Valuing Your Work

How much is your time worth? Are you doing this as a casual one-off endeavor or do you plan to do this as a business? If the former, satisfaction and a moderate amount of compensation may be alright. If you intend to make a business of it, you will have to improve your productivity rate a lot, thereby increasing your cost per hour. As it stands right now, you are making £6 per hour, probably ok for a hobby, but way too little for a business. Using your car mechanic as an example, you would have to charge £675 or more per bow. Question is, is there a market for such an expensive bow? BTW, that's a great looking bow. Sorry I can't put a better value on your work.

Yup, that's the thing, once it becomes a 'job' it's not fun anymore.
It's just nice to have a hoby which pays for itself...unlike golf which is a money pit.
Every time I make something, I think I should keep track of the hours I spend..but I pop out to the garage for a few minutes and find I've spent 2hours. And of course, if you added up the thinking time too.
Del

I myself struggle with these issues.

I've got a poem out there in the world of 8 lines that took me all of my life to be able to write. It will be around in the world for a very long time.

If I've made 50 bucks off it by the time I'm dead, I'll be lucky.

For the sort of work you do I have recently suggested you approach "Museums", for not many do, or have done what you do as far as bows and arrows are concerned.

I see the Chinese Repeating Crossbow as a "Kit". -The Museum Store may be shy for this thing may be lethal at close range.

I have discovered that even things to do that were for me great "fun" are fated to at some point become similar to "work".

For me making movies was "fun", and then it became "work".

Here on the Forum I have some "fun" writing.

For a magazine article it may still be some fun, but it is work.

What we love will due to passion turn into work creating within us a conflict with our childlike innocence, and adult responsibilities.

These days as mortality approaches I just want work I did in a spirit of love and innocence for the work, out of the house.

Good day, I really like poetry, I have some original texts printed in 1645 on my shelves at home. let us hear your poem. regards, leon

Here's the Transendian site.

Explore, read, download a passport.....

For the sort of work you do I have recently suggested you approach "Museums", for not many do, or have done what you do as far as bows and arrows are concerned.

In the UK, the obvious Museum to approach would be the Royal Armouries in Leeds. ER used to learn sword fighting there - it's wonderful learning to use a hand-and-a-half right next to Samurai armour and armoured [model] elephants

hand-and-a-half .
I love that expression
...I've put a hand-and-a-half handle on my axe that I use for my bowmaking. Done the same on a club hammer, adds a lot of versatility.
Mind I do have a strong right wrist.
Del

As an example, I have a friend who makes spear guns. He is an avid diver and has consistently come in with fish almost as big as he is. The reason he started making his own guns is that none of the manufactured ones fall into the specs that he requires. Materials alone cost him about $100US and it takes about 100 hours to make over a 2 week period. A decent manufactured gun costs about $500US and he can sell his for about $600US to $800US depending on length/wood grain etc. Using this as an analogy, you should be able to charge 6X your cost or more. Handmade craftsmanship is always better than manufactured goods because the artisan tends to put a little love and pride into his product.

Just my 2 cents worth of opion there...

If you use lights when working (even in the day I mean), then attach an hour counter to the same circuit.....then at least you will have a rough idea of the hours.

For "private" work, may I suggest 10 UK pounds per hour.....its about "middle of the road" today.....

If you ever do it as a business, you need to charge more, 40 - 60 UK pounds an hour at least.......

I don't recall talking to you about this,

In this country their are all kinds of clubs representing everything.

I recall, when I was going to college, I played foosball (yes foos) with a guy, (a bar room game, and a college past time between classes.)

He was in a medieval organization, that was highly organized. he was on the lower level. an oarsman, and of course the upper levels was the king. He wanted to become the blacksmith which was a highly respected level. I thought at first it was almost a cult, but it was just people with fantasy's, and later in life there where carnivals and such that hosted these affairs and gatherings.

I realized that a number of these people made their own attire and accessories. but more was purchased.

Do they have these organizations over there across the pond?

