New wood grain pattern on carbon shafts?

[Mr. fingers]

i second big Jim's big woods in beard hair camo  

[BigJim]

Hey Fingers, I think you have a good idea there...beard camo. Might work  

Fastitz, I haven't got the skivvy on the new Ferguson's but unless they come in much cheaper than before, I wouldn't expect to see them around much. Before the heavy hunter blems, I couldn't sell one dozen in an entire year.

I would expect them to be cheaper though as Bear Paw (owner of the Heavy Hunters) moved all their carbon business to China.

I was hoping for some patterns today, but will spend a long weekend thinking about it instead.
Thanks, bigjim

[bowfanatik]

Frankly, most would like to see that camo pattern on arrow GT velocity

[BigJim]

Bowfanatik, I don't get any call for the velocity...besides, if they add a wrap..pattern to them, they will be heavier and nearly the same thing as what we have now.


I am waiting on seeing the pattern before deciding on a name.

It was obvious to me before even starting this thread that it would be impossible to satisfy everyone but given the current selection of wood grain shafts available to us at this time, I felt that a popular option could easily be achieved.

I have expressed to Gold Tip that what I was looking for in a shaft was: 1)- .006 straightness or better. They told me for every dz traditional shafts they sell in .003, they sell 1000 dz in .006 straightness....makes sense to me.

2)- High contrast, more "real" looking wood shaft with more prominent grain patterns.

3)- at least 33" shafts in all sizes but would prefer 34". They have the mandrels. I have a couple sets of the recently discontinued "Timber sticks" they made for Bear Paw in 300 spine that are 34". I have to cut them to be stiff enough, but at least I have the option.

4)- A price point that will place them the same or right at the current pricing of the existing Gold Tip Traditional's. Adding 2"s to each shaft is likely to bring the price up slightly (calculator says $5 per dz) I'm hoping to be able to absorb that if possible. It will depend however on what my overall commitment is going to be.

Any of the other suggestions sound great, but are not realistic. Heavier shafts cost more as would developing more spine options.

A couple things I believe I have learned through the years is that guys/gals want wood grain carbons, but aren't necessarily willing to pay top dollar when there is another option.

Lots say they don't care about the pattern, but I am amazed at how many will wait months on end for me to get the wood grain blems in and won't buy other blemished patterns...Unless they are purchasing full price wood grain from some one else...

I will keep ya'll posted on the developments as they happen.

Thanks, bigjim

[bowfanatik]

just say velocity ,because big FOC

[Gator1]

Thanks Jim for polling... I think you are on the right tract for sure...

   

[awbowman]

Jim,

Personally, I find it very hard to pass up the deal you have on GT Trad Blems.

When I shot a compound I shot the best arrow (straightest) I could afford but don't find it necessary in a trad bow hunting situation.  Maybe something to think about.

Not trying to discourage you but I think this might be a popular mindset in trad bow shooters outside target shooting

[bowfanatik]

Hey Jim , why you don´t make poll with photos ....just for fun , to see

[stagetek]

I'm thinking 33" full length Rosewood grained shafts. No footing or crest.

[BigJim]

awbowman, I agree, the blems are a great deal, but we already spend about half the year with no blem wood grains to sell.

In 2014, we got every single blem they had except about 400 dz. That came out to be more than 4000 dz shafts. they sold fantastically...but we still sold non blemishes regularly.
Not everyone believes that there is not enough difference.
Given the choice and having to purchase with my $$ I pick blems every time for hunting and targets. But again, there will only be so many of those and eventually they will have fewer and fewer.
The only reason they have so many now is because they make such a tremendous amount of shafts and growing.
My rep said this has started out to be their best year ever.

Bowfanatik, when I narrow down the patters, I will post them. Maybe a poll, maybe just opinions.
Stagetek, I'm thinking at least 33"

thanks, bigjim

[Longbow917]

Jim- The old BlackHawk Vapor Carbonwood would be an excellent finish to reproduce, like dark stained ash!  The finish is incredibly durable as well.  I agree crest only.

[BigJim]

I know carbons aren't for everyone, but I'm here to help those who want to go that way...or for wood too.
I will leave the aluminum thing for everyone else.

The thing is, if you have tried carbon and didn't or couldn't find something you were happy with, chances are you received bad info...there is a lot of it out there.

There are some distinct advantages but they don't go without a few disadvantages such as having to learn a whole new medium and they can't be cut with just any old equipment.

Carbon misconceptions : They are too light and can't get a reasonable total weight. ANSWER: putting the weight up front will allow us a better flying arrow that recovers from paradox much quicker.

You can choose a shaft with the weight you want and just break spine down by adding weight...Wrong. ANSWER: yes it is true that adding weight to the front will soften spine a little, but by just adding a little to a lot of weight to an already FOC shaft will not make up for choosing the wrong spine shaft or over cutting of an arrow.

Carbons can be difficult to tune. ANSWER: yes, this can be true if you treat them like other arrow medium. Carbon is it's own separate game. It is not difficult nor is it magic, but it does take a different mind set when tuning.

These are just a few things I hear on a regular basis and it goes on and on. I am however about out of coffee and will have to go back to work.

For the fun of it I thought about typing this whole post in caps, but I just couldn't afford it so I will end with an exclamation point! and a smile    

BigJim

[Scott E]

Carbons are pretty much the bees knees for arrow shafts. It's either woodies from Paul Jalon or Carbons for me

[Fastltz]

My only wish would be for a 250 spine that isn't too heavy so I can get a higher point weight without having to shim my side plate so much...otherwise all you options sound spot on

[Lewis Brookshire III]

BigJim, how is this coming along? Any news?

Nevermind...I just found the new post.

[Miner49er]

Some people, when they here the name BIG JIM automatically think,Black and White Ebony bow.Why not!

[Zbone]

Any of the darker hardwood grain and colors, like a black walnut... I really liked the original Carbonwood color, much more than the lighter colored GT wood grain...

[smokin joe]

Looking forward to seeing what you end up with, Jim.....

[BigJim]

Yeah, for the most part, I think we have a color and pattern...at least in picture form.
Hopefully I will get my first set of samples next month.
Thanks, bigjim

[PA stickbow boy]

I'll buy some Jim