2026 Bow Swap Signup Thread - OPEN

[EvilDogBeast]

READ THIS ENTIRE POST BEFORE SIGNING UP!!!

The TradGang Bow Swap is an annual event where bowyers of all skill levels band together to improve themselves and mentor one another.  Each bowyer volunteers to build the best bow they can with the knowledge their bow will end up in the hands of someone else for years to come.  Innovation is encouraged, while the added pressure of knowing your work is destined for someone else's use forces us to give it our all.  Bowyers from novice to master/professional skill levels are encouraged to participate for the betterment of themselves and our community as a whole.

TradGang has been hosting the Annual Bow Swap since 2011.  We invite you to to continue this tradition in our 16th year!

RULES:

While I do ask that you consider waiting until a future swap if you have not built a shootable bow before, the Bow Swap IS open to all levels of bowyers. Your goal in entering the swap should be to challenge yourself, mentor others, and pour your heart and soul into making a bow for your recipient by the deadline. It SHOULD NOT focus on scoring a sweet bow for yourself.  Every bow reflects someone's best effort.  They have done their best in an attempt to bring YOU some joy and excitement. Please keep this in mind.

The TradGang Bow Swap is a blind swap.  Bowyers do not know who is building for them.  This is by design!  Suspense, anticipation, and (most importantly) assisting EVERYONE is the goal here.  If you have questions for the person you are building for, route them through me in a PM.

By signing up for the 2026 TradGang Annual Bow Swap, you are entering into an agreement with the other participants that you will abide by ALL rules posted below.

Furthermore, you are committing to deliver a working bow in a finished condition to your recipient (hereafter referred to as 'victim') by the due date. We hold all participants to the highest standard in that they will take their obligation seriously and have a plan in place to account for unexpected life events.

**If you have ANY reservations about your ability to fulfill this commitment, we ask that you please do not sign up.**

One of the most exciting parts of the Annual Bow Swap is seeing the progress of everyone's build.  By signing up, you are committing to post your progress verbally or with a picture AT LEAST once every seven (7) days (even if it is to say you are waiting on something or you could not work on the bow this week because _____). If you forget, I will text or call you to remind you. We feel this is a minimal requirement that will also help keep people on track.

DEADLINE:

You have roughly four months to get your bow shipped; the shipping deadline is Friday, 22 May. Remember not to wait until the end because: (a) everyone likes to see bows getting delivered early, (b) lots of stories of bows that did not make it to the finish line and a plan B (or beyond) was required, and (c) we all get curveballs in life we have to work around. Develop a backup plan in advance!

GRACE PERIOD:

The grace period is an absolute last resort for those who have fallen behind for reasons beyond their control.  IT IS NOT CONSIDERED PART OF THE BUILD PERIOD!

There will be a 28-day grace period after the shipping deadline; the grace period ends Friday, 19 June. During these 28 days (and hopefully prior), I expect you to be in constant communication with myself as well the larger forum regarding your progress. If we do not hear from you, I will be persistent in attempts to reach you for updates. Any bowyers who do not ship by the end of the grace period will be asked to forward the bow they received directly to their victim.

***Note - Again, there is no distinction in the deadline this year for newbies, and no holding of bows until newbie ships. (I do reserve the right to tell a bowyer to hold a bow if I start to worry about progress by their victim.)

COMMUNICATION:

The only way this annual swap is going to stay alive is through good communication by ALL participants. A lot can be forgiven and worked out with good communication. Keep us up to date on your progress in the Progress Thread. That is half the fun of the swap and a significant requirement. If you need assistance posting pictures, please reach out to ask someone for assistance. I can provide you with a guide made of screenshots to get you up to speed. Reach out to me at any time if you have concerns, have encountered problems, have an emergency, etc. The Gang here on the Bench is a helpful and generous group if you share what is going on and ask for help. Unfortunately, there is also little patience left for people who just stop communicating when they fall behind, and I will leverage all available resources to prevent this swap from going past the grace period.

IF YOU NEED TO DROP AT ANY POINT:  Please let me know immediately.  The more time that is left, the more likely I can redirect other builds to fill the gaps without having to do something drastic.