Society for Creative Anachronism (fan club for those who like raping and pillaging) and Renaissance Fairs (a business)

Del-

Over the years, I have learned that the value of anything has very little to do with the cost of production. The value is set by whatever the purchaser is willing to pay. One customer may be willing to pay $2K (sorry, I don't know how to add the pound sign, so we have to deal in dollars today), then that is what the thing is worth to that customer. Your time is valuable, but now it is gone, and you can never buy it back. I think the real reward you received from the actual construction is far more valuable than anything anyone would be willing to pay for a bow or anything else.

If you and the purchaser are in mutual agreement that this is a fair price, then you have found a fair price for the bow. On the other hand, there may be someone out there who would put greater value on a custom-designed, handmade bow for bragging rights rather than technical finesse, and to such an individual, this price would be way too low. I am thinking in terms of "custom" firearms that sell for 10's of thousands of dollars that are no more effective than something that can be had for a fraction of the cost- or someone who insists on a Lamborghini when a Jaguar would do exactly the same thing (whoops- that was before Ford bought Jaguar! Not a good example...)

Anyway, so long as you and your friend are happy with the deal, you did right.

I agree completely. Its nothing to do with your time, or effort. In terms of marketing language (I think marketing guys did really $%&#&@ everybody with this discurse...) its more to do with the quality and value perceived by the customer. And this perception is always directed when they "position" the product in the market. Well, its not a hobby, but I'd like to post another example. In a magazine some time ago there was a chart with the title "whats wrong with this figure?". There was a list of prices for one hour for different services. It was something like this: golf classes..............................$120 tennis classes...........................$ 60 car repair in authorized dealer......$ 48 car repair in third party shop........$ 30 aircraft repair in a certified MRO...$ 20 Who is the most dedicated and skilled worker? Ok, you will say: you're going to spend a lot of manpower to fix an airplane. But... there are still men working with the best of their efforts. Others will argue that you value more per your rareness, i.e., if you do something really different, you are like one of a kind, and has a product that a lot of people want, then your price will go up per marketing natural laws. But this is not the difference in that chart. There are a lot of tennis instructors. There are a lot of people playing golf. There are a lot of car shops. Another example? At least here in Brazil, a skilled and experienced engineer that deals with the life of at least hundreds of people everyday is worth about 1/3 of the same professional level physician. Why? Engineers work in silence, their work is not noted unless there's some mess. That's why the quality is not valued by the marketing. Another one? Here, an iPhone is sold by the equivalent of about U$600,00. Why? Charges? No. Charges plus profits plus transportation costs would roughly double its price compared to the USA, for example (U$100,00). But there are people that is willing to pay the same they pay for a good computer for a phone. Again, its marketing, its the value perceived by the client, and its the marketing guys maneouvering behind the scenes. And a lot of people, of course, that really feels good paying that much only to tell friends that they have an iPhone, even if the operators here has several restrictions of use and a good portion of its functionality just does not work. Thats what you gain in a land with lack of culture and a lot of advertising. Sorry about the complains. After all, iPhone is really cool, I'd love to have one if it were sold in a more reasonable price. And, again, I agree: for a hobby, out of series product, if you and your client are both happy, let it be, you're really lucky to have a hobby that helps to pay for itself.

My ex is an artist, and hopes to be able to make a reasonable income sometime.

She has exactly this problem (Valuing Your Work) - arts and crafts can not command a fair return for input (in terms of £ per hour) unless and until the artist/craftsperson acquires a 'name'.

She currently charges at about £3/hr + materials; it seems to be 'all the market will stand'.

Seems such things are currently valued similarly to 'can you have a look at my [stereo|PC|mixer deck|etc]'. A couple of hours pulling it apart, finding the duff joint, re-soldering, applying silicone goo so it won't fall off again, re-assembling, testing & delivering ≡ a couple of pints of best. So thats ≈ £3/hr. Same job with my working hat on would've been £100 to look at it.

Del,

The photos say that is a beautiful. craftsman-like, piece of work.

