Shipping policy
GENERAL PRODUCT INFORMATION
Q: What are the dimensions of the Archer?
A: The length of the Archer is 59" (150cm). The height at the backrest is 31" (79cm), center contour 11.5" (29cm), and front re-curve 16.5" (42cm). The width of the seating surface is 16.5" (42cm) and the bottom crossbars are 24" (61cm) wide. The weight of the Archer is 23.75 pounds (10.77 kilos), and the Archer Mark II Aluminum is 31.2 pounds (14.15 kilos).
Q: Is any assembly required of the Archer?
A: Yes, a few minutes of assembly are required once you receive your Archer. Detailed instructions provided with shipment and digitally. The archer comes to you in two separate packages for two reasons. The first is that the package size is reduced allowing a much more environmentally friendly and convenient shipping option compared to LTL Freight. The second is that by using two boxes, we can sufficiently protect the more fragile carbon fiber springs without having to over-package the rest of the chair. If self-assembly isn't your cup of tea, we will gladly ship the Archer fully assembled at the buyers expense. Contact us for a quote.
Q: Why these wood choices?
A: White ash (Fraxinus americana) is one of the most commonly used hardwoods for tool handles in North America - particularly in shovels and hammers where toughness and impact resistance is important. Remember, baseball bats only started dramatically rupturing once the major league switched to maple. Furthermore, ash is classically considered an archery bow-wood. It was also the greenest choice. An invasive insect, the emerald ash borer, has already killed tens of millions of trees in the Northeastern United States, many on our own property. So the most environmentally friendly option possible was to use a quality raw material for the Archer that not only died of "natural causes" but also traveled a mere hundred feet to the product's manufacturing site.
A: Black walnut (Juglans nigra) is not only desired for it's rich dark brown color, but also the strength of it's tight, interlocking grain. Highly desired for gun stocks due to it's shock resistance as well as a classic archery bow-wood, walnut performs flawlessly as an Archer Bowchair. All of our black walnut is sourced from local urban sawyers who take prime city/suburban trees damaged in storms or removed for development and turn them into lumber. Commercial sawmills shy away from urban/residential trees because of the blade damage associated with metal embedded in the wood, so most of these trees would otherwise end up in a landfill. Our walnut is air dried for a minimum of 3 years to provide stability and preserve the most vibrant color. Commercially kiln dried walnut not only loses it's warm orange tones because the pigments are heat sensitive, but most is also steam treated to leach some of the rich brown pigments from the heartwood into the less valuable pale sapwood.
A: Cherry (Prunus serotina), aka Black Cherry, is the only member of the rosewood family native to North America. Cherry is prized for its rich grain and red color the world over, none more than trees from Pennsylvania. The iron rich geology of our state produces the most desirable trees with the deepest color of any cherry available. The same fine grain that makes cherry so beautiful, also makes it flexible and strong. Cherry is considered to be a classic archery bow-wood. All of our cherry is sourced from local urban sawyers who take prime city/suburban trees damaged in storms or removed for development and turn them into lumber. Commercial sawmills shy away from urban/residential trees because of the blade damage associated with metal embedded in the wood, so most of these trees would otherwise end up in a landfill. Our cherry is air dried for a minimum of 3 years to provide stability and preserve the most vibrant color.
A: Genuine Mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla), aka Honduran Mahogany, is native to Central and South America and has been a favorite of fine furniture craftsmen for centuries. Few other woods possess the same iridescence and depth, making true mahogany a wood to covet. Commonly used for shipbuilding and outdoor structures the naturally rot resistant properties of mahogany made it the ideal choice for our all-weather Bowchair. While as a species, mahogany is not considered to be a classic archery bow-wood, very slow growing old-growth trees are dense enough to make proper bows. Old-growth mahogany is rare and not very environmentally friendly, especially after it was placed in Appendix II of the CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) treaty in 2003. For most of the 20th century, industry has used prime old-growth mahogany to make quality control gages and templates. Mahogany was available in huge slabs, easy to work, and very dimensionally stable. These gauges would be used to check the shape of a finished part such as body panels or engine parts for the auto industry. We hunt liquidation auctions throughout the mid-west and reclaim 25+ year old mahogany QC gage blocks and re-saw them into Bowchair components.
Q: Do you / Can you stain the Archer Bowchair?
