Just acquired my first Holm longbow by Chad Holm from rabbitman via the classifieds. Bow was recently made and minty for a killer price, rabbitman is first class. Anyway, it's one of Chad's Goshawk R/Ds, 64" 46@28. Shedua/bubinga riser with yew lams. Man what a bow! Unpacked it and there was a noticeable intake of breath and couldn't help but whistle. Boy the yew was gorgeous. Perfect satin finish, everything tight and smooth. OUTSTANDING craftsmanship on this baby. Got it strung, picked out some arrows, and set up at 15 yds, first shot was a bull, no bull! I was laughing myself silly and yelled "we have a winner!" haha. Excellent cast and speed IMHO, and draw to 28.5 was perfect for me, smoooooth and completely linear. Superquiet as well. The grip was sensational, being a semi-pistol type and filled my medium-large sized hand perfectly. Anyone shopping Holm, don't hesitate, he makes a truly excellent piece of functional art. My new go-to bow and definite keeper. When I get around to commissioning a brand new bow Chad will be the one. Will get some good pics coming soon.
One of the many reasons I have 3 of his bows.....soon to be 4! Class act and even classier workmanship!
3 going on 4! lucky you. i'm already dreaming up what i would get next. he told me to try an osprey, but i'm thinking another goshawk in a higher weight, maybe 56ish, w/ some zebrawood or bocote
I bought a used River Runner, then had Chad build me an Osprey. I won the bid on St. Judes auction for a bow build so I had chad build me a Goshawk with a dual shelf. I want another River Runner in the near future just have to decide exactly what I want. If you do a search for, St Judes dual Shelf longbow you can see photos of my bow. My River Runner is my go to hunting bow.
That is a lovely unique bow Ron, don't let it go! I'm curious, you're like me- right handed, left eye dominant...did you shoot right handed right off the bat and not figure out the eye dominance until later? I started out with bows in my teens and shot lefty right from the get go cause it just felt right, no one taught me the difference, to me being right handed holding the bow with my right hand just seemed comfortable, shortly after I figured out the left eye dominance thing, while shooting rifles of all things. Been shooting lefty ever since...tried to go "righty" but that didn't work out for me, just feels too weird. Have you switched to lefty as your primary yet? Or just switch back and forth? Did having the dual shelf inspire you to get any lefty bows?
Yep, right handed, left eye dominate. Just always did everything righty, just made the adjustment and never thought about it. That's the reason for the dual shelf.....I have to try lefty just because. Plus it could come in handy on a tough shot on a 3-D course....lol!
Anyone have one of Chad's bows with the bow bolt option? How does the grip feel with that option?
I don't have one, but I held an Osprey at Denton Hill a couple of years ago. Could hardly tell any difference, felt like a one piece standard Osprey!
Might have to add one of his bows to my christmas list! Sounds like very high quality craftsmanship!
I am left eye dominant, shoot right handed though. Actually switched to left a few years ago with a compound, and then back to right handed when i got my first trad bow. Just feels way better! and no trouble seeing the sight pins with my bad eye!
Hmm... I am really liking his osprey longbow. Flat out shoots and incredibly quiet and quick! I think a bow bolt Osprey is in order :)
I just bought that minty awesome lefty Osprey off the classifieds last week. Now I've got both and I'm set! Now busy selling off bows I don't need to slim it down the the Goshawk, Osprey, a takedown bow, and a couple other favorites, then that's it. For a while anyway :)
Thanks for the nice words, guys. I do appreciate it.
Recently, I have decided to drop the takedown option. I will probably build one once in a while for family or friends but I have never really liked building them and am staying busy building one piece bows so I will stick to that, at least for now. Take care, Chad