a tentative prod at the possible market

[yeoman]

Just wondering what sort of interest there would be in a couple of bows I'll be making.

They will be wooden longbows, about 68" long, bamboo backed, around 45-55# @ 28", with or without handle wrap and arrow rest.

The price will be around $150, with the proceeds going to a good cause (my savings account to get a bandsaw ) Using www.busfreight.com.au getting the bow around Australia should be fairly cheap (compared to regular courier/carriers).

So is anyone interested or should I just run the gauntlet and bung 'em on ebay?

Be honest now,

Dave

[Jeffro]

Dave I have a mate who'd be keen .Hes ready to buy as soon as i find something for him not too expensive cause hes a beginner.
They will have a shelf wont they? Just querying the with or without arrow rest.This bloke is right handed and 50# would be lovely.
I can make the arrow rest and handle wrap for him. When you get one finished can you send me a pic or post it on here.
Have you made a lot of bows? Sorry I get a bit confused with the ammount of bowmakers on these sites and lose track of who's who a bit.


Jeff

[erron]

Mate i'll be replying to your email later tonight!



Erron

[yeoman]

Jeffro, they would have a shelf if you like, but they won't be centre shot. Or if you'd like to do the shelf yourself then that's fine too.

Over the past 8 years I've made more bows than I could possibly remember. I've made four bows with a bamboo backing, however the quality is still good, coz after gluing the boo on, it's tillered as normal.

To all who PM'd me: I hope to get them on the roll ASAP. But I do have about 10,000 words or more due in within the next month. I hope to get started within a week or two.

To see what my boo backed bows look like, go to my personal gallery here: http://ozbow.net/phpbb2/album_personal.php?user_id=182 for a look at my Sydney Blue Gum boo backed bows. (what a tongue twister!)

As for how they perform, ask Erron. He's the only other person on the site who's seen and used my bows.

Thanks for the positive response, it's a real incentive to get makin' shavin's!

Dave

[erron]

They shoot beautifully, look a treat, feel great in balance and weight etc, and put the arrow where you point it (so no excuses ). What more could you want

Now hurry up and finish that assignment, Dave. 10,000 words is a doddle

Cheers,

Erron

[yeoman]

Well I must say that the response to my first post has been overwhelming, and overwhelmingly positive.

There are more people that want bows than I currently have time and wood for. The problem is no longer 'does anyone want my bows?', but rather 'how in the world am I going to make that many bows?'

I'll get the two curent bows done ASAP, and depending on the availability of a digi cam, a buildalong too.

The other problem is not the price, but how long people are willing to wait. Patience may have to be more plentiful than cash when it comes time to buy.

Please all also note that the $150 is not the final price, but a minimum. Depending on how much work goes into them, they may be a little more, but no more than $180.

So to all those that replied, thanks for the positive response. Now comes the time to wait and see if your enthusiasm is still high when I finally get to finish them!

Cheers,

Dave

[danceswithdingoes]

we also have a need in the kids trad market as well, I had to resort to Korean recurves for my kids due to a lack of local product.

[archangel]

Danceswith Dingoes wrote:

we also have a need in the kids trad market as well, I had to resort to Korean recurves for my kids due to a lack of local product.

Dave don't want to pinch your thread, but this particular response has raised an interesting opportunity. During the last holidays I completed a bamboo-backed bow and a matching set of woods that were eagerly accepted by a young friend. He has had no amount of joy with his first "real" bow. If there is definite interest in custom-made kids' trad bows, let me know via PM and I will send some details, pics etc.