HH bug got me ... Part One!

[Charlie Lamb]

OK! A question. In some pictures I've seen of Howard Hill shooting his bow appears to have some kind of overlay material on the "sides" of the bow. I suppose it runs from under the handle leather toward but not all the way to the fade outs.

What's that about?

[Pat B.]

I asked on another thread but I'll ask here too, what is the advantage of a lower brace on Hill style bows ??

[30coupe]

Pat,

Lower brace height will give you slightly better cast due to longer contact with the string. Nate Steen can probably give you more in depth info. I think there was some discussion of it in this thread, but it's been quite a while ago. My Shelton seems to shoot the best for me with about a 5 3/4" brace height, with no increase in noise.

[cahaba]

I had a hard time droping my Big5 BH below the bowyer recommended BH of 6 1/4" to 6 1/2". I finally spun it down to 5 3/4" and wow it sure shoots good. Quiet too.

[toddster]

Charlie I know what you mean noticed that too, but not sure.

[Mudd]

I was told by David Miller that Howard would sometimes put extra strips on the sides to prevent the bow from torquing. (Just a little added strength)

God bless,Mudd

[Charlie Lamb]

Mudd... that would have been my guess. Makes sense.

Another question. I've seen a how to article somewhere about the locket-socket t.d. system. Anyone point me toward that. Could have been a magazine.

[David Mitchell]

If you lower the brace height too much will that not begin to interfere with the normal arrow paradox and cause it to strike the side of the sight window when it ought to be bending freely around it?

[Charlie Lamb]

David... you are exactly right. Low is good but too low isn't.

I usually find the perfect brace height for my bows then raise it by 1/8" for insurance. That little change has never shown me a problem in either tuning, speed or noise.

My current favorite longbow shoots great at 5 7/8" but I keep it at 6" even.

[Mudd]

I don't use any tool other than my fist with the thumb extended as my method of setting my brace height.

I have been forced a couple of times to put a bow square to measure brace height by my buddy Tony aka "Macatawa". It's that engineers mind of his that has to get "details"... I'm not a very "detail" oriented person...lol

God bless,Mudd

[swampthing]

Those were fiberglass side plates for reinforcement.
The "Old Rule" was 1 inch per foot of bow length. 66" bow is 5.5' so it would be braced 5.5" a 68" bow is 5.75' so thats the brace height in inches. Keeping 5.75"-6"  on my glass bows w/backset is great.

[Overspined]

I saw that glass on some of the sides of Hill's bows as well, it may be due to the heavy draw weights and very thin riser,grip, and more strength and stiffness was required.  I have seen a reproduction or two with it too.

Ron may have more info on that.

[khardrunner]

Some pics for owlmagnet... nice bows!

[tradlongbow]

Owlmagnet-

I like the smaller 12" riser, how do you like the 2 3/8ths grip size?

[Owlmagnet]

Thank you, khardrunner, I appreciate the assist posting those photos. I added a Wesley Special of similar draw weight in order to contrast the regular bamboo from the caramelized bamboo. The Tembo riser is laminated, caramelized bamboo, as well. Both are 66", string follow.

I prefer to wrap my grips in linen cord, rather than leather.

The riser is shorter than standard, 12" rather than the 14" riser I enjoy on my other 66" bows. I'm no expert, but I believe that the limbs pull a little more smoothly, as a result.

I REALLY like this bow!

[Owlmagnet]

tradlongbow: As you can see, I have small hands and a grip that deep may seem counter-intuitive. Yet, I've found that the deeper grip doesn't allow a lot of latitude in how I grip it. The back of the grip is solidly against my lifeline, the front of the grip is under the middle pads of my fingers. I don't have much contact with the side of the grip, at all.

I usually practice with six or eight arrows at any given range, working on my form. I have found that the deeper grip gives me fewer options on varying my grip from shot to shot, resulting in tighter groups. The deeper grip, I believe, is less likely torque on me, whether I am holding it firmly, or "squeezing the sap out of it". Again, the pressure remains against the lifeline and the middle pads of my fingers.

If anything, the grip is a little more rounded towards the back, rather than the "old school" wedge shape I have come to prefer. I reserve the right to break out my trusty wood rasp at some point in the future....

Be well and good luck,
Bob

[tradlongbow]

Owlmagnet-

My Hill grips have all been 2", I would like to try one a little larger. I'll look you up at the HillGang Hog Hunt, I'll like to feel the larger grip.

[Blaino]

getting back to the brace height question....

I just got my new Hill Archery bow yesterday.  In the box was a letter discussing the warrenty.  It said the the brace height on a 70" bow should be at 6.5" +/- 1/8"

Yall seem to be setting it a lot lower.

 

[Charlie Lamb]

Just mess with it and see what you think. Most brace heights are "suggestions" by the bowyer and not written in stone.

[Owlmagnet]

tradlongbow: You are more than welcome to try my bow at the Hog Hunt.

Blaino: I believe some archers may well be setting their brace heights a tad lower than Craig's recommendation. In my case, my 66" Wesley shot real well at 6-1/4", which is spot on Craig's recommendation. Then I added another 1/4" to the back of the grip. Now, the brace height is 6" when measured from the back of the grip to the string. See? A lot depends on the actual depth of the grip. I wonder what the difference in depth is between the small take down sleeves and the large take down sleeves? I imagine that the recommended brace height is identical for both....

As long as the bow is quiet and arrow is flying well off of the bow, I think a lot of guy's prefer to go with a longer "power stroke" in the interest of optimal efficiency. But like I said, I am no expert.

One reason I removed the arrow rest/strike plate from my Hills, as well as string silencers, (I think Nate mentioned this), is that I can better hear what is happening at the shot--and that can provide important clues about my form, as well as how the bow is performing. Messing with the brace height also provides an opportunity to listen to what my Hill is trying to tell me....

Congratulations on your new longbow; may it serve you long and well!