Howard Hill Long Bows

[MeatEater]

Thinking about buying a Howard Hill Long Bow, anyone have one? I have shot recurves off and on for years now and I'm thinking about getting back into traditional archery again for good. Would one of these bows be a good choice for my first long bow?

[Tom Kidwell]

Folks that have 'em and like 'em will want to beat me up for saying this but; I used to own two of them. I absolutely hated them. They were both in the high sixties of draw weight, stiff, and felt as much hand shock as sticking a finger in an electric outlet. Like I say, some folks rave about them... Me? I just don't understand the elure.

[loco cacahuate]

What Tom said is right. Go to a trad froum and bring up HH bows and people either love em or hate em, no in betweens. I think they are an acquired taste. I personaly wouldn't recommend one for a starter bow.

[bob sarrels]

Hey Michael, you might take a look at mine. sarrelsarchery.com

[Draco]

I have shot several HH long bows through the years and I wouldn't own any of them. As already mentioned, the recoil is terrible, the speed isn't all that good and there is no natural pointability. You really should buy a bow from one of the more modern bow builders. I've shot several of Bob's bows and they were the exact opposite of the HH bows, fast, quiet, smooth, and just naturally pointed where you wanted to shoot.

[Restless]

I own four Hill bows, I love them shoot almost nothing else, and I have thirty or forty bows to choose from. I will be packing a 60# Big five to Colorado next weekend. Ask some one who knows how to shoot one to show you how and dont listen to what some say until you see for yourself.

[muddydog]

I owned a Big 5, I couldnt hit anything with it. It shot about a foot left with every arrow I tried. I currently shoot a Hickory backed hackberry long bow I like very well.

[tom d]

Ask some one who knows how to shoot one to show you how and dont listen to what some say until you see for yourself.

What he said.

HH bows are different from a reflex/deflex longbow, there's no question about that.

However, they shoot just fine, pointability is great, and if you don't get caught up in the "I'll shoot a light arrow to gain speed" crowd, they are fairly smooth. Don't join the "it's a HH, I have to shoot 90 lbs" group either.

I shoot a Wesley Special, my selfbow, and a couple of Bob's bows, depending on my mood that day. They all shoot very good, they all shoot different.

I would agree you need to find someone who has one to try, and get a few pointers from, before you up and buy one.

If you decide to go the more modern design route, you don't need to look any further than Bob. He builds a mighty fine bow.

[MeatEater]

Thanks guys for the info.

(I owned a Big 5, I couldnt hit anything with it. It shot about a foot left with every arrow I tried. I currently shoot a Hickory backed hackberry long bow I like very well.)

So Muddydog you want to sell it?

[muddydog]

Sorry the HH is long gone, I might consider the self bow if interested give me a pm.

[Julius]

I love Hill bows. I have several and they are all I shoot. But, its an aquired taste. I've never noticed hand shock in mine, but so many people say they have them I'm not doubting that they could have them. I guess it really is a love em or hate em style bow.

[bob sarrels]

Make sure to get an elbow wrap before you shoot much.

[JDMartin]

Do these bows really give people that much trouble? I've been shooting Hill bows exclusively for 10 years now and have never had problems. I'm curious, what is it about Hill bows that people don't like?

[jmack]

I got the longbow itch a little while back, and went and traded a Sarrels recurve for a Jerry Hill longbow (don't slap me around guys, I wanted a longbow real bad). It's got the classic HH grip, and I have had no problems with it at all. No hand shock, no arm slap... I will say that I shot the Sarrels ALOT better, but I had it for several years. I hope it's just the bow being new to me. However, I do consistantly shoot wide left with the longbow just like muddydog.

[tom d]

However, I do consistantly shoot wide left with the longbow just like muddydog.

Sounds like your arrows are too stiff. Try dropping down in spine.

If you've already done that, drop some more. You should be able to get them in line.

There is more riser to go around on a HH vs a center cut bow.