Trad Gang
Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: nineworlds9 on September 04, 2016, 09:06:00 AM
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I lift a lot of weights to stay in shape for my job, and quite often I wake up achy/sore if I've been pushing myself, so my 50ish pound bows become not quite so pleasant to pull, at least for more than a half dozen shots.
Anyway, I have sampled all manner of bows over the years and up to now had never taken the plunge and tried a Mohawk. This is most likely due to opportunity. I'm a lefty, and lefty Mohawks rarely show up for sale used. I had always suspected there was a good reason for this, the bowyer Vince has been prolific enough that they shouldn't be rare.
Anyway, I FINALLY got one in my hands, via a fellow lefty, a light poundage 64" Sparrowhawk, around 40# at my draw. All I can say is what a treat. It is such a smooth and easy bow to shoot. Dead in the hand and dead quiet too. I had high expectations with all the praise for them I've come across but I'll say my expectations were even exceeded. The little light poundage Sparrowhawk really thumps a 12gpp arrow, so much so that at reasonable range I wouldn't hesitate to take this little stick into the woods with some sharp Muzzy Phantoms coming up soon.
The craftsmanship is excellent, it reminds me a lot of Wes Wallace's work, and just like Wes's it doesn't give the impression that it's a "fancy" built bow you can't get down and dirty with , you can tell it's built SOLID, to get out and work. I dunno it's hard to describe. It just cries hunt.
One of the things that stood out to me is how Vince tapers the bamboo laminations all the way down from the riser to the tips, the 5 lams are full length, but so thin in the last 3rd of the limb that it's almost hard to count em. I have pulled lighter bows that feel like a board. I'm certain this tapering explains why it's so darn smooth from brace to max pull.
I'm just darn impressed. If you like longbows you owe it to yourself to try a Mohawk Sparrowhawk.
(http://i1309.photobucket.com/albums/s631/nineworlds9/IMG_0045-1.jpg) (http://s1309.photobucket.com/user/nineworlds9/media/IMG_0045-1.jpg.html)
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Nice
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Nice looking too .
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Nice...I have been wanting to pick up a Mohawk.
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I have 2 ;)
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Mohawks are fine bows. One the best I have shot. RC
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Well written description of Sparrowhawks. I owned a 66", mid-40# bow that I'm still looking to replace. The bow was a "righty" and I became a "lefty", hence the sale.
The bow is a true "D" shaped bow when strung that satisfies all my aesthetic criteria for a longbow, but is smoother and quicker than any other "D" type bow I've ever tried. Not surprised you like it :)
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Sounds great,great looking bow .
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Good review!
Bisch
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One of my favorite all time bows :thumbsup:
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I told you they were good...
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I enjoyed the review.
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yep, vince perfectly translated my longbow design wishes into what i came to label as the "sparrowhawk". the key elements are all about the limbs - narrower and thicker, with a 5th layer of carefully tapered bamboo core lamination (rather than just thickening the existing mohawk's 4 'boo cores). the limbs are slim 'n' trim, with less tendency to torque due to pilot error. it is a superb trad hunting longbow that can take a lickin' and bring home the bacon (or your critter of choice). these elements bring the sparrowhawk closer to an an early Hill type AFL, but with a slight hybrid limb tip flip that adds speed without loss of release stability, whilst bracing at that classic "D" shape some of us prefer.
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Love my Sparrowhawk too. My 64" is 40# as well. Great bow!
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Love my sparrow hawk. It's the one I've been shooting all year. It's 53# and I have 4 Mohawks all together. All of them are 52-53# and all are wonderful shooters
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I have mostly been the hybrid type but you fellas got my attention!
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Very nice! I like it.
Tom
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I have 2 Mohawks both 62" Sparrowhawks one is 49#@28 the other is 52#@28, both have bocote risers with stained bamboo limbs. Love my Mohawks
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Originally posted by Possum Head:
I have mostly been the hybrid type but you fellas got my attention!
make no mistake - mohawks and sparrowhawks are hybrid longbows because their unbraced limbs are not straight, nor backset, nor forward set.
that they brace to a "D" shape that gives a classic AFL or ELB longbow look is part of their design.
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just found out Vince is on a hunt but his current wait time is only 6-8 weeks!! :bigsmyl:
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What brace height do you guys use on your 64"s ?
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Originally posted by slowbowjoe:
What brace height do you guys use on your 64"s ?
6-1/2" to 6-3/4"