just traded for a Massie reverse handle longbow, can you guys tell me more about them?

I have a reverse handle longbow from Jeff also. Great bows and bowyer. He's outta the bow business now. He is from south Texas.

Jeff used to make thos bows im Gonzales TX.  He sold the business to Mr. Belcher in Michegan(?)

thats right Jim Belcher aquired Massie Archery and he is out of Brighton, MI

TradGangs own Ric-O-Shay(Danny Long) could answer your questions about the reverse handle "Massie". Unfortunately he is out of pocket today.I'll pass the info on to him so that he can respond asap. Jim Belcher (Belcher Archery) did purchase the Massie line about three years ago. He worked closely with Jeff for a number of years, so he is well aware of Jeff's reverse handle longbow. It is my understanding that Jeff stopped making the reverse handle bow when he came out with his very popular R/D "Longhorn". Belcher has continued the tradition of the "Longhorn". I own a beautiful Belcher "Longhorn" and five Massie "Longhorns". The Belcher "Longhorn" performs every bit as good as the Massie version. I highly recommend Belcher Archery to anyone interested in obtaining a top flite product for a fair price.

     

Hello Ian -

Congratulations on acquiring one of the finest shooting traditional "D" shaped longbows ever made. The "FORWARD" (Jeff says forward is the correct term because the riser or handle is forward of the limbs and not reversed on the limbs) design was the first that Jeff Massie made. I bought my first one from Jeff (actually two)forward handle bows in April 1992. The forward handle design seems to make the bow get on target quicker and gives it a slight overdraw effect. The Black Widow bows with their limbs attached to back side of the riser gives the same over draw effect only to a much greater degree than the forward handle longbow.
Jeff always made his limb tips very trim and delicate looking but they were also "bombproof" as he always used and recommended any of the high performance strings on his bows.Can you advise what woods are in the bow, any pics and what are the specs?
BTW there is a preferred way to grip Jeff's forward handle bows. Don't get a death grip on the handle when you shoot. Instead, let the heel of your hand rest on the grip; curl your fingers around the side on the handle and just let the pads of your finger tips lightly touch the laces on the back of the bow. This allows the bow free movement when you release the arrow. Try it a few times and if you have trouble, send me a PM and I'll call you. You've got a great bow there.
Take care,
Danny

its a 59@29 bow, not sure of the woods 64in length, I'll see if jhansen can post some pics for me, its actually 8pounds more than I am comfortable shooting but I am going to try and work up in wieght so that I can hunt with it this season and that reverse handle just looked too cool to pass up

I too own belcher 60" 56# @ 28" Longhorn..very fast..no hand shock graceful..hits where I point..Jim Belcher will be more than happy to answer any questions you may have..how ever I'm afraid I have made more than a nuisance of myself around his shop...here is link to web-site..http://belcherbows.com/        

Shawn..

I bought the sweetest Left Hand Longorn from this site last year. 64" long and 44lbs @ 28". Bamboo with carbon. I think the veneers are a curly maple and the riser looks like Paduak or Bloodwood. The ad said the riser was cocobolo but it looks way too red (with a slight purplish cast)in color for that. Great bow for the range or when the twinges in the hinges kick up, but I wuold be comnfortable hunting  many things wiht it too.

Ron

Here ya go, Ian.
     

I've gotta get a pic of "Sweet Sue"....all of y'all would be very jealous. Sue's measurements are:

64" 54# @ 26" and she's dressed in Walnut & Hickory under clear glass...... Sweeeeet.

ric, what do you think of the bow, I talked to Jim at belcher bows, he's gonna reduce the wieght to 53 pounds for me

Ian -
It is grey actionwood riser and actionwood limbs with black glass. I was on a javalina hunt with Jeff about ** years ago. He had several bows with him and I got to shoot all of them. One was a bow like yours. To me, the actionwood limbs perform comparably with bamboo. It should draw smoothly and give great cast to the arrow.

Ian, what is your draw length? Is Jim going to reduce it to 53# @ 28" or 53# @ 29"?

jim is going to reduce it to 53@29

Jim does nice work and I know you'll be pleased with the results. He refinished a Longhorn for me that Jeff had made. It is Gaboon Ebony riser, bamboo limbs w/carbon, gaboon ebony veneers under clear glass with the black/white overlays on the riser and limb tips like yours. It had a flat finish originally and Jim put a super  gloss finish on it for me with new leather handle wrap.

I just got the bow and I was shocked at how easy it was to draw and shoot, I talked to Jim and decided to keep this wieght and shoot it, its an awesome bow!, he said he still has the form and can still make a reverse handle bow

If you decide to let Jim Belcher reduce weight on that bow, don't lose any sleep over Jim's ability to do a good job. The bow will come back in new condition. He reduced a 65@29 Longhorn for me to 58@28. I could not be happier. Jim is a real craftsman.  

Jim is a great guy to talk to, he also gave me advice on hunting in africa

Ian -

I knew you were gonna like that bow!

 

Bill,does that bow still look as great as it did ?