Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Around the Campfire => Topic started by: iowabow on May 09, 2012, 10:57:55 am
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If you are new to this site and are wondering what this group of people is all about, well I am going to try and explain it in a few sentences. We all share the love of archery and an appreciation of things made before the record of history. We enjoy learning and teaching, bow making, flint knapping, and the list goes on and on. We come from all walks of life, sewage plant managers, Automotive Plant Parts Purchaser, Teachers, Wielders, Computer Drafting Experts, Heavy Equipment Operators, and the list goes on and on. We can't be categorized by race, demographic, religion, or political orientation, and this list goes on and on. There is one thing all of the people I meet at the classic share and that is a good heart! What makes the classic so wonderful are the humble, quality people, that take their vacation time to teach anyone who wants to learn what they know and with only the reward of knowing that they have given the next generation is the gift of "archery knowledge" what was not known 100 years ago.
The classic is what you make of it so you could spend all of you time learning to be a bower or a knapper or learn more about shooting a bow. You might just want to watch and listen to the music and sit around the campfire and share hunting stories. You are going to make friends and your children are going to make friends and they are going to gain experiences and knowledge much greater than that trip to see the mouse. The folks at Twin Oaks are not just pasting on the traditional ways of making bows but the traditional way that people should treat people. This was a very good experience for my son and me. There are many things in life that pull parents and children apart and it is nice to have an event that is truly family friendly. Pappy, Joanie and all of the Twin Oaks gang my hat goes off to you.
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Diddo the above.
Cheers, dpgratz
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There arent enough good words in the dictionary to define this question,and no words can be said to someone who hasnt been there to make them understand. Its a must event everyone should attend at least once in there life,but once you do attend your first,YOU WILL BE BACK FOR MORE. Its like opening a bag of your favorite potato chips and trying to only eat one chip and close the bag and put it away.....well,it just aint gonna happen.
Good luck trying to define this one guys ;)
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I have to consider this event one of the highlights of my life. I fell in love with the South and the people who live there over 40 years ago and have always returned often to visit. This trip was even more special as I was around folks with a common interest in primitive skills. Pappy's influence was evident everywhere on his farm especialy in the club members who seemed to have alot of pride in following Pappy's lead by example. I have to say Twin oaks is probably home to the finest bunch of bow makers and knappers anywhere in the world. Lots of talent here, not just in bow making but in music, art, writing, photography, knife making, and nearly any other skill you can think of. Twin Oaks has become a second home to many of these members and you can feel the pride and love they have for Pappy and his farm, I believe anyone would be proud to be a part of all this. Thanks to all for making me feel so welcome and a great experience.
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I also forgot that you wont sleep much at your first classic! I stayed up knapping till 1am or later each night and woke early to work on bows.
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With that atmosphere, it's hard to stop working. 1:00 am seemed to be the time my eyes couldn't focus anymore. I'd hit the shower and then crawl into my tent. Early the next morning I would wake up to a breakfast of pringles and Mt Dew and start it all over again.
What I was so impressed with was the guys in the bow shop that did nothing but help others all week. Badger, Matt, Gary, Clay and I'm sure others helped so many people make their first bows. It was amazing to watch them spread the passion of primitive archery. I'm sure it was the same in the knapping pit. I never found the time to break any rock.
Iowabow, would you mind if I posted a few pictures from the classic in this thread?
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I think it would be great if you did so those who have never been can get a taste of what we are talking about. Also folks the pictures make the event look small but it is spread out over a large area.
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(http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r55/clintanders/SDC14707.jpg)
(http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r55/clintanders/SDC14706.jpg)
(http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r55/clintanders/SDC14705.jpg)
(http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r55/clintanders/SDC14704.jpg)
(http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r55/clintanders/SDC14696.jpg)
(http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r55/clintanders/SDC14702.jpg)
(http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r55/clintanders/SDC14700.jpg)
(http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r55/clintanders/SDC14699.jpg)
(http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r55/clintanders/SDC14698.jpg)
(http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r55/clintanders/SDC14694.jpg)
(http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r55/clintanders/SDC14693.jpg)
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I met so many new people from this site this year that it was like going to the Classic for the first time again. I hate going home everytime I come up, and it was extremely hard this year after making the trip three times since the Classic last year :). The weather was the best I've seen since I started going. And it's hard to find words to pile on the praise that Pappy, Miss Joanie and all my good friends in the club do for this event that hasn't been said. So, I'll just say Thank you for another good time, my friends. ;D If you haven't been, y'all need to go.
