I am wondering if anyone has shot all 3 of these bows. If you could buy only one, which would it be and why? Workmanship, smooth, quiet, cost, cast etc.??? I am looking for a hunting bow that shoots heavy arrows. If I were to purchase one it would be 66", 45# to 50# @ 28". I shoot 3 fingers under. Thanks for your comments and replies.
Well I have one Hill on my rack and I wouldn't sell/trade it for anything. I've owned 5 all together and they hold up superbly. I've never heard one break. As far as I can tell from what I've heard the Miller bows are on par with the Hills. I really don't think you will go wrong with any of Craig's creations. Each one of the Hill bows can be modified to trully make an original piece of art.
Well, I have two out of three, so I'll chime in. My Hill Cheetahs are maybe a touch faster, but the Sunset Hill string-follow I have is a real nock-buster. If the Miller is as nice as folks say, I believe you'll do fine with any of the three. Workmanship on the Hill and Sunset Hill are both outstanding and Dave Miller is known for a flawless finish.
I'd say get a Hill if you want one without a long wait, but if time is no factor, get the one that you want the most. You'll be able to sell it if you want to fairly quickly. All three have a loyal following.
You can't go wrong with any of them . I've never shot a Sunset Hill but a mate of mine has one of Nate's and its a beautiful bow . i have numerous Hills and my Dave Miller string follow is an absolute gem ... a sweet sweet shooter . his service is great . But bang for the buck and quick turnaround its hard to go past Craig at HHill . an absolute pleasure to work with .
anybody else?
i've shot all three bows you've listed, owned two. :thumbsup: :cool:
Shot Hills but not a Miller or a Sunset Hill. Sure do love my Northern Mist Shelton (string-follow Hill type)bow.
Oh yes, to agree w/Rob I like the Mohawk for a
"D shaped bow"!
I have 1 HH and just ordered another - fine bows! H
My favorites are Sunset Hills - best combination of the qualities you mentioned, you just have to be willing to wait 1-2 years to get it - that's why I have two coming, and will order two more when they arrive later this year! :thumbsup: They are all excellent bows and eventually you will own all of them if your a dedicated Hill guy. I've become a string follow advocate (better stability and softer in the hand) so all of my new ones will have that profile. Craig will build a string follow if you ask, that's all that Nate builds, and David offers it as well. Craigs grip shape is different than the others although he can copy pretty much anything for you. I prefer the shape of the Shultz bows, and that's the way both David and Nate shape theirs. The differences are minor and it really boils down to personal preference, money on hand, and time. In a nutshell:
1. If you want a good bow with a lot of options, that's a little faster (standard profile) at a great price, and with quick delivery - Craig!
2. If you want a draw that's smooth as butter with a great finish and attention to detail for a little more money and a little longer wait - David!
3. If you want the best at a steal of a price and can wait for it - Nate!
I can expand a little more on the differences for you, just send me a PM if you want to talk.
Regards...Ken
P.S. Mohawks and other mild R/D bows are NOT "D" bows - they're half moons! :goldtooth:
Sunset hill bows really good string follow bows they just flat out shoot!!!
Thanks for everyone's replys.
SpankyNeal, I sent you a PM.
David Miller for me, I have shot all 3, owned a Nate Steen bow and currently own a Miller. For a true Hill built bow and yes I will argue with you on this one give David a call. I can nitpick a bow apart and I finally found a perfect one in the Miller. Thanks Flint
Wouldn't argue with you a bit Flint ol buddy! Matter of fact i'm calling David next week to discuss my next one now that my adoption attorney has been paid! Would still love to handle one of Steve Shultz bows though - gotta be good!
Ken
Last Saturday in his shop, Nate and I were talking about the progressive differences in Howard's bows and later John Schulz' bows and everybody since.
My belief is that there are good bows of this style being made today by several bowyers. It is acknowledged that Steve and David are the only two currently working that were trained by John who was trained by Howard.
I really enjoy my Sunset Hill for hunting, roving and shooting in the back yard. I am fortunate to live nearby to Nate, so thus my bias. Like Ken, I would like to shoot one of Steve's and David's.
