From: GPBowyer
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Date: 29-Jan-17 |
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Hello I have read with interest the past couple years, but have not commented on this site.....mainly because I realize the wisdom I see here and feel very small. I am the new owner of Great Plains Traditional Bow Co. It will be two years in April that I have owned it. I feel unworthy and excited to be a part of the trad world. I am just a fine woodworker turning bowyer as we speak. I have owned GP bows for 8 or 9 years and I fell in love with them which is why I pursued the purchase of the company. Okay enough personal history. The reason I am reaching out to my brothers and sisters in the traditional bowhunting world is simply to ask for advice and opinions and what you would like to see different and what I could do to serve you better in the future. I realize when a company changes hands there is alot of unsettled feelings among its customers. Will the quality stay the same? Is the warranty still good? and on and on. If you have any advice for me please share freely here or by pm. Thank you and have a great day.
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From: fdp
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Date: 29-Jan-17 |
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Keep the quality at the level the bows have the reputation for having, and handle your customer's and service related issue's with the same high degree of honesty and urgency that Bill did.
Not much else needs to be done. The designs are proven, the brand recognition is already there.
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From: bigdog21
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Date: 29-Jan-17 |
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would be nice to have personal option like limb and handle wood choices rather than just a model to pick from. if you look at some of the top selling customs. they all had just a model but going to full custom there business has grew, blacktail, widow, Schafer's, and others, don't get me wrong GP are great bows but people like true custom there own choice to make it there's and make them different from the other guy.
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From: camodave
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Date: 29-Jan-17 |
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When bowyers like Brandon Stahl and Ken Rohloffs have to go back to their previous work you need to think seriously about ways to make a living to supplement your bow building. These are gentlemen with 20 plus years in the business.
DDave
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From: camodave
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Date: 29-Jan-17 |
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Correction. No s on Rohloffs. Read what Ken wrote at Whippenstick.com. Kind of sums up the realities of a single Bowyer shop.
DDave
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From: Catsailor
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Date: 30-Jan-17 |
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Bigdog I had a bow made to my specs by Bill. I chose the core wood, the limb veneers and riser woods. He even added phenolic to the riser. Maybe the new owner would entertain choices. It never hurts to ask.
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From: woodshavins
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Date: 30-Jan-17 |
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One of the biggest things a bowyer can do for his customers is have open and honest communication. Be honest with yourself and the customer about turn around times, answer questions in as timely a manner as possible (though I'm sure it becomes tedious and redundant at times). Otherwise, build quality equipment that you can stand behind. About all I can offer. Good luck to you! Very nice to see you looking for input!
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From: crookedstix
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Date: 30-Jan-17 |
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Your story is very similar to Bill Howland's at Brackenbury-- he owned and loved the bows, and then stepped in after Jim's death to keep the company alive, and made some wonderful bows--using both the time-proven models, but also designing some crackerjacks of his own. He ran the company until 2015 as a one-man shop (he tried to find help, but couldn't get someone with the necessary skills and commitment to quality). At the end he had a four-year backlog of orders...but had to stop for health reasons. He is still in Spokane, I believe; it might be helpful to talk with him.
The health challenges that bowyers face are pretty scary. I'm sure that you know that as a woodworker...but do take care of yourself.
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From: The Whittler
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Date: 30-Jan-17 |
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Just treat others like you want to be treated, that will say a lot about you.
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From: GPBowyer
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Date: 30-Jan-17 |
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Thank you all! Fantastic info. I am very passionate about woodworking and have 15 years of cabinets and furniture behind me, but an end table never had to toss an arrow at 180 fps so thank you so much for all the input. I'll do my best! Feel free to offer any more advice anytime. Shane
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From: aromakr
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Date: 30-Jan-17 |
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Shane:
If you can create a bow that will shoot a hunting weight arrow at an honest 180fps you won't have a problem finding buyers.
