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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: Gil Verwey on August 05, 2022, 08:43:43 AM
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I had many Hill longbows in the past. I always found them to be high quality and consistent between bows. I wanted to go back to a longbow again after several more shoulder injuries, but there are very few used ASL bows available these days used.
Is Craig still building the bows or does he have employees building them. Someone had told me he had problems with quality and his order was incorrect, while Craig had someone else building bows.
I want to get a string follow ASL and Craig will make one for me. Northern Mist has a long backlog so only a used one is possible.
In the past I would have bought a new HHA longbow without thinking about it, until I heard from someone that had a problem with a new one he purchased.
Hopefully some of you have recently purchased HHA longbows and had a good experience.
Thanks
Gil
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I know you are asking about HHA and I have no knowledge on that and I am interested to hear others responses on this.
I do want to make you aware of a string follow longbow that has a shorter build time. It is built by maddog archery and it is a follower extreme. I own one and while I am not an asl expert I also own a Big Jim bow and I truly enjoy shooting both. I definitely think it is worth what you pay. So just wanted you to be aware of that option.
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Thanks I will check it out.
Gil
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I suggest you give Craig a call and find out. I wouldn't base my decision on one person's experience. Often those things are as much the buyer's fault as the builder's.
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There's a guy on here named Papa Jack that shoots them,and likes them. I think he had a couple of new ones built,and he really likes them. I'll see if I can't text him,and maybe he'll chime in. I hunted with him a few times,and seen his bows,and they seem really nice.
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Thanks, I am going call Craig and just speak to him. I have bought new bows from him in the past and had many used bows.
Gil
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I suggest you give Craig a call and find out. I wouldn't base my decision on one person's experience. Often those things are as much the buyer's fault as the builder's.
Absolutely what he said....
I always had wife and daughters riding on Michelins,.... I I got a bad Michelin once, but believe me, they are still riding on them. Even the best can't be perfect 100% of the time.
Never heard a negative word about HHA since ever.
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Hi Terry it’s been a long time, I was missing in action because of several more shoulder injuries.
I am going to listen to what Orion said and give them a call. I tried earlier but got called away.
I will order one to my specs instead of searching hoping to find someone else’s.
Thanks everyone for your input. I am good to go.
Gil
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Thanks everyone I ordered a new Wesley string follow 68”. Light shedua riser, light brown leather and clear glass.
Gil
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:thumbsup: :thumbsup:
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This came in early march from Craig and I can say of my 3 Hills all are spectacular fit and finish. I would have zero concerns unless something has happend since 4 months ago!!
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Ok one more :) this bow is a thing of beauty to me
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Thanks. Glad to hear that. I put my order in yesterday and sent my deposit today.
Can’t wait to shoot a longbow again.
Gil
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That’s awesome! I’d have zero concerns honestly. Hope to see pics when she arrives
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That is Real Beauty Mr. Reese ;^)
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Thanks Ralph. But I swear I’m not showing it off but just showing the quality and fit and finish coming out of HH archery lately :goldtooth:
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Sorry, late to this dance, but Craig makes an outstanding bow, plus, a gentleman in every sense. Great to work with.
Terry Harris
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Craig retired from making bows. He has had someone making bows with him for years prior to retiring.
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That's a new one on me, just spoke with Craig the other day and I am not sure that's a fact Buggs. I'm sure I'll find out, but thanks for the info if it is indeed true.
Terry Harris
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Buggs, don't know where you get your facts, but before you state what you think are facts, be sure!!! Craig Ekin is not retired sir. PER CRAIG EKIN!
Terry Harris
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Terry, thanks for clearing that up. Funny how rumors can get started and assume a life of their own. :saywhat:
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i just got another bow from Craig back in june. both of the bows i have gotten from hha are outstanding in every way. and as previously stated, craig is a great guy. i'd say no worries.
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I am looking forward to getting mine.
Thanks
Gil
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anyone who has been around here for a while knows I am a sucker for an ASL , and I have shot Craigs bows for many many years . Just this year he made me a 70" T/D Redman that is about as sweet and pointable as a bow can get and the build quality is amazing, as usual
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I have several and love them. Craig has built me some great bows and if I ever needed another one I wouldn't hesitate. Just my 2 cents worth!
