Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: SLIMBOB on December 19, 2019, 06:55:22 pm
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I have been a member of PA for most of this current decade. Since 2012 I think. As the decade comes to a close I have been looking back at some of the work I have admired. I have a real love and passion for these bows we make, a deep appreciation for some of the bows we have seen posted, and I stand in awe of some of the talent found here. I intend this post to be a small recognition of that talent. A celebration of sorts. A hat tip to those bow makers who’s work I have had the privilege of ogling over for most of this decade. I am a better bow maker today having had the opportunity to look over the shoulders of these men. I have inevitably left some folks out that deserve to be on this list. The oversight is unintentional and I reserve the right to amend this list upon the discovery of some egregious error that must be addressed. Chalk it up to my age, or just the large number of talented folks who have come and gone.
#1. Simon. The quality of his work speaks fo itself. The number of these beauties is mind boggling.
#2. Marc St Louis. One of the early pioneers. Great work.
#3. Pearl Drums. Huge body of work, wealth of knowledge. All solid. Some spectacular.
#4. Weylin. Hard to not have him higher based on the quality and quantity of his work.
#5. Gordon. Haven’t seen anything from him in some time, but WOW!
#6. Blackhawk. Been gone for some time, but his bows were cream of the crop.
#7. Gun Doc. Quality work.
#8. Missile Master.
#9. Self bowman
#10. Badly Bent
Honorable mentions:
Bryce, Leon wood, Osage Outlaw, bubby, half eye, Del, pappy, PatB, badger, upstate, bow ed, Carson, DC, wizard goat, JW, JonW, loefflerchuck, mo coon catcher, bjrogg.
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Hard to argue with that list. I might quibble about the order, but those guys are all masters and I have learned tons from them too. I am really grateful for their generosity in teaching us newbies.
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I have learned a lot from sand bagging & watching all the above but I think I learned the most about performance natural bow making from BowEd (aka Beadman ) it also amazes me how many dynamic natural bowyers there are around the country & other countrys that never post here or little any where some say they dont like the politics of threads , but there are many opportunitys to learn here !
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Hey, you mentioned me, I am honoured, thanks! ;D And your list pretty must sums it up. Can't remember how many times I read through posts and buildalongs of the guys in that list when I just started building bows a few years ago!
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Agree with Stick Bender. There are probably hundreds just as good who never post their bows. And then those whose bows make "Bow of the Month" often are chosen because of artsy aspects. I prefer plain Jane bows that do the job with no fuss, but I admit I am a minimalist.
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I think every one making bows should get a big congratulations,,,
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Your right Brad. If you managed to make a shooter, my hat is off to you. Minimal, maximal, dressed or not, you accomplished something few will ever attempt. I think these folks to me are exemplary.
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Very, very flattering Mr. Robert. I learned all I know from somebody else. Very few things I have done or do are original thoughts or methods. I picked up bits and pieces from Pat, pappy, Steve G, Gordon, Marc and so on. I added it all together and put my twist on it. I wouldn't build the bows I do without them. The books I read only helped just so much.
Jim, I won BOM twice and BOY once. None of the bows were artsy in the least bit, just solid bows that were built/designed obviously well. Some folks can see obvious, simple quality and some can only see make up on a pig.
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All great bow builders. I wouldn"t have the balls to list them in order though.Poll 10 other guys on here ,and you would get a different list each time in a different order, and different criteria by which they were picked, and some different names like Sleek for his short bows, and at the very top of my list would be badger for his world record bows etc,etc,etc. Opinions,opinions,and,opinions.Makes the world go round.
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I gave this some thought. I knew that it could not please everyone but, this is just my take, nothing more. I believe most will see this as it is intended. Just an attaboy to those bowmakers who’s work I have admired. I wouldn’t find it odd if someone else’s list was different from this one.