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I have not had the honor of going as of yet but to have that option because of pappy and the twin oaks crew makes me feel the need to thank them in advance ...all you hear is story after story of good times and good friends with future plans to return, the only bad ive herd is broken/lost arrows, injured flint knapped fingers and a lost knife! Sign me up, a.nd my hats off to you, bravo!
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Hey that last picture is of me and Pat B! Another great guy to know and a very good teacher for bow building. Thanks again Pat B
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I thought you might like that one ;D
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man looks like you guys had alot of fun,i need to plan a trip to tenn. next year :)
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My brother enjoyed it and he does not even do archery !
He came home a flint knapper !
Thank you to all that made him feel welcome !!
Guy
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This was my first year and I have to say that I'm hooked! I can't thank everyone that helped me with my first bow enough. Chris, Greg, Matt, Gary, I'm horrible with names so everyone else thanks as well! This is how all knowledge should be passed on, I am amazed with the time Matt put in with the adults and he was a madman with the kids. I learned so much and can't wait to start on my next bow. I also want to thank Pappy and all of the Twin Oaks members for organizing such a great event.
Chad
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John, it was great to meet and work with you and your son at the Classic. This was my 5th or 6th year and I'll be back come hell and high water. ;) The feelings and attitudes around the Classic is what primitive archery is all about. The info I know and share was shared with me over the years so I'm giving it back.
This year I stayed away from the bow building area until Saturday. I knew if I went right in and started helping with the bow building I would not leave. I wanted to meet as many of the new PA folks I could plus meet some of the regular PA members that I have never met. Brock, Steve and Mickey are three of those members that have been around for years but I never met. It makes you feel fuzzy all over just knowing that these "demigods" are just like you and me, just regular folks.
I still got a few autographs! ;)
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Welcome to primitive archer Chad(kybow)and glad ya signed up....you made a nice first bow,enjoy it. And then go make another ;)
Hey, whos that guy bent over drawing on a piece of wood in black n white ;)...he looks like a nut :laugh:....it was a pleasure to meet ya
You get the award for perseverence and worked the hardest out of all the first timers i saw. You just never walked away and kept at it untill it was done. Thats a sign of a newborn addict ;D
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Thanks for the kind words,I feel the same about yall, family. :) :)
Pappy
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One of the highlights to my trip had to be an older gentleman I met named James. Several years ago he had a stroke so certain things would easily confuse him. I could tell in the first few minutes working with him that he was a smart guy and a craftsman. I sat with him for two days while he made his own bow and bow string with just a little help from me. The man had a good eye for tiller and picked up the concept very quickly. He was also surprisingly strong, his bow came out at about 60# as he was making it for a friend. The look on his face when he drew that bow back and shot it was worth the cost of my airplane tickets getting back there. He arrived home sunday night and by tuesday he had bought a bandsaw and had allready cut some hedge and elm to start drying. He is hooked and already talking about next year. Because of the stroke he can't read or write so his wonderfully patient wife does all his typing in e emails and reads them to him. Great people!
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One of the highlights to my trip had to be an older gentleman I met named James. Several years ago he had a stroke so certain things would easily confuse him. I could tell in the first few minutes working with him that he was a smart guy and a craftsman. I sat with him for two days while he made his own bow and bow string with just a little help from me. The man had a good eye for tiller and picked up the concept very quickly. He was also surprisingly strong, his bow came out at about 60# as he was making it for a friend. The look on his face when he drew that bow back and shot it was worth the cost of my airplane tickets getting back there. He arrived home sunday night and by tuesday he had bought a bandsaw and had allready cut some hedge and elm to start drying. He is hooked and already talking about next year. Because of the stroke he can't read or write so his wonderfully patient wife does all his typing in e emails and reads them to him. Great people!
