Want to understand how to price a bow

[dwardo]

This discussion reminded me of a few thoughts a week or two ago.

I was off to my friends woodland and took far too much kit as usual. I was then left with the decision of what to leave in the car and what to take. I stood there with my rifle in one hand and my current favourite bow in the other.
After very little time I decided the rifle would stay in the car just incase the car goes missing or is broken into.
The rifle is probably worth £300 and the actual car not more than £500 i guess.
BUT I can always buy a new car or rifle but I would struggle to find another piece of wood as beautiful not to mention the odds of it making a bow.

[Pappy]

I sell very few bows,but when I an confronted by someone that won't take no for an answer,I will price it for way more than I feel it is worth,hoping to scared them off,   so far that hasn't worked. I just hate deadlines and hate to have to do something until I am in the mood. 
   Pappy

[toomanyknots]

This discussion reminded me of a few thoughts a week or two ago.

I was off to my friends woodland and took far too much kit as usual. I was then left with the decision of what to leave in the car and what to take. I stood there with my rifle in one hand and my current favourite bow in the other.
After very little time I decided the rifle would stay in the car just incase the car goes missing or is broken into.
The rifle is probably worth £300 and the actual car not more than £500 i guess.
BUT I can always buy a new car or rifle but I would struggle to find another piece of wood as beautiful not to mention the odds of it making a bow.

Man I so feel you.

[Slackbunny]

I've only given away bows to this point. But I feel like I have reached a skill level where I would be comfortable selling some of my better work.

Personally I wouldn't charge any less than $200 for a wall hanger bow. And I'd charge a fair bit more than that for good shooters. People will pay for it.

Don't be worried to charge plenty for what you do. There is only a handful of people who do it, and even less who do it very well. These aren't mass produced items. There aren't ten thousand other guys running around with the same cookie cutter bows. These are custom built, one of a kind, functional works of art. Price them as such.

[Del the cat]

I wouldn't sell a bow to be hung on a wall and looked at *.
Paint a picture to hang on a wall, maybe... but bows are for shooting!
Del
* Well maybe an old shot out or smashed and glued back together bow... but then I'd give it away... or maybe I'd accept a pint or a bottle of wine

[Slackbunny]

If they want to pay me their hard earned dollars for a bow I've made, they can do with it what they want. Mind you I might not be so happy if they tossed it in a wood chipper right in front of me, but it makes no difference to me if they intend to use it, hang it on a wall, stuff it in a closet, or resell it. Once the trade's been made, its no longer my business.

[huisme]

I wouldn't sell a bow to be hung on a wall and looked at *.
Paint a picture to hang on a wall, maybe... but bows are for shooting!
Del
* Well maybe an old shot out or smashed and glued back together bow... but then I'd give it away... or maybe I'd accept a pint or a bottle of wine

Ha, I'm also a sketch artist.

Old WIP


A bow should definitely not be treated like a painting; it's meant for other things, and I can supply both 

[Del the cat]

Nice 
I do the odd painting now and again... tends to be abstract...
Del

[Slackbunny]

That's pretty nice work. Never been very artistic with a pencil, but I've always been fascinated by people that are.

[huisme]

I like to think it's helped me learn bowyery. I've broken less and learned faster than most people say they have, but I've always been an art/science nut. I could already eyeball angles, gradations, proportions, etc, and thought rather vividly about physics, moving things and bumping them into each other in my head. It was just another step when I started bending things, I guess 

Which isn't to brag, my unfortunate scrap pile is up to my waist 

[toomanyknots]

I wouldn't sell a bow to be hung on a wall and looked at *.
Paint a picture to hang on a wall, maybe... but bows are for shooting!
Del
* Well maybe an old shot out or smashed and glued back together bow... but then I'd give it away... or maybe I'd accept a pint or a bottle of wine

Ha, I'm also a sketch artist.


Old WIP


A bow should definitely not be treated like a painting; it's meant for other things, and I can supply both 

That's very good. You'd make a lot of white cakes in jail,  . Seriously though, that is very good. And I would sell anyone a wall hanger if they want it, what would I have to do, just string a longer dowel or something? Cut a branch, and put some nocks on it? Ya I could sell you that.