I think the current bow trade format is probably the best way to run things. From where I'm standing there is a lot less negativity happening currently as apposed to last year. I'll continue to participate in the open trade and if I ever get an invite, I'll do that one too. While the bows produced by everyone are truly equal in the sense that they are are labors of love with the makers heart and soul poured into them, there is quite a range of experience and skill represented by the members of this site. With the current set up, no one gets left out and no one should feel like the exchange was unfair. Plus as a self admitted "greenhorn" the potential for an invite after I build up my bowyer resume, can be great motivation. It a goal I can achieve that depends on the critiques of the more experienced members of the site. Art school was very similar and it proved a quick and effective way to improve understanding and skill set. As a whole I don't think of the participants of the invite trade as elitists, but rather a wonderful resource of teachers, advisers, fellow bowyers, and more or less friends. I may have never met many members of this site face to face, but if you weren't here I wouldn't be able to talk bows/building with anyone. My wife would have run away screaming by now if I hadn't found a more receptive crowd for discussions of this particular interest of mine. I would then be left babbling things about tiller, set, string follow, and cast to random strangers on the bus, which could easily end up with me in a straight jacket.
