Called Martin Archery Customer service. Got a recording to call an 800 number. Called that number and Lady answered Big John's......I stopped hearing at the word John's. Not sure what was after that. Anyway I asked if I had a wrong number. She explained that they bought out Martin Archery and everything is in the process of being moved there. I was calling concerning a compound bow part. I got my answer, thanked her and hung up. Then I wondered whether that move includes the Howatt or traditional side also. Anyone know if the traditional side is included or finished?

call them back and ask, then you'll have the correct info and can let us know :>)

Martin is supposed to call me back today with a return authorization number to exchange for a different mod. I will ask them but, they sold out in June and I thought maybe someone here already knows the fate of the traditional side.

Gonna follow this news closely as I'm a HUGE Martin/Howatt fan. I think their current offerings are fine bows. I know the old line was/is preferred by many, and I enjoy them too. But I think their newer line of bows gets a undeserved bad rap by some. I've got a 2013 Super Diablo that is a real shooter...hits right where I look and its quite darn quick about getting an arrow downrange too. Plus its quite easy on the eyes. I sure hope Martin/Howatt's sale/move is a big success!

I hope Howatt doesn't go away - but truth be told, it's AMAZING they've lasted this long. My first bow was a Howatt Hunter, a gift from a family friend, brand-new in 1980 (built in late 70s, sitting on the shelves for a couple of years), still have that bow! Lots of good memories with that bow.

The way I understand it from a large outlet in CA they bought out the trad side also.

Wonder who/what Big John's is.

www.archerytrade.org/news/martin-archery-reborn

That doesn't seem to address anything that's going on in the present.

http://insidearchery.com/martin-archery-assets-purchased/

just saw this posted on Facebook....

Evidently, some Darton people will be designing the new line of bows. Sort of hope they will let the Howatt name rest.

It seems not to long ago there was an article in TBM about how Martin is back.

There is a bit of chatter about this, and Big John, over on Archery Talk.

Hope they make a go of it. They should get in touch with Larry Hatfield about bow and limb design!

They were bought by a fishing company. Like how Shakespeare bought Root.

https://www.bigjon.com/about-big-jon.php

Let's hope this time it works out.

but Shakespeare wasn't a fishing company solely. They were a fiberglass company making many fiberglass products. hence the interest in bows.

Shakespeare was made in the Root factory...by Root employees, and they were great bows. The only thing that took them down was the compound bow. And, if you look back, the compound took out a lot of companies back then. I was there and lived through it, even had an archery shop. Likely the company that bought Martin is more interested in the compound side...over 75% of the archery market. I guess time will tell.

They are making bows at the old shop still. From what I under stand. The person making the trad bows will be showing others to make them when they move.

Big Jon makes down riggers for big lake (Lake Michigan and others). Martin has been bought out by Big Jon and they are moving production to Interlochen, Michigan. They bought out Martin only.

George do you remember when shakesphere moved to cokumbia sc?

Not George but it was 1970.

They were considering coming to New Jersey...

Ok folks.

Straight from the horses mouth.

Martin trad side bows will continue to be made on the same forms by the same bowyers and production of the trad bows will stay in Walla Walla. So nothing should change.

WHEW!!!!

I saw this posted on facebook.

Supposedly, these are brand new fresh off the presses.

Rick

I hope everyone noticed Larry's post.

It speaks volumes.

The deal breaker for me that is essential is that the precise tapers of the limb laminations would need to be maintained.

That's what made Howatt's the bows they were.

I think the institutional knowledge is gone and so is Howatt.

Martin is missing out, this is the time of year, that bowhunters, are planning and looking for a new bow, to add to the collection. They need to get the website up at minimum. You would think the big marketing people would know that and have that fixed, first, to get the work out, so by the time move done, be busy.

I have tremendous respect for Larry Hatfield’s knowledge. But if Martin is trying to stay in the archery business, we should be happy about that. Maybe they’re not the same as the bows made before 2012, but the ones in Ricks pic look like nice bows to me. I for one, would support their efforts.

MP

I heard that Darton bought out Martin. Darton is based in Mich.

The fact that the factory is staying in Walla Walla, and they are using the old forms and workers is good enough for me. I commend Martin for keeping the traditional side relevant and keeping new bows coming. Our generation is getting old and dying out, the new generations will at least have the opportunity to define what is good or bad or indifferent in their time. We don't get to choose. No disrespect to Larry or his crew, or his dedication to great bow design.

As for who bought who, keep in mind that Bear, Wing, Browning, Ben Pearson and Shakespeare all had multiple owners over the years. The fact that these other entities are interested means the company will live on...at least while it's profitable.

I hope the best for them. We don't need bear paw coping them with there Red Man. Martin has a history hopefully there is and will be the skills to keep it going. Not a fan of reverse engineering to copy others by others.

"The fact that the factory is staying in Walla Walla, and they are using the old forms and workers is good enough for me."

Where did you come up with this? I was in Walla Walla this Fall. The former factory site was closed. I reached an 800 number out of State and was also told the factory was closed permanently and all inventory had been moved out of State.

As to the "old forms", remember the factory burned to the ground a couple of years ago, was then rebuild and then closed.

Cameron Root you are so right about BP.

I think I read that theMartin Walla Walla building that burned was the building where compounds were made, and the trad bows were made in a different building that did not burn.

What George and Rooty said. I just want them to hang in there and make their bows. Let a new generation of traditional archers decide how good the new bows are. This isn’t the first time an archery company went thru a major change of ownership and location. I’m just glad it’s happening.

There is no Martin Archery in Walla Walla. Whether the new owners bought the old presses or not is their business. Don't know at this time if they plan on using the Howatt or Martin brand names. That's their decision. Wish I had bought the Howatt name when it was offered to me by Gail, but I didn't and have no regrets now. Wish the new company success.

You have your own Name. Which carries weight. Your probably sick of making bows but if it happened I would support.

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