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I also appreciate the kind words. Building wood bows for as long as I have almost makes it impossibly to not get a few right. I started out reading every book I could find about wood bows and just started making them. I had very few break but most were badly bent. ;D I only knew a few guys building and shooting wood bows and they all helped me navigate and finesse the process. Then I found PA, the magazine first then once I had access to a computer at work I found this great site full of great, generous like minded folks. But it takes more than reading and talking. Going to where folks build wood bows will really open your eyes to the process. Watching someone else building a wood bow and having them explain as they work really helps understand what's going on as far as tiller, why and what and where. Anyway, we are all here for the same reason and most successful wood bowyers I know are willing to teach you what they learned from others and more.
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I wish we had a little better history on bow making. In the 1930's and 1940's and a little bit into the 50's we had some very good bow makers. Somehow that was mostly lost except for the occasional specimen that pops up here and there. I think starting in the 1980's and gaining a little bit of steam into the 1990's we started rediscovering the art of bow making. Looking back on it it is sometimes comical, sometimes embarrassing but mostly refreshing as the new generation of bow makers started making little discoveries here and there that sometimes didn't hold water but in most cases they just needed some refinements. I can't see it getting much better than it is now. Don't hold me to any of the dates or time periods I listed above, that was just off the top of my head based on what I have seen.
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I started making these in the mid 90’s. Learned from a guy who started in the 80’s. Tipistuff, he’s a member. Most everything was trial and error. If it didn’t work, don’t do it that way next time. My how far we’ve come. The youngsters today can’t imagine what a blessing this forum is.
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I'm grateful to be included in your short list. I owe a great debt of gratitude to a long list of people. I had exceptional help, guidance and inspiration from the very beginning. People like Gordon Ferlitsch, John Strunk, Keenan Howard, Carson Brown and Bryce Ott were all close at hand and usually very generous with their time, ideas and materials. I guarantee that no one would be talking about my work if it wasn't for these guys, hell, I probably wouldn't even still be making bows. This forum was instrumental for me as well, it's even where I met most of these people initially. I am most definitely a product of a flourishing and supportive bowyer community and I'm always looking for opportunities to give back and add to it.
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Well I’ll say! I guess my jumpstart in this primitive bowmaking came with this forum and mainly Steve Gardner! Then there was Jim Davis that convinced me to build my first pyramid! Met some fantastic people! Met the famous Pappy and was lucky enough to be at twin oaks a number of times. Then there is mojam, OJAM , the Arkansas buds . The list goes on and on. I am a blessed man! Arvin
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I'm forever indebted to many on that list. Especially Marc. He put up with my almost daily emails for probably a month and between the two of us I end up making my first well tillered bow. He encouraged me to join this site. From there I learned from so many others.
Simon is Simon. Truely an inspiration to so many. Took the time to not only build and post such beautiful bows. He answered nearly every reply. He also replied to almost anyone else's bows. That takes a lot.
Beadman just plain makes a lot of really cool stuff. Bows included. He has posted some of my favorite threads. Not just bows, but certainly including them
I can think of a bunch of guys not on there to, but that's a list of very fine people. I thank them all for everything they've shared with me. I miss a lot of em.
Bjrogg
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Haven’t posted a bow in two years. Glad to see this boy ain’t been forgotten lol.
Could easily be 100’s list. All top chiefs. Good work boys.
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1st edit. bj is on there.
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1st edit. bj is on there.
Wow. Thanks Slimbob. I'm truly honored to be in that company.
Bjrogg
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Glad I caught that error before anyone noticed. 😎
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From all the pics I remember looking at. Simon and Blackhawk stood out as having some next level uncanny ability to work wood into bows. 50 different bowyers in 3rd place in my opinion.
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I really appreciate how this forum allows bowyers to push each other to better and better work, me I just steal a little from each of them and make what I like. But the real masters seem to always be a step ahead in trying new little twists and ideas. Thanks again. Keep posting so I can keep learning.
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I think we are all in great company, we each bring something slightly different to the party...
Different opinions, styles, tastes, timber... but above all sometimes a different way of explaining something hits the spot.
I'm just happy to be part of this forum where we all share generously. I raise a glass to all :)
Del
BTW ... V happy with my "honourable mention" I shall wear it with pride ;D
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congratulations to you all,, :)
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Inspirational group indeed!
