What is it about Longbows and Recurves that make you want to shoot everyone that you have ever seen or heard about? I have a Hill style bow, that I absolutly love, but I do need to shoot it frequently. I also have my NM Huron, which is my favorite bow that I own. It will never part my stable, the grip, weight in hand, manuverability and accuracy with this bow is uncanny. Now it is only 51lb which is why i probably shoot it better. But I find myself not shooting it as much as the UJ, and maybe thats because I know when i pick it up Im on with it.
But thats off topic, Here I am with 2 amazing bows, both set up with tuned arrows ready to go, and both I am super confident with. But yet I still PM people about bows, im looking on classifieds, shooting others bows at meets and so forth. I would like to own a Bear TD one day and why I dont know because I like straight grips!!!!!! I dont shoot high wrist or medium wrist worth a darn and yet Im looking at picking up Recurve. I often wonder what it is that makes shooting different bows and different styles so appealing.
I have 5 bows set up, tuned up, all shoot the same and all can be traded by the shot and shot equally as accurate. I love them, but I would not hesitate to add another Maddog or Kodiak Hunter to my collection. God Bless
Be very glad you're not into high end 1911's. It gets real expensive, real quick.
got my first real hunting weight bow 25 years ago for Christmas, it is still the only bow I own,its a Martin Mamba. Lately have been shopping and considering a longbow tho. Between guns, knives, bows and everything else, money goes real fast anymore. Scott
"Why not?,you only go around once." That's the answer I got from my friend when I asked him about all the guns he collects.He's got over 150 long guns and about half as many handguns. He said as long as he can pay the bills and his wife is happy,why not get more,it's what he loves to do.He's got a soft spot for model 12's,21's and colt single action revolvers,which is good for me.Whenever my wife questions me about dropping 5 or 6 hundred on a bow,I just let her know what his latest "toy" cost!!!
Ever go into a Baskin Robbins and see a flavor that you haven't tried, that has your favorite stuff in it?
Killdeer :bigsmyl:
Right on Killdeer!
:thumbsup:
Only allowed one wife(at a time,cheaper to keep her) no such :bigsmyl: limit on BOWS :archer2:
Once heard, "variety is the spice of life".
keep lookin for the MOJO, even though you really already have it.
You know what they say: "So many bows, so little time".........
They all feel and behave a little differently. Each has its own personality, and your interaction with each changes over time.
Answer me this: why have different friends, if you already have one good one?
Marco
Do you golf.....me neither, but I hear they use more than one club... :biglaugh: :biglaugh:
I enjoy trying a variety of bows. I read about them or hear about them and so give them a try. I buy mostly used. After I try one used (Left or Right, weight range 35-65 pounds) if I like it try to find one in my prefered weight of 55-60 pounds(have bought only a few new). I have 8 keepers and if a new one knocks out a keeper it goes on the market. I currently have 17 righties and 13 lefties that I use to trade or sell to by different toys. I am getting to the end of my journey on trying other bows as I am up over 150 different bows that I have tried. But like stated, the appeal is still there. The economy is either too bad still or other folks do not share my enthusiasm because I have done more buying than selling these days. Classifieds are not as fun as they used to be a few years back. Trading is more fun however. I have traded bows for knives,guns, other bows and lots of other outdoor gear. Never know when a new/different bow will turn out to be a Keeper!
It's an addiction I suppose but there are many worse. As long as I'm not breaking the bank I'll continue to try as many bows as possible.
Ok good. Then I am on the same page. Because really at hunting ranges, any bow in a comfortable weight range with a little attention I can get to shooting well, But I do believe its just about trying them out. Something new to hold and say you have. With that said, Im about to buy another bow.
My therapist says not to hang out here anymore. LOL LOL
:biglaugh: :archer2:
I must not have the addiction yet. I only own about 5 bows and am content with what I have.
Wood,
You wouldn't know anything about a bow being bought would you!!
Brian, I had a bad case of bow buying for quite a while there, now I'm in recovery (after this next one, anyway). Yeah, right...
I've gotten it bad the past year. For my 1st 5 years in trad shooting I had 2 longbows. Swore I'd never own a recurve....ummhummm....well, now, I own 5 recurves and also another longbow.
Each is a different character and each has its pros and cons.
I've not found the perfect one yet....That's why I keep looking...LOL
The one little thing that slows my search down is money.
Ken
Ken, how do you like the2011 superK? I've got an 80s superK on the way to my door
QuoteOriginally posted by Killdeer:
Ever go into a Baskin Robbins and see a flavor that you haven't tried, that has your favorite stuff in it?
Killdeer :bigsmyl:
well said!!!!! :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
Your topic title scared me! That's what my wife keeps asking me.
Brian,
PM sent
Ken
I look at it this way, I work my ass off, go to school full time, pay the bills, take care of my wife, I don't drink or go to bars, all I do for fun is archery related. Therefore it is worth the money I spend to make shooting everyday the best experience it can be. It is less of an addiction and more of an extreme passion that I pursue to the fullest because its what I love.
