Thankful…

[Cameron Unruh]

#3547

I just wanted to let everybody here know how thankful I am that we have this very healthy and encouraging venue to discuss Traditional Archery.

I was on youtube wasting time looking for interesting archery videos and watched a few guys and gals share their experience and some that attempted to share some instruction with the world as well. Most of the info shared was not exactly accurate but close…But frustration set in as I looked through the comments on a variety of videos. People were horribly rude and use filthy language to mock and trash someones best effort to share. The comments included everything from ridicule to correction and the correction was mostly wrong.

It was amazing how discouraged I became in just a few minutes of reading comments. And at the same time how blessed I was to turn back to tradbow.com and know that there are awesome, encouraging, helpful, caring people in this world that truly want to lift others up rather than mock and destroy.

So all that to simply say thanks! It is a pleasure to share life together with all of you!:D

Cameron

[Ralph]

#21174

😆 Well said. 😆

“It is a pleasure to share life together with all of you!”

With you also.

Ralph.

[Doc Nock]

#21265

Amen, Brother, AMEN….doesn’t have to be U-tube, either… even other sites. Nothing quite as prolific as “opinions” especially those espoused as FACTS! 😯

[Ralph]

#21288

Cameron, there’s some good info out there in other places besides some of the BS. I learned how to tie two different types of movable nock sets by watching videos from another place. Also building confidence in my string making. It can be a little unnerving to string a bow and draw it back with the first flemish string you ever twisted up :D.

The beauty of here is the bickering is in jest, the info is real and our web mom keeps us kind and understanding.:wink:

[David Petersen]

#21502

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.” Theodore Roosevelt

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#21526

Good timing on this post, Cameron – I was having similar thoughts just this morning. The TBM forum is truly a unique place, entirely due to the people involved in contributing to it in many different ways. To all of us who feel similarly – let’s commit to keeping this a great and fun place to celebrate our passion for all things stick and string!

[Col Mike]

#21643

Yes to all the above:D

Mike

[Fallguy]

#21656

This is truly a great site. Strong opinions can be aired with respect to all who may disagree. An intelligent discussion can ensue. Opinions may or may not change but the brain will engage, and at the end of the day we all benefit from the discussion.

[smiley1]

#21674

Well said by all. Good knowledge, shared opinions, and intelligent conversation is what makes this the best bow hunting site.

Steve

[Cameron Unruh]

#21695

You are right R2 – I have learned all I know from good sources of instruction and insight by typing on the bluetooth keypad of my iPad. I tie my own strings and build my own bows and when people see them they say… “where in the world did you learn to build those?” Most all of my learning was from guys that I have never met in person. People who were willing to share a video or share some insight in this format.

In life I believe that we strive for a healthy experience of community a place to be encouraged and to encourage. This is one place that feeds the healthy experience of community. However having said that it would be even more fun to meet all you weirdos in person…:D

[David Fudala]

#22174

I couldn’t agree with you all more! When I made the switch to traditional it was not just because I wanted a new challenging way to kill an animal. There was just something missing with the whole experience. It no longer felt “right”. When I severed my ties to all my old “hunting buddies” I isolated myself. But what I found here at this site was a class of outdoorsman of the highest order! My only regret was not coming to my senses earlier in my life. My hat is off to all of you here. I’d be proud to share a campfire with any of you!

[Mohawk13]

#23046

Many Fine books on the subject available. Leave the online stuff to the techno geeks and run to the Library. If you need a reminder what a book is..They are made of paper and can be stored on a shelf when not in use. You can return to them for reference, pass them on, and best of all, they don’t require batteries or electricity

[Mark Turton]

#23223

Make my own strings.

Built a cresting machine.

Made and fitted wool string silencers last weekend.

Nearly completed a tapering tool.

None of the above would not have happened if it was not for you folks, it would all have been store bought.

Mark.

