What determines a collection

[ron w]

As many of you know, I have a few bows. A bunch by Chad Holm, 6-7 Hills, another Half dozen Hill style. A Widow, a Big Horn,4 Bear T/D,5 older Bears and a bunch more including many ILF risers. Am I a collector or a hoarder. I was think about sell a few, but what ones.....??? And I have a new River Runner coming soon. Opinions please, also I do shoot most of them!

[Sam McMichael]

The size of a collection is determined by your budget alone.

[Pat B]

I'd say more than one is a collection. 

[ron w]

 

[Bowguy67]

There are different ways to look at it. Obviously if you don’t shoot em and they’re only for collected value it’s a collection. The idea more than one is a collection in my mind is a minimalist mentality. I mean what if it breaks, now during season I gotta scramble?
My buddy is this way. He doesn’t own a rifle, not even a .22. Everyone oughta have at least a few of those. He figures he can use a slug barrel for deer and scatter loads for squirrels. I’m not rich by any means but I ain’t gun poor either thank God. Certainly not bow poor either.  Many times during rifle season not only would I have to decide calibers but action styles. Life is better when you get to chose
Bows are the same way. I’ve got back ups to back ups cause you never know when they when they make longbows illegal cause of all the mass shootings w em. What if I needed a recurve? How bout my bowfish set up? It’s been a long winter, I need a bow a little lighter to limber up. But l sorta like the wood on that one. I need a short one for trees. Long one for forgiveness. Few extras just because.
This one has a great grip. That’s a meat bow. Each time I carry it deer show up to get shot. My  girls names are on one. A real light one is a great loaner bow for newbies or kids.  Holy cow look at all the bows I emassed.
You’d only be a hoarder if you have a bunch of cats as well or are married and that’s her frame of thought.
Speaking of marriage. What about her shoes? Why is she such a collector?

[ron w]

Believe it or not some of the bows I bought to get my wife shooting. She has a couple.......

[Alexander Traditional]

I'm with you Ron . I have a number of Chad's bows as well. I don't even know how many I have. I don't know if that's a collection or a problem or both.

[Pat B]

I'm definitely a minimalist although I have probably 100 bows, mostly selfbows or wood  backed and tri-lams, 2 glass r/d long bows and a glass recurve. also a few hundred arrows, lots of stone points and blades and knives as well as steel knives so I'm definitely a collector, or maybe pack rat is a better description. 

[Bowguy67]

I'm definitely a minimalist although I have probably 100 bows, mostly selfbows or wood  backed and tri-lams, 2 glass r/d long bows and a glass recurve. also a few hundred arrows, lots of stone points and blades and knives as well as steel knives so I'm definitely a collector, or maybe pack rat is a better description. 

Sounds pretty minimalist lol. How do you make it w so few! God bless ya, got more than most

[Bvas]

If you have bows you don’t shoot because you are afraid of harming them or depreciating their value....you are a collector.

If you shoot and use the bows you have........you are well equipped archer.

If you have a bunch of junk that you are scared to string and shoot.....you are a hoarder.

[Roy from Pa]

I have maybe a couple dozen bows on hand.

Favorite is my bear td bought in 1971.

Another bear td from 1973.

Lost count of how many bbo and boo backed trilams I've built.

Yew selfbow I built is  high on my list, as is the first selfbow I ever built from hickory is still hanging in the shop.

Prolly a 100 bows have been built in my shop, I've lost count of how many bows I've donated to help out kids and other organizations like Saint Jude, etc.

Nothing better than making bows, just lays me right back into an easy peaceful feeling.

[stickandstring]

It’s tough not to succumb to consumerism. I’m trying like heck to stop buying unnecessary stuff. Some of the best Archer’s I know have just one bow and can shoot the headlights out.

[Bowguy67]

It’s tough not to succumb to consumerism. I’m trying like heck to stop buying unnecessary stuff. Some of the best Archer’s I know have just one bow and can shoot the headlights out.

Yes but MOST of the best archers have a bunch just because they like bows

[elk nailer]

three or more of anything is a collection!

[Red Beastmaster]

I am not attached to things. Some find it odd, especially family when I say there's nothing I want when they pass on.

I have five bows. I've always had five bows. If a new bow catches my eye I sell one to help fund the purchase. No remorse.

The only things I can think of that I have collected is groundhog teeth and sheds. I have found several of each over the years while hunting and hung onto them.

[Steve Clandinin]

I have a huge bedroom downstairs,I guess it’s my man cave ,55 years of collecting bows and custom made muzzleloader .Hundreds of arrows and I lost count how many bows.My wife and kids call it my museum.Yes I guess I’m a collecter.God I love that room lol

[Sam McMichael]

A question for you guys with a lot of bows... How many arrows do you have?

[ron w]

Arrows...... wood, aluminum, carbon, a bunch, and raw shafts of each to make more. If you not breaking or looking for them you ain't shooting enough..........

[OkKeith]

Not sure if it is a collection... but these are my everyday (maybe once a week) shooters. A couple are my go to hunting bows for Turkey, Deer and small game as well as 3-D shoot bows and such. A couple are just fun bows to shoot that make me happy to play with. I have other bows I rarely shoot and a few take downs cased up in the closet. Many of my bows were family member's and I will never turn loose of them. Others are bows I have picked up along the way and are in the swap/trade/sell category.

I think a "collection" would be items set aside for posterity or because they are unique or perhaps exemplify the type. The term "collection" is tied to the idea of "museum" in my mind. Things that are held as archetypal examples of something that is rare or going away.

Whether it's a collection, a herd, a gaggle... or what, I love them all!

OkKeith

[skeaterbait]

As long as you can still walk through the room and pick them all up it's a collection