Trad Gang

I'm so close to just typing out the ad to sell off all of my bows that it isn't funny. I need to simplify..... so I'm thinking of selling off everything until I get down to 2 bows.(one of these 2 being a "in my future" MOAB), the other would be just for a back-up.

It's an ad-hoc collection of self bows, a few old 50's style recurves, my Howard Hill Big 5, and a Legend bow by Jim Johnson that needs a some fixing which Jim has agreed to look at.

I know its not that I have too many but it's that the temptation is always there to shoot everything I own and as long as I do that I doubt I'll ever get as good as I want to be.

Any help thinking this through before I let thoughts turn to actions could be helpful. Right now, at this moment it seems a wise choice..simplify...

Thanks in advance!!!!!!!
God bless,Mudd

PS I have to make sure there's a MOAB in my hand when all's said and done!!

You've got MOAB FEVER real bad fella....Know the feeling, but I don't have anything I want to sell.  Good luck..

I think it's a preference thing.  I know some poeple who say they can't own very many bows for this same reason and I know some guys that say you can never have too many bows.  Right now I fall into the latter categorie, I want as many as I can get.

I was just thinking about thinning the herd myself. Then I thought, which ones do I keep and what goes..... I don't know if I can make that choice. I have some bows that I really like and some that are just real nice. Some that are light in weight and some that are a bit heavier......what to do, what to do...lol!!!

If you sell them off, you will just buy more...it's a sicness 8^)))).  I think it's called the Flemish-Flu, or something like that.
Or, maybe Deflex-Reflex-Reflux.  It's one of them.

Just have fun Mudd...shoot them all.  Just focus on the one you shoot best when huntin' time comes around.   :D  

Now....take two aspirin and call me in the morning.  Or, throw the aspirin into the air and shoot at them.  Your choice.   :knothead:    :bigsmyl:

There is a simpler solution, Mudd.  Just get rid of the strings off the ones you should be leaving alone!

I don't know.  I can only think of a couple bows I've sold that I didn't later regret...

If you are going to sell a couple to get a new one, make sure the new one is that valuable to you...

Do you need the money or just thinning - if it's money it's different.

I sold two bows (shrew and a ACS) to get a new one...lost out on the two bows, but I really want the new one.

I could have afforded to keep the other two, but I bought the two to test them really and in retrospect I would never buy new again to do that EVER...like a vehicle - get a used one to test. I waited for 11 months for the shrew and only kept it 9 months..nice bow, but I liked the ACS better (to each his own).

I only see me with one bow for everything...that way I know it through and through.

So if it's thinn'in and you don't have a storage problem (and only you can answer this one) I would keep'em. You will never get out of them what you paid for them...collectors items someday too.

Jer Bear

Yeah I've been think of selling one of my other bows off to get another Big River, I wait a day and change my mind, I think I'll just get another Big River!

I find myself doing just the opposite. The more I shoot a wide variety of different bows, the more I have to make me more consistent, and overall a better shot on a day to day basis. To me it is just like adding software to your computer. I have buddies the same way, and some cant shoot but one bow. Each to his own I guess.

Mudd you would probably say this,send the Hill to me and I will get rid of it for you.

Awfully hard not to sell something one already has to buy something one wants.  That's part of the fun.  For what it's worth, I don't buy the idea that shooting only one or two bows will make one a better shot.  While shooting sticks with hundreds, maybe thousands, of shooters over the past 50 years, my observation is that their ability to shoot well bears no relationship to how many bows they own.   Well, maybe a slight tendency for those who own more bows to shoot better.  But that's not a causal relationship, but rather a reflection of their commitment to and immersion in the sport.

Mudd, I understand what you are saying, as well.  I have felt from time to time that I would be a better shot if I just restricted my shooting to one or two bows that I consistently shoot well.  However, I can't go too long without looking at my rack and seeing a bow that I haven't shot for awhile and thinking, "My form is better, now, than the last time I shot that bow, I wonder whether I can shoot it better with the new arrows I have developed."  So I string it up and find that I do indeed shoot it better.  I believe shooting different bows forces you to pay more attention to form details, hence leading to better overall shooting.  I'm really glad I didn't sell one of them in a moment of frustration.  I think the people who have really solid, repeatable form can shoot any bow well - I guess that is what I strive for.

Mudd;
 I'm in the same boat as you. I'm currently in the process of reducing the number of bows, and trying to resist buying new ones. I saw the following saying once . . .
 Passion - There are lots of things (bows) in this world that will catch your eye, but only a few will capture your heart. Pursue those.

