Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bow of the Month Contest => Topic started by: ken75 on February 11, 2012, 11:07:05 pm
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i realize this will stir the pot , and im not taking away from any current participants or winners . however its strange to see a grand total of 11 bows combined between the two contest. now i dont have any suggestions and maybe bow builds are a little off right now due to other obligations , but maybe some discussion could be had about the current status of bom. i enjoy looking at and voting for the combined effort of my fellow brothers of the bow .
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I know I said this before but I agree.
Jon
P.S. just wanted to add that I vote every time....
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It is a shame, Ken. Folks are always excited about BOM. Why don't they post bows and send their info to Cipriano to help keep BOM going. Is it just because they have to send in the info now? Pretty pathetic excuse IMO! ::)
...or at least vote for BOM. How hard is that.
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Its not hard at all. I voted and continue to vote. In fact, I have a special bow that's almost ready. Need others to join the party!
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I have been super busy lately and haven't built a bow in over a year. It really is pathetic. You know what else is pathetic, We have over 5000 registered members and 68 people voted. :o I think things beside building are off.
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I build a bow every two weeks or so. Most look pretty much the same so I dont always post them. I do vote every month without fail!
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I don't do much work in the garage in the winter, I guess I'm just a wuss. Hopefully I can get back at it soon.
Regarding the number of entries - I personally find it a lot easier to vote now. When there were months in the past that had 50-60 bows between the two categories to choose from, it just took too much time to go through each one to see which ones I liked the most (although the decision can be just as hard with 4 bows).
I haven't entered a bow since subscribing to the magazine last summer, but I don't see anything wrong with having to show a little support by subscribing, to possibly have your bow grace it's pages. A subscription is dirt cheap and it helps keep this forum up and running. And that's just fine with me.
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i checked with Cipriano today , you only have to send him the subscription # once ,and he keeps a record of it . i was under the impression you had to send your bow link and # for each bow. maybe more misunderstood like myself
justin , its amazing out of the 5000 registered users the same hundred or so are active , on the old board when you could go down the user list , i would scroll through there from time to time and it was amazing how many had registered and never posted .
Pearly , i enjoy the contest ...voting and seeing the bows , i however dont make purty bows and never considered myself in the running because of the lack of finish work. i went through a phase of trying everything i could think of designs ,lengths ,style , dreaming up trilam bellys before i knew they existed already, meshing different styles together to get the best design elements and between that and swing shift it didnt leave much time for chrome and pin stripes. maybe one day though
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Here's my 2 cents-I hope the BOM is always around and I do always vote,I been coming to this site since 06 and its been real inspirational and fun.I only build 2-3 bows a year,thats all I have time for,some bows are just plain jane some have a good wow factor but I don't think they can compete with the bowyers that crank out these masterpieces so I don't post many.Don't mean to sound whiney,just my thoughts-Hammertime
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Guilty!!
I am a relatively new member and bowyer and don't really feel qualified to chose. I mean, I can tell which one I like best, or that is the prettiest, but since I am not an experienced bowyer, I am not knowledgeable enough to the amount of work involved, so I didn't cast a vote. I guess I felt like it would be fair to the guy or gal that put in the most effort. Maybe that's the wrong opinion, but that's why I didn't vote.
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As far as, " my bows aren't good enough to compete". Nobody is going to make fun of them ::) Some years I might finish 4 or 5, others 1. But I post them all. I like the criticism and like to see how they fair in the voting. Sometimes I'm lucky enough to win but I can't count how many times I've come up short.
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I've posted every bow I've made since I joined, knowing that most had no chance at all. I also vote each month and I have no criteria other than what strikes my fancy. I learn a ton from the people who build the bows that win. It's helped me a lot, particularly in finishing, though I'm still not in the league of some of the guys here. Still great fun.
George
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Reading over this thread I am renewed with faith in our forum members sense of community and unity. One common characteristic was a desire and a hope for BOM to continue. Amen to that! I am also encourage by the candor and honesty by you all.
It's true. Life is busy and keeps getting busier, but if we want the things that ar near and dear to us about this forum to not just survive, but to thrive then we must all be active participants.
