2017 Bow Swap

[Roy from Pa]

?

[talkingcabbage]

Has everyone just given up on this?  What's going on?

[Krasus]

I think it's safe to say it died...

[Krasus]

I think it's safe to say it died...

[inksoup]

kelly, can you please update us?

thanks.

[mwosborn]

Originally posted by inksoup:
[QB] kelly, can you please update us?

That would be nice.

[Roy from Pa]

Yup, it's only been since October 27th for the last update from Kelly. Hope everything is ok.

[talkingcabbage]

I feel like I'm    

[SportHunter]

Hope you guys waiting get something soon.

[Krasus]

I won't be doing another one.  The bow I recieved went straight into my garbage can.

[talkingcabbage]

Sorry to hear that Krasus.  Most bows I've gotten have been at least shoot-able.  Some better than others.  I just try to remember that there are usually many new Bowyer's in the swap and I have to assume everyone is trying their best.  
I am disappointed in the lack of communication in this year's swap though.  I realize everyone has a life outside of the computer, but we all need to keep our word and take care of the things we commit to.  If a man's not good on his word, he's not a good man.

[inksoup]

expecting santa clouse dropping something from chimney.

best.

re: sorry to hear that krasus.

[Pat B]

When we started doing bow swaps on PA many years ago the main intention was to get new bowyers to challenge themselves to build the best bow they could for their recipient and not see what bow you could get. I believe that lots of guys that would have lost interest otherwise built bows they could be proud of and learned some of the finer points of wood bow building and most are still building bows.
 I guess it depends on why you get into these bow trades, to help someone else learn to build bows or to receive a bow. I've been in lots of bow trades here on TG and on PA. I've received some fine bows on both sites, some glass but mostly wood. They are all still cherished pieces in collection whether they are excellent examples of the bowyers craft or just badly bent sticks. I know they all were the best the bowyer could build and for me they are all top shelf.
 If you are not willing to give without an equitable return I guess you shouldn't get into a group bow trade.

[John Malone]

I hope this bow swap thing keeps going long enough for me to participate, been reading about these for along time. I agree with Pat Bs line of thinking. Some of my most prized possessions wouldn't fetch 2 bucks in a thrift store. And I get more satisfaction than you could imagine knowing that some were some guy is saying to a buddy "hey look at the finish on the wood work in the den, had some hillbilly named JW from NC do it hand rubbed every bit of it." Maybe ill make a bow one day someone can say the same about. And if I do get to participate I want my bow from a new guy.

[monterey]

I'm not in this year but I think if it's to continue this year's swap needs to be cleaned up and finished out soon.  The next swap would typically kick off right after the New year.

I've been in twice and both times received better than I sent.  But it did inspire me to do better work.

That's what it's supposed to be about.

I'd like to see the swap get back on track and continue into the future.

[mwosborn]

Pat - I couldn't agree with you more.  I am in this year's swap and knew going in all the rules and guidelines.  I was not expecting a top of the line bow.  I was expecting someone to do the best they could and send out a bow.  I and a few others are still waiting.  That along with the non-communication (not a single pm to me) is a little disappointing.

Monterey nailed it - this year's swap needs to be cleaned up and finished out so a new swap can be set up.

[jsweka]

I haven't been in the swap for a couple years.  When I was in, I was very fortunate to receive a couple top notch bows in a very timely manner.  Not that that was my goal for being in - I just got lucky.  

I quit jumping in because it seemed like each year it got strung out longer and longer waiting on people to ship.  For me, it wasn't the fear of not getting a bow or getting a bow I wasn't pleased with, it was more the principal of some guys (certainly not the ones that built for me) not holding up their end of the deal.  I just don't feel like dealing with that sort of stuff.

I would be up for a one-on-one swap/trade if somebody wanted to do it, but I don't know that I'll ever get in a big swap again.

[mikkekeswick]

Yes the bow I received had a lot of 'issues'    I didn't feel right sending it on but I had a lot of family issues happening when it was time for me to build and really couldn't get something built that I would have been proud to send.
For me it seems like these swaps would work best for new comers to bowyery. They are likely to learn the most from seeing somebodyelses bow. I have made many hundreds of bows and have been dissappointed with most of the bows i've recieved in previous swaps, just unlucky or my stabndards are too high! I can tell how much or how little work/care went into them purely because I have been doing this for as long as I have. For me I have seen a lot less care exercised than I put into every bow, for me that means it just isn't worth it.
I think personal swaps are the way to go.

[Roy from Pa]

In past swaps, there were always updates from guys who were late shipping. That was fine because at least they were posting about their progress and they did indeed ship out a bow. This years swap has had none of that. No communications at all. That tells me they have no intentions of ever shipping. That just isn't right.

[Roy from Pa]

It would be nice though if Kelly would jump in here with any updates.