What's your favorite Hill Bow, I'm looking for comments on the not so heard about models like the Rhino, Wasp,Cougar, Owl, ect.Do they all shoot as good as the top models,ect. Thanks for any responces on these models.
Mine is the Cheetah. I have a 68" that is 53@28.5. Love that bow!
I like the owl, and crocodile but just because I'm partial to Osage. Performance wise I would say they are pretty close to the other models but that's just going from feel.
I like the Half Breed for classic goof looks but I've also got an ebony risered Cheetah that is gorgeous in a 'less traditional' Hill bow sense. I think all the HHA models are pretty similar shooters at average draw weights.... It's just really down to what you like the looks of.
My two favorite bows are a yew Hill with a myrtle riser from a blank and a whip ended male yew and bamboo with a cocobolo riser from a HIll blank. My next one will be a Cougar reverse grip. I like the looks of the honey locus as long as it is knot free and even grained.
Any other takers on the Cougar,I like the looks of the honey locust and would think it to be a very durable wood. The juniper sample in the Hill bro. looks knoty, is that normal for the type of wood, or am i seeing things.
I'm real partial to my 66",TD "Cheetah" with my 64",TD "RedMan" a close second. With that said my 66", double carbon, lambo "Tembo and "Wesley Special" are nothing to sneeze at. Craig is a top of the line bowyer who will answer any questions you might come up with before you buy. Give him a shout.
Thanks Bill, I do own two Wesley Specials and really like them, thats why I'm interested in finding out oppinions on some of the other models.
The Tembo is one of, if not the best shooting of all the models. Kinda like mine.
(http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e285/bard9l/IMG_1706.jpg)
However, I REALLY like my Miller with limbs that were built like Howard's personal bows, the handle cut, sanded to the actual dimensions. Neat huh?
(http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e285/bard9l/IMG_1881.jpg)
Danny is just showing off ...
I have had most of them and enjoyed them all and could not tell that much of a difference between them all ... the osgae was smooth ! but had more thump ... elm and honey locust are great shooting woods ..... and 'boo is just plain sweet ......
But I'd take yew over all of them ...
Tembo...cocobola and black glass for that extra FPS!
I like my Cheetahs,My Halfbreed is hard to beat.My Big-5 is a little heavy but I shoot it fine.
QuoteOriginally posted by Ben Maher:
Danny is just showing off ...
Ben -
You, my friend, have a very keen grasp of the obvious!
:bigsmyl:
I only have a Wesley, but I like the looks of the Cheetah. I have a Big River Hill style, but it is more of a workout bow for me, since I am overbowed with 70 pounds. If I was to get another Hill, it would be a Cheetah. My Wesley shoots an arrow with plenty of oomph.
I own several but this is my favorite, 70"
"Panther" Red Cedar limbs, Bacote riser. Light as a feather and delivers an arrow with authority. (http://%20[url=http://images.imagelinky.com/1352763257.JPG%5D%20%5Bimg%5Dhttp://images.imagelinky.com/1352763257.JPG)[/url] [/IMG]
Thanks everyone, Hey Ben, Iv' read a lot of your threads on here and respect your opinion as well as others people on here of course. I'm thinking my next Hill might be either a Redman or a cheetah in a 66" length [25" draw]. One factor thats important to me is the phisical weight of the bow. If I were to have one built with a myrtle riser, which model would be lighter,smoother drawing, and possibly better cast, the Redman, Halfbreed,or Cheetah. Or is there another limb wood that would be lighter ect. I know I should be asking the bowyer these questions, but I respect your views.
I like the looks of the Panther. Also the red cedar limbs, if done properly, will perform as good or in some cases better than bamboo. This pic is of my Dave Johnson longbow with red cedar lams prior to the finish being applied.
(http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e285/bard9l/DANNYSBOW0013.jpg)
Halfbreed. The yew and bamboo is hard to beat for smoothness and cast.
But, the Juniper in the Cheeta is really nice to look at.
Moleman, thanks for your input. I really like the looks of red color woods and if there light in weight, then thats even better. You wouldn't be interested in selling that cedar bow would you? Where can I get one?
I have a Wesley Special, Cheetah,, and an all Bacote w/ 2 boo cores. They all shoot the same best I can tell. Pick for looks and don't worry about performance. HHA charges by the number of laminations. They don't care what you pick. You are not stuck to the models they list. If you do want to pick one of their listed models the Cheetah is the prettiest.
Knawbone ...
this is just my opinion so take it for whhat its worth
I love a Myrtle riser , and my Miller has one that is just stunning . It may just be me but I believe that if you are using the lighter core woods , ie: 'bo and yew , a physically light myrtle riser works really well ...and it gives them , as Nate Steen says so well , a wand like quality ......
But I have also found that yew can vary in weight a fair bit so I'd ask Craig for his input
but
If you are going the heavier core lams , eg osage , I prefer a heavier riser wood as it alleviates some of the recoil IMO.