Your query here as to the amount you should have sold it for says to me that you are not sure if you got enough and that perhaps you are unhappy to have parted with it.

I would insist that the price of things made for sale is determined by the cost of production. Anybody that wants to disagree need only seek an answer in the costs of common commodities which on the average sell for the cost of production, i.e.. cost of materials, labour, machine degeneration, rent of shop premises, etc.

That does not necessarily apply to works of art and that bow is a work of art insofar such are no longer simply tools with which to obtain ones sustenance.

Frankly I don't think you got enough to cover the sense of alienation you are experiencing with its sale and departure out of your hands.

To set a fair price on it I would look at the value per hour that known crafts people get for such things as wood art carvings or sculptures.

Without the research I think that bow was probably worth about 500 quid. Anybody that cares about a finely crafted bow should be happy to pay that.

j.

Which seemed ok to both of us.

All that counts

Beautiful work, Del

nicely stated

E.

Del

my .02 's :

the value that the craftsman places on his work.

trading time for enjoyment.

then to be compensated for that enjoyment. ( i don't mean finding my ball )

imho: the enjoyment from the " work"/ " hobby " comes from the finished piece.

when i look at it, when someone else appreciates it.

i think the craftsman always see;s the flaws in his work.

making it very hard to " value " the piece .

not long after buying my house , built in 1925, i remolded the bathroom.

i saw things later , that i would do differently.. thought of ripping out to do again,

& yet, all our friends and company like the new room.

part of that is the beholder, i suppose, part of that is the standards that the craftsman places on his "own" efforts.

i don't know of a formula that can address " my " feelings over the piece.

Ahuha!!

If it soothes the soul... and you give it away... or make a penny or six..

It's good for you and the receiver...

As for the 45 that the garage charged you....learn to do what he /she does...

or barter for a hand made quality bow next time...Barter is a fair trade for talent...

If your world is just about money... you need to center yourself...

No offense intended.. it is what I do...and I am happy to give ( mostly for a home cooked meal.. but that is my " cost" when folks cannot afford )

I like to cover my costs on "fun" projects...Three times the material costs would seem fair.

Del Dominates the internet:

Dear Del, What does an original preserved Bow of your sorts cost?

Once I know that I will be better able to determine the value of your replicas.

Hey I thought you were supposed to be working

What does an original preserved Bow of your sorts cost?
Good Q, dunno the A, but there a lot of people getting into making this stuff, especially in the US. 'Primitive Archer' website is full of 'em, some people making flint arrowheads on handmade arrows to.

Del

I don't know how much bows retail for, but it sounds like the buyer got a good deal. That works out at £6/hour which is about minimum wage, though as you mention there are other factors....

Was it one you'd made for fun , then sold when some chum spotted it ? Did you make it to order (even though it was fun doing so)? Was the buyer somebody who's likely to refer other potential buyers to you ? I'd guess at £90 you recovered materials costs (inc tea bags used during construction ), but I reckon maybe a tad more would have been 'fairer'. 'Summat is only worth what people will pay' is a true enough adage, but just how much would they pay....

Like edignan pointed out, you and buyer are both 'OK' with the price, which is the main thing. I hope you emphasised to the buyer that you were letting them have it for a snip, and maybe you brand marked it as being produced by yourself. If hoards of people start ringing up, you could up the price accordingly. The main problem with selling the bows is what if somebody comes back all angry because they broke one ? It'd be horrible to get some twonk shouting Sale of Goods Act in your face. The most important point is to not let profit get in the way of your fun. Print out a certificate of authenticity and add 50 % to the price, maybe just a card giving brief technical detail and date/signature of Del. I'm not kidding - raise the price, you can always drop it if people aren't bighting.