We all have something to offer. Everyone of us. We are all special a d gifted with different gifts, but one thing rings true for all of us. Our love of primitive archery. It's that love that makes us a collective body with one desire which is to pass on the legacy of primitive archery.
Last week I taught my students the fable, The Three Bulls and the Lion with the moral of the story being united we stand. Divided we fall. I have chosen to graze with you all in unity.
It took me over five years to join this forum because I didn't think I had anything to offer. I believed that until I stummbled upon the trading post.. I was like a hungry kid in a candy store jen I joined. Those of you that know me must know hat I have an uncanny ability to "gather and aquire" raw materials. I can't make bows like Ken, Pappy, Pat a d the list will go on and on--- BUT I can gather :laugh:
Cipriano
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I will make a promise to all my faithful PA friends. Every single bow I build from here on out will be entered regardless of what I think about it. I will do my part to keep it alive and healthy!
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I will make a promise to all my faithful PA friends. Every single bow I build from here on out will be entered regardless of what I think about it. I will do my part to keep it alive and healthy!
I'm a step ahead of you on that part. As you can see by the last bows I submitted, if I post 'em on the forum , I will submit 'em. If for nothing else than to make the quality bowyers look even better. Now if we could just get more members to vote. Guilty!!
I am a relatively new member and bowyer and don't really feel qualified to chose. I mean, I can tell which one I like best, or that is the prettiest, but since I am not an experienced bowyer, I am not knowledgeable enough to the amount of work involved, so I didn't cast a vote. I guess I felt like it would be fair to the guy or gal that put in the most effort. Maybe that's the wrong opinion, but that's why I didn't vote.
Nonsense Sir! You are a member, you are qualified!
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I am sorry folks !
I am just a laid back backwoodsboy
I am not much into contests or competition !
Since it means so much to you folks I will try to start voting regularly !
As for entering a bow between my dispostion and lack of skills with the picture posting I am not making any guaranties but I will consider trying to .
Guy
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Send the pics to me Guy. I can post them for you.......even if you are a Buckeye!
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I really dislike thinking of the BOM as a contest. I see it as more of a showcase for the bows we all build each month. If you don't think you are good enough to join in you are wrong. By particpating we are all helping each other improve our skills. How are we going to learn this great addiction if we don't contribute in one way or another.
There is no way of telling how good a bow is just by looking at a pic of 2 of it but that is all we have to go by. When I vote I try to consider not only how well the bow bends at full draw but the braced profile, the front profile and also, and the experience level of the bowyer. To me that experience level is the most important. If someone gets a good bending bow the first or second atempt, they get my vote. If it takes them 10 bows or 100 bows but finally gets a good bending bow they will most likely get my vote.
For me the BOM highlites our improvements and success. For many others it is just a beauty pagent. Without holding, examining and shooting a bow there is no way to say if it is a good bow or not. A bow with a beautiful bend might feel like a noodle if you actually pulled it. Nobody acually knows excep the bowyer in many cases. Also, for all we know that perfectly tillered bow bow blew up shortly after the full draw pic was taken. I will just about always vote for a newby over a seasoned bowyer. The newby needs the encouragement more than the seasoned bowyer.
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I'm with Pat, it shouldn't be a contest. The one that everybody likes will win. And most of the time you can look at the final winners and those bows deserved to win. The first time I won I was elated, still have that issue. It is a big deal for a Noobie to have one of his bows showcased in the magazine.
I've had friends in the Archery Clubs I belong to that don't build bows, shoot glass, but they buy PA to see if I have a bow in BOM. So it's not just the people on this site that enjoy the Bow Porn, a lot of other people do, too. Just go back through the issues and look at some fine looking bows that have been posted, there is a lot to learn by just looking at the Craftmanship of each one.
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hey guys,i haven't been at the bow making long.i have a couple under my belt and getting better.i just made me a man cave for bow building.i promise that when i get a lttle more experience,i will start posting bows.i am a subscriber and i do vote on the bows.as soon as i learned how to post a pic,my main computer got a worm and died.now i have a crappy used one that really sucks and won't post pics.any how i am going to the classic every year and am going to learn all i can.give me a little time,i will try and win one.thanks guys for all your work,Steve
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Ken, I respectfully disagree,,,,,,,,Some of your bows are down right beautiful.
