Has anyone read "The Traditional Bowyer" by Jack Harrison?
If so, what do you think?
The price tag puts me off, but it may contain some interesting information.
Red Dwarf
An interesting book, but not necessarily a good read. Lot's, and lot's of technical info, that is against the grain of many bowyers findings. Obviously, his unique perspective on bowyering has worked for him. I have never handled one of his bows, but from what I gather, they are top notch.
I've handled Jack's bows and spent some time talking with him. Bows are very top notch and great shooters and he is a very knowledgable man on bow building, arrow building and archery in general. I have his book and have only read a portion of it. I've read the chapters that are of interst to me and found interst in them. It is not "Bows on the Little Delta" by any stretch but it does have a lot of good info in there and bow building from Jack's perspective. It is a great resource manual if bow building is in your interests.
I've got Jacks book and if you are interested in glass/carbon bow building it is very interesting.I have had it for several years and I keep going back and useing it as a reference on the different facets of bowbuilding.Even though it is a great book and I feel well worth the cost I haven't adopted any of the features of his bows into my own bowbuilding, but still I feel it is very worth reading. Bob
great read for sure. jack harrison bows and black widows have the highest re-sale value of ANY traditional bows on the market. he must be doing something right!
I read most of it on vacation years ago...before the kidos woke up...and late at night...interesting book for a 'student of the game'. Even though I'm more of a student of the 'hunting game. Yeah, its a pretty penny....and not a hunting book.
Jack was one of the 1st to jump on board sponsoring Trad Gang when we had to go that route, and he bought a banner as well to advertise his book. I returned the favor and bought a copy...don't regret it.
I read it. I agreed with a lot of what he had to say and disagreed with some of it.
One thing I do is respect the effort and the experience of the man. I cannot say my experiences have always agreed with his experiences. But then that is why there is such a great variety in life.
One statement I can truthfully make is that it is one super heavy book. The shipping cost back to Bob was unreal . LOL. It was sure nice of him to leave it with me to read thougn. That book has made the rounds. Thanks again Bro. Bob. That is CanadaBowyer.
God Bless you all, Steve
I only read his opinion on strings, then sent it back to the fellow that loaned it to me.
All I care to say is that part is way off base.
I read it a couple years ago. Jack is very forward with his opinions on bow design and strings. It does get to be a bit of a dry read when he gets into the high tech engineering side of things, but it is really good info if that is what you are looking for. The best part about the book is the the numerous photos documenting how he builds a bow, which is great for a beginning bowyer. I've never handled one of his bows, but he obviously knows what he's doing based on the opinions I've read from those who own one and the price even his used bows fetch. The book is a little pricey, but overall I'd say it was worth the price.