Dave Heniff, Hitman Longbows, posted that he was building a static tip recurve and wanted some folks to participate in a pass around. Fortunate for me I was the first on the list. Here is the bow and she is a real looker.
(http://i639.photobucket.com/albums/uu113/elkken/P1020053.jpg)
(http://i639.photobucket.com/albums/uu113/elkken/P1020087.jpg)
I received the bow just before Thanksgiving and was headed out on a mule deer hunt so I really did not get her set up until I got back. I'll post more pics and some observations on what I experienced with Dave's new creation. :campfire:
I had never shot a static tip recurve before and with all the recent posts about this design from several bowyers I was anxious to give one a try. My current hunting bow for comparison is a Blacktail Elite VL 50# @ 28 ... the Hitman was 48# @ 28 and both bows 62".
I shoot CE 150's out of my Blacktail with 145 grn field points, those did not shoot out of the Hitman too well and I finally settled in on some 530 grn 60/65 woodies that flew very nicely.
The grip was what I call a medium as opposed to the high of my Blacktail. It fit me very well, I like a smaller grip, and soon my arrows were flying right where I was looking.
(http://i639.photobucket.com/albums/uu113/elkken/P1020054-1.jpg)
The draw was smooth, no hand shock, and was quiet. I did add some cushioning to the string grooves that helped a bit. Dave had put whiskers on and I did not play with changing them since others will be getting a chance to tinker with her too.
The speed was comparable to my Blacktail at 50#, I do not have any measuring equipment so this was a feel observation. I have shot perhaps 300 arrows through this bow and feel very comfortable with it. I may have had too much of an expectation on speed and quiet but this bow for me is a definate shooter and I do not have any negatives to report other than it took me awhile to get a good arrow match up. I did not try broad heads on the final arrow match, maybe I can do that tomorrow before I ship her off to New York. I have some Tree Sharks that are glue on's.
Hopefully Dave can chime in and tell you about the woods in this bow. I'll add some more pics too.
(http://i639.photobucket.com/albums/uu113/elkken/P1020082.jpg)
The tips were much wider than I have seen on most recurves.
(http://i639.photobucket.com/albums/uu113/elkken/P1020086.jpg)
(http://i639.photobucket.com/albums/uu113/elkken/P1020085.jpg)
I put some 135 grain Simmons glue on Tree Sharks on the woodies this morning to compare to the field points ... they shot perfectly :thumbsup: :thumbsup: also moved the brace up to 7 7/8" and that turned the sound into a whisper.
My overall impressions of Dave's creation are very positive, a fine bow and I have owned LOTS of bows !
I am going to be sorry to see this bow go, it's on to Drewsbow in New York ... enjoy
Wow, that is a good looking bow!
Ken thanks for the great feedback and look forward to more.
The handle has cocobolo main beam with para feuro front and back with black glass inlays and maple between them. The limbs are a nice bocote veneers over red elm cores and with an old piece of carbon that really didn't do as much as I hoped to performance in speed. It is really some stuff I had laying around when I glued them up and checking out the limb design.
The limb tips are at 7/8" and widest part of limb to be 1 5/8" for stability in the limb. This is what I have settled with for the stability in lateral movement.
I have built the limb in a 5/8" tip but feel that I have better finish results with the 7/8" and only lost 2 fps.
Thanks Ken for the fine work and hope you enjoyed shooting the bow. I look forward to the next fella shooting the bow and his review.
Thanks and good shooting,
dave
That's good shooting Ken!!!
Was that at 8 yards or 10?
:saywhat: :laughing:
Sounds like it's a shooter! great pictures, that is definately a gorgeous bow!
Doc ... you've seen me shoot :biglaugh: Your close, but add them both together and you have it .. that was from 18 yards and shooting a bit uphill. Fun bow to shoot, anxious to see what the other folks will think. Just dropped it off to the Post Office for the trip to New York.
Great to hear Ken and best wishes to you as you finish your hunting season.
Dave
Can't wait , what a beauty
looks great, if its anything like the longbow pass around then im sure it shoots awesome. Loved that longbow
Just arrived but its raining maybe I will get to shoot it more tomorrow. I shot a dozen arrows quick and so far I am impressed . Thanks
Great to hear and look forward to your review.
