope my apprehension is not taken as negativity.  I plan to learn a lot before my bow is done.  I will tinker with different methods and hopefully my recipient will be pleased.

The comradery on this sight is really great.  I don't know anyone here personally but I can surely see that so many people are willing to help.

As far as what I would like...I don't know.  The last time I shot a recurve was in the mid 1970's.  I just built my first longbow and that is the first trad bow I have shot since then also.  I mainly hunt but this bow building bug has made me like to shoot just for fun a lot more too!  My plan is to make my first animal taken with a trad bow a turkey( that's first recently I shot my first, a rabbit, when I was about 8 and the story started there).  I have a 13 year old step son that started working on his first bow with me last night.     Thanks guys and have fun!

[formerbutcher]

I shoot all kinds of bows, from 24" to 30"draws. some are as short as 52"s to as long as 70"s, what i'm trying to say is, you do the best you can ,with what you have, and don't sweat it !  

[Keenan]

What a great community! It really is fun trying to get into the head and heart of what your receiver will want.
  Then there is PaT B who wants to get into everyones head