Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Buckeye Guy on January 11, 2018, 05:55:27 pm
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Thank you family and this time specifically the gang at the Marshall Primitive Archery Rendezvous
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I will let the gang chime in as they like here
They are all awesome
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Guy asked me if I would copy and past a post that I had made on FaceBook here since the link wasn't working.
Here is a copy paste:
I was talking with someone last night at traditional league about a competition that I had entered to win a beautiful one of a kind bow last December. It was a pretty simple task. Post a picture/story of your greatest memory with bow in hand. The Admin for the group would then go over the posts and choose a winner and give this beautiful bow to that person. Let me tell you I didn't envy him one bit for having to pick only one story because they were all awesome. I know this is a super long post but I think it might explain a little more about why I am helping my son chase his dream and give you a chance to get to know us a little better.
The first photo is the photo I entered and the rest are the GORGEOUS bow the winner was given. Donated by Stephen Cowan of Australia
The bow might not be in my hand but it might as well had been. This is the first arrow shot from the first bow my son made. Early in 2017 my son, Cahl, showed interest in learning traditional archery. I had shot a little when I was younger and had hoped to pick the hobby up again and had bought a traditional bow about a year prior but hadn’t shot it. I was worried about not having proper guidance and creating bad habits without knowing so the bow just sat there. But when Cahl came to me with his interest in learning, I was all about it. He was 12 at the time and pretty much had his nose stuck in the iPad playing some video game. And, like many other pre-teen boys, he acted as if mom didn’t know a whole lot. He wasn’t rude or anything like that, just well, full of sighs and if I didn’t hear at least 10 “humfs” or “nothin’s” out of him a day it was a miracle. Shortly after his interest came about I took him to the Traditional Bowhunters Expo in Kalamazoo and I bought him his first longbow. We joined a traditional league and began to learn all we could soak in. Our first “get together” was in April with the Michigan Longbow Association and we were hooked. We met a very wonderful man there named Guy who told us about a Primitive only event that might interest us. This photo was taken in May at that Primitive Archery event in Marshall, MI. We arrived there on a Thursday afternoon and by Friday night he had made this bow and shot this first arrow. A very nice gentleman there spent the entire evening Thursday and most of Friday guiding him thru the process. I was so proud as I saw him put so much time, effort, passion and heart into his work. We took this passion and ran with it. We spent the entire summer attending shoots and practicing. And finally, Mom knows something. He’s asking about my days working packing mules and guiding. He’s asking about tanning hides and building shelters and cooking on campfires. All things outdoors and nature are now of interest and have become a lifestyle for us. We have found a common ground that has built a world to be explored....archery. I know it’s not me in that picture but it might as well be because it’s my heart. Plus, I’m usually the one with the camera. Thank you for taking the time to read this and all of the other posts here. And now the specs on that first bow. 27# @26in and is from ironwood It hasn’t even been a year since we first picked up our bows and all of this has happened. I can not wait to experience the next year
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Great picture and an even better story. :OK
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Thanks PaulN/KS. He has really taken this and ran with it. Our summer is filling up quickly and he's still looking for more places to go. And the nice thing is that he doesn't want to go to an event to just shoot. He really wants to learn the how and why or it all. We made him a shave horse this summer and he has been working with scraps his dad bring home from the job site. Once a month in our town there is a huge antique market and he has bought spoke shaves, draw knives, and all sorts of goodies there. We have a black locust stave in the barn that was given to him that we are hoping to get some local guidance on. We can not wait to go back to Marshall again. I really want to try my hand at making a bow for myself. It's hard to believe a year ago we knew no one in the traditional or primitive archery world and now I see friendly faces everywhere we go.
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Nice story! Another youth "saved" by the bow, and it is amazing how much Mom can learn in a year! Good luck with your bow build and post pictures. As you found at Marshall, MI, these folks are really a big family, and a wealth of knowledge. Maybe some kidding along with it! We may try to get to the "other" Marshall(MO in July? I hope your son continues to pursue this addiction, it is actually healthy!
Hawkdancer
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Glad to hear/read of both your enthusiasm for archery and bow building. It sounds like you are off to a good start and, being close to the good folks at Marshall,Mi., will be a plus for ya'll. :OK
There is another Marshall in Missouri that is the location of MOJAM. It's in July, just in case you still have room for some more bow building over the Summer... :)
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We may try to get to the "other" Marshall(MO in July?
Is that MoJam? I saw a post about that and was going to look into it more for the dates? I would love to know more.
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I was looking at the photo again and noticed that your son wasn't wearing an arm guard. If he hasn't gotten one yet I'd highly recommend it.
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I was looking at the photo again and noticed that your son wasn't wearing an arm guard. If he hasn't gotten one yet I'd highly recommend it.