Cause I love bows. :help:
IDK!!! Im into compounds as well and I dont get that extreme want to buy urge like I do with trad bows. Since really getting into trad archery last year I owned omega grey wolf hybrid, beeler tracker, hunterbow, bear kodiak, bear polar, two track ambush for a little, titan with tt carbon/ wood and dryads and a omega archery hybrid (replaced the grey wolf). Dont have the beeler or ambush anymore.
Right now I dont need any other bows. But I really want a bama hunter, hitman 3 piece, samick BF extreme limbs and nice wood ILF riser.
Dont know what it is but when I get that itch I want to scratch it bad
While you guys are wasting your time on the powow I'm going over to the classifieds.You have to be quick over there :bigsmyl:
The way I figure it... "Who ever dies with the most toys, wins!" :archer2: ...
I only have one bow so I guess my perspective is an outside one... but it seems to me that a lot of people have more money than free time. In our high-paced society, its easier to get online and shop than it is to get outside and enjoy oneself.
QuoteOriginally posted by Thare1774:
I look at it this way, I work my ass off, go to school full time, pay the bills, take care of my wife, I don't drink or go to bars, all I do for fun is archery related. Therefore it is worth the money I spend to make shooting everyday the best experience it can be. It is less of an addiction and more of an extreme passion that I pursue to the fullest because its what I love.
I thought I typed that. I too am trying to finish a BS while working , family, church, . Archery is my way of leavIng the world behind.
QuoteOriginally posted by Tracks:
I only have one bow so I guess my perspective is an outside one... but it seems to me that a lot of people have more money than free time. In our high-paced society, its easier to get online and shop than it is to get outside and enjoy oneself.
There is alot of truth to that statement!!!! I can not get out near as much as I'd like due to life, but I can jump online ( my phone) and read about others fun while I am tied up one way or another
Tracks caught a piece of me there!
I know that I can't do a lot of stuff that I would like to. I don't have time, and now when I have had the time, I have not been physically able to do it.
I wish I were out in the woods right now. I can't be there, because of medical appointments and stuff. I am now depressed, which is anger or frustration without an outlet. I tend to shop when depressed because it gives me a chance to fantasize and an action which allows me to exercise a bit of power.
So, I peruse the classifieds, research new tents, check out the in stock CariBows. The only thing keeping me from buying a used Old Town canoe for a hunnered-fitty is the lack of a place to stash it.
I see and understand this in me, and sometimes keep it in check. If I keep out of Kalamazoo. :scared:
But a bow takes up far less room than a canoe.
Here is an honest self-assessment of motivation and behavior, and I realize that one size does not fit all.
The other factor is that when I hear about or see a bow that has features that tweak my interest, I want to try it. As it is unlikely that someone nearby has one in my specs, I need (I am reminded here of my sister's economics teacher saying that one does not NEED anything) to buy one so that I might experience it. I work very hard for my money, have no children and if I am depriving anybody, it is my older self in my declining years. Until they get here, I want to build wonderful memories to sustain me.
Killdeer
Killdeer is right....If you see or hear about a bow you just have to see what all the talk is about. It's happened twice to me now.....once with a Chad Holm bow and once with a Zipper. I now have 3 Holm-Made and 2 Zippers with multiple limbs. I also have a soft spot for the Hill or Hill style bows, only have one of them at this time! Oh yea once with a Silvertip,........just so many nice bows out there! :dunno:
QuoteOriginally posted by Tracks:
I only have one bow so I guess my perspective is an outside one... but it seems to me that a lot of people have more money than free time. In our high-paced society, its easier to get online and shop than it is to get outside and enjoy oneself.
Bam! spot on I'm stuck on my duff computer phone jockeying for 9 to 10 hrs of the day with a hour commute time. To shoot more than 12 yards I have to drive 20 minutes 1 way, to hunt I have to drive over a hour one way. I've got kids under 11 with sports galore which eats time. Its funny I think if I just had 1 or 2 bows I probably would shoot a heck of a lot better than the revolving door! Ban me from the classifieds! Well after I find he ONE! :biglaugh:
This is one of the reasons I wander the smokey mountains with a bamboo fly rod in my hand whenever I get the chance during the off season - it fills the void between autumns and takes my mind off shopping for bows and fills it with "hunting" for native trout.
My story is a simple one..i went from being a man with one bow who chased many women to a man with one woman who chases many bows.
Over all the cost is going to be the same..
And as a bonus I've never had a bow show up at my house at three in the morning, half drunk, screaming obscenties.
Cochise
I consider it a healthy addiction :) And when you buy/trade used bows, you never really lose value. They hold their value better than every other asset class these days!
QuoteOriginally posted by Ray:
While you guys are wasting your time on the powow I'm going over to the classifieds.You have to be quick over there :bigsmyl:
LOL!!! :biglaugh:
I went through a period that ends... tomorrow or maybe in August?.
