I had always used bands until this thread. I went to Walmart and got the baby bows with metal barret and I'm in love. I use a band first then the bow. It is sooo much faster and easier and the bows stay straight and perfect all day. I had just ordered some bows from LawDogBows with bands when I read this. The bows are absolutely beautiful but I wish I had ordered them with barrets now. Darn, does that mean I have an excuse to order more bows?