Howard Hill Long Bows

[JDMartin]

Like Tom D said, Hill style bows are no where near center shot so there is a learning curve from a recurve to longbow. I'm scared to death of Jerry Hill bows. I think his company went belly up because many of his bows were coming apart. I've got my eye on a Miller right now. Its made the way longbows were made in the 40's with the nodes still showing on the bamboo and no glass. But I prefer simple old fashioned bows.

[BobbyB]

Save yourself some money, Get a 2 x 4 and whittle string nocks on each end and have at it. It will shoot about the same.

[JDMartin]

Save yourself some money, Get a 2 x 4 and whittle string nocks on each end and have at it. It will shoot about the same.

Its a bit over the top don't you think. It all boils down to personal preference.

[jmack]

I've actually had to stiffen my arrows up quite a bit. They were way too weak in spine (I bareshafted & paper tuned this bow). I had to cut almost an inch off of my arrows and drop the point weight by by about 85gr to get them to fly straight. This was with the arrows I was shooting with the Sarrels recurve, funny thing is - the longbow is 8# heavier in draw weight than the recurve was... A proof of performance I guess.

[JDMartin]

Every Hill bow I own shoots perfect for me. That being said, all my gear is made to fit my style of shooting with this style of bow. I've tried other bows. I have an Acadian thats O.K. I have a Kohannah and I've never been impressed with it. I have a Monarch and my hand engulfs the handle, really uncomfortable to shoot. But I have my reasons for shooting only Hills. I'm not interested in fps. I could care less if my arrow isn't zipping around. I shoot heavy arrows, tapered cedar shafts with 5 3/4" fletching. All my broadheads are landsharks. I've killed many a deer with my outdated gear. But I'm a big guy, I love how Craig will let me get the bow anyway I want. I have a really big hand and it never was a problem. I shoot on the heavier side and he is the only bowyer that will make what I want. I can see how if you've been shooting a reflex deflex bow for a long time and pic up a Hill you are going to think what you think. Slow, a bit awkward at first, not as aesthetic as other bows but I'll never buy anything else.

[BobbyB]

Its a bit over the top don't you think. It all boils down to personal preference.

Ive shot 'em. My opinion. But go back and reread some of the other posts ahead of me, Elbow wrap?

[BobbyB]

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.

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.

Every Hill bow I own shoots perfect for me. That being said, all my gear is made to fit my style of shooting with this style of bow. I've tried other bows. I have an Acadian thats O.K. I have a Kohannah and I've never been impressed with it. I have a Monarch and my hand engulfs the handle, really uncomfortable to shoot. But I have my reasons for shooting only Hills. I'm not interested in fps. I could care less if my arrow isn't zipping around. I shoot heavy arrows, tapered cedar shafts with 5 3/4" fletching. All my broadheads are landsharks. I've killed many a deer with my outdated gear. But I'm a big guy, I love how Craig will let me get the bow anyway I want. I have a really big hand and it never was a problem. I shoot on the heavier side and he is the only bowyer that will make what I want. I can see how if you've been shooting a reflex deflex bow for a long time and pic up a Hill you are going to think what you think. Slow, a bit awkward at first, not as aesthetic as other bows but I'll never buy anything else.

You and your style/attitude just happen to be a good marriage for HH bows. Nothing wrong with that. But it aint for me and I would bet a new bow, it aint for the majority of folks out there.

[JDMartin]

If you were a betting man, you would be right. I know for certain that my style is dying at a rapid pace. My local club has all moved on to the Black Widows and T-Hawks. They always try to talk me into getting one but I guess somebody has to be the rotten egg in the dozen.

But the elbow wrap thing? I'm seriously still not getting it. What are some of the problems that people have with Hill bows? I usually only hear of hand shock. What are some of the other issues?

[tom d]

Save yourself some money, Get a 2 x 4 and whittle string nocks on each end and have at it. It will shoot about the same.

That would be my selfbow. It does shoot about the same...............pretty darn good.

[BobbyB]

I think it is about the stack. When I shot a lot, it was common to see a buddy show up with a HH at a shoot and say he just got it and was trying it out. Next time he would have something different and when asked about it the most common reply was " Got rid of the **** thing. Too much stack and too much hand shock for me". And that is how I felt about the few I shot. And my close shooting buddies. We just felt there were too many easy shooting bows out there to torture ourselves with a HH.

But, I did have a buddy that would tell you quick he liked his bows to shoot in the 175-180 fps range. His reason ? he said at that speed he could keep the arrows flight in his peripheral vision. He was a very good shot, so it must have worked for him.

[JDMartin]

Also, I'm not trying to say that I think Hill bows are the only way to go or bicker about it so if it seems that way I apologize.

[BobbyB]

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?

To answer your question, get your hands on one and try it. then go try some others. Unless folks have changed a lot over the years, most every one if happy for you to try their bows. Shoot a bunch and then pick what you like, what shoots the best, feels the best and looks the best.

If it's your first longbow, you wouldnt want to think all longbows are the same as what you have in your hand. If a HH is what you think works best, then go for it.

[JDMartin]

There's no arguing that they will stack up on you. After the length draw the bow is made for you can count on about 4 to 5 LBs extra behind that. My draw length is 29 1/2 inches and the last three is where I notice the most. Not too big a deal but its there. None of the other bows I have do that. The Monarch is probably the smoothest drawing bow I have but like I said, my fat hand is too fat for it.

[Retsbew]

Choice of a first longbow depends on your objectives. Today the popular emphasis is on target-style shooting...shooting for points/repeatable precision using fairly complicated gear and shooting theory. For that objective a modern recurve or hybrid with some mass in the riser (hybrids still are often called and qualify as 'longbows' at competitions) and a gap aiming system would be a good choice. On the other hand, if your preference is more towards short distance shooting at game or moving targets where shooting by 'feel' is more desirable/enjoyable, especially if more nostalgic flavors to gear and methods are sought, then Hill bow design/gear/shooting style might be a better choice.

I like Hills. I also like hybrids (have a bunch) and for years shot recurves. Despite what you might read from shooters who hate or swear by one type vs. another, reality is that a particular bow design or shooting method is only better if fits your specific objectives/preferences. You'll need to try them to determine that. Who knows, you might find they ALL fit just fine.

[Limbwalker]

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?

I love me some HH longbows (I've onwed 3 Wesley Specials and have shot several Big 5's), but IMO, no - not a good 1st longbow at all.

I'm sure I'll get flamed by the HH faithful, but traditional "D" shaped longbows like the HH have a great deal of hand shock. They also aren't all that fast. So unless feeling like Robin Hood is #1 on your priority list, I'd steer you toward a more modern R/D design like my Tomahawk, or one of Bob's excellent bows. You'll just enjoy shooting an R/D longbow more, and therefore you will shoot it more. And really, if you plan to hunt with a longbow, you need to shoot regularly to be proficient.

That's my .02. I'm sure there are plenty who will disagree. That D-shape has a lot of romance behind it.