He does. When this was taken our tent was set up quite a ways from where he was building his bow in the opposite direction from the practice target so he went without this time. Now he has a collection of them. His favorite is one from Art Vincent. I believe his shop is called Cedar Ridge Leather. He saw Art at his booth at the Compton Traditional Bowhunter's Shoot in Berrien Springs, MI and wasn't leaving without one of his All Season Arm Guards. I may have purchased a Western Shooter quiver from him also, but I am pleading the 5th about the purchase. ;) I'm a sucker for some beautiful leather work.
I looked up MoJam. It made me laugh a little. Both Cahl and I will be in Kansas City, MO the end of March vending at a Yarn and Wool Show. It doesn't look like Marshall is very far from there. If it fits into our schedule we will definitely go.
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Yep, KCMO is just a ways west of where MOJAM is held. It's the 20th annual this year so we'll hopefully have good, (read "cool") weather. Hope you guys can make it.
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I'll keep my eyes open for the dates.
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MOJAM usually falls on the third weekend in July. It runs Thursday through Saturday and we then all drag ourselves home Sunday.
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Put in an order for about six days of cool, with no mosquitos. Got to talk to the lady , it is a 2 day haul for us, but would like to meet some of the folks on the site. Btw, anyone heard from Gun Doc lately?
Hawkdancer
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Coby so glad to hear how hard the bow bug bit you and Cahl. My wife and I remember you both. I'm terrible with names but pretty good with faces. I remember Cahl's face and how it evolved as the days at Marshall passed. I could see the confidence and relaxed look on it as he began to feel a part of this truly fascinating family. It was a joy to watch and it will be great to see you both again. In case your wondering who Bjrogg is. I'm the short grey haired guy that had the fox and mink hides. My wife shot her bow for the first time at Marshall and we watched Cahl shoot there to. Good Lord willing we'll be shooting along side you both again this year. This will be our third year and we won't miss any baring major unseen circumstances.
Bjrogg
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My wife and I went to Mojam 2003. I had a great time and met a lot of good people.
It was a super long drive for us from NH.
Anyway, this forum is fantastic. I wish it was a round when I started learning how to make bows. It would have been easier for me.
Jawge
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I believe I remember Cal diligently working on his bow in the pavilion at Marshall. I can't for sure remember who was helping him but if im right he is a PA family member as well.
Stories like this is the reason I try so hard to help and teach newcomers at these events. I almost never get any of my project done but I can have all of the shop time I need at home. Some people that come to the events only get to work on their projects for just a few days a year at what ever event they can make it to.
I'm really glad that you and your son has found a common bond in primitive archery!
As far as MOJAM goes, its the only place to be in the middle of July! It is normally very hot weather but we all make sure everyone is having a good time and drinking plenty of water and staying as cool as possible.
I hope you all can make it this year! If you do, look me up, my name is Patrick and I'll be one of the big guys there with a gotee and a shaved head. Im always in the pavilion and im the one with the tillering tree hooked to the hitch on my truck parked at the pavilion. Get with me and I will help you all I can. Hope to see you there!
Patrick
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bjrogg I do remember you. We were actually just talking about you the other day. Cahl was talking about your mink and that fox with the ratty old ear that I loved so much. I look forward to seeing you and your wife again next year.
lebhuntfish I remember you too. Paul was the one helping Cahl out. There were others also I believe he was using Alien's form for the heating and borrowing some rasps for another gentleman. Everyone was so helpful and welcoming. I wish we could have stayed the entire weekend there. But I had volunteered us to help in the Mich Longbow Assn booth at the Charlton Park Days. Next year we will be the first one's there and the last to leave ;)
I'll need to find out if my trailer will get into MoJam otherwise we will tent it. I'm looking for a smaller trailer for such events but those tiny ones are going for an arm and a leg lately. So I just haul the beast when I know it will fit.
Cahl is heading over to a friends house today to work on an osage stave. I'm excited to see him start another bow.
Cahl bought an osage bow from a guy at Marshall who was from MO I believe. He was set up across from the pavillion near that little stream. He has not put that bow down and will not shoot his lam bow now. He says he's going all primitive. Who knew a little campfire chat with Guy would lead to such an adventure. We are so grateful.
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Yep, I thought it was Paul, he is a great guy.
The guy you got the bow from at Marshall will be at mojam as well. He is there every year.
As far as your trailer goes, trust me, it will fit. As long as there is still room for it when you get there. Camp fills up fast, but there was some huge trailers there last year. Hope to see you there!
Patrick
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Thanks Patrick. That's good to know. That trailer can be a tank to pull around but it's nice to have. It's actually a 4 horse trailer with a living quarters. We use the back to haul all the gear when we aren't hauling the horses but it can get tight fitting in some places.
