Hi just a random poll. I carry two with me usually.

How about everyone else?

2 in my violin case, one pretty decent one not that great but OK (came with the violin)

2 in my viola case - both good, just couldn't decide which one I preferred so got both

Only 1 right now, my 2nd one is warped so there's no point. I expect I will only have one until I replace my (new) current bow, probably if I go to music college.

2 - one is actually a cello bow but I like it, the other is the one I usually use.

i've got my actual bow and an old one that i picked up from somewhere which is turning green and weird. but it'll do as a spare if my actual one breaks.

1 cheap and cheerful
1 sort of OK (spare)
1 carbon fibre, arcus, my main bow
1 Baroque (David Van Edwards)

Saving up for the Sartory

I have two; my new(ish) bow, and my old bow which came with my very first viola. I'll probably get another one when (if) I pass my grade 8 and hopefully I'll have enough money to get a high quality one to get me through uni!

two

I always have two with me on the concert platform. I have a stool that I made for bass playing, with an integral spike holder, a hollow back in which I can hide useful stuff, a small leather case on the left for rosin, and a soft case tied on the right hand side (away from the audience in the usual bass location) that holds the spare. Bass bows rarely break, but their hairs can become detached, so the spare is for anyone in the section to whom that happens during a rehearsal or a performance.

Oh dear. My bow is being sorted out tomorrow (just changing the leather to how I like it) so I will have to beg a bow from my teacher or something. I see why 2 bows is a good idea.

I have 2 for my violin, the one that came with it and a nice one. Have 1 viola bow but often end up using my violin bow because I like it so much.