We need a picture of the Born Free Bamboo special.

ok as soon as I remember how

Curious....
   How many here are waiting on a Bow from HHA....?

I love it when Tradgang friends drop by and we get to shoot some bows.

Mostly Hill style longbows.

Thank you Soap Creek!

I enjoyed you and your lovely wife's comapny.



God bless,Mudd

Always a pleasure Mudd. You done good getting that shot of me at anchor. When I hit anchor that arrows gone. Sometimes even before. lol
Had a good visit buddy.

Gods speed
Greg

you been busy entertaining guests lately Roy. good onya'

Is that a Morning Star laying on the white barrel?

No Caboo that's one of Soap Creek's bows that he won in a raffle.

He's shooting my Northern Mist Sheldon.

We also were shooting Mr Berry's Northstar and Vixen.

Greg will have to identify the bow on the barrel since I can't remember the name.

I do remember it was 60" and 48@28 and a nice little bow.

God bless,Mudd

If I reme correctly it's one of cory's heartland bows

Thanks for sharing Mudd.

Caboo the bow on the barrel is a Heartland. It was one of the dream raffle bows given away by Compton last June. It was donated by Corey Engert of Heartland Custom Bows. Corey makes a fine bow. At this time I don't believe he offers a Hill style. My wife and I were traveling and that's the only bow I had with me. I regret not bringing my new Echo for Mudd to give a test run. I'm really liking that Echo.

Well guys I've been meaning to get some pics up of my new J.D.Berry "Vixen". I guess I had to shoot, fondle and polish her for a while.

Initially I'd named her "Second", but somehow that name just didn't fit such a beautiful bow. However after some thought and much handling I decided that the name "Foxy" fit much better. So here she is.
I took off the original arrow plate and replaced it with one that covers more area for when I'm sloppy about getting the arrow on the bow.
Not my best application, but it works.

 

The handle from the back side showing a little of the brown glass.
 

Here's one showing the fiddleback pattern of the Myrtle... gorgeous!
 

Specs
 

 Someone needs to talk to the man about his penmanship.
 

Long lean and beautiful
 

Well, I screwed up the orientation of the photos. But it is what it is. My bad.

Wonderful salmon colored yew core it shoots with authority but is smooth as butter in the hand.

It's with me in the woods this year.

You can also see a white line around the grip. That's the remains of paste wax. I just gotta shine a great bow and make it glisten.

155 pages....? I'm missing out, I know it! So, what maker/model hill style bow would be a good starting point based on the following criteria:
1) Smooth
2) good speed (I know, I'm not looking to shoot lasers but I like a flat arrow out to around 20 meters or so)
3) Good price - used is an option but even still a used bow cam still be pricey
4) good for begining/learning hill style bows

I'm considering a montana, but id like to maybe avoid factory churn out if I can. So any good starting points?

Beautiful yew Charlie!

Centex... It's been twenty years or more since I've shot anything but bamboo core longbows. I made myself one out of laminations I got from Earl Ulrich's stock (sold wood to Pope and Young or at least Pope since Young liked Osage better).

I'd forgotten just how sweet yew is. James puts it to it's best use and of course it just can't be beat for looks.

Cavscout... Yes, this thread is 155 pages and worth every minute it takes to read, but if you go to the top of the page you'll see the first chapter of this thread. I'm not sure you'll find any other resource with as much information as these two threads.

For a starter that is made just for you I doubt you'll find a better deal than Howard Hill Archery.
They have many options, are easily contacted for collaberation on your bow, their prices are as reasonable as anyone and their turn around time is fantastic so you can be shooting your own longbow in a reasonably short amount of time.

If you've got more time then you can't do better than J.D.Berry as shown above. You'll find he has a very loyal following...for good reason.

Any other questions you might have just tap into this resource for a lot of no nonsense advice.

Mr. Lamb, thank you for the advice. It is still yet to be determined if I only love the "idea" of a Hill bow or will actually swallow the whole hook and go down the rabbit hole. I certainly like the idea of them, and a braced Hill bow is the mental image I fell in love with when I started traditional archery. The options you listed are excellent, on a side but related note a while back I requested a catalog from HH Archery and am still waiting for it. Though I know smaller operations have other things to worry about day to day. I am thinking that at some point I will just put a WTB in the classified section and see if anyone has one that they've had laying around and want to make a bit of money for. that way I can see how I like it, (I will of course have to learn to embrace the back quiver as I could not imagine any other way on a Hill! haha). This way if for some chance it doesn't suit me I'm not out much. either way, I'm going to keep thumbing through this thread and seeing what I can learn. Thanks again!

Charlie I don't think you hurt the looks any with your new side plate.

The new name sure fits for such an elegant but deadly piece of handiwork of Mr Berry's.

I look forward to some "hero" shots as this season progresses.

Thanks for sharing....not only your photos but a small tidbit of your vast knowledge.

The advice you gave is about as sound as granite.

God bless,Mudd

CavScout, I would second Charlie's choice of HH Archery. Craig or Jason will work you through the process, they make very nice bows, and they have a very fast turnaround (a little over a month is common). If you are wanting a Hill bow, what better place to start than HH Archery?
I gotta ask; as an old Cav Trooper myself, are you stationed at Ft. Rucker? I spent some time there a 'few' years ago.

Thanks for the help centaur. No, I've been at Benning for the past 8 years, was at Stewart the 4 years prior. Now days I run a Scout Committee for Armor Basic Officer Leaders Course (ABOLC). Teaching the craft to the latest generation of Armor/Recon platoon leaders. Did 4 tours in Iraq so the "break" is a good change of pace and certainly good for the family. Scouts out!