The way it was explained to me about BW.....

When compounds hit the scene hard and heavy (early 70's?), BW sales dropped something like 80%. The Wilson brothers (founders of BW) were around retirement age anyway, and evidently were ready to kick back. The company was sold to one of their bowyers (don't know his name). I don't really know what happened for the next several years, but BW seemed to go into hibernation until Ken Beck bought the company and got them back in the spotlight. The bowyer who bought the company may have kept producing bows, but I've never seen or heard about them.

Bear dropped their trad line for a while--brought a couple back.....oh shoot......mid 90's I think? A buddy of mine bought one of the first ones that came out.

Don't count on my (pitiful) memory for exact details here--if you find a site with more accurate information, I'd appreciate if you'd let me know. I need a refresher!

Chad