This is a question i ask myself after almost everything i read. Having a healthy dose of skepticism is a character trait my father and mother instilled in me as a young man. " someone is always trying to sell you something" :readit: (my fathers quote).
So whose "words" do you trust? (lets try to keep this focused on traditional archery topics)
Rick :campfire:
Dont trust anyone on the unmentionable auction site. Especially the ones that have their recurve bows unstrung but strung backwards so as to put pressure on the recurved portion of the limb. Brainless.
Lets get a little philosophical now and tell me this: How can you trust someone you dont even know to tell you who to trust?
That is a good question, and a tough one to boot.
A few "red flags" for me.
"If you don't do it like this (the same as I do) you aren't doing it right."
"You can't go wrong with this!"
"I've shot 9,764 different bows in the last two years and this one is the absolute best there is, period".
There's lot of honest folks that try to offer good advice, but a great deal of the time folks can only offer their opinions. Even the most honest and sincere advice can be wrong, or at least wrong for a particular individual or particular situation. Opinions and experiences can vary greatly.
There seems to be about as many "groupies" in this sport as there is in the rock music industry. In some cases if you say something less than positive about somebody's favorite, you'd just as well be talking dirty about their mother. Lot's of folks will hold back on their honest opinions because of that. I've been referred to as pretty much everything but smart and honest over some of my opinions......I think you'll get a more honest (or at least thourough) opinion by asking privately vs. on an open board. I know I won't post on some products due to this--it ain't worth the hassle.
If I want advise on a particular product, I'll ask different folks who have used it for a while--if possible, folks I know and trust.
If I want advise on hunting a particular critter, I'll try to talk to someone who has killed a bunch of them. If they live in a similar area as me, all the better--critters can act differently in different places, hunting can be different in different terrain, etc.
If I want shooting advice, I'll talk to guys that have proven they know their stuff--either by winning big tournaments or consistently coaching winners, or both.
If I want advise on making something, I'll ask someone who has made a bunch of them and has a reputation for knowing their stuff.
One of the biggest challenges of getting good info. on the 'net it being able to separate the wheat from the chaff. The catch is you have to know a little bit yourself to do that. Sometimes it's just trial and error.
Chad
Chad is giving you pretty good advice there if you think you can trust him or me for agreeing with him. :biglaugh:
My OWN...PERIOD. Been around this game too long and heard too much BS.... :eek:
chad gave a good medium,i live by what my ole pappy said,"son,when it come's to advice,a wise man don't need it,and a fool won't heed it" :bigsmyl:
Oh come on now Joe. I trust ya.
Someone with alot of experience in the subject at hand.
My very,VERY,Good Friend.....Joe Skipp!!!!! :thumbsup:
Trust everybody, just don't fork over any cash to a stranger unless you can afford to lose it. You learn more from mistakes than success, and the few swindlers you encounter are great teachers.
They also eventually get run out of town on a rail, so knowing this, I tend to trust folks that have a little history.
The sponsors of this site have earned the good will from a specialized group of customers, so I tend to trust them.
Although I don't follow my own advice all the time, I **TRY** to trust everyone until they prove to be untrustworthy. One can drive themselves nuts and become embittered if they're always looking out for themselves. It's only through being vulnerable/trusting with others that a strong relationship can be built. And know that folks will let you down at somepoint, but chances are you will let someone down sometime as well.
To put this into a trad archery perspective, I will admit that I have failed a couple folks on this very website due to not meeting timelines. I have also been been the recipient of the letdowns and once didn't receive what I paid for. My choices are to 1) be upset, not trust anyone and never again put myself in the position of being hurt or 2) forgive and move on. I determined a long time ago that my money and possessions meant nothing to me compared to the riches of friendships.
That doesn't mean I believe everything everyone has to say. I just try not to dwell on a negative if I can help it. Very rarely does it change anyone's mind and the issue would just consume my thoughts without any good coming out of it.
Rick I live in Pittsburgh as well. Let's grab a cup of coffee and fling some arrows sometime. :archer:
I don't believe nothing I hear and only half of what I see.........works good for me.....bowdoc
well when it comes to this site there are a few names I trust. Mostly because I have seen thier work and know they know thier stuff. Some I have actually met and are good friends with.
Actually thats one of the great things about this site. If someone gives you some bad advice others usualy catch it pretty fast. At least with making stuff.
