Since the first time I shot a Hill I knew it was for me now I own 3 a 58#-60#-65# all at least 68" long they all seem to shoot a 2018 beautifully .
I was wondering if anyone else experienced this LOVE AT FIRST FLIGHT! MIKE :goldtooth:
They are very classy.I dont own one myself but my 7 year old son has 35# @ 24" bear cub.Coco riser with juniper veneers and it is a shooter and a head turner.
I love my Hill's and Schulz longbows!!!
I know, I have the Bluest Jeans in town! :D
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v166/BobCo/Stuff/101_0240.jpg)
I got a Halfbreed a little while ago from a fellow Tradganger. I must say I was pleasantly surprised with its performance. I have mainly shot heavily R/D longbows, and I wasn't really expecting much from a straight-limbed bow. Boy did it prove me wrong. It is beautiful and lightweight to boot. I only wish it was a little longer. It is only 62". 64 or 66 would be perfect.
I currently have four. A Wesley Special, two Big 5s, and a Ruffed Grouse, in addition to a St. Charles, a Strunk, and a Massie, all Hill style straight end longbows. The R/D designs might be a little faster, but there's just something about those old sticks!
One 70" "Big Five"
Me too! I love Hill bows. I only have 1 Wesley Special made for me by Craig. For the people using only r/d bows or some other contraption, this bow lacks nothing is speed and performance. I made a believer out of a 190# doe about a week ago when I sent a heavy arrow through her spine at 8 yards. End of story.
I've made a few hill style bows myself. Harder to make than a guy thinks......
jf
I've had my Ted Kramer made HH Big Five since 1989. Would not trade it for the newest carbon wonder bow.
I have one Big 5 named just "Passable" 68" 52# @ 28"
I have a sentman Razorbak Hill style on order.
Only one right now "Blackie" a 66" Carbon Lamboo Tembo with Ebony riser. Smooth, fast, accurate and no handshock at all with the TS+ string and very little with dacron. Love this bow more than any other recurve or r/d longbow i've ever owned and that's been quite a few! Planning a Wesley next right after the new year.
I only one Hill, a 70" Big 5, but hope to some day acquire more. I love it though!
I've shot mainly R/D longbows and some hybrids,but I traded for a Hill last year on Tradgang.I really enjoy shooting Hill bows and now I have 3 of them.I've got a Big Five with black glass and ebony riser that is beautiful and fun to shoot.I have another Howard Hill Big Five that Ted Kramer made and a Howard Hill Falcon longbow.I like the D-shape and the look of the Hill bows.
I'm ordering one in the next few weeks, so...umm... I don't think you should get one any time soon. LOL!
They exude classic tradition, IMVHO.
-Dave
I have two, a Big Five 48# @28" and Redman 47# @27" I love them both, my son wants a Hill now! I'll see how his grades go then decide. (http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y275/420W/IM000346.jpg)
I'm not an 'enthusiast' to the point of shooting my fairly new Wesley Special exclusively (since I do have other bows), but there's definately something special about a classic Howard Hill longbow. Like having a piece of the past in your hand, and no bow is quieter. Great bows.
Right now on my wall I have a few Hills.I sold my Morrison Shawnee's and decided to only use my Hills.
68" Cheetah 5 lams boo 2 Juniper 67@29 (silver moose head inlay)
68" Wesley T/D 5 boo 1 carbon 68@29 (silver deer head inlay)
68" Redman 5 yew 1 carbon 59@29 (flying turkey inlay)
68" Halfbreed 4 boo 2 yew 64@29 (silver bear inlay)
70" Tembo 3 boo 2 bacote 65@29 (silver elephant inlay)
66" Wild Boar 4boo 1 red elm 60@29 (silver wild boar inlay)
68" longbowmans choice 2 boo 2 osage 1 cocobolo 1 carbon 59@29 (silver hill broadhead inlay)
56" bear cub (grandsons)
62" Badger 4 boo 1 carbon 59@29 (silver strutting turkey inlay)
I have plans for at least 2 more !!!