<Next time you get the car fixed, stand around watching the mechanic as you caress a newly made bow >

I made it specifically for the guy, and yes he may refer others, so it has 'advertising' value, it is signed 'Del the Cat' (at his request)rather than my full name or my DH monogram.
I initially was thinking between £70 & £100, but 100 seems a bit of a barrier, he's a bit of a collector and I know he wants a Yew bow, so this was sort of an introductory offer.
Break? Break! BREAK? One of my bows shirley Knot?
Actually it's pretty safe, as I've drawn it to 29" and he only draws to about 27" being a shortish stock chap. It's a good point though, a bow would normally be 'shot in' before selling, and it gets a fair bit of flexing and carefull examination whilst being built. I neearly peed myself while making that one as I saw what appeared to be a compression crack or the belly, but it was a line of dust which wiped off with my hand...whew.
The finishing process ensures it gets a good inspection.
Wipe with varnish...allow to dry...scrap and sand/wire wool it.
Repeat above until you are happy with the finish/fed up with it/run out of varnish.
Wipe with varnish again, sign it, wipe it with varnish again.
Final light wax polish.

Next time you get the car fixed, stand around watching the mechanic as you caress a newly made bow Hmm that could work on several levels..maybe for MOT test too.
Del

LOL - I know there wouldn't be any flaws in your craftsmanship, but that's the probelm with selling ; you never know if some pillock is going to run away, over-stress it (slam car boot on it or some such), and come back crying. Being marked "Del the cat" will add imeasurably to it's value (unlees you mean you scented it !)

I know nothing at all about bows, but that surely does look beautiful. As long as the sale of the bow covered your expenses including beverages, you have received a fair price for your work. Enjoy your hobby.

Great bow Del,

If you were making bows for a living, you would set up a production process to trim your time, make batches of bows instead of one at a time. The setup for each stage of the process is what takes so much time when you make one off. Space is the constraint, for how many you can make per batch. Tedium factor is another constraint (there's a point at which you might rather have the task done by a machine..). Four at a time is a minimum for any efficiency value. Four to ten is a good ballpark number for handmade items, to maximize efficiency and minimize tedium and repetitive strain injuries, depending on the type of product.

If you doubt the batch process, think about how you set up to apply glue or finishes at some stage. It's way more efficient to do several at one time. For the price point that made your customer happy, you should trim your hours per bow to five.

You have this great knowledge of bow design and your execution is obviously high quality. You could make a batch of Holmgaards, then a batch of Chinese repeater crossbows, etc etc. and have multiple product lines to offer your customers. Don't forget, price is labour plus materials. If a specific design takes more time, use more expensive materials as well to justify the additional effort and cost.

It's true, production craft doesn't have the same exact satisfaction as a hobby or the pursuit of pure art where you are one on one with your special project and time is not a factor. But there is satisfaction in providing a good serviceable product at a price point that's perceived as good value to both the producer and the customer (as long as you enjoy the work).

Providing such products, you establish reputation and create a market for the finer works: the top of the line, one of a kind product, where you'd be taking your best and most special materials and spending all the loving time you like, and charging the earth for it as well. Why not.

Thanks for the replies everyone, some good comments.
I am happy with the price for the bow. I've aquired some Yew which I shall turn into bows in the fullness of time. They will be more expensive due to the rarity of decent Yew.
I'm going to do some repair work for a local sculpture garden (2 wooden pieces). I'm charging a similar low rate as I'm 'new' to that field and still learning (aren't we always?).
I'd do it for free as a volunteer anyway! That sort of restoraton work could possibly become quite specialised/lucrative...another string to my bow so to speak.
It's sort of forward planning to my retirement.
Del

Good morning Del.

I wondered if you would be drawn into the lucrative market of custom traditional bows. I say lucrative, not because of the cash to be made, but the value you bring to society as you keep that very special skill of the bowyer alive. Traditional archery is alive and very well in Southern Africa. We have at least half a dozen goooood trad bowyers who turn out great stuff. Some are strictly custom and others have set up mini production facilities, exporting and providing the local market.