Bob
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From: hawkwing
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Date: 30-Jan-17 |
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I have and shoot Great Plainsman# 3918 68' and 55lbs @28 Cocobolo riser, red elm limbs with Juniper . Bought used-has bubbles in finish. Tiller is more than what most would call usual but all my Leatherwall guys told me to just keep shooting. Limb tips are built up for fast flight. Have thought about trimming them down. has some space/glue missing in riser glue lines. Upper limb got ran over and had shallow sliver of glass on back so i just sanded and smoothed over with epoxy. Even at 55lbs this bow draws super smooth and easy. It is my favorite stump shooting bow. Finish on limb edges is getting sparse. Do you refurbish old bows? How much cost and where are you at ? Could tiller be corrected but maybe at cost of a couple pounds of draw weight? This is my favorite bow I have ever shot even though i am a Red Wing Hunter collector. Good job taking over to keep making very good bows. Jim
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From: GPBowyer
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Date: 30-Jan-17 |
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Jim,
I will refinish and retune and take weight off for $100 plus shipping. That is our standard price, but I am not sure I am supposed to offer business deals on leatherwall. You may have to call the shop
Shane
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From: hawkwing
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Date: 31-Jan-17 |
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I will look up Kansas address and check on sending bow by USPS. I have tube. My nephew , his name is Shane also. He is big game guide at Fish Tail Ranch,Chama, New Mexico. He is living the dream. Fly fishes the Brazos. I think the longbow design like mine just can't be improved upon. The long narrow trapezoid limbs and just enough R/d really make this bow good. And it like alot of arrow sizes and weights but I keep to the heavy. i am very pleased that you have taken over for Bill. I hope to be one of your first customers. Will be communicating soon. Have a fun day,always. Jim
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From: BACK YARD
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Date: 31-Jan-17 |
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I spoke with Shane today and will send my bow today to have weight reduction and refinished. In my opinion Great Plains is one of the best bows out there and looks like the company is in good hands. Keep up Bills quality and the business should be fine.
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From: Bowlim
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Date: 31-Jan-17 |
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Sponsor Leatherwall if it is affordable.
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From: Bobbin hood
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Date: 31-Jan-17 |
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The word/title of Veteran is so MIS-USED! Sorry for being Petty! Nam 69/70, Semper FI!
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From: Leathercutter
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Date: 01-Feb-17 |
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OK hood, after his note to start it is clear he wanted archery/leatherwall veterans. not a dumb jar head. Nam 65-65 plus 25 yrs. Semper Fi.
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From: ahunter55
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Date: 01-Feb-17 |
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having been in the archery business back in the day b/4 compounds (shop/lanes 20 years) Advertise, Advertise, Advertise. With todays tech world you can do so much for free. Web site, message boards ect.. Listen to your customers & other suggestions they might have to make a different, better product.. I wish you luck as I had an awesome run.
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From: GPBowyer
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Date: 10-Mar-17 |
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Thanks so much guys I'll do my best. It hasn't been easy trying to fill Bill's shoes.
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From: 2 bears
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Date: 10-Mar-17 |
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Lots of excellent wood workers know nothing of building a bow. Stay with what works at first. Experiment and test as time allows. Never quit studying bow dynamics. Best of luck to you. I sincerely hope you succeed,the competition is tough. >>>------> Ken
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From: camperjim
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Date: 11-Mar-17 |
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Best of luck with this venture.
I am probably different than many but I will tell you what I am interested in and you can decide to ignore my advice. I lost interest in fancy woods and high priced bows.
I want a wooden bow that shoots at least as well as an intermediate priced Olympic style bow ($200-300 for the riser and $100-200 for the limbs. I would be willing to pay a bit more for a wooden bow, but I want the same or better performance. I have a 30 1/2" so that also means I would prefer a 70" bow but would settle for 68" with no stack.
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From: Jon Stewart
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Date: 11-Mar-17 |
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Good service. without it you might as well close the doors.
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From: GPBowyer
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Date: 19-Mar-17 |
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Camperjim, it is not the so much the price of the exotic wood that makes these bows so expensive, it is the time it takes to make one. Shane
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From: BowAholic
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Date: 20-Mar-17 |
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Shane, it was a real pleasure meeting you at OJam. Your enthusiasm and talent will go a long way in contributing to your success. I know it is a very difficult business to succeed in, as we discussed... I wish you all of the best! If I hear of anyone looking for an awesome ids bow, I will definitely send them to you for a look at the little osage bow...it couldn't be any nicer and the price is great. The actionwood model for kids is also very nice, but that all osage model is "Da' bomb"... Bob
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