RM81's post got me thinking of WHY DO WE OWN MULTIPLE BOWS, we only NEED one? I suspect all of us have our "go to bow" that we shoot AT LEAST twice as good as any of the others, so why do we feel the need to buy more?
For me there are several reasons:
1) One I own belonged to a dear friend that has past on. I like carrying it sometimes to still feel his presence. I have knives like that too.
2) One is my go to bow. I shoot it better than I deserve. Not at all the prettiest or the "best" in the fold.
3) I just liked the craftsmanship and simple beauty of most of my other ones. I appreciate things made well by hand.
4) With a couple more, I THOUGHT that I had found the perfect grip.
So why do you own more bows???
I own many Pronghorns because I want one of every model Herb made. Some models he made only a dozen or so, and I feel lucky to own one of those. I shoot most all of them, and am trying to kill something with every one of them.
Because I can!
Seriously though mostly because of #3.
I only own 5 bows. One is my first traditional bow. One is one a friend and I made. another is one the same friend gave me to kill a turkey with it. One is my bowfishing bow. And my T-hawk is my bow that I shoot all the time.
You can never have too many toys.Im ordering another MOAB this week 60" 65@28 .Dont tell my wife :nono:
I like shooting as many as I can, but there is an adrenaline rush of finding an old bow at a garage sale. I love taking it home and cleaning it up, then shooting it on a 3D course while imagining all the hunts that bow has seen. I also get a selfish pleasure of getting these bows in other peoples hands.
I last counted 21 bows but then placed 4 with new owners. Last night I found 2 more at an auction and couldnt help myself.
Also I have my 5 bows that I use all the time for hunting. they all serve different purposes based on the game I am after and sentimental value as stated in AW's post.
2 bows will never be shot again because they are damaged goods but nice to look at and listen to their stories.
Personally, I'm not into owning more things than I need. At some point, the things you own start to own you.
I have one "go-to" bow and one back up set of limbs.
Let's just say I keep running out of pegs and leave it at that! :bigsmyl:
I keep it simple-2 recurves[Dyes], 2 Longbows[Hummingbird], and one metal riser bow[Titan]. Enjoy each for it's benifits and it's tradeoffs. Also have one target compound and one hunting compound [Mathews]. Never get bored with shooting targets or stumps. Used to shoot guns and reload ect. now archery takes all my time. Thanks , Roy
Admire trust factor, familiarity, confidence, etc. in one bow concept especially anyone who shoots one bow. Don't know how they do it? Could never be w/o 2 bows min. This length, that weight, benefit of those wood combos, & happy price can easily wreck the best minimalist plans.
It's like my wife said..."Why do you have so many bows; you can only shot one at a time?" To my reply..."Why do you have so many pairs of shoes; you can only wear one pair at a time". I think she got the point. I was a brave man at the time...
I love trying different styles and brands. Not to mention it is an addiction of love for me. I love this sport and pray the next generation appreciates it as much as we do. You can never own too many sticks.
I'm just starting out, I'm up to 5 now.I guess for me it's the character of each bow. They all shoot differently.Maybe it's because I haven't found my niche bow yet but I'm having fun finding it.
I have a PCHX that I took a doe with and a PTFX that I also took a doe with both this year. I love both of them and they are 50@28
WE have so many bows for the same reason woman have so many hi heels we just like them.
I think that traditional bows manage to fall in to several categories that make them very tempting, desirable, and rewarding to own more than one.
First of all they are amazing and ancient tools that are a conduit to our experience of the natural world and can connect us with our heritage. They then become symbols of our outdoor experience.
Second, they fall into the "man toy" category. I mean come on, they shoot projectiles, are made of wood, look cool, have power in them, can be used to kill animals, and feel great in your hand etc...
Third, like mentioned above, they are hand made art. And each bow represents a lot of skill, effort, design, and craftsmanship. This is contrary to many of our possessions these days which are made quick and dirty in a far away and anonymous sweatshop factory. Plus, they are mostly made in the USA! And you can actually talk to the person that made them! How rare is that these days?
Fourth, there is the "but I might need it some day" category and the "but the deal is so good" category.
There is also the "neglected treasure" that needs to be discovered and saved from the junk pile in someone's shed. How can you pass a good one up at a garage sale if you know that it might never be appreciated or taken to the woods?
Finally, there is the collector mentality. Trad bows are a perfect item for collectors. Each one is unique and has it's own story. And they look great displayed on the wall.
I'm sure there are lots of other reasons too.
Maybe we can make a list of reasons to use to explain to our wives, girlfriends and families why we need more bows :)
It's all about beauty and the quest for that magical stick!!
