The Tale of the Pink Towel

[ESquared]

The pink towel first appeared in the Henry Rifle Forums on August 15, 2018, in a photo of my very first Henry rifle (a .357BBS) with its very first scope. The Big Boy was nestled amongst some cleaning towels on my workbench for its close-up, and one of them was a faded, pink, terrycloth hand-towel.

For many months, the thread remained active, with Forum members chiming in occasionally to ask a question or admire the look, until, on January 19th, 2019, a member from Colorado posted, “Looks good Evan. And I really like the pink towel in the photo studio!”

Since then, numerous posts have been added to the thread, most of them about the pink towel. Moreover, the pink towel became “a thing” around the Forums. Every week, Forum members from far and wide use pink towels as props in photos of their Henrys, their targets, their ammo and their accessories. Some pink towels are prominently displayed, while others “photobomb” a picture by lurking in the background.

In other words, Forum members began having fun, sharing a crazy joke, and, in the process, building relationships. Over the most pedestrian firearm “accessory” imaginable, in one of the most unlikely colors to ever be found on a gun Forum, camaraderie was furthered by a bunch of Henry Owners across the country.

While it was fun to watch the pink towel phenomenon grow in this little corner of the web, I felt the need to somehow make it a real thing, something more tangible. My marketing wheels began turning, and soon, sketches were created, phone calls were made, emails sent, and in no time, a custom-embroidered “Henry Rifle Forums” pink towel was deemed not only completely feasible, but a “cool idea.”

Of course, one of those contacts was with DaytimeDave, since not only would permission certainly be needed, but endorsements would be a must. Dan@Henry was soon brought into the loop, his blessings were given and the pink towel project began in earnest.

What the towel really needed, however, was a more concrete reason for being, and Dave noted that the third Anniversary of the Forum was coming up in March. More brainstorming ensued, and soon a sweepstakes was born, with prizes generously provided by HRA. Appropriately, the pink towel’s embroidery design was altered to include an “Anniversary” mention, with the notion that they could be added as prizes in the sweepstakes. Strategically, the Pink Anniversary towel became a “limited edition” memento. In addition to including it as a Sweepstakes prize, it was decided that an additional fifty of the Anniversary Towels would be offered to Forum members.

On a parallel path, different fabrics were reviewed for durability, overall utility, lint “shedding”, color-fastness and appropriate size. Embroidery experts were brought in for design and layout, type-sizing and placement. Fabric samples were ordered in (and laundered) and, suffice it to say, numerous obstacles were overcome.
As this development process progressed, the towel became more than just a “bench rag.” With final dimensions of 14” X 28” and constructed of sturdy, 10 oz. cotton twill, it became a “Range Towel,” suitable for use beyond the workbench or reloading station.

Such is the story of how the Henry Rifle Forums came to be home to the 3rd Anniversary Commemorative (Pink) Range Towel. How the tale will play out remains to be seen, but it’s hard to imagine it not involving some happy Henry owners who end up with a lasting connection with the Henry brand, the Forum and one another.

Photos are included below and an info sheet is being developed, so check back soon in “Forum News” for further information on how to get a limited-edition Henry Rifle Forums Range Towel of your own!

[Cofisher]

A no doubt, highly prized, accessory for any Henry owner. A must have for the upcoming season.

[daytime dave]

Esquared, that is a VERY cool range towel. I'm glad you stuck with it and made this a reality. That is truly a great keepsake for the forum.

This may surprise everyone, but the above photographs are the first time I have seen these. I think they came out great. I have two on the way. One for me and one for the step son.

Wow, very cool indeed.

[PT7]

Lots of work to get all the "loose threads" together, ESquared.
Congrats both on your history write up, and development of the Henry Pink Towel!

[Vaquero]

Heck of an idea, Evan.
And they look Great.
You remind me of another buddy that I have meet from another gun forum.
We've had three meets in the past 4 years,
and for two of those he had made personalized range towels for all attendees.
The last one was a small select group and had a pheasant hunt/trap/sporting clays weekend.
That time he bought cloth carpenter nail aprons, and had those personalized.
We used them during the trap/SP clays.

