Well, I was disappointed to see the lack of entries this month too.. I had one I could have entered and didn't, and I feel that it is partially my fault that I didn't enter it... But here is my take on the situation
I agree and have though for some time now that it is a beauty contest or an art project. Seems the only way a simple yet well done bow can win is by getting lucky and not entering while a fancy bow is posted. I have built 162 bows to date and I have won just a few BOM's. The need to win again really isn't there for me anymore. I enjoy entering, and like to be voted on as much as the next guy, but what I consider a great bow has changed from what I thought a great bow was 100 bows ago and also differs from what most people also consider a great bow. A great bow to me personally is one that has nice finish work, but not glossy, of respectable hunting weight with an excellent tiller. (having an uneven tiller is an automatic kill for me). In the last couple years I have personally grown to embrace that less is more and often times my personal hunting bows do not have any tip overlays, the grips are simple and straight and I focus more on having good shape when braced, drawn and unstrung. I typically dont enter anymore because, while I do make some fancy bows, I really would rather see my simple, elegant bows get voted on, but I know by popular demand that they wont get more than 2-5 votes at most. So I don't "mind" putting them up for voting... if it was done on my behalf like it used to be years ago then I would be ok with that.... I just don't like entering a simple bow knowing very well it wont get voted on.. as then there is a certain amount of failure or embarrassment that I do end up feeling.
I still go vote when I think about it, but often times I vote for a bow that looks to be well built with great tiller and has had a lot of time invested in the quality of the bow itself rather than time covering in decorations. I made a couple really good shooting/performing bows this year and entered them because I honestly though they were something special. I invested a lot of work into the bows one way or another but didn't want to take anything away from the overall craftsmanship of the piece by adorning it with furniture grade leather, paints or fancy tips. I did go out on a limb and put skins on one, but the name of the bow it self implied that it "needed snake skins".. so I added them.. But I still only received a few votes on each of them. I am not sore about it, but I know what I enjoy making isn't going to be featured so entering it in the contest isn't high on my priority list.
This is just my opinion in what I would like to see... 3 catigories... Backed bows, Hunting bows and Fancy bows
Backed bows - as it stands
Hunting bows- should be those bow that are built with functionality in mind. Just simple, well shaped, well tillered, hunting weight bows, Artwork is allowed, but the voters should be aware that voting should be based on what merits a good bow, not a pretty one.
(The one you look at and say, yeah this is the one out of the whole group that I would feel most confident hunting with)
Fancy bows - Should contain bows that are built with art work as the first priority. Not saying they cant or wouldn't be well built/performing bows, but emphasis on making sure that everything is beautiful and eye appealing. This is where a 35# bow could stand toe to toe with a 60# bow
The bowyer can decide which category they want their bow listed under. But like I said, it's what I would "Like" to see.. I am not going to get bent out of shape about it one way or another. I am sure it wouldn't be as cut and dry as that, but it was just my opinion is all.