Nice collection HARL (would like to see pictures)! Next your going to tell me they are all leftys. I'm glad to see I'm not the only one who got hooked I was starting to think there was something wrong with me.Im always looking for my next one. Mike
Harl,
I'm thinking of ordering a Halfbreed. Which bows of yours are the best shooters, or are they all similar in feel and shooting characteristics?
Anyone have a Croc? I have one with a gloss finish and it is really beautiful.
Below is a pic of my sons Cheetah - well its a Bear Cub that I had Craig make with the Cheetah woods. It shoots 40#'s at 26". He shoots it at 22" still:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v166/BobCo/000_0016.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v166/BobCo/100_0303.jpg)
For sure. Next bow is a Redman. Just love the HH's
j-p, I read somewhere that Craig Eakin's personal bow is a Halfbreed. Since he makes 'em, I think I'll order one of those next.
I have talked to Craig on several occasions and he changes bows quite often.
J-P I find all the bows quite smooth,the Redman I have really impressed me though.It seemed as fast as some of my heavier bows.A couple of the other fellas I shoot with noticed it as well.I generally shoot arrows weighing between 700-750 grs.I keep telling myself to take all the bows out and take some pics,but I think I should wait until the wife is away.
When you order from Craig you can really add the bells and whisles without sending you to the poor house.All my bows have tip and riser overlays,silver inlays and extra lams to make them different.
After 10 years of longbows, I bought my first used Redman this summer (68" 50#@29" I draw it 30")and can't believe how I now want to shoot nothing else! My other longbows are slowly disapearing. I just ordered a takedown HH Cheetah a couple of weeks ago. I think some other longbows may look slightly better, but for me no other longbows shoot better.
Nice lefty in the classifieds right now!!!!!
I have a 70" 60lb Big five and a 66" 53lb Wesley take down. I love them and Im sure to add at least one more.
missed out on this one... been busy running errands. I currently have about two dozen Hills... I have all but one of the Sepecial Edition bows... the Commemorative... still looking for that one. Got my Jungle Cat today... gorgeous. I hope to feature all of the special editions on the 2008 Hill calendar, if i can get info and a Commemorative pic from Craig.
Still waiting anxiously for #1 of the Lonbbowman's Classic... several days overdue now... :^(
If any on this tread are unaware of it, do check out the Longbowman's web site at:
www.howardhilllongbowmen.com (http://www.howardhilllongbowmen.com)
you're also invited to join the HHL email list... instructions on the site.
Dick in Seattle
I have W/S 50@27 and 55@27 and 60@27,65@27 been shootting hill bows for 22yr just kill a cow elk w/ the 60lb @27 use 2117 with a woodman in one side out the other and the bow name is gutpile
here's a pic of some of my collection... was the cover of this year's calendar
(http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h186/CaptainDick/hillcollection-1.jpg)
Dick in Seattle
OH, yeah... since the original question was how many Hill enthusiasts out there... there are currently 110 on the Hill Longbowmen email list...
Dick
Redman 66" 64#@28 is the only bow I own now... Sold the rest. Craig is great!
I'm one of 'em Dick. I plan on posting here pretty soon. You've done a great job with the site too. I have 4 Hills but my go to is a 66" Halfbreed. I'm just about at the point that I don't even shoot anything else. It doesn't do any good anyway, since I always get sucked back in by them in short order. Once you get bit you might as well just give it up.
Robert, thanks for posting the pics. of the Bearcub. I've been thinking about calling Craig about one for my 6 year old, and the photos were helpful in seeing the size of the grip which I have been wondering about. How does your boy like it?
Dick Tell me more about the Hill Longbowmen email list. I here Craig is using Black carbon for back & belly? I'd love to see one with a broad head inlay now how cool is that. Mike :saywhat:
Mike.... the instructions for joining the list are on the site, or you can send me a direct email and I'll put you on:
rwightman@mindspring.com
We have an inlay of the early Hill broadhead as a standard feature of the Longbowman's Choice... a model Craig makes only for members of the list. There is a link on the web site that will take you to a page full of pictures... it's quite a bow. We kind of group designed it on the list. My own, #1, is 66" and 45# @ 25", outer lams of osage, inner lams of bamboo with a cocobolo lam for accent and an inside carbon lam.