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As to Carson’s point about 50 people in 3rd place...1st and 2nd were easy picks for me. Simon and Marc or next level. 3rd could have indeed been a big tie. If Black Hawk were around he might occupy that spot by himself, but Weylin is next level in my opinion. Chris has wowed me as well. It’s gets mighty hard to choose right about there. I do want to thank everyone who has checked in here. In every case this very subjective list was taken in the spirit in which it was intended and I just want to acknowledge that. I think it speaks to the community spirit.
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My friend Will B. has a bow buillt for him by Black hawk. It is the only bow of the above names that I ever had in my hands, and drew to my draw. 50 some lbs at 29 inch draw.64 inches long.A piece of thin character Osage. The tips are nearly bent back at a 90 degree angle. I haven't chance to shoot it yet, but masterful work.
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Back when I made a lot of bows I found it would be in my best interest not to post any, every time I did I had to turn down all the folk that contacted me and asked me to make them one, sometimes up to a dozen a month. I distributed my bows by word of mouth only, no advertising.
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Without a doubt that is a top notch list of bowyers. I have my personal favorite top 10 too. All of these guys have inspired me in one way or another and some of them have turned out to be some my best friends.
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Quite a list. :OK
I even know a few of the folks on it and own a couple of bows from two of them... :)
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I looked back thru BOM and BOY before I did this. I then went thru the member list and your right. I could have added more names, I just had to end it somewhere. Any one wants to add to the list, they are welcome to.
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Then you should add Kamil to the list somewhere. He is the one from Poland. He doesn't post often, and when he does, it's always in the same post--but his bows are also off the charts. He starts with yew longbows and is now doing painted horn composites that blow you away.
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I'm grateful for all the talented builders here who have helped and inspired me to get where I am today. Some of them like Marc and Carson I have gotten to meet personally and others have inspiried me with the work they post on here.
This is a great community of guys who are willing to help make each other better. Something like that is a rarity these days.
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Thanks for the kind mention, haven't posted a bow in a while, I still make a few and am involved in many but just love coming on here and seeing what these guys are doing, just amazes me sometimes with their talent. Some have taken it to a whole new level , many of the ones you have mentioned are the ones I am talking about and several that have moved on :( It is a great site with a wealth of info from some of the best bow builders in the world old and new IMO. keep up the good work and keep passing it on. ;) :)
Pappy
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I’m really thankful I found this site when I first started building selfbows, and was able to see the quality of work by so many great bowyers. I have received so much help from many of the guys who are listed here, as well as so many others. It’s great to be inspired to do better and to be able to ask questions and receive solid answers from guys who have “been there and done that”.
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I sent Slim a private message to check to see if I was included mistakenly. After all, I think I have posted maybe 3 bows in 11 years here, none of them particularly barn burners or anything to be used as an example of something to strive for. I was assured my name was there for a reason, whether it was for my passable but unremarkable tillering.
The hardest thing for me to do is take a compliment and I almost asked to be removed. But the other day I got my butt royally chewed by someone I deeply love and respect for just that. I guess this is my way of saying thanks for recognizing my desire to encourage our community. I have been treated better than I deserve and I am just working on passing it forward.
This is a good community and we didn't just happen to arrive at this place by luck. Many good people fought the good fight to create a polite and respectful atmosphere.
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Your contribution here certainly merits an honorable mention. I don’t think anyone would argue that.
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I'm honoured to be included in the list guys, mucho appreciated. You are right about one thing many guys that don't post here that make my jaw drop, the guy that comes to mind most is James Remp, he would top my list.
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Hey bubby. Good to hear from you and Merry Christmas.
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Merry Christmas slimbob
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It's hard to quantify how much I've learned from this forum. When I found it 2-3 years ago my sole knowledge base was BB 1-4. I thought that was current info and then was blown away by what l saw here. Thanks to all involved for showing their work, answering questions and giving so many words of support and encouragement.