The Tale of the Pink Towel
Posted: Wed Mar 27, 2019 7:34 pm
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!
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!
history write up, and development of the Henry Pink Towel!
... 
Mine is on order. 