[James Harvey]

#25409

Cameron, what a great post and I couldn’t agree more. I’ve been horrified at the sheer rudeness of people on youtube comments and elsewhere. The humility and thoughtfulness of discussion here is a truly refreshing change from what I encounter in most of my life. I too am thankful for all of your company 😀

David Petersen wrote: “It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.” Theodore Roosevelt

Dave, that is probably my single favourite quote of all time. It not only introduced me to Theodore Roosevelt but is probably the inspiration for every act of serious effort and daring in my adult life.

I’ve seen the same notion paraphrased and attributed to TR as follows, although I don’t remember ever finding a source reference:

“Far better is it to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure… than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much, because they live in a gray twilight that knows not victory nor defeat.”

I’ve just gone from reading Dawkins to Churchill and am now on another about TR (my favourite American). Powerhouses of ideas and action. No pressure but when your next book is published it’s just going to butt into my reading list and get read 😉

[David Petersen]

#25731

Jim, since you raised the topic, don’t expect another book from me anytime soon. I have one I’ve been working on for nearly two years, unable to decide what to do with it, and of course I’m not writing at all for now, just treading water and breathing deep. However, and in spite of swearing I would never put out an e book, I’ve just had four existing titles converted to e books, specifically for readers outside the U.S. As you know, to mail a book anywhere in the world costs about twice what the book costs. Who can afford that? That’s why I did it. The four are Ghost Grizzlies, Elkheart, Heartsblood, and Going Trad. These are the ones for which I retain full rights. The others are with various publishers and I have no control over their fate.

Roosevelt’s interest is greatly increased beyond his adventures and political and conservation wisdom, by the fact that he was also flawed and at times, re hunting values, hypocritical. That does not detract, but simply adds another dimension to the man … much like my hero Edward Abbey, who could never quit falling in love/lust. Saints are morbidly boring compared to real live people.

[James Harvey]

#25973

Dave for my own selfish reasons I think that’s great news about the ebooks.

David Petersen wrote: That does not detract, but simply adds another dimension to the man

I had a brief falling out with TR after reading some very valid criticisms by his contemporaries. But I’ve come to appreciate his flaws in the spirit you suggest, adding depth and humanity to his story. As well as being a reminder to always be reflective and self critical… if the best men and women of history are so deeply flawed, how deep are the cracks in my character!?

Sorry to derail the thread Cameron 😉

[Ralph]

#27262

Thankful I didn’t get smacked today.

One of the premiere wheel bow fellas was sitting cross legged on the ground amongst a tangle of cables, strings, wheels, limbs and whatnot’s. He looked a bit unhappy. Since he has been a friend for many years I thought I’d help him out, “Hey Mike, I got a spare string if you wanna borrow it”. Man he didn’t take too kindly to that.

I decided a timely departure was in order.

[David Petersen]

#27292

Ralph, I love your end-quote! Of course, one can be a total jerk by “being himself.” Yet all my life, the most of the worst I’ve encountered are mere rubber-stamps, unthinking spineless products of commercial culture. That drive to individuality, I believe, is why so many exceptional folks wind up “going trad.” And also why we so often differ (politely, of course) with one another. 😀

[Fallguy]

#27334

Dave I like you new end quote, it is so true.

[Ralph]

#27787

Yep David, there are those who think out of the box and are a useful and functional part of society while living their expanded view of life and not interfering with others. Then there are those so radical, self centered and far out they never know the box exists.

I’m thankful for those I share and have shared life with. Those I know and those I have known. Even those I’ve known and not liked. Each is and has been a lesson for me.

Good yesterday to attend a 3-D tourney in a neighboring town, all wheel bow shooters, and they had a very interesting shoot, well set stakes for we visiting trad fellas, and very friendly towards us and interested in our way of doing things.

A couple of the guys actually remembered that I was one of the founding fathers of their club ,shhh!!!!, way many years ago.

If the time period means anything, about the time Mr. Allen attached a couple of wheels and cables to a set of bow limbs is when we getting that new club going. 🙂

[grumpy]

#34535

No bad ideas, just good ideas that didn’t work.

When I was making my own tools for slate/copper work, I had a big pile in the corner of the shop tat I called “Good ideas that didn’t work.” Surprising how often I returned to something months or years later and with few tweaks it worked.

[Author]

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