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Gil, I have 2 Wesleys, both at 68". Mine are several years old, and they are really good bows. So are my 2 Cheetahs, and and my Big Five. I believe when you get your Wesley, you will be very pleased. Be sure to post a pic of it draped across a big buck.
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Just a final follow up
I ordered a Hill Wesley String Follow from Craig. 68" 50#@30. I had put down a deposit of $200 down in August. Craig said it would take up to 4 months to complete. I was whitetail hunting in another state the second week of November. When I got home there was a tube waiting for me.
I hadn't paid the remaining balance yet. I called Craig and told him I owed him the balance and he laughed. He said that happens now and then, but always gets made good by the buyer.
I hurt my shoulder several times and stepped away from archery for awhile. When I came back i went to Das recurves to be able to change limbs based on progress with my injury. I enjoyed Das very much UNTIL I shot that Hill longbow. I was mainly a longbow shooter until my injury and never thought I would be shooting a longbow again. I am in love with ASL again. I had a large collection Hill and Harrison lonbows.
My next Hill will be a 68" 60#@30" Wesley takedown. I have a DIY elk hunt in me yet and that will be the bow! I will be selling my Das risers and limbs and sticking with the longbow.
Very smooth drawing no stacking. Not chronoing it, I am happy with the cast at my shot distance with a heavy arrow. I was surprised when I did a draw curve on it. It is smooth on paper. I expanded my draw and at 30" it was 48# and 31" it was 50#. I think if you have a long draw with a ASL longbow it is best to have it tillered to your draw length than buy used one tillered to a certain poundage at a shorter draw and hope for the best.
I don't know who tillered this longbow. but when I order my next one, after I sell my recurve risers and limbs, I am going to request that who ever tillered this one tiller the takedown. There is a WC which would mean Wesley Craig, but I think his son also works with him.
I am extremely happy with this bow from Howard Hill Archery.
Gil
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I've had 5 HH bows all Wesely Specials in varying #'s as I have aged. Except one Tembo which I sold years ago. I gifted one. There are three on the rack all too heavy. Number 6 is currently on order. Not a bad bow in the lot.
58
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Craig has a newer guy in the shop who is doing outstanding work from
What I understand and the quality from start to finish has been shown.
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Hi Gil. I still have the Schulz made Tembo “Sagittarius” I bought from you years ago. It has a hairline crack in the back near the fades all the way across but it still holds together. I shoot left now but it is one of the bows I still have RH. Greg
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Hi Greg. It's been a long time.
One of your friends contacted me when I mentioned that bow on another site and said you shot a long time and loved it. That was a special Hill. It was one of my best that I owned. I shot that bow great.
I just came back from two more shoulder injuries and I am back up to 60#, but at 30". If I remember right that bow was 60# @ 28".
Glad you still have it.
Gil
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Still shoots great. I just never wanted to sell it because it could come apart at any time. But it shoot lights out! Really a special bow. Wish i knew more history. I suspect it was reduced and refinished at some point.
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I bought it from a pilot on Stickbow. I think his handle was Nightpilot. I bought and sold it several times, but always had sellers remorse and bought it back. I think you and I may have bought and sold it back to each other several times.
I never heard about it being reduced or refinished. Did you ever contact Craig at HHA to see if it could be repaired? It might be worth a shot. That was a great bow. If it is the glass it may be no problem. I had many Hills and Schulz bows but this was the best. I also had a special Hill that was great, but sold that to a Tradgang member here.
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No, had not contacted Craig. The back boo lam has a node right at the fade end. That node os cracked under the glass both sides and the glass itself shows stress there. Nate Steen advised it was not repairable. It still shoots though...so far.
Also, Schulz would not have put tip laminations on it originally so that is why I suspect it was refinished.
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That's a shame. I am sure you had fun with it. If noting else it is a beautiful wall hanger.
Gil
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"Also, Schulz would not have put tip laminations on it originally so that is why I suspect it was refinished."
I just noticed this. I received it with antler tips on it. This bow was made by John, but when he was doing work for HHA. If a buyer wanted tips from HHA John would have installed them.
Gil
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I have a Wesley Special made by Craig in 2008 and I can't find a thing wrong with it.
Top quality in every way.