And I don't notice any of this handshock business with it, but my mate does!

Mahantango

MOHAWK L/B's by Vince Migliorato, of Conifer CO. builds a "Superb"   "D"  Bow !!

The handshock is usually from gripping the bow wrong or too light of an arrow.

Eric

I had a JD Berry Renaissance that was a very sweet shooter....just a tad too light for me so I had to let it go.  Stunning bow, however.

For a top of the line bow, look at a Wallace Mountain or a Hill.

If you want to save a few $$ and are handy with the basic tools, check out a blank from 7 Lakes. They're not as fancy as the other choices you've been shown, but they are good, functional "D" bows.

As Crash says, strung they are all D shaped but unstrung they can vary a fair bit. Here in the UK and Europe, Longbows and AFB's (what you would traditionally call a longbow) all need to conform to the D shape when strung when used in competition.

Look at the Border Flat bows, these vary a fair bit when unstrung but all conform to the D shape continuous curve when strung.

In terms of shooting (poundage, speed, hand shock) , they vary as much as any bow.

I also have a Northern Mist Shelton
(66"long, 54#s @ 28"). No noticeable handshock!

A couple of others have mentioned this but Hill and other "D" bows usually need a heavy arrow to prevent handshock.  I had a Hill that was uncomfortable to shoot...okay, it would darned near jar the fillings out of my teeth...when shot with arrows that weighed 8 grains per pound of draw weight.  I made up some arrows that weighed 12 grains per pound and that was one sweet shooting bow.  The stored energy in a bow has to go somewhere.  Better it go into the arrow than up your arm.

I know that I didn't answer your question about one bow vs another but I think the bottom line is that most handshock problems can be dealt with.
John

Thanks for the help guys.

I notice the handshock but it never really bothered me. I guess I grew up where if you told someone your bow hurt your hand they'd tease you. Maybe offer you some puddin'. But to me at least its a non issue. If I literally shoot for 3 hours in a row, my wrist will be a lil sore. That is a reasonable expectation to me.

I was just asking because I have a slight r/d longbow, and one that is almost completely straight. I really like the straight one and I eventually want to start making completely straight ones. I was just curious if some were more quiet based on length of fade out, or number of laminations.

Northern Mist Baraga.  Sweet shooting bow that has a bit of reflex when unstrung but keeps the D profile when strung.  I'm no expert but some highly distinguished individuals recommend the Northern Mist bows.  I trust them and am a believer after purchasing the Baraga.

Thanks for the input.I hope to be able to test some of these at Denton Hill.   BOB

Have to agree with Jedimaster, of all I've shot the Northern Mist Baraga was the best for me.

The Northern Mist Shelton has little bit of string follow (opposite of reflex) built into it. Its a sweet shooter!

Eric

I've thought about that and it always seemed genius.

Like a well worn self bow.

I think I've either owned or tried almost every classic "D" braced longbow out there for the last 40 years or so, including the more recent stealth aggressive r/d variety, and I'm SO glad I found Vince and his Mohawks ... my search is over ... the Mohawk 2pc TD double Tonkin cane is best for me - incredibly smooth drawing out past 30" for a 62" length longbow (I pull 29"), zero shock release, super slim handle with tapered locator grip (even on the Connexion TD bow!), and arguably the fastest of this style/type of longbow when using heavy GPP arras ...

www.MohawkBows.com

 

For me the choice is clear, Howard Hill  

 

liberty engligh with the semi reverse handle and ever so slighly r/d profile

I will put in another vote for Abbott, I've had one for over 17yrs and it is still my "GO TO" bow.

70" 70#@29" Osage

The D-shape on current mild r/d longbows isn't quite as D-shaped as it is on Hills and other straight or slightly setback limbed bows.  Though wooden self-bows have almost universally had a d-shape when strung, it's Hill bows that popularized and defined the D shape that others have since compared themselves to.  In addition to my Hills, I like my almost D-shaped Robertsons, Great Northerns and Dwyers.        I've also liked Libertys, Yellowstones, Abbotts and Northern Mists, though I don't currently own any.