That being said It should also be noted, that often the flavor of the month seems to change from time to time. At times it is the simple pure clean and raw stick that will catch everyone's eye and win. I believe it is inspiration for us all as we look at the vast array of creations that everyone brings to the table. There isn't a month that goes by that I don't look at someones bow and think oooooh I want to make one like that!
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I've been entering my bows for almost a year now...and I lose every time. At first im a lil bummed when I don't win,but its not about the win. This is what its all about for me.
Its made me a much better bowyer. It has driven me to make a better bow. By putting my bows in the mix I know where they stack up to others,and what I need to do to better myself at this craft. And I myself have seen myself grow leaps n bounds in the last year all thanks to losing bom everytime. :laugh:
I've now come to totally being ok with losing and im not gonna give up,its not gonna stop me from entering. I now know that I can make a bow that makes me happy,and that's even more important,but bom has improved my game.
I wish more would enter to no matter what level your at because you will learn what to do better,and who doesn't want to get better? :)
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Yea Blackhawk, I almost totally agree. But you lost me at losing. At the point the first arrow is shot the bow is a winner. So, Bow of the Month is about selecting the best winner, not separating winners from losers. So. your bows (and mine) aren't losing, just somebody else's is being selected. I look at it this way. Having a forum to display our work is a privelege, being selected bow of the month is an honor.
Most of us are parents. Remember the first time your child came home with a ribbon from some event. "Look at this Dad, I got 3rd place!" At that point, getting the ribbon was the exciting thing. Position meant nothing. It continues as they grow older and we teach them that doing their best is what's required in life, not being the best. Only a minuscule number of people are the best. The rest of use do our best and that is being the best for us. That's where we need to get to here. There are craftsmen on this forum that are the best. We get to learn from them, and collectively we get better. Unlike many places in life, the best in the world here are willing to share their skill.
And, lest you think I have this mastered, I had to smile when Pappy's beautiful snaky bow came in the same month as the best bow I've ever made. We do pour our soul into our bows, but only one can be bow of the month. And, I almost always agree with the group voting, even when my bow is in there, and this month was no exception. :)
George
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Its good to know some of us are partaking in BOM via entries and voting. George I know just what your saying pal. I entered my Twisted Sisters bow in December and wouldn't you know singer/songwriter Will Harrison slides in the same month with a mother of a snakey copperhead backed bow to take the cake, deservedly so! He and I USED to have good trades.......those days are gone Will Harrison.......
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Sorry george ..I didn't mean to call the non winning bows losers ;)
Hey pearl..geez...hope our friendship don't go sour if I beat ya someday...ha..who am I kidding :laugh:....we don't have to worry about that happening ;)
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Try it and see what happens Chris.............hehehehehe
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Ok chris..I will...I got one for each category this month...so make sure ya got a backed bow too ;) :laugh:.....u got two weeks to make one....and u know the backed category needs some loving ;)
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i haven't had a bow to enter in a while but I'm working on that, hell i get exited when i get a couple a votes, not to worried about winning, i win when someone likes one of my bow's, then i usually end up giving it to them ;D, i miss a vote once in a while, but more than not i vote, Bub
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thank you Keenan !
guys i feel like this is going to take off given time , just a different setup that takes time to adjust to
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I plan on entering one, pretty soon I hope
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I think you are right Ken,Just a little getting use to ,no one likes change but sometimes it's for the best. :) Sure some nice ones in the bows of the year that's for sure. :)
Pappy
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This will probaly be my last post and I heard what some of you had to say and I agree,I never cared if I got bow of the month and if I did that was fine too.It was all about making bows knives and anything primitive and boy this was the magazine and website to be on,so many people making beautiful bows and some of the most gifted artisans I have ever seen.I never had nothing to say or critisize anybody bows and if I didnt have nothing good to say I just didnt say it,because to me they were all bows of the month.I was a member fo about 15 years but didnt get on for about the last two.This is still a good magazine and website,may it will con tinue to be.
