What are your thoughts on tip overlays on a hill bow?  For my 50th birthday my wife is getting me a Hill bow.  So, I'm getting ready to order a Cheetah with a cocobolo riser.  This will likely be my only custom bow.  Would you go for coc0bolo tip overlays or just leave the tips plain?

Cocobolo for sure.  Love a tip accent and bolo is just about the prettiest in my book.

Add a little horn and then you really have something nice.

I have them with overlays and without ... I don't notice a huge difference in shootability but given the way I tend to be clumsy , drop things and use my bows for things that I shouldn't , overlays can make me feel less quilty about my bow acting as a spear / fishing rod ......

I'd decide on aesthetics ... either way you'll end up with a fine bow !

Limb tips are a nice touch but I not sure if I like them on a Hill bow.  I ordered my 2 Hill bows w/o and it just looks natural to me.  I guess it's really what you want.

Overlays are REALLY light, and don't change the feel, speed, or shot in my opinion.  They sure help protect the tips though. I would go horn or antler for durability.   Some say they weight the tips which isn't necessary, but most of those folks can wreck a bow and build another without blinking an eye. It costs us over $500 for a new one, a good reason to keep the tips strong.

I have two Hills one with tips and one without and I don't feel a difference, but I do think that a Hill with a fiberglass wedge in the laminations instead of limb tips just looks better

I have Hill style bows with and without overlays. Like others have said I would match the overlay to the riser wood if I went with overlays. I have a bow with a Bolivian Rosewood riser and the overlays match the riser and I think it looks really nice having the overlay match the riser. Also, I can't tell the difference between overlays or wedges. Shoot the same.

I have had them with and with out......no difference! I really do like antler or horn!! Either way have fun......

I have Hill bows with antler and riser wood tip overlays. Here are pictures of a cocobolo Hill takedown with cocobolo tip overlays. I like the overlays.

I prefer the look of nicely done tip overlays.

Jeff

for those that don't know , Aussie Stickbow Hunter does perhaps the smallest , daintiest and prettiest tips going round on his much sought after longbows ... They certainly don't slow his bows down at all ... man do his bows shoot quick !

Gil... is that ya elk bow ?

Ben that is the one. It is about to get a cotton camo sleeve put it on it for the hunt.

I like overlays of the tips,I have a Cheetah with cocobola riser and cocobola tip overlays.I did a HH Half Breed bow blank and added buffalo horn tips,looks great.

Thanks everyone for your thoughts.  I just mailed my order and I went with the cocobolo tip overlays to match the riser.  Now the wait!

Congratulations Barry.

I have had many Hill and Hill style bows from many different bowyers. I think Craig builds them as good or better than other present day bowyers and bowyers from the past.    

Gil

Won't be a long one.  

I know, I was shocked when Craig said the delivery would be in approximately 4 weeks from receipt of the order!  I'm leaving for Hawaii on Monday.  That should help pass the time.

The tip overlays help dress up the bow. My TD "Cheetah" has cocobolo overys; my carbon lamboo "Wesley Special" has elk horn overlays; my "RedMan" has ebony overlays; and my recently acquired carbon lambo "Tembo" has no overlays. The horn overlays really stand out on the darker limbs. Either way, you can't go wrong with a Hill.

QuoteOriginally posted by hgsnpr:
I know, I was shocked when Craig said the delivery would be in approximately 4 weeks from receipt of the order!  I'm leaving for Hawaii on Monday.  That should help pass the time.

That means you'll probably get it in 2-3 weeks!I got a bow from him a few months ago.It got here so quick it was unbelievable. Exactly what I wanted and flawless fit and finish work.

I have ebony on one and two without overlays & black glass, like both but something about no overlays says "all business" to me.