A: No stains or other pigments are used on the wood, the color is the natural color of the wood with a clear tung oil finish. Stain cannot be used because for epoxy to form an effective bond, two things need to happen, the first is that a portion of the wood on either side of the bond needs to be saturated with epoxy resin, the second is at least a 0.003" thick glue line. Epoxy does not accept stain the same as the surrounding wood causing distinct color bands that many, including ourselves, find visually unacceptable.
Q: Do you offer any other wood species?
A: None currently, not many wood species possess sufficient elastic properties to become the side rails of a Bowchair. Osage orange and black locust are two future possibilities, but customer demand will dictate that.
Q: Do I have to pay sales tax on the Archer?
A: We are legally required to collect sales tax of 6% for products shipped within the state of Pennsylvania. In addition, a regional tax for Allegheny County (1%) and Philadelphia (2%) will be included for sales originating within those areas . The buyer is responsible for any applicable local sales tax reporting if not located in PA.
SHIPPING & CANCELLATION
Q: How do you ship the Archer?
A: At Kaz Dezines we take every precaution to make sure that our furniture arrives to your home in perfect condition. Each Archer shipment consists of two packages. The upholstered frame in one 34 pound package measuring 66"x14"x18" and the rear spring unit and front crossbar in another 13 pound package measuring 30"x27"x14" (yes, the packaging is as heavy as the chair itself, better safe than sorry). Our furniture is carbon neutrally shipped via UPS ground in discreet cardboard AND foam packaging specifically designed for safe transport. The ability to ship the Archer via UPS means that there's no delivery to schedule and wait around for with a shipping company, or the attention gathered by a big freight truck arriving at your house.
Q: Is any assembly required of the Archer?
A: Yes, a few minutes of assembly are required once you receive your Archer. The archer comes to you in two separate packages for two reasons. The first is that the package size is reduced allowing a much more environmentally friendly and convenient shipping option compared to LTL Freight. The second is that by using two boxes, we can sufficiently protect the more fragile carbon fiber springs without having to over-package the rest of the chair. If self-assembly really isn't your cup of tea, we will gladly ship the Archer fully assembled at the buyers expense. Contact us for a quote.
Q: When will I receive my furniture?
A: As our products are custom made to order, please allow 10-14 weeks for completion. We will keep you posted throughout the process and when your item is ready for shipping you will receive a video link to your chair's load test and a certificate of testing that confirms your Archer is ready for duty. Transit usually takes 2-6 business days after leaving our studio (zip 15220), depending on your location. You will receive a tracking number and be able to follow the progress to your door.
Q: Do you sell outside of the United States?
A: Yes. We will ship anywhere as long as our buyers are comfortable paying the shipping costs and local taxes. The extreme light weight and small package size of the Archer, compared to similar products, keeps the cost very reasonable. See our international order information here.
Q: What is your Cancellation and/or Return Policy?
A: If you cancel within the first week of placing your order, there will be a 15% charge back fee. There is no cancellation of any order after the first week since all our furniture is custom made to order.
CARBON FIBER SPRINGS
Q: Why three different spring strengths?
A: A spring can only possess one spring rate, which is how far the spring will travel for a given amount of force. In order to fully experience the Archer the weight of the combined users must be taken into consideration. If not, the movement of the Archer will be too soft for some and too stiff for others. Each spring strength has a maximum combined weight associated with it. You can choose any spring you prefer that's below the foreseen combined weight, but not one above. Custom spring rates can also be created, contact us for details.
Q: What if I picked the wrong level of bounce?
A: Not a problem. We offer a one time swap of rear spring units if you feel that another level of bounce is preferred. To redeem this offer, we must be notified of your wish to swap within 7 days of your receipt of your Archer and the springs returned to us at your cost within 14 days. Upon receipt of the undamaged product we will ship the other springs to you.
Q: What is the expected life of the carbon fiber springs?
A: All current industry research indicates that carbon fiber is twice as fatigue resistant as equivalent steel springs, but all things must come to an end. However, there are too many variables to give a simple definite answer. The two biggest variables are how close you are to the maximum combined weight of the springs and how aggressive the lovemaking is. As of September 2018 our first set of springs have accumulated 368 hours of moderately-aggressive to aggressive lovemaking (sometimes even purposely trying to break the thing) at the rated capacity of the springs with no sign of failure.
