I currently have 2 Martin Hunters in 40# and 50#. I've never shot a longbow but I've been smitten by their looks and simplicity. I want to get one and put in the required effort to make one my bow of choice. So far I'm considering the Martin Savannah and Howard Hill bows and would like some input.
 I'm 5'8" and draw 28" with the recurves. I don't know if I'd be better off with a 62" Savannah or something up to 66" from Hill Archery. I don't know much about the different Howard Hill models. Their website doesn't go into too much detail. I just ordered their catalog.
  Do you think my draw length would shorten with a longbow? With the recurves I don't lock my bow arm elbow. I think I would be well served shooting 45#'s at my draw length.
  Have any of you tried both makes of bows? Any insights as to performance and feel differences?
thanks

My draw actually increases with an LB depending on the grip. The Hill bows are all straight limbed and not great performers as far as speed and tend to have some hand shock. I believe you will be much happier with an R/D longbow like the savannah, there are lots to choose from. Also at 28"s you can get away with most 58" and up R/D longbows. If I were you I would go to the classifieds and look at the Vortexs and Treadways and many others for sale there. Shawn

j-p
   If you like the looks of a Hill bow contact Craig at HH he will advise you as to what length will suit your height and draw length....
   I disagre with the statement that Hill bows are not a great performer....
   Speed is not the only aspect of a good performer....
   Stability, and forgiveness and pointing qualitys are things to look at also....
   I shoot a lot with people useing Black widows and other so called faster bows, and I do just as good as they do....
   My arrows may take a second longer to get there, but they do get there and hit with authority.......
   Mr. Hill Killed about ever type of animal there is....Enough said....

j-p..it's in the grip. Your length could shorten as much as an inch. A straight handle longbow should be shot with a broken wrist ( heel down). If you shoot a high wrist on you Martin recurve then you will notice the shortness. Just a tip here..on a straight handle longbow..try holding the bow like a tennis racket if your a lawn sport...good luck

Most peoples draw length will decrese with a longbow mine included. Both bows you mention are good bows I have and shoot both as well as a few recurves, my favorite bow is a Black Widow PL longbow. If you are just starting with a longbow a "hybrid" type like the savannah may be the ticket. A Hill bow is a great bow and a good performer and does not have any more handshock than other bows"if" you know how to hold and tune them otherwise it will give you some handshock.

I had a Martin Savannah, and have had three Hill's, i still own two of them. I like the Hill bows better than I did the Martin. As far as performance goes, when i have been at shoots this year, lots of comments have been made about how quiet my hill is and also how many people have said they didn't know a hill was that fast. I shot my redman through a chrono. at denton, it was casting an 500gr arrow 165fps that is out of a straight limbed longbow pulling 47# @27" there are faster bows but mine will kill any whitetail that roam-es around these parts. The savannah stacked at my 27" draw my Hills don't. Hills are not for everyone but they are good bows IMHO, if held properly they have no hand shock. I like the yew in the redman better than the bamboo in my bigfive, the halfbreed has a little of both you might look into one of them. Good luck with your quest for a longbow any longbow is fun to shoot.

Hey Thomas!

hey Joey !

Thanks guys.

Stone Knife's bow is a performer!!!  Seen it for real.

j-p:

Get somewhere where you can shoot some bows.  It is the only way you are going to know what you like.

As for me, my CheckMate Crusader ROCKS!!!

BobW