I plan to try to heed that advice. I've decided which bows I truly have a passion for. The others I think somebody else should have a chance to own them, and shoot them. That makes it a little easier. Notice I didn't say that it makes it EASY !!!!  lol

I do need the money to finance a new bow..lol I just have to make myself come to that reality. I hate to let go of one without the other there to sooth me..lol

God bless,Mudd

Well Mudd, if your really wanting to sell your bows off, PM me with the menu. lol  Really, you waited so long for the Big 5, you know you want to keep her.  
Look at it this way, you can just put $20 bucks a week into a jar, in one year you will have $1040.00.  There ya go.
OR, PM me with the menu...

sell off all 'excess' bows.

don't really need but one main bow and perhaps a backup.

long since have decided to just use one bow.  makes me a better, more consistent archer/hunter, and judge of distances.  familiarity breeds accuracy.  

i sold off a lot of bows, but still have 3 others that won't get sold, and they'll get used occasionally by myself and guests.

Beware the man who only shoots one bow. Of course I am just getting started and am unemployed so I only have one out of neccesity. I am an addict without the means to get a fix.  :D  Serioulsy if bows are like firearms you can never have too many.
My .02

I work for a rehab!  Anybody need to come over?  Of course I will tell you how cool my bows are while you are trying to learn tools to deal with your addiction and recovery.

In IMHO, keep your bows until gramps needs to trade one for little archer on the way to have a kiddie custom!  Then if thats not cool enough trade another when you see something you have to have.  The thing about putting money in your pocket is, its gone!  Hanging a bow on the wall, well there it is!  

Personally I want 3 bows.  One lightweight one and 2 for hunting.  1 main and one back up or one 45 lbs and one 50 lbs.

No reason for more unless you want to collect.

I done what your talking about doing a while back. Sold every bow I had and bought me a silvertip. I am determined to stick with one bow and be as proficiant as can be with it. I have to admit that I still get a hanker'n for another silvertip every now and then but I just fight it off! HA! Jason    P.S. Stay away from the classified's

My biggest problem is I put my hand to one... the owner almost had to pry it off. I've shot sweet before and I've shot those that go exactly where I'm looking. I haven't had my hand on many that filled both bills at one time, this one did!!!

I'm just trying to convince myself that I should give in to it, sell whatever I need to sell.

I feel a little like the messed up buzzard that said to his buddy.."patience Hell! I wanna kill something!!"

I readily admit my middle name ain't patience!!
God bless,Mudd

Mudd.....ignore any logic and common sense that may be injected into these conversations. Those people are well meaning but should be summarily ignored 8^).  Sell!!!!   Buy!!!!  It's the American way son.....AHHHHHHAAAAAA.  Go for it.

Whew....now I feel better.

MOABs are sweet shooters for sure!  Only other bow I own that isn't made by Bob Morrison.  

I've bought, sold, and traded quite a bit over the years and really settled into the Shawnee Dakota and to some degree the Arapaho (wish I could make them quieter...), also Bob's Cougar.  But, having heard so many good things about Jim's bows I had to try one...  Well, low and behold a MOAB popped up in the classifieds so I bought it.   It shoots side by side with my Cougars...  So, of course another popped up and I bought it too.  Literally identical in length and draw weight, have since sold, well actually traded the second one.  I also picked up a Mag, and although it's a nice shooter, not quite as sweet as the MOAB IMO...  So, I sold/traded that for another Cougar of all things.  

What I will say about Jim's bows, his is the first bow in a long time that I ordered a new one direct.  I needed one about 10# heavier than what I have and they just don't come up for sale that often.  Also, I've got two Cougars that are almost identical in length and weight of what I ordered from Jim, but it is ordered none the less.  That says something, as I know the depreciation a new bow has once it is delivered.  I ordered new as I know it will get used and I wouldn't find one otherwise.  Only other one I've seen in that weight range is Terry's, and that boy rarely sells a bow especially once he has dropped a fair number of critters with it.  ;)  

So, I'll have two MOABs on my bow rack along with a bunch of Bob's creations.  Jims are probably half the price tag but they stand side by side easily when it comes to putting an arrow where it belongs!  They're silky smooth, quiet, dead in the hand, and performs right with the top bows out there no matter the price tag.  They are lookers too, but not quite in the same league as some others in that particular category... Bob's for instance.  ;)

Sell em Mudd.  I have one longbow and ordered a second one to match.  Only bows I intend to own.  Beware the man who owns one gun!  Same with bows buddy.  I know it is tough but you can do it!

roy i think you should have a giveaway. put my name thanks. loyd

Hay Mud,

I have the same thing, just 2 bows and they are exactly alike. One is 3 #s heavier though. Same length, but different woods. Thats the only way I  get consistant in your shooting. Simple is better for me!