Q: What if the carbon fiber springs break?
A: If for some reason the rear leaf springs would ever break, the purchaser can return the springs to us for failure analysis. If the failure was due to materials or workmanship (i.e. epoxy bond failure/delamination of layers) we will replace the springs free of charge. If the failure was caused by the rupture of wood or carbon fiber strands that commonly indicate an overloading event (i.e. fracture on one side of the springs center-line and compression deformation on the other), you can purchase new springs from us at our cost.
Q: When should I purchase a second set of rear leaf springs?
A: The springs must be matched to the combined user weight so there are two reasons for needing a second set of springs. You intend to use the Archer with a new partner who places your combined weight above or below that of the springs which originally came with your Archer. Or, if you and your partner have cumulatively gained or lost enough weight to require a different bounce rate.
Q: What weave pattern is the carbon fiber fabric on the Archer?
A: The visible outer layer of the carbon fiber springs is woven in a 4 harness satin weave. Twill, plain, or any other weave pattern can be used if you desire. Contact us for details.
CUSTOM ORDERS
Q: Can I get the Archer with different color or type of upholstery fabric?
A: We chose our two standard fabrics, 5th Avenue and Maverick, because they were durable, waterproof, offered many color choices, and had the most realistic hand of any faux-leather we auditioned. However, we understand tastes differ. So, yes, we will gladly work with you to dress the Archer in a way that best complements your specific decor and taste. Cloth fabric or real leather are two options if water-resistance is not a concern, or a slick rubber sheet for a sleek futuristic look is a third. We can even use customer supplied fabric if you so desire, 2 yards are required for standard wood chairs, 4 yards for aluminum chairs or if double thick upholstery upgrade is added. In addition, a contrasting thread color (16 stock colors) for the hand stitching on the pillow is also possible. Just contact us for a consultation.
Q: Can I get a different species of wood for parts other than the siderails?
A: Yes, currently only the siderails must be made of ash, cherry, walnut, mahogany, red oak, white oak, or goncalo alves (tigerwood). Any number of backslats, crossbars, or wood cores of the carbon fiber springs can be fashioned from a different species. We have access to just about any species of wood you could want, including beautifully figured specimens of many. Contact us for more details.
Q: What are the dimensions of the Archer?
A: The length of the Archer is 59" (150cm). The height at the backrest is 31" (79cm), center contour 11.5" (29cm), and front re-curve 16.5" (42cm). The width of the seating surface is 16.5" (42cm) and the bottom crossbars are 24" (61cm) wide. The weight of the Archer is 23.75 pounds (10.77 kilos), and the Archer Mark II Aluminum is 31.2 pounds (14.15 kilos).
Q: Is any assembly required of the Archer?
A: Yes, a few minutes of assembly are required once you receive your Archer. Detailed instructions provided with shipment and digitally. The archer comes to you in two separate packages for two reasons. The first is that the package size is reduced allowing a much more environmentally friendly and convenient shipping option compared to LTL Freight. The second is that by using two boxes, we can sufficiently protect the more fragile carbon fiber springs without having to over-package the rest of the chair. If self-assembly isn't your cup of tea, we will gladly ship the Archer fully assembled at the buyers expense. Contact us for a quote.
Q: Why these wood choices?
A: White ash (Fraxinus americana) is one of the most commonly used hardwoods for tool handles in North America - particularly in shovels and hammers where toughness and impact resistance is important. Remember, baseball bats only started dramatically rupturing once the major league switched to maple. Furthermore, ash is classically considered an archery bow-wood. It was also the greenest choice. An invasive insect, the emerald ash borer, has already killed tens of millions of trees in the Northeastern United States, many on our own property. So the most environmentally friendly option possible was to use a quality raw material for the Archer that not only died of "natural causes" but also traveled a mere hundred feet to the product's manufacturing site.
A: Black walnut (Juglans nigra) is not only desired for it's rich dark brown color, but also the strength of it's tight, interlocking grain. Highly desired for gun stocks due to it's shock resistance as well as a classic archery bow-wood, walnut performs flawlessly as an Archer Bowchair. All of our black walnut is sourced from local urban sawyers who take prime city/suburban trees damaged in storms or removed for development and turn them into lumber. Commercial sawmills shy away from urban/residential trees because of the blade damage associated with metal embedded in the wood, so most of these trees would otherwise end up in a landfill. Our walnut is air dried for a minimum of 3 years to provide stability and preserve the most vibrant color. Commercially kiln dried walnut not only loses it's warm orange tones because the pigments are heat sensitive, but most is also steam treated to leach some of the rich brown pigments from the heartwood into the less valuable pale sapwood.
A: Cherry (Prunus serotina), aka Black Cherry, is the only member of the rosewood family native to North America. Cherry is prized for its rich grain and red color the world over, none more than trees from Pennsylvania. The iron rich geology of our state produces the most desirable trees with the deepest color of any cherry available. The same fine grain that makes cherry so beautiful, also makes it flexible and strong. Cherry is considered to be a classic archery bow-wood. All of our cherry is sourced from local urban sawyers who take prime city/suburban trees damaged in storms or removed for development and turn them into lumber. Commercial sawmills shy away from urban/residential trees because of the blade damage associated with metal embedded in the wood, so most of these trees would otherwise end up in a landfill. Our cherry is air dried for a minimum of 3 years to provide stability and preserve the most vibrant color.
A: Genuine Mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla), aka Honduran Mahogany, is native to Central and South America and has been a favorite of fine furniture craftsmen for centuries. Few other woods possess the same iridescence and depth, making true mahogany a wood to covet. Commonly used for shipbuilding and outdoor structures the naturally rot resistant properties of mahogany made it the ideal choice for our all-weather Bowchair. While as a species, mahogany is not considered to be a classic archery bow-wood, very slow growing old-growth trees are dense enough to make proper bows. Old-growth mahogany is rare and not very environmentally friendly, especially after it was placed in Appendix II of the CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) treaty in 2003. For most of the 20th century, industry has used prime old-growth mahogany to make quality control gages and templates. Mahogany was available in huge slabs, easy to work, and very dimensionally stable. These gauges would be used to check the shape of a finished part such as body panels or engine parts for the auto industry. We hunt liquidation auctions throughout the mid-west and reclaim 25+ year old mahogany QC gage blocks and re-saw them into Bowchair components.
Q: Do you / Can you stain the Archer Bowchair?
A: No stains or other pigments are used on the wood, the color is the natural color of the wood with a clear tung oil finish. Stain cannot be used because for epoxy to form an effective bond, two things need to happen, the first is that a portion of the wood on either side of the bond needs to be saturated with epoxy resin, the second is at least a 0.003" thick glue line. Epoxy does not accept stain the same as the surrounding wood causing distinct color bands that many, including ourselves, find visually unacceptable.
Q: Do you offer any other wood species?
A: None currently, not many wood species possess sufficient elastic properties to become the side rails of a Bowchair. Osage orange and black locust are two future possibilities, but customer demand will dictate that.
Q: Do I have to pay sales tax on the Archer?
A: We are legally required to collect sales tax of 6% for products shipped within the state of Pennsylvania. In addition, a regional tax for Allegheny County (1%) and Philadelphia (2%) will be included for sales originating within those areas . The buyer is responsible for any applicable local sales tax reporting if not located in PA.
SHIPPING & CANCELLATION
Q: How do you ship the Archer?
A: At Kaz Dezines we take every precaution to make sure that our furniture arrives to your home in perfect condition. Each Archer shipment consists of two packages. The upholstered frame in one 34 pound package measuring 66"x14"x18" and the rear spring unit and front crossbar in another 13 pound package measuring 30"x27"x14" (yes, the packaging is as heavy as the chair itself, better safe than sorry). Our furniture is carbon neutrally shipped via UPS ground in discreet cardboard AND foam packaging specifically designed for safe transport. The ability to ship the Archer via UPS means that there's no delivery to schedule and wait around for with a shipping company, or the attention gathered by a big freight truck arriving at your house.
Q: Is any assembly required of the Archer?
A: Yes, a few minutes of assembly are required once you receive your Archer. The archer comes to you in two separate packages for two reasons. The first is that the package size is reduced allowing a much more environmentally friendly and convenient shipping option compared to LTL Freight. The second is that by using two boxes, we can sufficiently protect the more fragile carbon fiber springs without having to over-package the rest of the chair. If self-assembly really isn't your cup of tea, we will gladly ship the Archer fully assembled at the buyers expense. Contact us for a quote.
Q: When will I receive my furniture?
A: As our products are custom made to order, please allow 10-14 weeks for completion. We will keep you posted throughout the process and when your item is ready for shipping you will receive a video link to your chair's load test and a certificate of testing that confirms your Archer is ready for duty. Transit usually takes 2-6 business days after leaving our studio (zip 15220), depending on your location. You will receive a tracking number and be able to follow the progress to your door.
Q: Do you sell outside of the United States?
A: Yes. We will ship anywhere as long as our buyers are comfortable paying the shipping costs and local taxes. The extreme light weight and small package size of the Archer, compared to similar products, keeps the cost very reasonable. See our international order information here.
Q: What is your Cancellation and/or Return Policy?
A: If you cancel within the first week of placing your order, there will be a 15% charge back fee. There is no cancellation of any order after the first week since all our furniture is custom made to order.
CARBON FIBER SPRINGS
Q: Why three different spring strengths?
A: A spring can only possess one spring rate, which is how far the spring will travel for a given amount of force. In order to fully experience the Archer the weight of the combined users must be taken into consideration. If not, the movement of the Archer will be too soft for some and too stiff for others. Each spring strength has a maximum combined weight associated with it. You can choose any spring you prefer that's below the foreseen combined weight, but not one above. Custom spring rates can also be created, contact us for details.
Q: What if I picked the wrong level of bounce?
A: Not a problem. We offer a one time swap of rear spring units if you feel that another level of bounce is preferred. To redeem this offer, we must be notified of your wish to swap within 7 days of your receipt of your Archer and the springs returned to us at your cost within 14 days. Upon receipt of the undamaged product we will ship the other springs to you.
Q: What is the expected life of the carbon fiber springs?
A: All current industry research indicates that carbon fiber is twice as fatigue resistant as equivalent steel springs, but all things must come to an end. However, there are too many variables to give a simple definite answer. The two biggest variables are how close you are to the maximum combined weight of the springs and how aggressive the lovemaking is. As of September 2018 our first set of springs have accumulated 368 hours of moderately-aggressive to aggressive lovemaking (sometimes even purposely trying to break the thing) at the rated capacity of the springs with no sign of failure.
Q: What if the carbon fiber springs break?
A: If for some reason the rear leaf springs would ever break, the purchaser can return the springs to us for failure analysis. If the failure was due to materials or workmanship (i.e. epoxy bond failure/delamination of layers) we will replace the springs free of charge. If the failure was caused by the rupture of wood or carbon fiber strands that commonly indicate an overloading event (i.e. fracture on one side of the springs center-line and compression deformation on the other), you can purchase new springs from us at our cost.
Q: When should I purchase a second set of rear leaf springs?
A: The springs must be matched to the combined user weight so there are two reasons for needing a second set of springs. You intend to use the Archer with a new partner who places your combined weight above or below that of the springs which originally came with your Archer. Or, if you and your partner have cumulatively gained or lost enough weight to require a different bounce rate.
Q: What weave pattern is the carbon fiber fabric on the Archer?
A: The visible outer layer of the carbon fiber springs is woven in a 4 harness satin weave. Twill, plain, or any other weave pattern can be used if you desire. Contact us for details.
CUSTOM ORDERS
Q: Can I get the Archer with different color or type of upholstery fabric?
A: We chose our two standard fabrics, 5th Avenue and Maverick, because they were durable, waterproof, offered many color choices, and had the most realistic hand of any faux-leather we auditioned. However, we understand tastes differ. So, yes, we will gladly work with you to dress the Archer in a way that best complements your specific decor and taste. Cloth fabric or real leather are two options if water-resistance is not a concern, or a slick rubber sheet for a sleek futuristic look is a third. We can even use customer supplied fabric if you so desire, 2 yards are required for standard wood chairs, 4 yards for aluminum chairs or if double thick upholstery upgrade is added. In addition, a contrasting thread color (16 stock colors) for the hand stitching on the pillow is also possible. Just contact us for a consultation.
Q: Can I get a different species of wood for parts other than the siderails?
A: Yes, currently only the siderails must be made of ash, cherry, walnut, mahogany, red oak, white oak, or goncalo alves (tigerwood). Any number of backslats, crossbars, or wood cores of the carbon fiber springs can be fashioned from a different species. We have access to just about any species of wood you could want, including beautifully figured specimens of many. Contact us for more details.
