Hello- TradGang
Link to more pics
http://s1009.photobucket.com/albums/af219/tradlongbow/
My Christmas present arrived today, Howard Hill Big Five, 50#@28, 68", Cocobola riser, Carmelized Bamboo limbs. I had originally ordered a bow blank from Craig in Dec., but my wife seen me buying all the materials to finish the bow, and doing research on how to seal the Cocobola, she decided to call Craig and just have him finish it. Anyway, you may notice that you can see the entire Cocobola riser, it's just like the Robin Hood bow; I love it! Another thing that I did different this time, and it was at the last minute, I asked Craig to do a glossy finish. When the time comes for another Hill bow, I will get the Carmelized Bamboo again, what a difference it makes, absolutley beautiful. I'm off of work Tuesday and Wednesday, The arrows are going to be flying! >>>------>
I hope you enjoy the pics.
Thanks to me wife,
Darren
BTW- I tried 3 times to resize the photos, Sorry.
(http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af219/tradlongbow/fam048.jpg)
(http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af219/tradlongbow/fam028.jpg)
Wow! She is a looker! I have always wanted to try a Hill. Just never ran across one!
Nice bow,I don't know if they'll keep the pictures they look big?!
Wow! That's a good looking bow. I really like that carmelized bamboo.
Awesome!!
I'm glad that I figured out a good position to place my keyboard when looking at threads like this one to avoid the "drool pool"!..lol
Thank you for sharing!
God bless,Mudd
Hills are like fingerprints. No two the same. Never get tired of looking. What a beaut!
Outstanding looking bow.Congrats love the carmelized bamboo :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Really like the caramelized bamboo. First time I've seen it. Makes for a great looking hunting bow. :thumbsup:
That is NICE!
Craig does nice work, the bow looks great enjoy your time shooting it.
Congrats. THAT is one sweet looking bow!
Beauty of a Hill! Congrats on your unique present. :thumbsup: :clapper:
Nice lookin' bow for sure! Congrats.
Very nice looking bow.
Nice take the ball and run end around by the wife. She did good.
Earl
Nice present, congrats!
That is about the nicest Big 5 I've ever seen. Betcha it's a real shooter.
So what is the "carmelized" limb? Actually a different bamboo, just a stain, or what?
That's a beaut !
QuoteOriginally posted by Irish Archer:
So what is the "carmelized" limb? Actually a different bamboo, just a stain, or what?
all that means is heat tempering the boo before laminating. i make native american flutes outta locally grown bamboo, and after harvesting i flame the boo with a propane torch. this does two things - changes the skin color from green, creme or light brown, to amber-orange, dark brown, or chocolate. it cooks the resin (remembering that bamboo is a grass) which makes the boo MUCH stiffer, harder, stronger and way more durable. this is a total change to the bamboo at the molecular level.
Hey Gang,
I spent several hours today shooting the new bow, I have to say it really shoots sweat. Once the new dacron string stretched over night, and after a lot shooting, the string started to set in and the arrows I made up are flying like darts. The arrows are 45-50 cut 29"BOP with 4" feathers.
Rob is 100% right about the process to carmelize the bamboo. I've always liked bamboo for limbs, but I don't like the bright yellow, so, normally what I do is get black glass on my bows. This carmelized bamboo looks great, and the process it goes through, makes it stiffer and stronger, kinda like earth natural carbon.
I asked Craig if he stains bamboo and he told me that he doesn't like the stained bamboo, because sometimes you can see the yellow bleeding through in some areas. This is a much better way to go.
Thanks,
Darren
Wow! I realy like that bow, and learned something new about Bamboo. :thumbsup:
I have had tons of Hill bows through my hands and that is the nicest I have seen .
Congrats ...beautiful bow !
Very nice!
:thumbsup:
Congratulations. Beautiful bow. I have tempered boo on my Northern Mist. I dont know if tempering the boo makes any difference as far as how they shoot but it sure looks great.
Super good looking bow, congrats and shoot the "tar" outta that thing.
That is one great looking bow ... enjoy! :archer2:
I am a bamboo rod builder. I have spent some time studying the effects of heat on bamboo. If you would like to learn more here is a great read:
http://www.powerfibers.com/BAMBOO_IN_THE_LABORATORY.pdf
Very nice looking bow!!! WOW!!!
Thanks for explaining that one Rob. So what, if any, real effects does that have to the way the bow shoots?
Nice bow and for christmas that much more speacial..Enjoy
Superb!
That's a beauty right there! Hope you have lots of great adventures with it!
Spanky
congrats, that is a nice bow!!
Man this bow shoots great. The weather in Florida today is in the mid 70's and there is a super- nice breeze. I met my long time friends Stan Mintz and Mike Ross out at the range, we shoot 3-D's for about 2 hours. We had a lot of fun, Now for the next step, we need to plan a hog hunt:^)
If anyone who is buying a Hill bow, I would definitely recommend two things. 1) do not run the belly lam up the riser, it looks so much better with the entire riser being displayed. 2) go for the carmelized bamboo, it looks great!
Darren
I am able to take a bamboo fly rod making class at Palomar College in San Marcos, Ca. We also use a propane torch to darken the bamboo. The process takes out excess mositure and heat tempers the bamboo. I like this method as I do not own an oven to heat temper the bamboo yet. I have wonderd why this has not been done more with bamboo lams?
M60gunner-
I was wondering the same thing, it's probably a longer process to make the bamboo. I don't know if it makes a huge difference in performance, but I never liked the bright yellow bamboo, I've always liked colored glass or another wood on the belly.
It does shoot really good for 50#'s
Darren
I wish I lived back in the South with you. I would love more than anything to get an all Howard Hill hog hunt together! That would be a hunt to remember. :thumbsup: Again, beautiful bow. I'm counting the days 'til my Tembo is finished.
Very nice, congratulations. :thumbsup:
Frank
As much as I do like your bow, Darren, I must admit that my tastes are kind of opposite to yours, in that I like plain, ordinary bamboo, and I like the belly lamination running up the riser. Funny, eh, how we're all different. But, your bow is fantastic! Happy shooting and hunting to you!
Enjoy your new bow.