Dave
You can see what Drewsbow had to say on his own new post. He has some really nice pics and talks about the bow.
Thanks
DAve
When do you expect to offer these for sale?
Just recieved the hitman static recurve and have had a chance to shoot it a little...but not extensively.
My first impression when I put it together was..."Wow!" the bocote is absolutely amazing. I strung it and pulled it back. At first I thought it pulled harder than 48# and so I compared it to my 55# static single piece recurve...nevermind it feels just about right. I just hadn't shot in a bout a week.
I noticed something about the bow when I took it out to shoot...when I pull it back to my 31" draw the tips almost feel like they give it some let off...it was really throwing me off...but in a good way. It almost feels like it will stack then you get the tips moving and it feels smooth as can be. Anyone else notice this?
I don't have a chrono but compared to the sigle piece static it shoots right there speed wise...but feels much more stable. At my long draw it turns my arrows into absolute missiles. I feel like it quite a bit quiter than my other take-down recurve (not static) and far smoother.
I hope to add some pics if I can get to it this week. This bow is awesome, and I am very impressed with the performance. I would be happy to have this bow! LEt me know if you have any questions.
Steve
Steve, glad to see the bow arrived in good condition.
It seems you have the same first impressions I had of the bow. Top of the line workmanship and easy to handle. It shoots as good as it looks. I think you will find it compares to shooting bows heavier in weight than it is.
No doubt about it Dave makes a great shooting bow.
I'm glad you enjoyed the bow with your draw. This bow design is a year or so in the making. I really put a lot of RD in it and am excited about the results. I'm a longbow shooter but have been shooting one myself with great results. So we will see how this plays out
Good shooting
Dave
QuoteOriginally posted by hitmanlongbows:
I'm glad you enjoyed the bow with your draw. This bow design is a year or so in the making. I really put a lot of RD in it and am excited about the results. I'm a longbow shooter but have been shooting one myself with great results. So we will see how this plays out. These static bows are for sale now. The costs start at $725 with black glass. They are more difficult to build then the recurve and longbow.
Good shooting
Dave
Lots of Hitman Bows are showing up at shoots here in SE Wisconsin where Dave Heniff makes them.
They are gorgeous and all the new owners profess to be very pleased.
I shot one a couple of weeks ago and was startled by how well I was able to place the first 6 arrows out of a bow I'd never even held before (i.e. all 6 in the vitals of a cardboard grizzly at 20 yards).
Dave, by the way, is a first-rate archer and an even better person.
Mark
Thanks Mark and you did shoot that bow pretty well. I have to get a set of limbs going for the lefty handle you shot.
Good shooting,
Dave
Well Normandale is sending it off to next in line. So we shall see what the next person has to say and offer us.
Good shooting
There was a delay on shipping but assured it is going out in mail. So we will see about the next in lines reviews of the bow.
Good shooting
Bow was indeed sent out earlier this week to N.J. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did. I will post my final thoughts on the bow shortly. I was hoping to get some cool pics of the tips at my extanded draw but that didn't work out too well. Thanks again Dave.
QuoteOriginally posted by M60gunner:
Steve, glad to see the bow arrived in good condition.
It seems you have the same first impressions I had of the bow. Top of the line workmanship and easy to handle. It shoots as good as it looks. I think you will find it compares to shooting bows heavier in weight than it is.
No doubt about it Dave makes a great shooting bow.
I was definitely impressed. I like the mass of the riser with the static tips as it sure seemed to stabilize shots out past 25 yards or so. Not that I shoot well from out there any way.
Great to hear Dale and appreciate all that was said.
Good luck and looking forward to the next in line.
Good shooting
Just checking in to see if the next in line recieved the bow. I sent it out last Tuesday so it should be to NJ by now.
My final impression of the bow was very positive. I was hoping to get some pictures of the tips and how they almost uncurl at longer draws, but was unable to with our crappy camera.
