Actionwood, Dymondwood, etc. are more consistent (and predictable), not to mention usually stronger, than natural wood. The looks don't bother me, but I do prefer most natural woods over them.

My guess it was a cost cutting measure, due to what Art mentioned--but that's only a guess. Getting them purty gals to pose with bows ain't cheap, not to mention the cost of getting those ads put in magazines.

I sure would hate to see Martin go under though--they are the only company I know of that maintained and continued to offer a full line of traditional bows when compounds hit the market hard and heavy and put almost allthe rest out of business or switched them over to wheels-only. Even BW went into hibernation for a while. I do know of one other company that stayed the course back 30-some odd years ago, but not too many folks knew about them back then.......

Chad