Agree with Plumber.
Some people collect paintings.
People through the ages have collected objects for their beauty. When you add function and looks it is a lethal combination.
D. Key,
Just read your post after posting mine:
"It's like my wife said..."Why do you have so many bows; you can only shot one at a time?" To my reply..."Why do you have so many pairs of shoes; you can only wear one pair at a time". I think she got the point. I was a brave man at the time..."
I commend you on your bravery!!!
I have ONE that I bought for myself...a Sapphire Hawk and through that exchange grew a friendship. Probably will never sell that bow. I have four others as well, all from various swaps. I look at them as a sort of friendship map reminding me of all the good people I have been fortunate enough to make contact with through this forum.
Because my bow rack would look kind of empty and bare with just one or two bows on it?
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m165/ronp3009/Rack2003.jpg)
I've got (in order) the first new bow I ever bought (for hunting) but now it's on the light side, which may work out as I'm heading back down. The solid one I got a great deal on that's got good memories. The longbow I keep just so I have a longbow. The whimpy lightweight that is good for bunnies. The zebrawood riser bow that's just too pretty to sell even though it isn't particularly outstanding at anything else (good loaner). The long recurve with massive riser that shoots great but is heavy. The short recurve that is near the same draw weight but handier in a tree or blind, though it has the occasional "brain fart" stray arrow. And finally the heavy draw weight recurve that was bought new and hits hard, though I'm currently shooting less draw weight. Might need it as a back-up or for exercise.
Why does someone have/collect vintage cars, firearms, antiques...etc?? I think it is because that is what that person enjoys, and likes to surround themselves with. I know a guy who collects and restores old outboard boat motors, not my cup of tea, but he thoroughly enjoys sitting for hours tinkering in his shop and messing with them. My father is the same way with scales, has a whole section of his workshop devoted to displaying them. So with me and many others on this site, its bows. I have a wall full of them in my basement man cave. I like having them, tinkering with them, getting them all tuned...etc. It's just my thing. My wife actually likes my love affair with bows, she says I'm never more content than when I'm messing with my bows, she just smiles watching me do something I enjoy, and knowing I could be spending my time doing a lot worse things.
Just my way of trying to spur on the economy!!
Joe
My back up bows, need back up bows.
Because I want to support US economy and love them all and I have a full admiration for the bowyers.
We're only allowed one true love in a woman. (At least at the same time ;) )
But on beautiful bows there are no such limitations. I love them all equally! :biglaugh:
To some it up, the best bow is my next one and the ones I have are to good to part with. LOL SO MANY BOWS SO LITTLE TIME
:archer2:
I have a 1966 Kodiak, a hill style long bow, a mild r/d d shape, a hybrid, a take down recurve, and an acs on the way. Now I need a HH or three and a good self bow. I enjoy shooting them all. My first bow kill was with the old Kodiak. It's all I really NEED, but they all have their charm.
I just like the feel of certain bows made by certain bowyers.Ten of my eleven bows are made by Howard Hill Archery(3) or Jeff Massie (7). I have different bows for different hunting or shooting situations. I have travel bows(4 TD models), 3-D bows( longer/lower poundge), tree stand bows or tite cover bows(shorter models) and a 60" pop up blind bow. I also own one Massie recurve, which I don't shoot very often cause I'm a longbow guy, but I have one in case I feel the urge. They can all interchange and I have a back-up for each need except for my recurve. Thats my story and I'm keeping to it. Happy Holidays.
hey whip I like that .
I didn't want my bows to feel outnumbered by the long guns in the gun safe.
Every bow I've owned is at least a little bit different. So...the quest to find the "one" is at play.
Every one is different. I'm just caught up in it all.
Just like having to see whats over that next ridge........
I like them....I have always liked them , I will continue to like them. Bows are fun to shoot, they are fun to look at,and they are fun to hunt with. There are pretty ones, ugly ones, good shooters and bad shooters. Ones that feel good when you hold them and that do not. A lot like people.......
Who Ever Dies With The Most Toys Wins!
... mike ... :D ...
...maybe were just ...CRAZY"!
Many good reasons already listed that are mine as well. Not only are they fun to shoot but they decorate my man room, actually man house, I live alone :D , very well. I have bows for all ages in left and right handed because rarely does one come to visit they do not end up shooting one of them. I have sold some and given away others. I have in the past few years made a few self bows and will be making more, Good Lord willing. Like others I like finding old bows and restoring them so my inventory is always fluctuating around 25-30 bows.
