So you bought a used boat and she's already named....

[GMMAT]

Kind of the same principle in buying a used bow that's been personalized by the bowyer, isn't it?  

I'll soon be receiving my first custom bow and I'm contemplating (really want to) getting it personalized.  

What are your thoughts on this?  Would you consider buying a used bow that was personalized for someone else?  Does this add or detract from the bow?

Thanks!

[Grey Taylor]

Bow's a bow... didn't make any difference to me who's name was on it.

Guy

[Mo. Huntin]

If it was just a hunting bow I got cheap I probably would not mind much.  If it was a real nice bow I had to pay a lot of money for yes I think it would bother me.  I used to have a really pretty old Hawkin muzzleloader but the dude I bought it from had a dragon ingraved in the metal it was not real noticeable but when somebody looked at it I always wanted to say the dragon was on it when I bought it.

[NightHawk]

Names are easily removed from a bow. Since it isn't to hard to remove it go ahead and have your name put on it, might help in keeping it from being stolen

[Mo. Huntin]

Of course if you reach the level of say Fred Bear I would be kicking my self for removing or painting over it.

[Guru]

You're buying a bow and already worried about selling it? Something I'll never understand I guess.....

[Charlie Lamb]

You buying this bow for you or the next guy?

[myshootinstinks]

Jeff,
     I've removed so many names from customs built for others it's a non-issue for me when I'm looking at a used bow. Easy, easy to remove the name & touch up perfectly.  If I put a name on a bow, it's usually not my personal name but a name for the bow.

[Mourning Wood]

I know that Black Widow sells a sticker to go over the name if it bothers someone so much.I figure you could leave it on there and if your at a 3-d shoot and not shooting well,you can say that it's not even your bow,just trying it out!!Seriously though, I've heard that sending it in to get redone and remove the name and put yours on it can cost at least$150.00 and upwards of $200.00.Good luck either way just adding a little easy fix on the sticker thing.ED

[S. Brant Osborn]

My friend has a girlfriend with another guys name in tatoo on her...body.  He says that it is hard to overlook it.  I will sugest he get a sticker to put over it too. Brant

The tat would bother me, the name, not so much.

[KentuckyTJ]

Brant, Hahaha.

Jeff, If you will check your Tradgang members handbook there is a rule in print on this very issue. Here is the text from that page.

Naming a bow is a sacred thing that can't be taken lightly or just handed out haphazardly. A perfect for you bow should earn it's name over time. Hold off on naming her. Just like your Dad told you about your high school girlfriend "When the right one comes along you will know". At that point it will be time to bestow a name.

[Buckeye Trad Hunter]

I'm with Charlie on this you're buying this bow for you not the next guy.  Besides, what if you never want to sell it?

[Chuck Jones]

In the boating world, there is a naming and de-naming ceremony, and it's considered bad luck to ignore them. To de-name a boat without inviting disaster; you are supposed to gather your friends together and offer a little something to appease the sea. Then you paint the boat's old name on a rock, and throw it into the water. You can then safely remove the old name, and put on the new name. You then christen the boat with the new name, and an offering.

The same thing could be done with a bow, only instead of putting the name on a rock, you could put it on an arrow, and shoot it away into the woods. Offer up a little deer lure and a prayer, and your all set to re-name your bow.

[Toklat1]

I am currently waiting on my first custom bow and, I chose to have it personalized with my name on it. My plan is not to sell it but to one day hand it down to one of my sons. My thoughts are that I know he will enjoy having the bow with is Dad's name on it when it becomes his.

[GMMAT]

Naming a bow is a sacred thing that can't be taken lightly or just handed out haphazardly. A perfect for you bow should earn it's name over time. Hold off on naming her. Just like your Dad told you about your high school girlfriend "When the right one comes along you will know". At that point it will be time to bestow a name.
 

Thanks....... for the constructive replies...

Having never ordered a custom bow, I didn't know what typical protocol was.  If I didn't think I was getting one I'd keep (custom order), I wouldn't order it.  Hey I'm on my first wife (but neither of us is monogrammed with the other's name), I'm aware of the concept!

Thanks, again.  

[grizz]

I have owned my share of bows. I have only one that I was proud to name. This bow hunted (successfully) eight species of big game, but the one that earned it its name was the 1500 lb buffalo. Thus I give you the now retired "BUFFALO BOW". Retired after it cast its last arrow through the lungs of a mule deer last season in 2008 never to be shot again. I will hang it in the "BOW SHOP" and give it due respect.

[Widowbender]

Jeff,
Buying a bow with a name on it doesn't bother me. I also have a custom with my name on it. I don't think it hurts the value of it. To me it adds to the history of the bow. My favorite hunting bow was named by someone else.

David