I'll have to watch my video again (plan on doing that tonight) to find out for sure when Ben Pearson started making bows. According to ArcheryHistory.com, he had a catalog printed at least as early as 1959, and in the '69 catalog offered at least two one-piece bows with the limbs coming from the belly side of the riser (Pinto and Javalina).

What does this mean? Nothing really--neither of them invented the bow, and regardless if one tried to copy the other, each bowyer has his own particulars and the bows evolved differently. One thing that I hadn't thought of until just now, that to me is quite impressive, is (as far as I know) Black Widow has never dipped into the compound market--few that are still around today can say that. Chek-Mate did just the opposite--dropped the compounds in favor of traditional bows.

A few more thoughts on one bowyer "copying" another. I think it's best stated that "Imitation is the most sincere form of flattery"--if you have a bow that is good enough that someone else wants to make one like it, maybe you are on to something. Also, you can lay two bows with basically the exact same profile, but different bowyers, side by side they may shoot completely different--there's a lot more to it than just the outward appearance.


Just thought I would throw that in--my last post was (obviously) in jest. I remember seeing threads (not here) get completely out of hand arguing about who copied who's design (BW and Habu). Just trying to add a little humor (very little?).

Chad