"Forward" handle D shaped Hill bows...

[Ric O'Shay]

I know there are several threads regarding the Hill style bows. Even one started by Rob for the "mild r/d" bows. So, here's one for the forward handle Hill style. We know that Howard shot a forward handle longbow because there is a photo of him in John Schulz's book "Hitting 'em Like Howard Hill". On page 16, Howard is shown shooting a forward handle bow in an exhibition in Japan.

Notice that I keep referring to this type longbow as a FORWARD HANDLE bow, not a REVERSE HANDLE. To me the term "reverse" is a negative connotation. Folks, there is nothing negative about this type handle. Forward, to me, simply means the handle is located in front of, or forward of, the limbs.
So, let's see some of these forward handle Hill style bows. I'll lead this thing off with my Massie forward handle that I've had since April of 1993. 64" 54# @ 26" walnut and hickory and rightfully named "Sweet Sue".





Danny

[toddster]

I have never shot a forward handle, but want to your bow looks sweet.

[pdk25]

I really like the tips on that bow. Nice riser too.

[Vesty]

I don't have a picture but yours is a spittin' image of my Northern Mist Whisper which remains the smoothest and quietest bow I've ever shot. It loves heavy wood arrows.

[tradlongbow]

Danny-

I like the bow, it must be a pretty sweet shooting bow by the name of it. I have held my Hill bow with the handle facing forward and liked how it felt.

Darren

[Mudd]

I was so very impressed with how silent and accurate this bow is but alas it is more weight than I wanted to shoot routinely so she's headed to Michigan.

Is it just me or does anyone else experience the comparative feeling between shooting these and a string follow bow?

Oh BTW, Thank you Danny for setting me straight on what to call these style bows. Forward does seem preferable to reverse...lol






 

God bless, Mudd

[b44mag]

i have a northwind gem forward handle
60in. 52#@28
and boy i love it
it's light,fast,smooth and hits hard
i still cant figure out the pic thing  
and thanks again for the great deal on a great bow.    
b44mag

[NormanDale33]

You have some neat bows Mudd. I didn't even know these bows existed, but they sure are fun to look at.

[Ric O'Shay]

Mudd -

There is something about the forward handle longbows that make them quieter than the standard handle bows. They do have the feel of a string follow, draw smooth and gentle in the hand. I like the bow you pictured. I thought long and hard about it when it was in the classifieds. It looks like a real shooter.

Danny

[jsweka]

I've never shot a forward handle Hill bow, but I just can't get past the fact that they look like they're strung backwards.  I'd still like to try one someday before totally dismissing them.

[Ben Maher]

As a kind of halfway ... forward riser ... Allen Boice's Liberty English model actually has the riser in the middle of the bow if that makes sense ... it is about as forgiving and accurate a bow as you'll find .
I agree Danny , they are sweet forgiving shooters.

[Apex Predator]

Captain Dick has made a few that are beauties.  He doesn't sell though.

[Rob DiStefano]

definitely "forward handle" and not "reverse handle".  the "forward" is actually a form of deflex, 'cause that's what it adds and what it is.  i shot a few of these, and they are smooth and stable.  aesthetically, i just don't care for the looks, so for me it's fashion over function.  

I had a Tembo reverse made by John Schulz with a nicely colored myrtle riser, it was marked 89 pounds at 29", I drew it to 27". It was faster, less shocky and smoother than an 89@27" standard Big 5 that I got a few years later. I'm not really complaining, for some reason, I could pheasants out of the air with the shocky Big 5. One Thanksgiving weekend, I shot 6 pheasants with it. I still think I was more accurate with the reverse Tembo, but I never hit a pheasant out of the air with it.

[dragonheart]

One of the best shooting longbows I had was an Elburg.  It had a "reverse" handle, Hill style.

[dnovo]

I'm like Rob above. I have had one and shot several, they were all good shooters. I just can't get past the fact that I don't like the way they look.

[Mudd]

Originally posted by dnovo:
I'm like Rob above. I have had one and shot several, they were all good shooters. I just can't get past the fact that I don't like the way they look.

I have to agree Dan.  I don't know if I can ever get used to the look.

God bless,Mudd

[Flingblade]

I have not shot one but as stated above I cannot get past the way they look.  I would like to shoot one someday but will not buy one to try out.  One of the beauties of traditional archery is shooting beautiful bows.  They may be the beaut to someone but not me.  I think my next bow will be a Hill with string follow.

[RRock]

Had a North Wind Gem a couple years ago. Really liked that bow. I a moment of stupidity I sold it. Bad move. Just got a Northern Mist Whisper a month or so ago, haven't had chance to try it out yet. Once deer law is over I'll give it a go. If it's as nice as the Gem, it's found a home.

[Orion]

Owned an Elburg forward handle longbow quite a few years ago.  Sure wish I still had that bow.  Very smooth and stable.