QuoteOriginally posted by Ric O'Shay:
QuoteOriginally posted by Ben Maher:
Danny is just showing off ...
Ben -
You, my friend, have a very keen grasp of the obvious!
:bigsmyl: [/b]
Danny,
Where's "my" Half Breed???
I really like the graceful lines of the hoehandle.......... ;)
You can't go wrong with a myrtle riser.
I have 3 Hill style bows with beautiful myrtle risers. Bamboo,yew and bamboo/yew limb lams. All three are great shooters.I can't tell if there's much difference in cast/smoothness.
My favorite look for a Hill style bow is light bamboo and a very dark riser wood.The dark woods usually add a hair more mass weight to the bow than the myrtle,but not enough to really be noticable to me when I'm shooting.If hold them in hand and compare,I can tell,but I'm thinking of other things during the shot.
How's "Blackwood" treating ya?
From the ones you listed I'd take the half-breed for shooting qualities. I've shot several aweful pretty cheetahs but I prefer the Half-Breed that Kestimator is looking for. Tom-Tom was one of the best shooters I've had.
Gosh,the blackwood shoots great,I shoot it better than soom of my bows if not all. Will be taking it to the Hill hog hunt, see you there.
My only one is the Big 5. It's so quiet & forgiving it makes me look better than I really am!
Frank
Ben thanks, Wand quality, I like that.
Knawbone. This Butch on Mudd's computer. From my understanding, Juniper is a lot like eastern red cedar. Most of it has knots. I know my Cheetah does. Sure is a good looking as well as a good shooter.
Mud, yea I'v herd alot of good things about the Cheetah.How well do you think a myrtle riser would work with a cheetah. Is juniper light enough.
I have a Big5 and a Halfbred. Both are SF profiles and both have boo cores and cocobola risers. I went without tip overlays on the halfbreed. I would say the Halfbreed shoots noticably better. Love the yew look.
Knabone, the "Panther" was one of Mr. Ekins stock bows, im sure building another is just a phone call way, there great folks to work with. To be honest, i was a little apprehensive about purchasing the Panther having never experienced Cedar limbs before, WOW! was i surprised with my first shot, the Cedar is quite the performer.
Having very little mass weight took a little getting used to though.
Sorry to say, but this one will never hit the classifieds, after buying only used bows for yrs., this was my first, new out of the box bow and im gonna do my best to wear it out. :biglaugh:
I'm not picky so ill take any donations! :)
Worth a try
I like both of my Wesley Specials a lot, but following an injury that has not quite completely healed, my Cheetah has really worked well. I would say it is equal to my Wesley.
Wish I still had a good pic of it but I had a Cheetah with Yew cores and Coco riser. It was a beauty.
I bought it here on the classifieds but it was just too short for my draw, plan on getting another just like it in correct length...the juniper is hard to beat
Good luck, Eric
I think my dad has one of those... possibly the exact one you are mentioning if I remember right. Probably in the top 3 bows I've ever seen. SOOO pretty. His handle is toxophilite pastor
Anyone own or shoot the HHA bighorn ? I'm interested in your thiughts
Picked up the Centennial when it was offered.
Sent it back and had Mr. Ekin take a few #'s off and this bow came back as one of my best longbow shooters. I crowned the shelf with a piece of leather, slipped a rubber grip on and shoot brested ceders and am amazed how nice the flight and cast are.....
Mr O'Shay, that is a very nice looking set up you have. Beautiful arrows!!!!!! (http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll292/toxo-collector/archery284.jpg) (http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll292/toxo-collector/archery288.jpg) (http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll292/toxo-collector/archery290.jpg)
That is gorgeous
khardrunner----that's the one!
Eric
Eric, a Cheetah with Yew cores ... oh my that sounds like a winner! I am a Yew fanatic. In fact I am recently on Dave Millers list to have built his all wood bow called favorite all yew lams and riser with a bamboo back. It is going to be a long year!
Bob.
I have heard of more cases where a longbow had a few pounds taken off with improved shooting qualities as a result. I have done it myself. Craig told me when reducing poundage in bows built by one of the Hill earlier bowyers, "I can get five pounds just taking off the corners." While most bows may have a few pounds of draw weight material extra in them. I wonder where that tipping point is at. I wondered about that and tinkered with a string follow I built in the late 70s, until wrecked it.
Erik,That bow you had was a Beauty,I ordered that from Craig thinking how smooth it would shoot with a touch of string follow,I wasn't dissapionted,like you I sure wish I had her back.I don't know how to post pics but I can Email to someone if they want to post.
I would like to here from anyone shooting a Hill Cougar or Rhino. Interested in the qualities of Honey Locust.
Aside from having a bow that you can draw comfortably (which goes to poundage and bow length), for Hills I think the grip shape and grip dimensions are by far the biggest shootability factors. There's just not that much difference between the models, at least for those I've had (Big Fives, Wesleys, Redman, Ruffed Grouse). I'd be very surprised if the lesser-known Hill models didn't conform to the same basic recipe.
