Why Independent?
 

I read about many people doing their own fletching, their own string replacements, etc. I also see that people are pushing to become "independent" from their local archery shop(s).

For those who fit this scenario...why?

For me, becoming "independent" brings a whole new satisfaction to the sport that I love. Tonight is my first night fletching an arrow ever. My mind keeps wandering to what it is going to be like to take a deer for the first time with one of my creations. It will no doubt be a fine day.

RE: Why Independent?
 

If you want it done exactly the way you want it, you have to do it yourself.

If you really want to be independent of the archery shop though, you need to go primitive. Nothing is more satisfying than making every scrap of your gear yourself. Cut and season the wood for the bow and arrows. Make your own fletches out of feathers you've collected and hand split. Broadheads you've cut from old sawblades and ground to shape. String you made from either plant cordage, sinew or rawhide. Put it all together and then make meat with it.

Now that's independence. :D

RE: Why Independent?
 

for me its not to be independent from my pro shop, but to have the satisfaction of doing it on my own, and learning a new skill.

I still support my proshop, but w/ the closest good one over an hr away its nice not to have to go there for new fletchings...

I also learned how to tune a bow, which has been a huge help.

RE: Why Independent?
 

Fletching and replacing servings etcis just not that hard of stuff. And it is fun. You will enjoy it. Better than dropping off arrows and picking them upa weeklater. But some guys do not want to mess with it. I understand that also. Just fletch before you get too loaded.

There are a couple ofguys on here that make custom wraps. Check them out in the classifieds.

RE: Why Independent?
 

When you learn how to serve a string correctly, you'll think "well, how cool is that!!!"

RE: Why Independent?
 

It makes me proud to know that i fletched the arrows i shoot or i served the string i use.

I like knowing that I DID IT!

RE: Why Independent?
 

I'm just the type of person who likes to doit myself and not rely on others. If it gets messed up I only have myself to blame.

RE: Why Independent?
 

I never learned how to switch out a transmission.......or replace the heating element in a dryer. I don' know what to do when the compressor goes out of my home HVAC unit......and if the TV goes on the blink......it's quite possibly time for another one.

Little things on my bow.....I like to tinker with them. I know my limits, though. I live 2 miles from my bow shop.

RE: Why Independent?
 

After trying to deal with numerous Shops ( I refuse to use the term "Pro")in my area and being convinced that well over half of them actually have NO business running a Shop, doing the work myself and buying my own Shop equipment wasn't really something I feel I had much of a choice in. Now, many years later, having acquired much of the needed gear and know-how from some great sources, I'm very thankful that there realy isn't much that could ever happen to my rig or my buddies rigs, that I couldn't fix.

RE: Why Independent?
 

I'll agree with you on the "pro" title not being applicable for all archery shops.

I have certainly had my problems with a few. My biggest pet pieve is when they replace something on your rig without asking or when they replace something on your rig and put a different item on instead.

Serving material and String loops come to mind.