UPON RECEIPT:

You MUST post some pictures. Your bowyer may post the most beautiful pictures in the history of bow porn prior to shipping, but that does not remove your responsibility to post at least one full draw picture with your new bow. If necessary, contact me for any assistance needed with getting your pictures taken and posted.

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS:

Same as prior years: To keep it as honest as possible, TradGang accounts with a registration date after the date and time of this post are not permitted to enter.

INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING:

I understand that a lot of people do not like the idea of signing up for a big shipping bill, but it's not much fun if only one person says they're willing to ship internationally and the international victim pretty much knows who's building their bow. Therefore, I am going to assign victims without consideration of where they live at first. For those that end up with an overseas victim, I will reach out to you and make sure you're willing to make a bow that can be shipped (i.e. a takedown of some sort.) As for the shipping costs, there are several people on the bench who are willing to help cover the cost above and beyond domestic shipping and I will work that with you directly. If you are willing to help with the costs, please PM me and we will work it out as needed when the time comes.

*IF YOU ARE ASSIGNED AN OVERSEAS RECIPIENT:  Please message me BEFORE you fill out any customs forms.  Some countries have rules and taxes based on what you write on the label!

IF YOU'RE STILL ONBOARD:

Good! Sign up by posting in this thread and please list the following information:

- Your draw length
- Desired draw weight within a 5-10 pound range
- Right or left-handed
- Whether you will be building a glass, wood, one piece, or takedown bow for the trade

If you are making a glass bow and want glass in return, or making wood and want wood in return, please note as much.  Posted preferences on bow type (longbow, recurve, etc.) will be considered, but ARE NOT recommended or guaranteed.  Build plans sometimes change mid-swap, and my primary objective is to match material types (if requested).

Once you've signed up, PM me your:

- Shipping address
- A good phone number
- An email address to reach you at if anything comes up

ALL PERSONAL CONTACT INFORMATION WILL BE KEPT PRIVATE

Signups are now open for roughly two weeks, closing 6 February at midnight (EST).  I will PM your victim's information no later than midnight (EST) 8 February. If you need additional info on your victim, PM me and I will gather it for you, so you do not have to worry about tipping your hand.

***Note - As always, if there are not enough people signing up this year, I reserve the right to call it off. I am hoping we can get at least 8-10 people to make this interesting.

***DISCLAIMER - By signing up, you are agreeing that anyone who receives a bow in this trade, including yourself, is doing so at his/her own risk and in no way can hold anyone (including TradGang itself) responsible should a misfortune occur due to the possession or use of said bow.

[Crooked Stic]

So this is the thread to put your name to particpate?

[EvilDogBeast]

Yes, Sir!

[dbeaver]

- Your draw length: 29"

- Desired draw weight within a 5-10 pound range: 55lb desired ill take anything from 50-65

- Right handed

- Whether you will be building a glass, wood, one piece, or takedown bow for the trade:
     Will make a glass 2 piece takedown using fiberglass sleeve method  (first time for everything time to cut a perfectly good bow in half)

I dont mind having dedicated bow rack for Osage bows but i did recieve osage selfbows back to back years and i have some of my own projects. Ill take a glassbow or a non osage selfbow please and thank you.

[Guster]

Long time watcher first time participater, excited to join in this year!

- Draw length: 29"

- Desired draw weight within a 5-10 pound range: anything from 50ish lb - 60ish lb

- Right hander

- Whether you will be building a glass, wood, one piece, or takedown bow for the trade: I will be making a one piece glass longbow for my victim!

I'd prefer a glass bow if possible!

[Susquehannariverarcher]

I am also interested in participating for the first time.

Desired draw weight 45-55lbs, Right Hand.

I will be making a glass long bow, most likely a r/d.

I would prefer a glass bow.

Looking forward to participating my first time (once the shop warms up a bit).

[EvilDogBeast]

Desired draw weight 45-55lbs, Right Hand.

Glad to have you!  What is your draw length?

[Susquehannariverarcher]

Desired draw weight 45-55lbs, Right Hand.

Glad to have you!  What is your draw length?

28"

I always forget to mention that. Thanks

[EvilDogBeast]

Last day for signups is tomorrow, guys.  It isn't looking very promising as of right now.

[dbeaver]

What a bummer. 

[Crooked Stic]

How many you need?

[EvilDogBeast]

I was hoping for at least 8 but