Knawbone,
I have a honey locust Hill that is a real dandy to shoot !
I love the color of my Redman, but the "Scirocco" is to me the prettiest all around. yes I shot it and it is so sweeet. I love the stringray wrap.
I've owned and shot Halfbreeds, Rhinos, Owls, Crocodiles, Cheetahs and Wesleys. I have to say the Cheetahs are my favorite for looks and shootability combined, with the Wesley taking a very slight edge in pure smoothness of draw. May just be my imagination, but that's how it feels to me.
I have 6 and they all shoot great !! I don't have any 2 the same , all close in #'s but not woods .
My customized Schulz is my favorite (avatar :-)). Of the HH models I like the shootability of the Tembo and the looks of the cheetah.
Any words on the HH "Wasp" model,
would be appreciated.
Unable to find online reviews.
From layup to layup it all really depends on the individual bow. The best shooting standard Hill bow that I have ever seen was a Wesley that looked like it had been glued up to be a heavier bow than what was intended and then taken down to meet the ordered draw. It had a different feel than another Wesley of the same poundage. My favorite from Hill Archery, by far, is my five lam yew/bamboo from a blank. I would recommend getting the extra bamboo lam for a Wasp as well.
When this thread started, I had a Wesley. Still do, but I have added the Redman and a t/d Cheetah (the bow in my avatar). The Cheetah is seeing the most use now, but who knows how long that will last. I love the juniper limbs, but the Redman is a looker, too. I don't feel any difference in smoothness between any of the bows, but the Redman is a 64", and just a hair short for my 28" draw. The Cheetah is 66", and the Wesley is 68", and both are perfect for my draw length.
I happened to pick up an Owl.......boo and Osage, brown glass on the back......nice bow!
OK, so I'm new to the HH thing. Just got a HH used that is bamboo, clear glass and looks like bocote or maybe walnut riser. Grip is slightly indexed. But there is no model name just a serial number that begins with BC. Anybody know what model this is?
I think a Big 5. The B would be Big 5, the C would be for Craig, who made it. The next 2 numbers should be the bow length.
I have 2 Wesley Specials, 2 Cheetahs, and a Big Five and like them all equally well. Unfortunately, I don't have experience with the specific bows you mentioned.
Thanks Centaur. I searched around and came up with the same thing you said. So I have a Big 5 48# @ 29". Just got it today. Hope to get to shoot it tomorrow!
My 70 inch Redman seems to be older and is sleeker with a narrow long grip, the fit and finish is flawless. The feel and balance of this bow is superior although a newer hills with the
wider rounder grip are easier on the bow hand.
I have had two Big Fives and one Redman that being said if I ever ordered another Hill it would be a Halfbreed, best of both worlds in one of them.
Tembo....lightweight and a smooth shooter.
I have had or currently have several different models of Hills. Maybe my favotire is my Wesley Special, but also have a Redman and Owl TD. I have owned a Big Five in both string follow and slight back set models, and can't truthfully say I feel any noticeable difference in the feel of any of them. I don't like knots in core lams so have never had a Cheetah. I had a bow once with several knots and developed some glue adherence problems in those areas--got some white spots around them that suggested the glue was not holding. My advice to anyone considering a purchase would be to pick the woods you like best and have at it, I don't think there will be that much difference in any of them.
I would think that your base question would be hard to answer. The reason being is that you can get most/all the models in either a straight, backset or string follow configuration.
While the number of laminations can vary by model, as has been mentioned you can add lams.
I have always had a problem (in my very weak mind) with the way HH names their models. The wood (and to a degree the number/type of lams) determines the model. You could find two of the same "models" that have the same poundage specs, same length, but one is backset and the other is string follow. One is 4 lams and the other 5.
They certainly would "feel" different.
My 66" 52#@28" Kramer Big 5 is my best shooter. It's got a coke bottle locator grip that fits my hand perfectly. My Sirocco is just plain cool (and no slouch in the shooting department)...
I have a Cheetah and a Tembo. To me, the Cheetah is the most appealing of the Hill models. I love the look of the Juniper.
That being said, I'm going to put the Cheetah in the classifieds next week. I'm keeping the Tembo because I did some rather roughshod (customizing) to the handle that would be attractive only to me.
I didn't notice any performance difference in the models.
I posted here in November, 2012. Since that time I have acquired a 68", 50@28" TD "Halfbreed".This is another great bow in the Howard Hill Archery line. The combination of yew and bamboo is hard to beat for performance and good looks. :thumbsup:
I love my custom Wesley, but for a stock bow off the rack...my 68" 50@28 Halfbreed is a great bow. As others have said here, the combo of yew and bamboo is hard to beat. Real looker too.
Tim
Wasn't expecting this thread to come up again. Thanks everyone for your opinions on HH bows. I guess my next one will have to be a Halfbreed. Still want a Cougar though! Love my Cheetah, she's a shooter as well as a looker.