Mudd, if you only wanted one or two bows, that's what you would have now--others would not appeal to you.  My bet is you won't be happy with just a couple of bows--you'll get the fever again and nothing wrong with that.  Currently I have 20 on the wall and shoot them all.  If my form is good it really does not make much difference which one I pick up.  A bow generally does not make up for bad form   .

Mudd,it is obvious that you desire a new bow,so get one...Luke

Mudd,Ive told my self multiple times I only need one bow!Ive only ben in this hobby a little under a year and ive owned about 12 bows give or take a few.I currently own 5 (2 I bought new,one I made and 2 used)with the intention of making more of my own.Its a hobby.they are fun to make, fun to collect,fun to shoot,fun conversation pieces,if you buy used they hold there value well,and they dont eat anything.Well ive got rid of quiet a few in the search for the bow that fits me best.My dad and I even drove 8 hours one way to have bows custom fit to our hands.I only miss one bow I sold because the weight was too much for my shoulder when im shooting 200+ arrows  it in the yard.But I recently traded for a  replacement(same bow lower poundage).Bows come and go.I just wouldent want to part with one that I know I would wish I had back. Just because you shot well that day with the MOAB doesent mean you wont fined another bow next week you think is the best bow youve ever had in your hand.Thats why I own 5 bows.At one time or another each one was the best bow Ive ever had in my hand!LOL!.

Mudd,
My offer still stands. I'll train that Hill bow to shoot for you. I'll be up Monday anyway & can pick it up then. We'll just throw the others in my car too. They don't take up much room!  You were right about one thing tho. If you give them to me, I mean let me train them, in a months' time you will have forgotten  & I could sell, sorry I meant give, them back to you! What are friends for if not to help you in your time of need.   :bigsmyl:

scottm, I hear what you're saying, as well as what the others are telling me.. excepting Loyd..lol and Butch...thanks buddy, we can always count on a friend to helps us out..lol

Hey Loyd how's you're new bow? I want details, maker, length,wt. ect, ect.....

I might think the same as you scottm if I didn't have a history with Thunderstick bows. I think I've been smart enough to have owned at least one of each except the MOAB before and silly enough to have traded them away because I wanted to try something different.

I have to ask myself why do I find myself coming back to this well... my guess is.. I like it. I have confidence in Jim's bows. The only bow of his I ever had any issue with was his recurve and I don't believe for a second that it was the bows problem.

Thanks everyone.. believe it or not this is helping. The picture is getting clearer as I get your input. I have made some real progress too as a result. I've had one phone conversation with Jim and have exchanged a couple of e-mails.

I think ir's just a matter of time and money now..lol Money being the more pressing factor. duh! Like I need to tell anyone that..lol

God bless,Mudd

just send em to me. If you end up"needing" them back I'll send em back.    :smileystooges:

Best thing I did was to thin the herd down to basically my 3 Morrison Cheyenne's. I'm more consistent in my shooting, but I do like to have a couple of others just to keep me honest, lol.

Butch If Mudd takes you up on your offer to Train his bows for him.You better let me bring the truck.If he's still got half as many as he brought to Daves a couple of weeeks ago they wont all fit in your car.LOL!Hugh, that must be whats wrong with my bows some one never trained them properly.Do you think you could even train that up side down bear longbow of his?

Mudd,
No problem buddy. That's what I'm here for.

Scott,
I think it would be easier to train his Bear bow that to train him!

I had a Moab for about two weeks last summer.  It was beautiful, and well built, and fast....but I didn't not care for the shooting characteristics at all.  That, of course, is a reflection on my style I suppose, because there are those that adore the Moab.   :confused:  

The thing is....any bow may not be the perfect gem once it is in your hands....it certainly has to fit the person.

I'd best quit talking about them or the price might go up...lol
God bless,Mudd

I know it is not nice to be happy about someones problems,  but I'm just glad to know there are others suffering the with same problems as I have.  It is so hard to just shoot one bow....

but excellence comes from discipline..

Joe
PS 6 months, 3 weeks and 6 days until elk season...

I tried to stick with one bow for a short period of time and it did not work for me.  I now have four of similar design, short R/D longbows.  I occasionally walk by the rack and think "I don't need 4 bows" but couldn't figure out which one to sell, so, the number stands at 4.