I have written it in ink on my calendar so fingers crossed we will be there.
He started a new bow yesterday with some osage. It's so exciting to watch. Now I need to get in on some of the fun too ;)
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That sounds great! Im glad he is so motivated with his bow building!
I garonte that if you make it to mojam that we can get you a great start on a bow or maybe even a shooting bow before you leave. That all depends on how hard you are willing to work on it. I personally can't wait for mojam and I hope to see you and your son there as well.
By the way, if he needs any help with his bow building just make a post in the bow section here on PA. Make sure to post pictures and ask questions. The best Bowyer's in the world are here on this site. Take care!
Patrick
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I'm glad to see he continues to gain interest in it. I'm sure he's starting to outgrow that hornbeam bow. Tell him to bring his tools and by the end of Marshall I'm sure he'll have another one ready to go. like Patrick said if he's got any questions help him post pictures here and people will gladly give assistance/ never seems to be a shortage of opinions around here........
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Thanks Paul. He just started working on some Osage yesterday and he has a black locust stave in the garage too. I can not thank you enough for all of the time you spent with him at Marshall. We look forward to seeing you there again.
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Great stuff !
Hey Coby in the pic you posted the fellow behind Cahl and Pauly is Karl he is also a blacksmith
He makes some mity fine arrow heads put him on your list of folks to talk to , he camps with the rest of the Canadian War bow Society out by the parking lot
see y'all at Marshall
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Didn't know he was a blacksmith guy. The older fella that's always with him from the war bows Jerry I think? Is he his dad? I thought i heard him say that but I might have misunderstood him.
Bjrogg
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Thanks Guy! I’ll do that.
When we get over to England I’m. Going to take the smithing class for arrow heads too.
When I went to farrier school we made most all of our tools minus the nippers. Then we made shoes for days and days. I was a little upset because I wanted to get under the horses faster than we did but I was glad later in life to have those skills. Especially those handmade shoes. They were big dollar makers. I later found out that we did that because most of the pack stations we were supposed to shoe at still had their horses loose on the range due to the extended winter they were having that year. I guess it all worked out in the end.
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Great Story and for sure a great bunch of guys. ;)
Pappy
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What a great story! I cant wait to see ylu all again this yewar. I will hopefully be at both marshalls this year. Ill be the guy with the beard. Lol.
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Didn't know he was a blacksmith guy. The older fella that's always with him from the war bows Jerry I think? Is he his dad? I thought i heard him say that but I might have misunderstood him.
Bjrogg
Not Karl's Dad but Jerry's son is the the photographer that walks around with a camera
Colby Karl is a whole lot closer to you and is good at it
DVS hope you make it up be good to have you here again
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Dvshunter I’m sure the beard will make it easier for me to pick you out in the crowd. Lol.
Guy I’ll have to get my forge and anvil out in the spring. That Cliff Carroll anvil is good to get me started back up. But I’ll need an upgrade if I get serious about it. I used to do the demos over at the flywheelers museum but it’s been a few years since I’ve stood at the forge.
I’m so happy that archery has relit that fire, so to speak 😉
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CJ,
I reckon that if you can forge custom horseshoes, most everything else follows the same principles and techniques! Good to see the bug has bit!
Hawkdancer
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Dvshunter I’m sure the beard will make it easier for me to pick you out in the crowd. Lol.
I’m so happy that archery has relit that fire, so to speak 😉
Dvshunter is the young(ish) guy with a beard. Which usually will have a pencil in it, if that helps..?
;D
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Dvshunter I’m sure the beard will make it easier for me to pick you out in the crowd. Lol.
I’m so happy that archery has relit that fire, so to speak 😉
Dvshunter is the young(ish) guy with a beard. Which usually will have a pencil in it, if that helps..?
;D
I know exactly who it is now!
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He's captain red beard. Usually wearing shorts and tie dye shirt.
Bjrogg
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Man ol Dave is hard to miss ain't he!
Patrick
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He does have a unique way of blending into a crowd Patrick.
Bjrogg
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He does have a unique way of blending into a crowd Patrick.
Bjrogg
If someone still has a picture of the Saturday night supper at Mojam last year you'll see the crowd trying to "blend" with Dave. :D
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CJ get fired up and practiced up I got a job for you
you'll have to come here to do it but thats no problem the way you handle that trailer
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Im going to have to shave and wear a suit one day!
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CJ get fired up and practiced up I got a job for you
you'll have to come here to do it but thats no problem the way you handle that trailer
This sounds interesting. (-S
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Im going to have to shave and wear a suit one day!
I don't believe you! You won't have a place to put your pencil.
Patrick