I've shot and owned all 3. I'd go with the Miller. They all make great bows, If you are in a rush I'd go with Craig Ekin, I've bought two from Nate Steen and he's not real particular on promised completion times or draw weights. Still beatiful bows but you have to be willing to be flexible in my experience. You'll wait longer for David Miller than Craig Ekin but I think it's worth it. I don't think you could go wrong with all three and you could add a few more names to the list as well. Good Luck, Greg
Ken, I have not heard of anyone gettting a bow from Steve as of yet. I know a few fellas that cannot even get him on the phone or by e-mail as well. Not sure what is going on there. Anybody on here been able to get ahold of Steve Schulz? 3under, I have shot a Northern Mist Shelton as well good bow indeed but just does not have the something in the feel like the Miller. I shot Davids bows over a couple of years period before having him build me one and visited with him several times at his home just trying to justify what I felt the first time I shot them. Each bow I shot whether glass laminated bows or the SWEET all bamboo bows had a certain feel to them on the shot. I still am not 100 percent certain what it is either and I have talked to David about it. It just must be all his years of bow building and adhering to Howard's methods on picking bamboo,tempering it correctly, and crafting the bows to these exact parameters, atleast that is what I think. Hope you get a chance to shoot all 3 and make up your mind. Only YOU can be the final judge. Flint
You can't go wrong with David Miller. If you wan't a bow just like Howard Hill and John Schulz built David is your man and a nicer guy you couldn't find and honest as the day is long.
I agree with JohnI and flint kemper. If someone makes a better shooting nicer crafted hill style bow, I've yet to see one. I'm looking forward to seeing a Steve Schulz bow. A friend has been waiting for one ordered from Steve about six months ago. The wait doesn't bother my friend but the lack of response does.
Thanks for all the great information. I sent David Miller an e-mail yesterday. He e-mailed me back with answers to my questions and his phone number. I called him and ordered an Old Tom. David is everything you have indicated above. What a pleasure to deal with. It will be along 16 weeks.
I did e-mail Nate Sheen and he did promptly reply. There could also be a Sunset Hill in my future. Delivery time is a year or maybe a little more.
Flint and everyone - I am hoping that Steve has just suffered something that is delaying his responses, and not purposely doing this! Out of respect for his father and the family history, I will not make assumptions at this point as to what the reason may be. But I believe that anyone thinking of sending a deposit for a bow should wait until the situation is resolved. Hopefully the truth with be forthcoming and those who have ordered bows already will be satisfied. Thanks for the heads up guys - let's hope all turns out well!
By the way I went ahead and called David last night and he's making a copy of my Schultz Favorite for me that I had to sell to John. As Craig said - it will be a long 16 weeks!
Regards....Ken
I OWN BOTH HH AND SUNSET HILL FOR ME THE NATE STEEN RENDITION SHOOTS BETTER MUST BE THE STRING FOLLOW
Has anyone shot one of Craig's string follow bows? He doesn't advertise them much but he can make a bow anyway you want it including R/D.
I owned one of Craigs Big Five string follow bows and I liked it a lot. Bought it used and in great shape.
I ended up selling it. But, the only reason was to order a better looking bow from him. I just could not learn to like the brown glass that it had.
I love the looks and grain pattern in my new Half Breed, that I can admire because of the clear glass. And it shoots just as nice as the Big Five did. Maybe even a little better.
Life's too short to shoot an ugly bow when there are better options. Many people would not agree with me on this, because it's(not the way Howard Hill did it) but I prefer to see the belly lam extend out over the riser.
To me it looks like that's the way it was supposed to be, and if Mr. Hill would have had a good stock of clear glass, I bet that's what he would have came up with also.
Craig makes a good shootin' bow! And they just happen to be beautiful at the same time.
That's the fun of it all. You can get what you like. And where else can you order a bow, the bowyer tells you 4 or 5 weeks, and you have your bow by when he told you you would?
JMO.
Craig, I've not shot a Miller but have owned a number of Hills (still have two) and have shot Kevin's Sunset. The best thing might be for you to try one of each, but short of that the 'feel' in these bows might be most affected by the limb design. That is, a string follow design might be a good option for sweet shooting, and I beleive all three bowyers can do that for you. Whatever you choose, ALWAYS remember: the secret's in the grip, and I'm still looking for a Pronghorn of say around 51#! lol... :biglaugh:
Never a Steen, but out of the other 2.... I like Miller. (http://i688.photobucket.com/albums/vv247/pukingguts/P1020742.jpg)
I have only owned several of craigs bows loved them all.But im glad other bowers are still ofering straight limb bows.
