I have never been a longbow shooter always shot recurves (not by choice its all i could afford, im a broke college student lol) but I will be getting my first longbow in a couple days. Its a northern mist baraga btw, these bows have a slight r/d design but still have the D profile when strung. I have been noticing more and more that hybrids are gaining popularity. Are the "D' design longbows becoming a thing of the past? what do you think?

Also if anyone wants to chime in on the baraga feel free lol

-Curtis

I like/love the feel of the classic "D" longbow. I have Hills and a Schulz which I shoot. I'd shoot them pretty much exclusively but they really reign havoc on my bow arm elbow and shoulder after a while. I've had pretty radical r/d designs, that I really don't care for (except for my Adcock). I think if I ever get another longbow, I'd get a mild r/d just to take some of the handshock away.

I have a Black Swan Classic which is a D shape and it is still one of my all-time favorites.

QuoteOriginally posted by SouthMDShooter:
Are the "D' design longbows becoming a thing of the past?

Nope, just cycling through their turn in popularity..... they will have a resurgance.

Been shooting recurves for 30 years and like them a lot, but always loved the looks and light weight of the longbow. I bought a couple of mild R/D bows a few years ago and thought that was the style for me until I shot a Hill bow - now i'm in love! The handshock was there but not the hammering that everyone talks about, but after installing a D-97 string it shoots better and is FASTER than both of my R/D bows and they are heavier draw weights! Will I ever limit myself to just one bow? I doubt it - but when it's time to head out the door and have some fun shooting the bow, my Hill is the "Bell of the Ball"!!! I've never heard a bad word about Steve's bows, in fact I have a brochure on the way. I'm also thinking about a Northern Mist Classic or Shelton - the Baraga and Superior are reported to be great bows as well. Enjoy!

Curtis, not with me, my go to bow is a Howard Hill Big 5. Frank

I love my straight end , D shaped longbow and with heavy arrows the hand shock is not an issue.Bob

No way are they dying. There are alot of bows on the market...I want to try all of them. I have a couple HH style D bows...Love them as well as my hybrids.

Ask Craig at Howard Hill bows if they are going out of style....
   He's a pretty busy guy....

QuoteOriginally posted by mike g:
Ask Craig at Howard Hill bows if they are going out of style....
   He's a pretty busy guy....

nuff said right there!!
 

I have always been a longbow shooter for the last 12 years R/D and some hybrids but now I been getting into shooting HH bows.I love my Hill bows,they are quite addictive.

I dont think so.The hybrids are real popular these days though,no doubt.Alot of guys are very loyal to the D shaped bows for personell,historic and aesthetic reasons.i think alot of newer archers who shoot curves and hybrids at some point will gravitate toward a classic D shape bow to satify thier interest and add to their collection.Long live the D bow!

started out with nuttin but recurves for 4 years, then got my new d shaped bow, what really got me hooked was its smoothness, silence and suprising speed.

You mean like classic cars ? Look at what two of the best selling muscle cars today are. 30 year throwbacks.It's all cyclical. Look how many 50's Bear clones are out there.

Most "D" bows have a certain degree of hand shock, where as your reflex/deflex designs literally eliminate hand shock.  I have a Harrison HHC that has the whip limb tips, when strung, has the "D" look, with very little hand shock, if any, and much faster then the "D" bows!      

The "D" shaped longbow will never be replaced. It is a smooth drawing, stable, forgiving design, and for most of us a much easier bow to be consistently accurate with.

Curtis, the NM Baraga is a sweet bow...my is quick and hard hitting! It does like heavier arrows.

Steve is a great guy to work with...best of luck with it.

Some pics.

liberty English--yup!

Curtis---No experience with the Baraga---but I am very pleased with another of Steve Turay's bows;  it is his Whisper, with the reverse handle.  Just spoke with him last week, ordering some new strings.  He had just taken a nice doe in those cold snowbound woods.

Yeah.... Craig at Hill is further behind than he's ever been... it takes almost 6 weeks to get on now   The rest of you guys just keep getting the RD bows... I liked it better when it only took 3 weeks....  :^)