I don't know what the recommendation is from Dave in regards to draw length and bow length, but I couldn't believe the performance at 31"+ draw. I short drew it a couple times (28") and the difference was pretty substantial. The bow definitely felt like it had no issues going that long on the draw.
The other thing that impresses me was the riser work and detail. I liked the sight window as it seemed to be more cut like a longbow than some other recurve sight windows. The lines on the riser between accent strips and different woods were all very clean and well done, no gaps that I noticed. The wood selection is absolutely perfect as well. The riser seemed to have great weight distribution and helped stabilize the bow along with the great performance from those static limbs.
It seems that Dave has put a lot of thought and work into the bow, and the performance shows. I have always admired his longbows, and now will do the same with the statics.
Dave what are your thoughts on the tips and there performance at longer draws? I think I would shoot the 62" with no issues and enjoy the extra speed the tips give over say a 64". I imagine 64" would be butter like in its draw though. Looking forward to some more thoughts on the bow.
Thanks again for the chance to shoot your bow Dave,
Steve
We should be hearing something soon about the most recent review.
Good shooting
My last post was a misstep due to the post or maybe it just didn't refresh.
Thanks Dale for the review and I have had the same thoughts locally about the long draws and the smoothness with higher than average speed. I would recommend the same about the speed over smoothness in the longer draw but that is an individual decision.
I am glad that I'm recieving great reviews on this bow. It has gone through the ringers with shipping, breaking it down and putting it together. I have total confidence in this bow and know many will enjoy it for years to come.
Good shooting
My last post was a misstep due to the post or maybe it just didn't refresh.
Thanks Dale for the review and I have had the same thoughts locally about the long draws and the smoothness with higher than average speed. I would recommend the same about the speed over smoothness in the longer draw but that is an individual decision.
I am glad that I'm recieving great reviews on this bow. It has gone through the ringers with shipping, breaking it down and putting it together. I have total confidence in this bow and know many will enjoy it for years to come.
Good shooting
Kyle Lancaster is next inline and ready for a post review from him.
The last person hurt his shoulder doing something so he won't be posting a review.
The reviews on this pass around have been good from those posting. Let me know if I missed anyone on the pass around as Kyle should be the last one and will be ending this pass.
Thanks to all for participating and hope you enjoyed the reviews and shooting the bow.
Good shooting
the bow is off to the last guy and that is Kyle Lancaster. He should be recieving in the next day or so. He will be posting a review.
Thanks
Dave
Kyle should be having a review sometime soon. So look to this post to see what he has to say.
Good shooting
I left a message for Kyle so he should be leaving some more feedback. He stated that he liked the finish of the bow and wood combos was some real nice looking cocobolo n bocote.
Good shooting
Just wanted to chime in. I had the pleasure of trying this bow out for a few minutes during it's stop in NJ at one of our shoots. I only shot a few arrows, but it was a fine shooting and looking bow. Very smooth, excellent grip and dead in the hand on release. I was impressed!
Glad I got the opportunity to give it a go! Thanks!
First off I want to thank Dave for the opportunity to test and shoot this bow. My impressions:
The wood choice and fit and finish on the bow is outstanding. Some of the best cocobolo and bocote was used in the bow that I've seen. All glues lines are seemless and the overall design is very pleasing. The bow was very smooth to draw at my 29.5" draw. It would have been somewhere around 52+lbs at my draw but felt more like 42 lbs. I liked the grip - very comfortable. I was shooting 540 grain arrows so right at 10 grains/lb at my draw. The performance was very good and I didn't have to change my "sight picture" from the 55+ lbs that I've been shooting. All in all, Dave's design and workmanship were outstanding. Great job!
Kyle
Kyle
Thanks for the feedback and got the bow back this past evening. It still looks great and I'm sure with all this static hoopla going on I will have to throw some numbers out there for comparisons.
Good shooting and thanks for some great feedback.
Dave thats a good looking rig. If it shoots as good as it looks you ought to have good numbers. I hope to see you in Burlington if my schedule allows. Keep up the good work.
Lou
Sounds great, now I want one!! OK, how much?? :bigsmyl: :bigsmyl: Shawn
The static bows start at $750 and depends on the wood selections.
Good shooting,
Dave