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Bow building classes
bjrogg:
I know it’s not the same with everyone, but my experiences have been similar to what Dave said.
It’s always easier to teach someone who doesn’t already “know” everything.
I really haven’t done a bow class yet , but I’ve helped several people with different steps in the building of their bows.
I think the two hardest types to teach are the ones that already “know” everything. And the ones that just become paralyzed with fear of doing something wrong and just can’t seem to make themselves do anything.
I’m pretty sure both groups can be found in either gender and color. It’s just in the personality.
The quickest learners know they don’t know everything. Listen and ask good questions.
They have either enough confidence or just plain aren’t afraid to learn from their mistakes.
I think most of them probably handle most challenges in life using the same personal traits
Bjrogg
BowEd:
I've had many on this yard that shoot bows intrigued about the self bow craft.Over 90% of the time when they inquire about owning one I tell them to come back when they have time and I'll help them make themselves one.9 out of 10 don't return.They would rather buy one.A shortcut.
Learning is to advance yourself.If they don't feel that way.Who am I to argue.Some have the desire to push themselves and some don't.
It's a craft of attraction not promotion.
The field is wide open of different styles once it's explored far enough.Some want to explore them all and some want to make the same type bow.
That's learning too.
I really don't care what the sex of the student is.
Eric Krewson:
I have tried to host two bow-bees, I had about a dozen newbies at each one as well as 3 or 4 of us experienced guys, the newbies would watch us work all day long but wouldn't touch a thing. They all said they were afraid they would mess something up. The second bow-bee went the same as the first so I abandoned the idea. A good friend tried the same thing twice on his farm near Huntsville Alabama, he wanted to develop a meeting like MoJam, he had the same result as I did.
I have run over a dozen students through my shop, everything is free, I supply the wood, tools and an unlimited amount of my time but only had one student turn into a bow maker and a very good one at that. The rest would just couldn't pick up the process so I would finish their bow for them, half of them just stopped showing up.
It could be that I do it for free, had I charged several hundred dollars for the class perhaps they would have stuck with it to get their money's worth.
As for ladies, the manager at the local Dicks directs people to me who need traditional strings or their bow set up.
He sent me a gal that wanted to learn to shoot a recurve. When I answered the knock on the door there was a lady with multicolored hair, covered up with tattoos and piercings, I thought what have "I gotten myself into".
Was I ever wrong; that lady was one of the nicest, hardworking students I ever had at my place, she had no knowledge about traditional archery and was like a sponge absorbing all the info she could. She followed instructions to a T and picked-up bow shooting faster than anyone I had taught before.
On a side note; she said her work took her to some pretty rough places and she was thinking about getting a pistol but she had never shot one. I got out one of my 9s, again the perfect student.
Badger:
Erick, my experience has mirrored yours. I usually have had 3 or 4 so smaller groups. Most of the time we finish them up 1 bow and they are done.
George Tsoukalas:
Same here. One and done. I've never charged anyone for my help so money was not the issue.
Having said that the best eye for a tiller has been my oldest daughter. I guess watching her help correct my tillers over the years has given her that gift.
I agree. Don't discount women.
Jawge
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