I was buying, trading, and selling a bow or two every month or so. I added up the money spent and thought yikes, "that would make a dent in this or that". But, on the other hand, I won't have fond memories of this or that like I already have of these bows.
Early on I was doing this because I was reading about and seeing pictures of so many great bows here on Trad Gang that I wanted to try. Mostly I was drawn by the appearance of the bow and testimonials about same from people I respect.
I learned quite a lot during that period about what I like. Sure, I could have learned a lot of that by going to some trad fests but most of them are 100's of miles from where I live. My wife wouldn't like the fests and I've traveled too much in my work to do it without her as I hunt bows (yesterday was our 33rd anniversary).
I've slowed down quite a bit now. I have a couple on order (yikes, 3) but all of them are deals such that if I decide not to buy the bow the bowyer won't mind and the bow will be sold in hours to someone else. Some of these long waiting lists compel one to get on the list if the bow is of interest. To date I've only backed out of one pair of limbs and that was before they were built. The bowyer, Brandon Stahl didn't mind.
At this very moment I'm thinking too many bows (more than I can shoot regularly is "too many" for me) is working against me. I feel "ok" with all of them but not a great shooter with any. I'm about 100% inside of 20 yards but only 85% or so (kill zone) at 20-25 and I won't shoot at an animal past that.
I'm not satisfied with my shooting and so I have to make a change and it will likely be sticking with a particular bow or just resigning myself to being a 15-20 yard hunter.
Like ron w said, I too have had to keep up with latest chatter. Only one that has stuck is my Tall Tines! After the reduction and refinish somebody slap me if I ever put that one up for sale.
Now, I still feel like I need a longbow. Gotta get TJ and LoweBow to quit talking about those Zippers now.
My bow collection is actually shrinking and four of them are dedicated grandkids' bows. I'm moving away from the classics into more high tech stuff but still have to have a few classics on the rack to look at and fondle.
QuoteOriginally posted by Cochise:
My story is a simple one..i went from being a man with one bow who chased many women to a man with one woman who chases many bows.
Over all the cost is going to be the same..
And as a bonus I've never had a bow show up at my house at three in the morning, half drunk, screaming obscenties.
Cochise
Amen Brother :laughing:
I only have one bow and only want one bow.
I do however like to shoot different bows to see what's out there. If I find a bow that I like significantly better than the one I have, enough so to warrant all new arrows, then I'll trade for it.
Thankfully, my local shop let me shoot close to 200 longbows before settling in on the one that I brought home and in the past few years I've never felt the need to trade for another. My bow just shoots too good. I've found plenty of prettier bows but none that out shoot mine, in my hands at least.
Being fairly new to the Trad addiction, I've bought a few, and sold a few. I can't help but look at the classifieds daily. Picked up a Bamabow recently that is awesome, and am trying to convince myself to stick with it as it shoots great, and go through the whitetail season with it because I shoot it confidently out to 30 yds.......but yet that little demon on my shoulder keeps telling me to "BUY IT!" when I see something interesting...... Definitely got the TRAD ADDICTION!
Every journey is uniquely our own, but honestly I fall somewhere in between Killy and Cochise's analogies.
Spot on!!!
~CB
Because it's fun! A lot of keyboard jockeys do a lot of talking with no frame of reference, I put my money where my mouth is. If I'm going to talk about it, I'm going to have spent some time with it. Like others have said too, if you buy used you usually break even.
USPS have at least three bows with my name on them now!
it is fun and as soon as you find one that is PERFECT you start looking at others....
with my first recurve I swore I would never need a second.....then I needed one as a backup.
You get the drift...but like has been mentioned...it is a somewhat healthy endeavor compared to drinking the money away in bars, chasing lewd women, giving up one dollar at a time in strip club (well scratch that one :) ), etc...
I am at 12 bows....I want a Browning Explorer II, Safari II to round off my vintage Brownings I have started.
Then I still would like a Schafer Silvertip, a 59 from Vintage Works and maybe another from John Strunk to save while I shoot the mess out of the vine maple he made for me out of a piece of wood I had for about 10 years collecting dust in my office.
Then....hope to be making my own selfbows...started one in hickory...and hope to do that until I draw my last breath.
Then again I have 5 shotguns, 3 revolvers, 6 pistols (Springfield 1991 and Colt Trophy Gold Cup included) 5 rifles of single, bolt, lever and semi-auto actions and even blackpowder cap lock. :)
i think them all together is still cheaper than a divorce...so glad I changed my ways and now focus on weapons and hunting and the great outdoors. :)
Just bought a set of extra limbs yesterday and another bow today. Feels good to have fun!
When the kids were growing up and my business was in it's infancy, there was no money for such things.Now they are grown and the business has prospered and I have some disposable cash for such things. Therefore I buy bows and guns. I don't drink or smoke, chase women ,have a car payment,or a house payment for that matter, so I can afford to do what I do.Simple answer to your question-----Because I can.