Great story! It will be interesting to know how much rehabilitation and retraining the bow building will have on him. My guess is it will make a big difference in the future.
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Pappy gave me some handle wrapping and leather arrow shelf lessons while I was there. The Twin Oaks boys all do some nice finish work on their bows and it will up your game a bit when you see how nice they all look.
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The Classic went beyond my wildest imagination. My only regret is that it took me this long to participate. The Classic to me, could be categorized as the largest family reunion in the country. As soon as Miss Heather, Dylan and myself arrived, we were welcomed as just that... family. It gave me great pleasure passing on the "passion" as it is to many of us. It was very difficult to leave. :'(
We'll be back for the 16th, for certain. ;)
Ya'll have a great summer! Maybe our paths will cross in the meantime...
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I'm looking forward to seeing you and Heather again next year, Matt, and,Oh yea, the new addition, too. ;)
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Badger
I missed seeing this fellow (James)that is learning to build bows ! I would have loved to talk to him and his wife , to share how bow building has helped to carry me through some hard times ! I don't know if I could have learned to build after my drug reaction but since the Lord had allowed me to have allready been doing it, It gave me something to focus on that would carry me through !
I praise Him daily for how He has worked in my life through bow building !
Guy
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Well for me to say my family I always include Mark, Miss Joanie, and the crew in those conversation. Now I fell like my family has grown even more to include Matt, Miss Heather, Dylan, and soon Weewikki. All the time Matt spent showing me how to tiller my first bendy handle bow was so great. Also Mississippi Dave helping me put on the snake skins.
Miss Heather took a bunch of pics of my Bow so I cane enter it into BOM after I finish it up. I watched a few guyes like Gary, Matt, and Chad work thier butts off helping newbies and others alike learn or improve on their bow building skills. And then theres Will Harrison what can you say about that guy no tallent, short, slow, and a terrible shot. >:D I have been going for a long time and it is one vacation that my boss knows I would quit my job rather than miss.
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...Will Harrison what can you say about that guy no tallent, short, slow, and a terrible shot. >:D I have been going for a long time and it is one vacation that my boss knows I would quit my job rather than miss.
I second that! (Just foolin') >:D
Bear: Thank you, for the kind words. I know that Miss Heather is putting your pics on a chip to mail.
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I know for me, this was a long over due trip in a lot of ways. Being the first trip I had been on for over six years, I was not sure what to expect, not only from the even, but my getting to and from. For sure, from the moment that I arrived, I felt like I was home, and had know everyone all my life. I have never been around a group of people so generous, willing to help, and give of themselves.
I watch Matt, Miss Heather, and their son, (and the new to be born son) going in so many directions helping people, taking pictures, talking to strangers, it almost wore me out watching them. Matt, you are a naturalist in the bow making world for sure.
I met Bear, and Seabass the first thing, and there was nothing they would not do for you if asked. I met so many people that I have admired afar for so many years, it was more than over whelming to say the least.
And Pappy and Miss Joanie. What more can be said about those two. Such great people is all aspects of life, to offer up their wonderful place for all to meet and gather. Almost unheard of now days.
I want to thank every one that I talked with, shook hands, gave hugs, because there is no way I can remember all, for showing me the absolute best time of my life. I assure you, health permitting, I will become a yearly repeat at this event.
And don't you know it, with so much going on, the one thing I really wanted to get to bring home, I forgot all about until half way home..lol. That will just give me an ever bigger reason to go back. ;)
Thanks again from the bottom of my heart and may God Bless you all.
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Usually, I'm a hermit. The classic gets me out of my shell... a little.
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The first one for me and hopefully not the last,next time I'd like to make a bow for sure.Great bunch of people and if you have some homemade wine, most of them are there to help :o It's a well run event and anywhere you can knapp to the sounds of banjo music is A OK with me
Bone pile
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Being from Ca. I had never eaten a country boil like they served up on Friday night. That had to be one of the tastiest dishes I had ever eaten. Is that served up every year at the classic?
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At least the last 2 or 3 Steve. Ronnie is responsible for the low country boil. ;) Take a bow Ronnie!