A couple of years ago Trout Unlimited did a major survey and focus-group study with hunters in western states, and one set of questions focused on where we get trusted information on wildlife and public lands conservation and related issues. Most trusted are state game agencies and well-known and respected individuals who stay informed, whether they are writers or just friends. Next in line are a few sportsmen-conservation groups. Unfortunately, too many of us still trust what we read in amoral magazines whose strings are pulled by advertiser money, esp. the hi-tech gadget and ATV industries. On my own list, anyone and anything to do with the Outhouse Channell is real bad news. There are also certain groups that enrich their coffers by pretending to be sportsmen's friends but in fact their politics and actions make them among hunters worst enemies (no names here for fear of getting this post pulled and starting arguments none of us need). I find most of the info we exchange here on TradGang to be trustworthy ... not always correct or best for our individual needs, but earnest and well-meant within the realm of the advice-giver's personal worldview. And while the outdoor industry in general is filled with BS money-grubbers, the traditional archery and hunting world, at least within the realm of bows and arrows and closely related gear, seems to be a holdout of exceptionally fine folks. My 2 cents. Dave
What Bowdoc said! :thumbsup:
LD
If refering to "advice" I think it is all good in that it works for the one giving it, however, that doesnt mean that it will work for you.
Mike
What vermonster said! LOL!
Advice is usually free....Taking it can sometimes be expensive.
advice.... at work, at, inthe world and on here, we all get tons of advice. i have been shafted a few times from people i thought could be trusted. but to start having a mind set of everyone is out to get you or only people you know personaly can help you is a bit sad ina way. to have mind sets like this is the break down of human soceity. take adice from all( sort it out as you see fit) give adive only when it asked.
Bowdoc, that was one of My Fathers favorite sayings.
Never trust nobody
So far in the Trad world there is only one guy whose advice I will always take to the bank, that being Tim Finley, who builds Kota Bows.
That being said, by & large I don't give a lot of weight to anyone who is a spokeman for or involved with the sales or marketing of a specific bow or accessory. There are a few exceptions to this, but most of the time they are going to be pushing their product as the best there is.
I was involved for quite a few years with a well known sportmen's organization, as a state director. The founder, a celebrity and true good guy had/still has a new bow sponsorship every couple years, so being touted that as the best available. On principle I have no problem with this, the guy was making a living, but it was unrealistic to believe that last year's sponsor no longer made good bows.
Our local "pro" with the archery shop does the same thing. Whatever he is shooting this year is the best and is what he pushes. I called him on this once; he loftily advised as a pro he had an obligation to do this. BTW, this guy would short or long string a compound to sell a bow to an inexperienced buyer, and still does for all I know.
Here on Tradgang I listen to as many opinions as possible, then add in my own research to arrive at a conclusion or decision as to bow, tackle, or method...
Ken Beck and the guys at Black Widow are at the top.
Personally i would have to say G. Fred Asbell, i like his writing style and i dont think he is trying to sell me something. Most of his articles in Traditional Bowhunter are centered around "Tried and True Methods". ( i personally loved the one about wool!)
Secondly i would also say Dr Ashby, i dont believe he is trying to sell something. My degree is in Wildlife Biology and i have personally read all of his work in detail and find all his methods to be sound and accurate, plus again i like his writing style.
BUT BUT BUT this is just me, i feel comfortable going out on a limb and actually naming people whose opinion i trust. This is just my $0.02
Rick D
my fathers favorite saying was don't trust anything you hear and half of what you see.
Myself!!!!
I always trust anyone who says "I'll give you a good deal on..."
I trust almost everyone "once" My trust is theirs to loose..
Free advise or opinions on the web?? Always skeptical but willing to experiment.
Chad is bang on about everything he said could not say it any better Go with experence it is allways going to give you the best answer If 1 person has built thousands of bows listen to there advice as with someone has taken several trophy animals why would you listen to someone that has taken none!
Just my opinion, but it would be a miserable life, going thru it, trusting no one....there are plenty of straight up guys and gals out there, you just have to sort thru them....Don
Why would you listen to some one who has had little success? Maybe what he is doing is correct but some part of the puzzle hasn't worked for him just yet,, such as he may be getting opportunities but choking at the moment of truth..
I don't believe listening to advise means you need to emulate what he is doing, but it should promote your own thoughts as to how it will or won't work for you.
One thing I have learned in life is some of the best suggestions come from the least likely places.. Three engineers working their butts off on a problem with little success and the janitor walks by and says,, "Why don't you??" All of a sudden the lights come on and the engineers know instantly they have been having tunnel vision and not considering the obvious solution. I've seen this happen from both sides of the fence and in all situations.. Advise should trigger thought, not give instructions
I trust me. So should you. :biglaugh:
I love the guy who says, "well, I'll tell you one thing", and then goes on to tell you a dozen things. NNNNHHHH! Control...Alt...Delete 8^).
Well on these sites I have been around long enough to have an idea about a lot of people.I have read enough post that I can tell who is talking common sense and who is talking above there head. :bigsmyl: I trust a lot of people but I have always been one to do it myself and then see how advice lines up with my own experiances when possible. jmo
I trust the one whose advice has proven itself ....otherwise... I listen, I try, I learn.
I trust Rod Jenkins' opinion.