Hi all. I recently sent off to the US, I'm in London, England, for an Incredibow.
When it arrived I immediately liked it but the finish at both ends, tip and frog, was pretty bad, the black coating was just broken off and the metal tip socket was a bit skewiff and the glue was a bit messy. I thought maybe a not great one had got through a quality check.
So I got back to Incredibow, Heidi, and said could I return and get a better one.
I sent photos showing the issue.
No problem she wrote.
A new one came swiftly, and a return label for the first one.
But the second one was, imo, worse than the first one!
I returned both with the return label, and was swiftly reimbursed.
Coincidently I was at a festival at the weekend and spoke to two Incredibow owners, and looked at one of their bows, and it also looked unfinished or like a 'second' in quality,
but both said the poor finish just doesn't bother them. And fair play.
But for me I just don't get it.
Why make a great bow and have really poor finish.
While Incredibow are not expensive they are not cheap either and I can't for the life of me work out why they put these bows on the market without finishing them nicely. After all the do all different colours etc etc.
I asked Heidi what had happened re quality etc and have had no reply.
Anyone else think the same or am I just, as one of the Incredibow owners suggested, maybe just a bit too much OCD! :-D
Glyn
see photos attached below of the second bow
Edited by - HackneyGlyn on 09/02/2024 13:39:56
I recall hearing good things about them years ago but haven't heard the name in years now. I agree after looking at your photos. I would expect a cleaner finished product. My problem with Incredibow in the first place is that it is a disposable bow. I would rather spend my money on a bow that will last a lifetime and can be rehaired, etc. I feel that if they are going to have all that glue where the synthetic strands meet the stick the best option would be to cover it with something...some of the black material already at the ends or some sort of wrap?
Cheers Michael. Yes, it makes no sense to not tidy up those ends.
I just don't get it.
In their defence while the bow is unrepairable i.e. disposable,
the claim is they last a very long time.
And in the process I have found that there are a number of companies now producing carbon fibre and synthetic hair bows e.g. Coruss and Arcus and Zarelon which will give me the bow I need for gigging in damp conditions!
I've had no experience with Incredibow. I have been using a synthetic stick strung with natural hair but it's still sensitive to humidity changes. I'd be very happy to hear what you come up with because I want very much to find an all synthetic bow for outdoor use. I might just try the Incredibow and not look too closely. Maybe avoid sitting too close to the firelight will help with that.
I have a friend who is a loyal Incredibow owner. He has 3. He's been using them for years, Strange though - he has complained a little lately - saying he's having problems keeping the bows rosined.
They sure catch you attention when you see one.
I like my bows - soooo... don't see one in my immediate future.
quote:
Originally posted by boxbowI've had no experience with Incredibow. I have been using a synthetic stick strung with natural hair but it's still sensitive to humidity changes. I'd be very happy to hear what you come up with because I want very much to find an all synthetic bow for outdoor use. I might just try the Incredibow and not look too closely. Maybe avoid sitting too close to the firelight will help with that.
haha yeah I do feel kinda stupid for getting upset by the finish instead of the function.
Will report back on other purchases.
The problem with bows and humidity is because the horse hair shrinks in low humidity and swells in high humidity. If a bow was last re-haired in a dry environment, then it may swell so much in a humid environment such that it will not be able to be tightened adequately. If a bow was was last re-haired in a very humid environment, then it may shrink too much in a dry environment so that it cannot be loosened adequately to release tension on the stick.
The interactions between the horse hair and humidity are far more consequential than any shrinkage/expansion of the wooden bow stick.
Edited by - GeorgeH on 09/04/2024 08:14:20
quote:
Originally posted by GeorgeHThe problem with bows and humidity is because the horse hair shrinks in low humidity and swells in high humidity. If a bow was last re-haired in a dry environment, then it may swell so much in a humid environment such that it will not be able to be tightened adequately. If a bow was was last re-haired in a very humid environment, then it may shrink too much in a dry environment so that it cannot be loosened adequately to release tension on the stick.
The interactions between the horse hair and humidity are far more consequential than any shrinkage/expansion of the wooden bow stick.
What you are saying is true for traditional bows - but know that the Incredibow has synthetic hair and the tension for the hair is static (can't be adjusted). So, the normal problems with humidity and temperature will not be issues with an Incredibow - one of the selling points.
Edited by - tonyelder on 09/04/2024 08:36:12
