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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: bulldog18 on March 04, 2014, 10:43:00 AM

Title: Howard Hill Crocodile or Rhino ?
Post by: bulldog18 on March 04, 2014, 10:43:00 AM
I am planning my next bow purchase and would like to see pictures of the limbs under clear glass on the crocodile and rhino. I have searched and could not find much information on these models. I also would like to know how they shoot compared to the bamboo limbed models. I have shot the Wesley Special and Redman. Thanks for your help.
Title: Re: Howard Hill Crocodile or Rhino ?
Post by: typical2 on March 04, 2014, 12:28:00 PM
I love the look of the Crocodile.  I saw a picture of one with a dark riser and it inspired me to make a couple of Osage hill bows.

Limbs might be a tad heavier than bamboo so it could be a little (a couple of fps) slower and have a bit more thump.  I doubt I could tell.
Title: Re: Howard Hill Crocodile or Rhino ?
Post by: typical2 on March 04, 2014, 02:05:00 PM
These are the pics i've seen that i really liked

 http://www.dickwightman.com/howardhill/hhbows/joecrocodile/joecrocodile.html
Title: Re: Howard Hill Crocodile or Rhino ?
Post by: bulldog18 on March 04, 2014, 02:25:00 PM
That is sharp.
Title: Re: Howard Hill Crocodile or Rhino ?
Post by: on March 04, 2014, 02:29:00 PM
Someone from Hill told me that the all Osage model does not have the feel and cast of the other lay ups.  I like the looks of the Cougar.
Title: Re: Howard Hill Crocodile or Rhino ?
Post by: Knawbone on March 04, 2014, 04:40:00 PM
I second the Cougar, my next bow!
Title: Re: Howard Hill Crocodile or Rhino ?
Post by: typical2 on March 04, 2014, 05:25:00 PM
The two I'm working on.  Still under construction.  Don't know about cast.


  (http://i1072.photobucket.com/albums/w364/typical2/IMG_20140304_172023_110_zps0bc9twak.jpg) (http://s1072.photobucket.com/user/typical2/media/IMG_20140304_172023_110_zps0bc9twak.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Howard Hill Crocodile or Rhino ?
Post by: bulldog18 on March 05, 2014, 01:53:00 AM
I would even consider the cougar, owl, or wasp. Surely someone owns or has owned or shot one of these models of hill bows.
Title: Re: Howard Hill Crocodile or Rhino ?
Post by: mike g on March 05, 2014, 11:05:00 AM
I talked to Craig at HHA a few days ago about a Tembo, I ask him how a Tembo with Bamboo, Osage and Yew would perform, He said the all Bamboo would perform better....
Title: Re: Howard Hill Crocodile or Rhino ?
Post by: David Mitchell on March 05, 2014, 12:08:00 PM
I have an Owl TD.  The Owl has two bamboo lams with osage outer lams.  It shoots just as smoothly as my bamboo Hills and I can't see any difference in speed.

   (http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/yy241/davidmitchell_6466/Hill%20Owl%20TD/HillOwlTD008.jpg) (http://s796.photobucket.com/user/davidmitchell_6466/media/Hill%20Owl%20TD/HillOwlTD008.jpg.html)

  (http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/yy241/davidmitchell_6466/Hill%20Owl%20TD/HillOwlTD006.jpg) (http://s796.photobucket.com/user/davidmitchell_6466/media/Hill%20Owl%20TD/HillOwlTD006.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Howard Hill Crocodile or Rhino ?
Post by: bulldog18 on March 05, 2014, 04:59:00 PM
That owl s a sharp looking bow. It seems strange that other than the cheetah, you hardly see or read about the other non all bamboo models. Would like to some honey locust lams and red elm lams in hill bows.
Title: Re: Howard Hill Crocodile or Rhino ?
Post by: Knawbone on March 05, 2014, 06:42:00 PM
Bulldog, I started a thread about a year ago asking about these lesser known HHA models. I didn't get too many responses. Ben Mahar ( I think thats how he spells his last name) said he has a Rhino and has killed a few critters with it. I had a Cheetah blank made for me last year. I had Craig build it with three lams of bambo with the outer lams juniper of coarse. Sweet shooter and as fast as any Hill Iv' shot. With that said, I think any model with the extra lam of boo will make you a good shooting bow. I would like to shoot a Rhino to see how the honey locust shoots.I want my next one to be a five lam Cougar.I think a half breed with the extra boo lam would be a good shooter too.Personally I would stay away from the osage models!
Title: Re: Howard Hill Crocodile or Rhino ?
Post by: typical2 on March 05, 2014, 08:06:00 PM
When I bought the lams for my osage limb longbows I expected them to be heavy in weight.  They were from clear well dried stock.  I decided to test the density of the osage compared to the action boo lams I usually use.

With the same specs...the Osage was actually lighter.  Actionboo is denser than the bamboo HHA usually uses in bows due to the glue holding it all together.  Although I believe some of their bows do use action boo.