The bows are extremely accurate. On this Forum. www.anchorpoint.co.za we just had a post of a double Robin Hood. Yes three arrows into each other. The archer was proving his accuracy to a farmer before being allowed to hunt! (He passed the test ) Over here Trad bows sell £120 for a kidds bow to about £700

Check out:

http://www.anchorpoint.co.za/index.php?topic=1068.45

http://www.timberpoint.co.za

Here's another Robin Hood

http://www.anchorpoint.co.za/index.php?topic=1068.msg27554#msg27554

You will just have to come out here and hunt one of your bows then you will have made the weapon and brought home the bacon!

The bows are extremely accurate. On this Forum. www.anchorpoint.co.za we just had a post of a double Robin Hood. Yes three arrows into each other. The archer was proving his accuracy to a farmer before being allowed to hunt!

Wow - Your aloud to hunt with bows! I't baned in the UK some thing to do with Robin Hood I think.

A price on hobby work can be hard to set. Trying to base it on time and materials works for me. But when you have lots of interruptions then it is hard to keep an accurate record of the time. In the end you are not just handing over a completed item. You are handing over all of the inputs such as materials, electricity, time away from family (maybe a good trade after all), wear and tear on your tools, etc.

As a machinist I have "friends" that are always asking me to do things for them. Mostly gun related projects such as repairs and custom sight mounts. I ask them how much the item would cost new and compare it to how long it would take me to make or repair. If I can't save them money, without me going broke, then I ask them buy the factory made items. That is usually the case due to mass production. The exception is bartering. There are things I do not know how to do. In those cases they get parts made and I get help with what I need. No one is out any cash except for materials.

Ah yes bartering a real good way of doing business.
I bet you get a lot of 'Can you just turn up...'
Del
(Oh, BTW can you just turn me up 3 special arrowheads...)

(Oh, BTW can you just turn me up 3 special arrowheads...)

Heck might be fun. I have some home projects to finish before the snow flies. Are you looking for forge and anvil work or mill and lathe? What kind of finish? If it is not anything too exotic send a drawing and I will tell you it if is something I can do. Maybe work out a deal for a batch of tips for a bow. I have always liked the old style bows. Never much cared for compounds. I might like them better if they were not made from titanium and aluminum. But if I used one for hunting that would probably not be the case.

Mean while, I am looking for some parts for a 1959 Puch 250 SGS. Do you know anyone in Graz, Austria? Maybe barter tips for tins or other parts?

Headed for the house. Will check in in the morning if able.

Ta for the offer, I was only joking really, I did forge one just to see if I could, and my Dad has a lathe I can use.
Sorry, dunno anyone in Austria, and I'm not into bikes these days....(Mrs Cat had to choose between a motorbike and golf club membership for my 50th birthday (a while back now)....I got the golf club membership on safety grounds...)
maybe a CR4 barter corner could be fun...shipping could be a big problem tho'
Have fun...
Del

That's ok.

Seems lately I have found out more people play pasture pool than I thought. Found out last week that some people I would have never guessed would have an interest in it go most every week end. Some for the sport and others for an excuse to dress funny and walk through the woods. Then there are those that rent a cart and take a large cooler. The cooler is their "C.A.R.S. Stimulus Package". C.A.R.S., of course, means Cans Are Really Simple.

Here's a link to Pacific Yew, Inc. Jay St.Charles is a renowned bowyer. What are the specs on your bow? I've seen the bows sold here in the US go for twice as much in EU/UK. Also, ebay has a lot of people selling some pretty good self bows. I think that selling a 'fun' piece of work for fair market value is reasonable and, for bows, ebay is a good indicator of that value.

On the other hand, if I was making a bow for fun and a friend wanted it, I'd probably just give it to him.

Yew and Fibreglass laminated...well it's not a Longbow then is it???!!!
Nice bows tho'.
Actually the US 'Longbow' is what we in UK call and American Flat Bow (AFB).
I think our heritage in the UK allows us to define 'Longbow' .
There's now't wrong with laminated fibreglass bows , but why on earth would you waste good Yew on one????? 'cos in a lamiated fibreglass bow, the wood is pretty inert, merely keeping the fibreglass laminations apart.
Del

I think you jumped to reply a little too quickly. I was referencing his self bows not the laminated ones. Check the site again, not all his bows are fiberglass laminated. BTW check ebay for longbows and you'll find a variety of self bows, and, occasionally, ones described as "English War Bows." Also, I'm an avid traditional archer and collect and track the auction of all sorts of traditional bows.

Here's a more accurate link.

I think you jumped to reply a little too quickly.

Hey..I'm a cat...whadda you expect... Yes you are right, I eventually found the self bows. He's fortunate to have an abundance of readily available high quality Yew.
I'm jealous..

My apologies
Del

Some folks sell seasoned yew staves (and others, hickory, osage, etc,) on ebay too. They are not too expensive, but I imagine the shipping to the UK would be pricey.

I've got one Yew stave seasoning, permission to fell a very nice 6" diameter trunk and I have my eye on a couple of others (if I told you where they were I'd have to kill you) That should keep me going, one Yew bow each year for sale at a nice price should keep me in pin money. It will hopefully give me some for experimental Yew bows...I'd love to make flight bow, well anything which will chuck an arrow further than my longbow, or an all wood primitive crossbow? Or...well I've just got so much stuff to do, got some nice Cherry Ash Maple a billet of Laburnum and a nasty piece of Hawthorn. Don't get Hickory or Osage growing over here...dunno why not.

Del

I've got one Yew stave seasoning, permission to fell a very nice 6" diameter trunk and I have my eye on a couple of others (if I told you where they were I'd have to kill you

)

Don't worry, I live in an area where Pacific Yew is abundant. Pope and Young said the best Yew they found was out here(Humboldt/Trinity county line in California at 3000ft+/-). I'm not trying to make yew jealous.

Some other thoughts popped into my head. If you would like to be a purveyor of authentic, custom made longbows, make up a sample and promote it over the internet and especially target the affluent, rich. If Michael Jackson was still around, I'm sure he would have bought a dozen or so for £1000 apiece. The rich don't know what to do with their money. All it takes is a couple of rich "hits" and you have it made. There are many glossy magazines around, that target the rich and famous. They advertise items like Rolex watches and Jaeger-LeCoultre watches, 5-star hotels and restaurants and very expensive fine wines. That is the place where you can target a product to the rich. Advertising in such a publication is unfortunately very expensive. Maybe a store like Harrods in London would be interested.

It's also hard to determine a value on just one transaction. After several bows have been made and sold, you will have a better idea of how much to charge. BTW, do you also make the arrows?

I assemble arrows from bought shafts points and flights, some people make their own from scratch, but that doesn't really appeal to me.

The problem with selling via a shop is they want a big fat cut.
Del

I ran an Art Gallery once and learned a good deal.

It does turn out that for a Gallery to stay in business if must charge 50 percent, or double your price.

I took 15 percent on sales and went out of business.

Simply did not know what I was doing at the time.

Further it was a Co-Op Gallery and I really had no control over who could show.

Many Galleries are actually very reasonable and will simply ask you what you need out of the thing, and then double the price, and then do the best they can.

Standing in someone elses shoes does tend to educate one.

I feel that your work has two areas where you would get greater satisfaction than you are now apparently.

I do not feel that you really have much interest in building a bow making factory.

I have suggested to you that you visit whatever Museums exhibit these sorts of historic weapons with an eye towards either making replicas for dioramas, or for Museum Store sales.

In Motion Picture your title would be Armoror, or something like that.

It is not unusual that a Motion Picture will hire experts to achieve Historical accuracy, and London, LA, and NYC Art Directors may have call to call on you for consultations, or Prop production.

In NYC it is the NYPG, or New York Production Guide that you would want to be listed in. Possibly in London there is a London Production Guide.

You may also consider selling some works outright for the highest price you can think of to a Prop Shop.

Or placed in a Prop Shop and available for rent, the rule of thumb is per day rental is 10 percent of the overall value.

The Production Company ought to be required to sign a contract with you that lists you as Loss Payee incase they lose it or break it. As a Gaffer or Key Grip I asked for 350 US dollars a "Day". Union a "Day" was 8 and sometimes 10 hours, whereas non union it could be 12 hours before any further hours would turn to time and a half, etc.

I unfortunately do not intimately know Art Department Rates, for London.

Cheers, some interesting stuff there, My Brother used to do a bit for the film industry, being a taxidermist... Did a great amimated Wolf's head for a movie...it's all CGI now of course.
I shall probably potter along as I am now, but hopefully the name 'Del the Cat' will get around and maybe command a higher price. At least I've made a start, but like you say I don't want a factory!
if I start to accumulate stock I s'pose I could do a web page to attract custom.
Internet selling...there's a lot of it about these days, great for minority interest stuff.

Del

Hello again my friend.

You may also consider selling some works outright for the highest price you can think of to a Prop Shop.

Or placed in a Prop Shop and available for rent, the rule of thumb is per day rental is 10 percent of the overall value.

I don't know why you suggested selling bows at a prop shop. The prop shops here just sell and repair propellers and other marine stuff. No bows. No arrows. What's with you?

LOL - perhaps Del should invest in some green tights

If he diversified into sterns, the prop shop could turn into a full-blown boatyard .

I was referring to Stage or Movie Props, not a Hamilton Standard complex propeller for an airplane engine.

Sure you're not messing around with me?

Just have to say, you do beautiful work Del.

Hello Del,

It is really cool to see that you have sold a work of art that will probably outlast the lot of us. it is hard to put a value on something that you put a piece of yourself into. You can rest assured that the buyer will spread it around that he got this wonderful bow at a bargain price.

You can only charge what the market will bear. You may rationalize your time spent, any way you want but there is a price point above which the average Joe will not venture. As suggested in replies you already , you have to sell an elite item to an elite audience. It is word of mouth or a recommendation from an elite user that will get you into the right circle.

I suggest that you loan your next bow to some highly recognized sportsman in Bowhunting and if he is happy, you will receive multiple orders. I have an English buddy over here who hails from 'White Coppice'. He ordered a set of Irish Uileann Pipes from a guy in Germany! no less.

What impressed me most, other than the $5,000 + pricetag an the 1+ year waiting list is that they were completely home made and looked it-.

Your skills are far more demanding than the Uileann Pipe Makers but he has a market and a following that say he can charge a lot and take his time to make.

The best of material and skills should command a high price.

Good luck and I hope you can sell enough to keep your interest and appetite for your skillful art.

Cheers, I know the guy already wants a custom built Yew longbow.
That will be at least double the price, not because it's more difficult to make but rareity value and the seasoning time, I have one stave that's about ready and a couple still growing.
He's a bit of a collector, and you can hardly have a collection of bows that doesn't have a self Yew longbow.
If I sell one or two a year, that will suit me fine.... hmmm I wonder if Kiera Knightly wants one (she was shooting a bow in some dire movie the other night)
Del

Would it be practical to try to grow some Yew wood your self? It might be possible to train the tree to grow as straight as you want. How large a piece of wood do you start with?

Hmmm, I'd think 50years is probably a minimum time.
You need at least 3" diameter minimum at the thin end, and that is a bare minimum.
I'd say 4-5" will give maybe 2 staves when split.
Theoretically a bigger log can be split in 4 to give 4 staves, but I've never seen a log straight enough for that yet, so I split 'em to give two staves with any curve running back to belly (EG Towards the string or away from the string, not across)
Del

cheers...nice post.
Ta

I'm also learning from your great comments, many thanks.

"Which seemed ok to both of us"

'Nuff said.

My experience has been people who create 'art' for money mostly create crap, just turn on the radio or television.

On the other hand, true artisans will create whether they get paid or not. Their expenses should, at least, be compensated when selling their creations. The rest is a labor of love and is actually priceless. Until the lawyers and accountants get involved.

Very nice work Del.