Are you sometimes frustrated by the long wait times for custom bows?
Have you ever looked into ordering a custom Randall Made knife - 7 years!!

No...it depends on how much I want the bow!   

Not at all.   I waited 18 months for the Thunderchild that Big Jim built for me.  I didn't have one for 65 years.   What's another 18 months??

I collect Randall knives.   Probably 30 years ago, I started ordering one every year.   So now, even with a 7 yr waiting list, I still get one every year.

I get that waiting for a bow is not the way we'd like it to be,   but supply and demand for starters.  Also,  the person ordering the bow is not on the same side of the coin as the builder.   We want them yesterday,  the builder covers all the details and does it right.   This takes time.  The builder can only build them so fast ..... so you are waiting in line,  and in many cases, the better the build or more popular the bowyer at any given time,  the longer the line.   These bowyers are artists ..... no 2 ways about it.  And we benefit from them not rushing, not cutting corners, not cranking them out at the cost of quality.   So we wait.   Sometimes you get lucky and the wait might be shorter for a particular reason,  though this doesn't happen often. The wait is bitter sweet. Usually ends with a big smile ..... and often another order.

There is always the Classifieds on Trad Gang ... lots of great bows and at GREAT prices. Minimal wait. When I first joined Trad Gang I was a classifieds junkie and bought and traded more bows than I can remember. It really satisfied that curiosity to try different custom built bows at bargain prices. I'm pretty much over that stage of my life now but I still enjoy reading the classifieds. If I see a great bow for sale I can always give an honest recommendation for it to a potential buyer.

And as a bonus you can meet some pretty nice folks while doing those transactions !!

Quote from: elkken on July 10, 2026, 03:05:34 PMThere is always the Classifieds on Trad Gang ... lots of great bows and at GREAT prices. Minimal wait. When I first joined Trad Gang I was a classifieds junkie and bought and traded more bows than I can remember. It really satisfied that curiosity to try different custom built bows at bargain prices. I'm pretty much over that stage of my life now but I still enjoy reading the classifieds. If I see a great bow for sale I can always give an honest recommendation for it to a potential buyer.

And as a bonus you can meet some pretty nice folks while doing those transactions !!

This is the way.  I too have bought and sold more than I could even remember here.  I'm now down to 2 bows and am 100% happy with them.  I'd pick up another Sarells if one fell in my lap, but I'm not looking either...especially if I could barter into it for a custom knife build. 

I think people have gotten so used to instant gratification and so few things are truly handmade anymore that the wait times and expectations of some customers aren't really all that realistic.  It's difficult for some folks to understand how long stuff truly takes to make by hand in a world where very very few items are still done 100% by hand. 

For instance, I've done a few walnut handled knives and the customer wanted a traditional hand rubbed oil finish on the wood.  While this process is very simple in terms of pragmatics, to do it properly can often take 2-5 months while allowing for proper dry times of oils without hardeners in them (so the penetrate deeply) and building that finish over time as needed.  How long depends entirely on the individual piece of wood and more over the weather which the craftsman has zero control over whatsoever.  High humidity and lower temperatures take longer than hot, dry days.

I've finished a couple of rifle stocks for guys before and quoted them 1 year from the time I start on it.  They thought I was bananas until I explained it may take a few days to carve it and fit it.  Then for 50-75 coats of oil depending on the wood and atmospheric conditions that I may spend upwards of 5 months solely on finishing.  Then once finished it's laying out checkering and cutting every single line by hand with a single cutter file and touching up the finish on the freshly cut checkering.  Add to that bedding the action and test firing.  Give or take a few extra weeks here or there because life, distractions, illness, etc can and do happen sometimes to all of us.  Soon they begin to realize that 1 year for a properly done rifle stock isn't all that long.

I've ordered more than a few custom bows over the years with wait times anywhere between 4 and 14 months. I tend to work with a small handful of exceptionally talented and well respected bowyers who are a pleasure to work with. They are always upfront and honest about lead times, as well as being good communicators throughout the process. I've never been disappointed with their work, and more often than not they deliver sooner than promised. I've also found that long lead times can be a benefit because, at least for me, it gives me time to fully determine what I want in a bow. I've changed my mind about veneers, length of the bow, draw weight, one piece or takedown, and in one case I changed the model of the bow ... 

I ordered a new bow in January from Black Widow with the understanding that their stated lead time was 10 to 12 months. I thought it was an incredibly long time compared to my past orders; but I was willing to wait with that understanding upfront.

Yesterday I got a shipping notification. The bow will be here Friday. Total wait time was about 6 1/2 months. I guess they work on the business principal of 'under promise' and 'over deliver'. I'm good with that.

We have bows in stock!

Many years ago I ordered some custom bows but never with a six month or more wait.  Now I am not as picky as I used to be.  The right style or maker in the right length and weight is fine with me.  Color of glass is not an issue. Type of wood in the handle is not an issue. Availability is very important.  I don't know when something will pop up and limit my ability to shoot so I'm not waiting.

I should add that I did spend a lot of time and money finding bows I really wanted but I'm through that phase.Instead of dozens of bows I'm down to four that I use plus a couple of Black Hunters for the grand kids. And one of those four is going to be gone soon.

Bowyers have lives just like we do. The only issue I have is with companies/individuals that give you a build time and then keep you waiting long after. I understand that life happens but communication with your customers goes a long way.

I'll give you an example. My wife and i built a house last fall with a very reputable builder, they told us 3 months, we moved into the house in 3 months. A family member of mine went with a much smaller scale local builder who was supposed to start her house last summer and just got the house framed last month with numerous headaches and lack of communication.

I've built some bows for people, if I can't do it in a timely fashion I simply tell them I can't do it or I'll need them to wait until I can.

My point is I'd feel super comfortable with a long wait time from someone reputable like a schafer silvertip a true custom piece of artwork, and I'd avoid folks who can't even communicate in a day an age where it's as simple as texting a few words.

I was lucky with my bows, none of them are in production any longer.  MOAB was pretty quick.(7 weeks)  It depends on the time of year you order.  Big River was also fairly quick,(8 weeks) John had a following, but didn't make that many bows per year.  He is now deceased.  Moosejaw was a blessing.  Gary reached out to me and asked if I would like one of his personal bows, he could no longer shoot.