However...if I was only concerned with performance I would use all bamboo.
Title: Re: Howard Hill Crocodile or Rhino ?
Post by: Knawbone on March 05, 2014, 08:25:00 PM
Your right T2, As Howard said, Boo rules ( Para phrase ) I just wish it were prettier! My back set Wesley is awesome!
Title: Re: Howard Hill Crocodile or Rhino ?
Post by: slayer1 on March 05, 2014, 09:15:00 PM
I recently ordered a Wapaiti Model from Craig.  All bocote except the cores. I hope it shoots good. I have only ever seen one picture of one.
Title: Re: Howard Hill Crocodile or Rhino ?
Post by: bulldog18 on March 06, 2014, 09:26:00 AM
Would like to see pictures of your bow slayer when you get it. So far I have seen osage, red cedar. Would like to see some honey locust and red elm lams.
Title: Re: Howard Hill Crocodile or Rhino ?
Post by: sticksnstones on March 06, 2014, 09:05:00 PM
Chris and I had a quick pm exchange and he wanted to see some pics. Here are a few of my Crocodile.
Thom
   (http://thomjorgensen.com/bows/HHA/Croc1.JPG)

   (http://thomjorgensen.com/bows/HHA/Croc2.JPG)

   (http://thomjorgensen.com/bows/HHA/Croc3.JPG)

   (http://thomjorgensen.com/bows/HHA/Croc4.JPG)
Title: Re: Howard Hill Crocodile or Rhino ?
Post by: bulldog18 on March 06, 2014, 09:58:00 PM
Thanks, Looks great
Title: Re: Howard Hill Crocodile or Rhino ?
Post by: David Mitchell on March 07, 2014, 08:58:00 AM
sticksnstones, that is one gorgeous bow! Is the riser osage also?
Title: Re: Howard Hill Crocodile or Rhino ?
Post by: sticksnstones on March 07, 2014, 10:11:00 AM
Thank you David, yes it is. The previous owner opened up the grip and said the brightest yellow osage you can imagine in under there. I haven't peeked yet.
Thom
Title: Re: Howard Hill Crocodile or Rhino ?
Post by: Knawbone on March 07, 2014, 07:08:00 PM
That should be a beautiful bow Slayer1
Title: Re: Howard Hill Crocodile or Rhino ?
Post by: Knawbone on March 07, 2014, 07:39:00 PM
Sure would like to see some Honey Locust pics! I have yet to see anyone post pics of a Rhino or a Cougar. I'm thinking a Cougar with black glass ( or green) on the back. Clear glass on the belly, with a black walnut or ziricote riser. Extra lam of boo also for my next Hill. 66" with back set/ as a blank.
Title: Re: Howard Hill Crocodile or Rhino ?
Post by: Tom Mussatto on March 07, 2014, 08:29:00 PM
I’ve never understood the trend over the past several years of mixing different limb woods in an America style long bow that is narrow and deep cored where the core material actually contributes a great deal to the performance of a bow. My experience with working with a variety of different woods in arrows has shown me there is a difference in the properties of different woods, sometimes a big difference, and mixing these properties in a limb of this style can’t be better than a limb made of a single wood material. Probably not nearly as important in a recurve where the glass to wood ratio is so much higher that core material is virtually irrelevant. I’d loved to see someone make a foam core America style longbow and see how it works (or doesn’t:-) Must be a cosmetic preference.

I’ve had, or now have, Hills of most of the models and find none of them are overall better than an all bamboo limb. This might be a subjective thing, I don't know.
Title: Re: Howard Hill Crocodile or Rhino ?
Post by: Knawbone on March 08, 2014, 10:42:00 AM
Mostly just a matter of eye appeal and a love for the beauty of wood{ versus boo } Tom. Other factors my also be at play, such as the feel of the shot.
Title: Re: Howard Hill Crocodile or Rhino ?
Post by: mike g on March 08, 2014, 10:44:00 AM
Tom....
    I agree with you, Craig at HHA just told me that all Bamboo will perform better....
Title: Re: Howard Hill Crocodile or Rhino ?
Post by: Rossco7002 on March 08, 2014, 11:16:00 AM
I'm also a "1 limb wood guy" now. Either boo or yew for me.

I feel like this allows the true properties and benefits of each material to become apparent. You can't beat yew for looks either IMHO!
Title: Re: Howard Hill Crocodile or Rhino ?
Post by: Knawbone on March 08, 2014, 01:22:00 PM
Agreed, An all bamboo ASLB is tops in performance. That's why the HHA Wesley special is considered their top of the line bow. With that said, my custom Cheetah model shoots a little faster and I'm able to shoot it more accurately than either of my Wesley Specials. Design conceivably having more  effect than materials.
Title: Re: Howard Hill Crocodile or Rhino ?
Post by: Knawbone on March 08, 2014, 01:24:00 PM
Sorry for getting off thread subject.   :knothead: