Which of these bows have the best fit finish? Need a 68" low 50's @27. Since Liberty bows are no longer an option for me I am looking at Hills and Northern Mist.
I'm sorry, I can't speak for Northen Mist, but I'm sure they are very nice. I can however speak for the Craig Ekin Hills. They are as nice as any bow made.......period. I currently own 4 Hills, and they all are impeccable works of craftsmanship. Craig is a great guy to deal with, the turn around time is short, and the bows shoot great.
(http://i894.photobucket.com/albums/ac144/timwsmith/Hillgroupriserandserials.jpg)
sorry moderators, please delete my last and I'll re-post in the proper size. Again, I appologize.
Now, here we go. Here is the same picture, only properly sized.
(http://i894.photobucket.com/albums/ac144/timwsmith/Hillgroupriserandserials.jpg)
rider,
Can you share the woods used for the Hill risers? Thanks.
both bows will have a fantastic fit and finish . try both beforehand if possible and go from there . Craig's build time is very quick and you may have to wait a while for Steve at Northen Mist he always seems pretty busy . but he builds and exceptional bow .
Pity Alan hasn't got Liberty up and running again thogh ... love my Liberty English !!! justr as much as all 7 of my Hill 's !!!
ben
58,
I have two Hills and love them both. Really nice work on both. I don't know anything about the Northern Mist, but plan on learning about them at Kalamazoo.
I do not have a Hill, so I cannot comment on them. But I do have a Northern Mist Baraga and Steve makes a exceptional fine bow. His workmanship is outstanding!!
I own both and would be hard pressed to put one above the other. You absolutely can't go wrong with either bow. They are so similar that any difference would be insignificant. Both bowyers are super to deal with. It's a win/win situation and probably the best solution is to buy one of each :goldtooth:
David is right on the money -- I have owned both you can not go wrong with either, good luck Jerry.
I have to agree with Dave also, both are great bows......stabow
Never owned a NM; but, they come highly recommended by some of the best long time hunters & Hill owners I know. Was told Steve is a monster Hill fan to the point he builds bows with quality & craftsmanship to rival Hill at least. Wouldn't trade any of my (4) Hills other than to get one closer to my preferred specs (70" & 75-80#).
IMO, it's what the bow can do and you can't beat a HILL.
I have a Northern Mist Superior that is just fantastic. I have friends who have Hills and they are really nice also. Which ever way you go I think you will be pleased...Heck get both!!One now and one later on.I will soon have a Hill style bow by Apex Predator and at some point will own a Hill just because!!
Thank you gentlemen for your kind responses. Time to get serious and pick up the phone.
I don't think there is any difference in fit and finish that I can tell--and they both shoot real good- I have one of each--the biggest difference in mine are in the grips- from what I have seen Steve's bows tend to have narrower grips side to side at least more so than my Wesley. You can't go wrong with either--just make sure they know what you want in the grip and get ready--they are just fun to shoot!
"They're both excellent" which translated means "you must own both"! All the ones i've had from both were perfect. I made the mistake of ordering the grip too small on my custom NM so had to sell it, but I will order another with the right size! Here's the one difference - if you want special woods I would go with NM as Steve doesn't charge extra for most giving you a little more bang for the buck. If not then pick your poison and go as you really can't go wrong with either!
Happy shopping! Oh yeah, pics are a must ya know!
Ken :archer:
At least I am not the only one PICKY about grip size/design!!! Agreed, both excellent bows.
Northern Mist Baraga with Bubinga handle and bamboo limbs
(http://i386.photobucket.com/albums/oo306/bhaukom/WaspsOaks002.jpg)
Never had my hands on a Hill, can only speak to the Northern Mist. I received one of Mr. Touray's Whisper models, with its "forward" handle, as a gift---It became my hunting bow, and I gave my Bear to my brother. Several years later, I was given opportunity to hunt back east with one of my sons. The specter of submitting my only bow, a one piece, to the clutches of airline baggage handlers, or shipping ahead, with the 10 day loss of practice, was ugly. So I contacted Steve---within a couple of months, he built a two piece longbow to the same specifications. It shoots the same arrows to the same point of impact. I shipped it ahead, and continued to hunt near home with the original. Both are finished just fine, and have stood well against the abuse that I give them. It would be difficult to beat the level of service Steve Touray provides.
I couldn't be happier with my Hill. Great weapon!
I can't speak for the Hill, but I know nothing about the Northern Mist :D
Except that there are alot of NMs in the classifieds atm!
Can't speak for Northern Mist either, but I just got my 2nd Hill last week. Now have a Wesley and Big Five...love'em both.
Why did SveinD even post?? No imput on either model? ugh so helpful!
I have and have had several of both. I own several HH's right now and 1 NM classic. That style is all I normally shoot.
HH bows are consistent and good quality and strong. Good finish shoot well. They have great customer service. The wesley is known as thier premier model and does shoot great. About 8 weeks for a new bow, usually quicker!
Northern Mist bows are consistent quality, but you have more options to choose from. He often cuts his own wood, and will be more open to a more customized design. They all shoot great. You just choose the model and then everything goes. He is a perfectionist for sure. You would have a tough time finding a flaw of any kind. His newer bows have a finish that is so fine it is like velvet soft to the touch and beautiful. I don't know what he is doing different. Also good customer service but he is a one man show. Slower turn around than HH. He supports a ton of longbow and trad organizations, also for kids.
I will be purchasing another NM and will never sell my current HH or NM bows either. I just sold 2 NM's because the handles didn't fit me. When I replace them, I will get an appropriately sized handle.
Tough to go wrong with either bow. Best options are usually buy a used one and then go from there to fit a bow customized to you. It is a more inexpensive way to go.
I just got my 4th NM today, 2 Classics and 2 Sheltons. I realy cant see how a bow can be any more pleasant to shoot. I've only had the opportunity to shoot 1 Hill, a Wesley, it left a lot to be desired.
Eric