Just arrived today from Nate Steele, 66", 52@29, dark stained curly maple riser that's phenolic stripe reinforced, dark stained all boo limbs under satin black glass, coco overlays on the back of both the riser and limb tips.  This is one dark, serious looking longbow.  

The handle is a bit deeper than a the new Hill locator, and it's a "reverse teardrop", where the rounded part fits your palm and the wedge part is on the riser's back.  It has a very slight locator and is covered in laced black leather.  The total mass weight is a feather light 19ozs.  The limbs have an almost imperceptible hint of reflex.  

In essence, this is an AFL (American Flat Longbow) in the Howard Hill style.  Now, here's the thing - my draw length is 29" and I need a 68" longbow length or I'll get some stack - better yet at a good 70" ntn length.  

BUT, this little 66" popper is stackless to my 29" draw.  Dunno how Nate does it but dang, she's a smoooth 66" that rivals my 70" Tembo.  No kiddin'!

postscript - i hafta say, this is by far the absolute fastest american flat longbow i've ever shot.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dang thats nice , congrats  

Rob, looks like another winner! Congrats, someday I'll get a chance to try one of Nate's bows.      

Very nice, the curly maple with the dark stain looks great, and sure to be a big hit with guys with a long draw at that length.  

What a looker!!          

Very nice, love the curly maple.

Sure is a pretty bow Rob  

Nate not only builds some beauty's but every one I've put my hand to has also been a shooter.

Congratulations Rob!

God bless,Mudd

Welcome to the club Rob! That looks a lot like my 2pc, love the dark stained Curly Maple. Beautiful bow, and those dark bows do have a 'Dangerous' look about them. Congrats!

Haven't shot any of Nate's bows, but have had many biz dealings with him and he is a strait shooter for sure!

Geez,That is one nice looking bow.That Curly maple gives it a beautiful antiqued look like a fine piece of early american furniture or a classic Flintlock Rifle,I just love that look.All the best with her.

Rob , that is a sweet and classic looking longbow as I have seen . I love those tips too .
There is something about dark coloured glass that just floats my boat .
Is there much reflex unstrung ?

QuoteOriginally posted by Ben Maher:
... Is there much reflex unstrung ?

it's so little unstrung reflex you'd hafta really look super close or use a straight edge.  my guess is there's about 1/4" on each limb, a continual slight angle from the riser to the tips.  i'll get out the 72" straight edge and digital mic l8r.  bow is soooo smooth for 66" and a 29" draw.  how do he do it?

"how do he do it?"

Many hours and bows of experimentation later!  

Nice choice Rob.  My first Hill style longbow was a BamaBow Elite Classic Takedown.  The first time I saw the pics of a curly maple riser on Nate's website I had to have one.  Mine has Red Elm Limbs with Osage Orange accents.  Beautiful bow and it shoots very well.  Enjoy your new piece.

Nate puts everthing into his bows. If you aren't overwhelmed, he ain't happy.

I am on his list for a 2pc Elite Classic. I'm going with a Cocobolo riser with Boo accent, and 2 lams of Bamboo and 2 lams of Yew under clear glass. It'll be my Bama Half-Breed!

Very nice!

Good looking bow Rob.

Rob,

Nice bow for sure. I have a 66" 73# at 28" Hunter and a 62" 65# at 28" Expedition.

Love the bows Nate makes.

I would be curious if his 62" Expedition would stack on you at 29"? Better ask Nate to send you one, just to check it out.
 

Fine lookin piece of equipment Rob.  I just got my Bama long bow back from Nate.  I dinged my shoulder and couldn't do the 62lbs anymore.  He pulled it down to 50# @ 29 and it is nice.  I forgot how quite and smooth it is while it was gone and I was shooting other bows.  Have fun with it.