Anyway I would love to have one of hose pink towels.

RP

[BigAl52]

Nice work Evan. Count me in I want one and I want you to send one to RR to as he needs one even if he says he doesnt. I will buy my Canadian brother from another mother one and pay the shipping to his house. Aint no way with all the photos he shoots that he cant have some pink coming out of Canada. It will look good under those 45 colts of his.

[ESquared]

Thanks to all of you for your kind words. It's great to see these first samples turn out so well, and I believe that it will serve members (and even non-members) well on many levels. It's just kind of neat to see something that extends the forum beyond the bandwidth of the interweb and builds the camaraderie across the miles in some small way.
Plus, it's kind of a hoot, isn't it? And, as you know, AL, you're the one who noticed it in the photo in the first place!
We'll figure out a way to get one to RR, no doubt about it!
Thanks again to all of you!

[RetiredSeabee]

Truly a "cool" item. And no ice cubes were harmed in the announcement of this cool idea.

[Mags]

.
It is

... it's kind of a hoot, isn't it?

[Mags]

.
This one gets the big...

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... it's kind of a hoot, isn't it?

[ESquared]

Heck of an idea, Evan.
And they look Great.
You remind me of another buddy that I have meet from another gun forum.
We've had three meets in the past 4 years,
and for two of those he had made personalized range towels for all attendees.
The last one was a small select group and had a pheasant hunt/trap/sporting clays weekend.
That time he bought cloth carpenter nail aprons, and had those personalized.
We used them during the trap/SP clays.

Anyway I would love to have one of hose pink towels.

RP

Thanks, RP. I had some limited experience with embroidery until I started this project several weeks ago. It's never cheap to do, but it's even a little bit twistier when you have to use a very specific font such as the one Henry uses. I've been in the logo licensing business, so I understand all the trademark/trade-dress issues and it's gotta be that way. So you go down the path of embroidery tapes, total thread counts, etc.
But, there's nothing like it, really. Very permanent (if that's even possible) and just so much better than screen print or sublimation.
It's a great way to mark an occasion or a gathering or a group (or whatever) - I like your buddy's style, sounds like a great group to hang with!

[BigAl52]

Evan you deserve the credit for taking the comment and running with it. Im taking no credit for this one at all. Thanks to you for all the leg work you have done and the idea brought forth. Its brought a bunch of good people even closer and has given us something to have some fun with. That in itself is great. We need as much fun in life as we can get as there is no such thing as to much fun. My hats off to Evan for his work on this.

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[Rifletom]

Yep, this is a fantastic idea. Evan deserves all the credit. Talked to Evan today and ordered mine. Will be proud to display that towel and my wife ain't getting it! Altho I'm still holding one of hers in the garage hostage till I get my approved one.
Thanks Evan!

[ESquared]

Awww, shucks, fellers! Thanks for the kind words. Just seemed like fun way to extend the "fellowship" that grew up around Al's sharp-eyed observation. It would make a great towel for your wife, too, you know! Dish-towel sized, more or less.

Nothing says I Love You more on Mother's Day...!

[Cofisher]

Rifletom, I love a good hostage story.

[markiver54]

Not to add a bummer to this,...but can't help but think of my ex wife who might not make it from breast cancer. Pink works for me in many ways!... ... Mine is on order.

[Rifletom]

Sorry to hear that markiver. Damn.

[markiver54]

Thank you!

[RanchRoper]

Nice work Evan. Count me in I want one and I want you to send one to RR to as he needs one even if he says he doesnt. I will buy my Canadian brother from another mother one and pay the shipping to his house. Aint no way with all the photos he shoots that he cant have some pink coming out of Canada. It will look good under those 45 colts of his.

You're on my friend. Will work into some trail pics...

[RanchRoper]

Evan. Way to cowboy up and get 'er done.