I HAVE 2 SUNSET HILLS I LIKE THEM BECAUSE THEY SHOOT BEST FOR ME I HAVE ONE HOWARD HILL STRAIT LIMBTHAT IS ALSO AKEEPER BOB WESLEY ORDERED IT FOR ME WHEN I WENT TO HIS SCHOOL
I currently shoot a 69" Miller Old Tom 45# ,with a backset profile. I could not be happier with it. The bow that will be right for you is the one that fits you best. All three are fine bows.
Good luck !
Ralphie
Come May 2012 I hope to be the owner of a Sunset Hill (I'm on the list). I know, it's a long wait but I also waited a year for my Mike Treadway Black Swamp. Just gives me more time to savor the moment.
Northern Mist !! "Oooops" !!
My son told me the best bow he shot at the Waterloo thing was a Northern Mist whisper.
QuoteOriginally posted by OPRick:
Come May 2012 I hope to be the owner of a Sunset Hill (I'm on the list). Just gives me more time to savor the moment.
With any luck at all, I will also own one of these prized creations. I am at the top of the list - my own "wish list"...HA!
Seriously tho... I feel the same as you do. The anticipation is a good thing - I will most certainly savor that moment.
I have had only a couple conversations via email with Nate. He is sincere dedicated to the purest form of the Hill longbow. He has no desire to be found in the "eye candy" line-up and is not apparently in it for the money.
Ten years ago I would not have considered buying a bow like the Sunset Hill or David Miller creations but now, for some strange reason, I have a deep desire to get back to where it all started for me.
Have not shot a Sunset Hill. Have owned both Howard Hill and David Miller bows. I like the David Millers bows better.
One Split Bamboo 56#, two Hawk 57 & 60#, and one Old Tom 66#. I have shot others, but not Nate's. Also have three Schulz, 56, 68 and 71# all glass.
I would add they are all great.
However, if you get the desire to buy an all bamboo, or have one, don't overdraw it, or let someone else do it. If it is marked for 27", drawing it to 28" may very well ruin the bow. All bamboo, wood, or self bows can be very draw length specific, and won't tolerate being overdrawn. If you find one that stacks the last inch, for which is is tillered (eg. 66" and 27" draw length), it is likely due to that reason. There are other signs too, like loosing draw weight, and/or loss of tiller. Happy shooting.
sunset hill have a webpage?
I shot an all bamboo Miller, I cannot believe that I don't have one. I am afraid that i would have to sell all my other bows if I did that, that is was is holding me back from them. Not as fast as fast as some of my glassed bows that I have and faster than some of the glassed bows that I no longer have. But oh my, how they shoot.
I've owned all the bows mentioned and have settled on Sunset Hills as my favorite. A fantastic bow, from an even better guy!
Dan, he does not have a webpage yet, but you can PM me for his contact info.
I would not rule out Northern Mist. Steve makes a straigth limbed bow as well as a string follow with just about any handle shape you could think of.
Ray can you tell me how to get ahold of Nate by any chance,or does he have a website I can't find.Thanks
I have never shot a Hill style bow, but I have wanted one for as long time.
I have also seen pics and info about the Sunset Hills and they are beautiful.
There are a few things you all are talking about that have me a bit confused. What is a STRING FOLLOW bow and why would it be something that is desirable?
How do the Sunset Hills differ from the Craig Ekin Hill bows?
Thanks
Nalajr
Nalajr,
Here is a post about string follow bows that explains it:
http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=100911#000000
What Rob and Spanky describe in their posts on pg 1 and pg 2 is why I like my Sunset Hill. I have never owned a HH bow so I can't describe those differences.
I own several of all three, Nate's bow has a custom fit feel, with David's a close second.
If you get the one you want you'll be happy. If your swayed by other opinions, you'll kick yourself later and probably end up selling it.
I can't speak to this post other than to say I have no experience with two of the 3.
But maybe someday!!!
God bless,Mudd
PS: If this comes to pass, I'll give you feedback.
they're all goodies, just pick one and go for it.
but you might be better off with a mohawk or other mild r/d longbow - they're easily faster and have all the stability of any american flat longbow. but only you can decide - and hopefully after you've shot them all ....
I nate even taking orders right now?