I was recently in Hamilton, Mt., and dropped by Howard Hill Archery. Craig and Jason Ekin were there and gave me the grand tour.
Here are some bamboo lams that are in the first stages of work; they go through several processes before they are ready.
(http://i886.photobucket.com/albums/ac67/peastes/P1030205_zps5d152b66.jpg) (http://s886.photobucket.com/user/peastes/media/P1030205_zps5d152b66.jpg.html)
Craig with a bow in the primary stages of shaping.
(http://i886.photobucket.com/albums/ac67/peastes/P1030200_zps3ed68de2.jpg) (http://s886.photobucket.com/user/peastes/media/P1030200_zps3ed68de2.jpg.html)
Craig in his drying room with some bows that will shortly be enroute to their new owners..
(http://i886.photobucket.com/albums/ac67/peastes/P1030202_zps9996f629.jpg) (http://s886.photobucket.com/user/peastes/media/P1030202_zps9996f629.jpg.html)
We got to see several of Howard Hill's original pieces of equipment, including this quiver. The arrows were all of Howard's, too.
(http://i886.photobucket.com/albums/ac67/peastes/P1030215_zps51074ce4.jpg) (http://s886.photobucket.com/user/peastes/media/P1030215_zps51074ce4.jpg.html)
This is Howard's buckskin shirt that was worn in "The Last Wilderness"..
(http://i886.photobucket.com/albums/ac67/peastes/P1030210_zpsed0020ee.jpg) (http://s886.photobucket.com/user/peastes/media/P1030210_zpsed0020ee.jpg.html)
One of several of Howard's personal bows. This one was 84#, and went to Africa at the time of the filming of "Tembo".
(http://i886.photobucket.com/albums/ac67/peastes/P1030206_zpsa3adab48.jpg) (http://s886.photobucket.com/user/peastes/media/P1030206_zpsa3adab48.jpg.html)
A tusk from one of Howard's elephants..
(http://i886.photobucket.com/albums/ac67/peastes/P1030219_zps614d500c.jpg) (http://s886.photobucket.com/user/peastes/media/P1030219_zps614d500c.jpg.html)
Howard's cape buff..
(http://i886.photobucket.com/albums/ac67/peastes/P1030217_zps62f35ee9.jpg) (http://s886.photobucket.com/user/peastes/media/P1030217_zps62f35ee9.jpg.html)
It was very cool to see these pieces of archery history and get a tour of how HH bows are made. Craig told me that he is making about 300 bows a year; he is a busy guy.
I'm A big Howard Hill fan, really enjoyed see the pics. Thanks for sharing your experience. :thumbsup:
Great pics, thanks for the tour!
very nice, thanks for sharing.
Compounds in HH Archery!!!
Lol
Centaur, The last time I was there I didn't remember seeing the compound bows over in the corner. Are those his or is he just selling them now? I don't remember Craig telling me that he shot a compound bow......Just wondering.....I guess I could call him and find out first hand! Horseod
It is an archery shop fellas. Lets not chastise the gentlemen for catering to other archers and most important hunters regardless of chosen weapon.
Interesting quiver. And a bit of taper top to bottom!! Looks like hours of tooling.
Thanks for the tour!
That's pretty cool,I'd love to see all that in person.
That was great. Thanks
Thanks for sharing that was great.
Looks like a great visit. Thanks for sharing.
Bill
I, too, wondered about the compounds. Evidently, Jason had a more conventional archery shop at one time, and a compound bow maker asked him to stay on as a rep for them when he sold the shop, hence the wheel bows.
Be that as it may, they eat, sleep and breathe traditional at HH Archery.
By the way, I asked Craig about his limited edition bows and if enough TG members showed interest, if he would make a TG limited, to which he responded "Absolutely". That had been batted around a bit on the HH Bug thread, so it is something that is feasible if there is interest.
QuoteOriginally posted by Pat B.:
Compounds in HH Archery!!!
Simple economics. I imagine it would be hard to make a good living catering ONLY to us trad guys. Come to think of it, I don't think I've ever seen a strictly traditional archery shop. I'm sure they're out there, I've just never seen one.
Anyway, thanks for the tour. Really cool!
What a treat!!!
A closer look at some of Howard's arrows.
(http://i886.photobucket.com/albums/ac67/peastes/P1030214_zpsddfc5f4a.jpg) (http://s886.photobucket.com/user/peastes/media/P1030214_zpsddfc5f4a.jpg.html)
Thanks for sharing your tour with us! I've only dealt with the Ekins over the phone and via email. They've always been nice, patient,and helpful. Jason should write a book about all of his hunting and outdoor experiences! :)
Nice tour thanks for the share and pics.
I would jump in a HEARTBEAT if the TG model could be with green glass!!!!
Neat piece of history. Thanks
QuoteOriginally posted by PowDuck:
QuoteOriginally posted by Pat B.:
Compounds in HH Archery!!!
Simple economics. I imagine it would be hard to make a good living catering ONLY to us trad guys. Come to think of it, I don't think I've ever seen a strictly traditional archery shop. I'm sure they're out there, I've just never seen one.
Anyway, thanks for the tour. Really cool! [/b]
Powduck, come to Denver and go to Rocky Mountain Specialty Gear. Not a wheel in the place, and trad bows everywhere..
QuoteOriginally posted by Brianlocal3:
I would jump in a HEARTBEAT if the TG model could be with green glass!!!!
x2
I certainly appreciate your post and pics. That is very cool to see history items like that.
I also thought it was wonderful to hear that they produce ~300 bows a year. That is very impressive.
Thanks for sharing. What a great place to see some amazing places, that some of us may never see if it wasn't for TG. God bless.
Thanks for sharing.
:archer:
I stoped there a long time ago got a pic withthat back quiver on
QuoteOriginally posted by centaur:
By the way, I asked Craig about his limited edition bows and if enough TG members showed interest, if he would make a TG limited, to which he responded "Absolutely". That had been batted around a bit on the HH Bug thread, so it is something that is feasible if there is interest.
Ahhh crud. I sure hope this doesn't happen. If there was a TG limitted edition with green glass, my wife'll kill me. 'Cause I'll have to get one. And I'll have to shoot it. And I'm not sure I have enough other longbows to camoflage it on the bow rack...
Thanks for sharing. That quiver and tusk are amazing. Love the old time look of the shop, looks like it can clear a mans mind out to spend time working in it.
Cant say for sure right now but if all was aligned when the time came I'd be down for a TG ltd edition. A silver inlay of Terry in the famous ghillie hat. :thumbsup:
Enjoyed the tour. Thanks for sharing. Craig and Jason are first class. Love my Howard Hill bows and yes, I would be interested in a TG "Special Edition". :thumbsup:
Izzy, I was thinking more like Mudd's Robin Hood hat for the inlay. After all, you might want to sell the bow some day, and Terry's Medusa hat might be a bit foreign.