HH bug got me ... Part One!

Brazos · June 12, 2012, 09:57:00 PM

I know my Wesley Special has his standard Dacron string. The new one I have on order from HHA I specified FF. i do not know anything about strings. After reading 600+ pages I have read people liking this many strands of this or that, padded loops, etc. So my question is does anyone know the specs on HHA strings? For example how many strands of what material, are the loops padded? Just trying to figure out what I got so when I read what some of you guys prefer in a string I have some idea how it compares to HHA's Dacron and FF strings?

dragonheart · June 12, 2012, 10:29:00 PM

I shoot 15-16 strand B-50. In the FF materials, i would PM Jeff from Australia. He has a good formula for strings of Dynaflight I believe.

dragonheart · June 12, 2012, 10:31:00 PM

Jeff goes by: Aussie stickbow hunter

Ric O'Shay · June 13, 2012, 10:36:00 AM

Back before Jeff Massie began making the Longhorn, going to Fedora's school to learn to build recurves, Jeff produced, what I believe to be the finest forward handle longbows available. In February of 1993, I journeyed down to Gonzales, TX to meet Jeff at his shop. My intention was to order a custom made longbow.
I was introduced to Jeff Massie through a mutual friend, Gerald Fuguaret (sp), who owned a Landscape Nursery - Archery Supply in Gonzales.

I spent an hour or so touring the shed where his longbows were birthed. I truly wish that I'd had a camera with me because this was the original shop. Later he would move to Shiner in a much larger facility. It was not more than just a shed. The outside was weathered planks undoubtedly constructed by some rancher decades earlier. Inside, Jeff had taken great pains to insulate and seal the shop from the elements.
After shooting an assortment of bows of varying lengths, draw weights, and wood combinations I finally decided on what to order. As far back as I can remember, I've always like the color, grain and rich texture of black walnut. To enhance the appearance, Jeff recommended an accent lamination of hickory. Since this was to be my first custom bow, I decided to name it after my bride of 13 years. We called it "Sweet Sue".

Almost 20 years later, I still have "Sweet Sue", both the bow and the bride.

Owlmagnet · June 13, 2012, 10:42:00 AM

That is one pretty, pretty forward handled longbow. I'll bet she shoots as sweet as she looks....

rushlush · June 13, 2012, 11:49:00 AM

Beautiful bow Ric!

Gil Verwey · June 13, 2012, 04:33:00 PM

Oh man I have another Hill to add to the collection coming. I am going to have to do the Hill Hog Hunt with this one.

I just picked up a Hill used by Howard Hill to train Bob Wesley in 1969. I know the story of this bow from Bob Wesley himself and it has a lot of history behind it. It has documentation notarized in regard to this history.

Bob had two Howard Hill longbows and went to Howard Hill's house for training. Howard looked at the two bows and did't like either one. He told Bob to get rid of one and sent this one to John Schulz to be reworked. Howard sent the bow to John Schulz and when he got it back gave it his personal approval.

This bow was handled and approved by Howard, reworked to Howard's specs by John Schulz and shot by Bob Wesley under Howard's tutelage. It doesn't get much better than that.

Hope to be shooting it well enough for the hunt next year. Hopefully all of this mojo and history will rub off on me!

Gil

Killdeer · June 13, 2012, 04:54:00 PM

Holy cannoli!!
Killdeer

2treks · June 13, 2012, 05:18:00 PM

Yes!
Holy cannoli!!

CTT

awbowman · June 13, 2012, 05:50:00 PM

WOW Rick .... and that's all I have to say about that!

Goshawkin · June 13, 2012, 06:03:00 PM

Congrats Gil,That's great!

Mudd · June 13, 2012, 06:05:00 PM

Gil that has to be the coolest story I've read in a long while.

Gil Verwey · June 13, 2012, 06:30:00 PM

The bow is being shipped Saturday. I can't wait.

The documentation says some neat stuff about this one being Howard's favorite since he loved hog hunting. The bow is named Big Boar. Now this one has to go to the hunt for sure.

I spoke to Bob Wesley about joining us too. He is thinking about it. That would be icing on the cake for the Hunt. Imagine the Howard Hill stories that would be told around the campfire if Bob could make it. I hope he decides to go by then.

smoke1953 · June 13, 2012, 07:03:00 PM

That is beauty and I love the Massie I bought from you. Got a nice doe with that bow last fall.

Killdeer · June 13, 2012, 07:28:00 PM

If Bob Wesley goes, I wanna corner the Sharpie concession.

Killdeer

Rossco7002 · June 13, 2012, 08:17:00 PM

I don't think you could find a more unique bow with such a cool pedigree! Specially the name (big boar) for the Hill Hunt.

Ric O'Shay · June 13, 2012, 09:57:00 PM

Gil -
I green with envy, but very proud that you are getting this piece of history. Get your best-est camera ready. We gotta see some really good pics of this one.
Danny

Brianlocal3 · June 13, 2012, 10:06:00 PM

That is amazing Gil. I too am eagerly awaiting. Pics

Ric O'Shay · June 13, 2012, 10:15:00 PM

Bruce -
Glad to hear the Massie was good to you.
Danny

Gil Verwey · June 13, 2012, 10:40:00 PM

Here is the only picture I have at this point from the seller. I am a fan of Howard Hill and especially Bob Wesley, so this bow is special to me. The neat thing about the bow is the documentation that was written by Bob and notorized. When I get the bow and documentation I will quote some of what Bob wrote about the bow.
It is a 71# Tembo named "Big Boar" and has a neat story.

I collect Harrison longbows and Hill longbows. I am hoping eventually the Archery Museum at the University of Missouri will take them and display them in Dr. Grayson's collection.

I can't take them with me, my kids aren't into traditional archery (they are compound shooters) and I can't bring myself to sell them.