For myself I have bows I prefer for shooting 3D courses, bows for turkey hunting, bows for deer hunting, and bows for pig hunting. Heck, I have bows I just like to see hanging on the wall. ;)
I'm no psychologist!
I have three identical bows with different woods. To many gorgeous woods to have only one. Tricia says I am restricted to one woman for life. I play the field with my bows.
I like building them.
1. I like collecting them.
2. I like looking at them.
3. One belonged to a buddy.
4. I like shooting them.
Sometimes I don't know if I am blessed to be able to own so many or if I am just greedy........
I like to think its my personal stimulus package.
QuoteOriginally posted by Andy Cooper:
I didn't want my bows to feel outnumbered by the long guns in the gun safe.
But I never considered that my rifles would feel soooo neglected! :D
The Kodiak was my reentry back into trad.
The Leon Stewart LB I bought off the blanket sale at Denton Hill two seasons ago, it's my go to also for ground hunting.
The Hoyt I shoot for paper targets, as the weight is ideal for that.
The 65 Kodiak is also a go to bow and is responsible for makeing me a much better shooter.
The 66 Bear super mag. 48 " is ideal for tree stand hunting and for bow fishing.0
The Bob Lee is a great back up bow in case anything happens to the Stewart.
I think these reasons are very logical ones, and that is what I told my wife and it worked !
Now I am looking for more logical reasons, any help would be appreciated.
Oops, sorry the 70 Kodiak is not listed.
I found a couple of bows that I like and got them in different weights. Between that initial post a day or so ago and now, I now own one more MOAB. The one I have is 53#, but I wanted one a tad heavier. Found a pretty good deal on one at 57#, so I couldn't pass it up.
I've bought a lot of bows over the past two years looking for the right one and sold all the ones that didn't fit the bill. I've found the grip I like in the Thunderstick bows, so that's what I'm sticking with. I think the only other bow purchase in my future would be a 2 piece MOAB for travel purposes. I'm pretty happy with the bows I have now (mostly Thundersticks).
Funny, I shoot all the bows I own about the same. If I choose to shoot one and shoot it for a couple days I am good to go. I own at least nine right now, as said I really could get away with 2. One for hunting and one for bowfishing, just nice to have a choice sometimes! Shawn
Do I need an excuse :dunno:
Because bows are like a box of chocolates and you never know what's inside. Forrest Gump.
This topic reminds me... that I need to build another bow rack... :rolleyes:
Most of the bows I have now have sentimental value. One my dad built for me, one dad shot first elk with, one mom bought for me.....all have meanings and memories. But I am also on par with "My back up bows need back up bows" comment and "....what over the next ridge" quote. Can't help it. Wife says I have problems. Go figure. Need more.
Why do people collect anything? its because they share themselves with the things they collect. All of my bows mean something to me and i love the art of traditional archery, so I have 11 recurves.
What they said :knothead:
I don't understand the question.....
It's obvious from all these poor tortured souls responding to this thread, that there is more at play here than logic! I'd like to make an offer to all those who's wife thinks their bow rack(note that's a single bow rack!)indicates there is a problem .....bring her over to my house! My wife will fill her in on the meaning of ADDICTION!
There aren't many who've suffered it longer or worse than I have.
I understand every feeling stated in this thread! I'm with ya!
That`s a`god Question?
I am a`one Bow Man,and it takes me around a`Year to really get to now the Bow! and i shoot every other Day Al Year(and been doing that for 20 Years+) for a`couple of Hour,but that is the only way i can get the Precession i want,and if i shoot whit another Bow just for one Day,i Drift away from the Precision i want from my nr one Bow,so to the Point;-) i don`t miss by much when i miss? why?? cos The Bow is a´Part of my Arm and i now it so well,i now how the Arrows Arc is going on different distances!and there for i can shoot throe twigs and Branches,and hit a`Fox Target at 70 meters(Well not Always;-) THAT IS THE ONLY WAY TO PRECISION !!!! PERIOD. -G
Only have and shoot 1. Tried many bows to get to my JD Berry Apollo.
I bought sold and traded for many years basically just to find what I like and/or don't like in a bow. When I find something I like I usually get two... The ones I don't like simply find their way out of the house and are replaced with another that I do...
I've slowed way down with my buying, selling, and trading because I've found several styles that I like and am sticking with them. In the long run I didn't spend a whole bunch of money, just exchanged it a lot with different bows.
One leads to two. Two leads to three. Three leads to four. Four leads to so many years later somewhere around (at last count) seventy. Most are collector's but many are solid shooters. Gentleman, variety is the spice of life and I cannot have another wife, soooooo!!