I have tried several bows with outer lams of carbon and don't really like it. To me, and this may be just because of my short draw, it stiffens up the power curve too much... you get the same draw and weight, but it starts out heavier so over the course of the draw, however many inches it is, you end up pulling more cumulative weight. The carbon lam inside, per Craig, is not so much for speed as smoothness and increased bow life... stability.
In the final analysis, Craig will build whatever you want. My current cause of anxiety (waiting) is another special Longbowman's Choice, but this one will be called the Longbowan's Classic... it's a Hill built like the old 50's Peason lemonwood bows... slender riser with no shelf... shoot off the hand, either right or left. It was due here last week but I'm still waiting...
By all means join us on the lilst... lots of discussion of all things Hill...
Dick
Thanks for the Info. I will join for sure! :thumbsup:
Well, you can add another enthusiast to the mix! I bought a used Hill Big Five from another member of Dick's email list, and it's been hard to make me shoot any of my other bows since then. My wife, who's a die-hard compound addict, has now been bitten by the HH bug, and is saving for a Cheetah model! Nuff said, I think. :D
segolden, she will surely enjoy the Cheetah. I have a 64 inch 55@26 with an extra lam of bamboo. Smooth as buttah and the juniper is crazy beautiful!!!
Joe
I have a 68" 50@28 big five and I love it. I am thinking about buying the HH bighorn ram model, has anybody shot one of those?
tadpole.... I"m guessing you mean the "Bighorn Sheep"... red elm? One of the two models I have not run into (Crocodile is the other). Red Elm is also used as the outer limbs on the Ruffed Grouse. I have one of those and it both a beautiful bow and a very, very sweet shooter. As far as performance goes, there is more difference based on the draw weight and length of bow that you choose than there is between models. I wouldn't hesitate to buy any one of them. I have a couple of Redman bows... all yew... and I can't see that they are noticeably slower than the all bamboo models. Chronograph might make a liar of me, but in any event, speed differences are not startling. If you get a Bighorn, I'd really appreciate a set of good photos... it's one model we don't have pictures of posted in the Showcase pages of the Longbowmen's web site.
Dick in Seattle
had about all the other bows, and I keep coming back to the Hill....HMMMMMM
nothing runs like a deer(so I am told)
nothing shoots like a Hill(that I know)
no one saves like...JESUS !!!!! (prove me wrong)
I have a Wesley Special that I bought used in May of 2006. I never had a HH longbow and wanted to try one. It shot much more accurately than I expected and didn't have the handshock that a lot of people complain about. I've owned 4 recurves since but I keep going back to the Hill. It's 66" long, 55# at my draw with gray glass.
Have just settled on the straight grip, long length of the Howard Hill style and ordered my first - a 70" Wesley, left hand - counting the days!
You can also count me in! Mailed my order to Craig about 2 weeks ago and by now I`m already counting days to get my Big 5. Should be with me about the beginning of february.
@Dick in Seattle: I`m also a member of your list, but haven`t had the time to introduce myself by now.
I own three of 'em--a Redman, a Wesley Special, and a Tembo TD. I just love those bows!
I've been bitten by the Hill longbow bug, just two weeks ago. Now I have one new Wesley Special T/D 50@29)on order, and a used Halfbreed (66@28)coming via ups on Tuesday.
I would love to know recommended cedar arrows, and aluminum if anyone could chime in. I have a 29" draw, so I cut arrows to 30" to clear my fingers.
Regards,
Bill
For the 29 @ 50 I would say 2018's
Better yet, Just ask CRaig....He'll let ya know.