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For me there is no better source of inspiration that posting a bow on the forum...and if it goes on the forum then it goes in the bom. I love that part, even though my highly competitive nature causes a certain amount of spontaneous combustion in the home when I lose that can only be snuffed by approximately 16-20 ounces of Shiner Bock, Blackened Voodoo, or Negra Modela beer :P
Anyway, for me BOM gives a real goal toward the motivation to improve and grow as a bowyer. There innumerable others that I have tremendous respect for and always appreciate their input as well as the comments from all lovers of archery.
However, having said all that I do make some bows that don't get posted under the bow section nor the bom. These bows will sometimes make it to the Around the campfire section as they are backed with some kind of Fibe#(*$^^...uh...that is, Fibe#(*$^^... wow what unusual censorship :P
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A lot of people just look and learn from the site and don't feel the need to post or vote, do t know how they do it
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Reading these post has caused me to realize that I ain't pulling my end. I will post my next bow and I will enter it in bom and I will get a subscription to the magazine and I will vote religiously. And what the result ? I bet I enjoy the forum even more than I do now and that is hard to imagine. This is the best bowsite on the net. Thanks for a good reminder ' Frank
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I went from never posting a bow to posting every bow and even a few pics throughout the build. We all love staring at pics ragardless of what stage the bow is in. Post em' and enter the bow in BOM every time!
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I just cast my first vote, and will continue to do so. Even though it is very hard to pick just one!
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Great,I love this responce.You folks are great and you can look at bom ,it has more votes than I have every seen and I been around a while. Thanks for the support. :) :) :)
Pappy
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i have a special bow planned to be entered around late spring early summer, i hope you guys like yew warbows with antelope horn tips( if everything holds ;))
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Cant wait to see that one Fishfinder
Great,I love this responce.You folks are great and you can look at bom ,it has more votes than I have every seen and I been around a while. Thanks for the support. :) :) :)
Pappy
I agree Pappy. Warms the heart to see such great responses
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Great,I love this responce.You folks are great and you can look at bom ,it has more votes than I have every seen and I been around a while. Thanks for the support. :) :) :)
Pappy
Ditto on that Pappy. I'm a newby in "Pappy" years, but it's the most voting I've seen since I've been doing BOM.
Cipriano
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I received a notice to vote but felt the same way. Not having the experience so I did not vote. This time I will and I am working on a shagbark hickory bow and will enter regardless of set or hideousness. may not be ready until next month.
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I've been guilty of not voting much, or posting for that matter, especially when life gets in the way and I can't build much. I'll try to do better. Reviving my interest in BOM has inspired me to put more emphasis on the finish than I have lately. On my first bows, I put a lot of work into shaping the tips and handle, finish sanding, coatings, etc. Lately I've concentrated on performance more, and just knock the corners off with some sandpaper, slap some grease on it and call it a day. I want to try to make a few purty ones again soon.
Julian
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Every member of PA is qualified to vote for BOM. Take the time to look over all of the bows and pick the one you like best. Also take the time to study each bow, ask questions of the builder and add this to the learning process. That is what this really is, a chance to learn from what others have done.
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I think Pat brought up some very valid points. I like to think of it as accomplishment of the month, not neccessarily the best looking bow. Impossible to tell how a bow really came out by looking at it. Design, finish, performance, difficulty factor etc all need to be considered. Sometimes I may see a veteran bow builder really step up his own game and in a case like that I will vote for him. I used to vote very regular and one year I won bow of the year, I didn't feel I deserved it in all honesty, I felt like I was experiencing a little surge in popularity at that time and it carried votes. I stopped posting bows right then and their and also stopped voting. I will try to make an effort to get reinvolved and start posting and voting more, I like the idea of BOM but hate to think that politics play a part in it.
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Your honesty was appreciated. Its a world wide stage Badger, politics HAVE to sneak in no matter how badly we dont want them to. Its all in fun anyhow. I haint never beat nobody up for not votin' fer me! I would have one loooooooong list to run down!