I bought an old Howard Hill back quiver at a yard sale. Made of very heavy leather. Its is a larger back quiver with Howard Hill signature stamped on the breast strap. Any info on this would be appreciated. Sorry I can't send photos as I can hardly turn on the computer/
Mike G:
Good point. Today I decided that, since I have a bow coming in a few weeks, I ought to add arrows to the shipment as it won't cost any extra to ship. I think. More importantly, Craig Ekin's son Jason is reputed to be an excellent arrow maker, and the prices are very good.
Bill
For wood Arrows Jason may be fine I never saw any of his Arrows....
Bob from Whispering winds makes a great Arrow and he shoots a Hill bow, And he lives just a short way from HH Shop....
Trad Gang has a bunch of Great Arrow smiths....
For an Aluminum Arrow I will use Mike from the Nocking Point.
I shot in a shoot yesterday and Had to forfit a Second place because I used Aluminum with my Longbow....
I just like the consistancey of Aluminums.
Jon: You've got a quiver made by Howard Hill Archery anywhere from 50-60 or more years ago to yesterday. The design hasn't changed, and they've been stamping the name onto the quiver strap forever. They currently sell for $100 from HH Archery.
Bill: Even though Hills aren't cut to center, I've had good luck with overspining my cedars by 10 pounds or more at my 28-inch draw length with 55#-60# Hills. I overspine by 20# when I go to hardwoods or hardwood footed shafts and 160 grain broadheads. The range in the bow weights you'll be shooting is probably too great to be covered by one spine weight shaft. Good luck.
Both of my sons and I shoot Hill longbows. Love them. But part of the joy is living close enough to Howard Hill Archery that we can frequently visit the shop, look at original Hill tackle, and watch the progress of our bows being made. The Ekins are fine people to deal with. If you are ever in Hamilton, Montana, you won't want to pass up a visit. Bow'narrow
I have a used Wesley coming sort of a retro thing I am working on. No more bows that need allen wrenches.
The Classic lines of a Howard Hill longbow is what lured me back after a short side trip in the 1970s to the new fangled compounds.
My first HH, I built from a semi-finished blank. Then I met an old gentleman with a new Big Five he could no longer shoot. I bought it and later had craig shorten and lighten it a little.
I finally broke down and ordered a new Cheetah with an extra bamboo lam like the Wesley. It is my #1 go to bow.
I have a few other HH style bows and those and the real Hill straight limbed bows are what do it for me.
Maybe not as pretty or fast as the newer reflex/deflex designs but they are the only bow for me.
I love my 66" Redman, 70lbs@29"!
Orion:
Thanks for the tip on 'overspine". I have just asked Jason Ekin to make me up some arrows to match the bow. No specifics other than color and wood. I also have some 60-65# spine cedars kicking around, I'll try those too. Wood arrows and a Hill longbow (or Hill recurve that I bought from bearbowwman!)for me.
I know some don't like the speed and hand shock of the Hill style. For me, I haven't felt the hand shock, and I don't own a chronograph. I hope to get within 20 yards on the ground, and I won't shoot over 25.
I guess you have to pick what calls to you and respect its limits and your own with the equipment. For me, that is where the fun is, and this is recreation, after all.
Regards to all,
Bill
Love my hill bow, I've being considering for some time now to give up making selfbows and stick with a HILL bow exclusively,....got Craig to make me a real special one that should be here soon, I'll show you the pictures once it gets here.
This is my redman
(http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d124/NorthShoreLB/Boar%20ELB/HPIM0337.jpg)
Can someone tell me what a Hill Tembo is worth?
I have two 60# @ 28. Both left handed. One looks
brand new, other is camo.
In the latest HH catalog, Tembos are listed for $450. Of course, if they're dressed up with limb tip overlays, inlays, etc., the price can go higher. Probably $250-$300 for a used bow, depending on age, condition and bells and whistles.
Northshore:
I like that tip on the wingshooting arrow!!
I love my 1985 Ted Kramer made HH Big Five. It's 70" 56#@28". I've had it since 1989. Still shoots like a champ.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v98/faabala/Archery/5d3b.jpg)