"Forward" handle D shaped Hill bows...

[Yolla Bolly]

Like several others, I favor the Northern Mist Whisper.  I just seem to shoot more accurately with the forward handle, and when I shoot with others, I heard a lot of comment on the quietness factor (700+grain arrows probably have a lot to do with that part). In fact, I have two of 'em, and pretty much hunt with the original only.  The second is a two-piece takedown that Steve made for me, so I could ship it to GA when I flew back there.  It is marked identically to the first, but came out with a five lb. lighter draw weight.  It seems to shoot  heavy POC's about the same as the Griz Stiks from the heavier bow.

[Brianlocal3]

I admitantly was not and am still not a fan of most of the glass over reverse handle bows. For me a straightlimbed bow had a particular look to the riser that I love. Most of the reverse handles have the fades rounded off so that the glass lays there. What I love about the JD berry is that the riser maintains the "true" American longbow riser look, that alone sold me on it, and since recieving it ...oh my it's a joy




That's the classic look I'm referring to, it's reversed but still the overall shape remains unchanged.  Fantastic

[Ric O'Shay]

Brian -
I see what you mean. I almost looks like James took a glued up left handed bow, turned it backwards and cut the shelf on the side for a right hander.

"Almost"....it really does look like that to me.
The main thing is that the limbs are on the belly side of the bow and not the back side,

[Mudd]

Brian that is a pretty bow, even if it is made backwards...lol

I am truly a blessed man!

I just took a call from James and his question to me was: "Mudd are you up for a quick trip to Sherwood?".

My reply "Always, of course!".

James asked if I would take his personal bow (a Misty Dawn or Morning star, I can't remember which now) and put it through it's paces and call him with feedback.

Does it get any better than this?  

Wow!

I am humbled that anyone would chose me to try out their bow(s).

God bless,Mudd

[Brianlocal3]

Mudd,
That's fantastic.  You will love it if it's even half as good as mine. Although James did use bamboo cores instead of the obviously superior red elm core LOL,  very good feel and performance from this bow

[Elk77]

James called and me and wants to leave a massage. Brian has very good taste until it comes to the core woods, then he just falls apart.

Rick I wish it was that easy. lol

[Shinken]

Very nice work Dan!

Shoot straight, Shinken

 

[Brianlocal3]

Ouch Dan. I'm gonna go cry now. Ha

[Mudd]

Hahaha!!  

I haven't know James for a long time but long enough to know his feelings about elm... red or otherwise...lol

God bless,Mudd

[Overspined]

I have elm cores in a Northern Mist whisper, and a classic.  I think it's an amazing core wood.  It's really smooth and light/quick.  

If you can shoot a Hill bow, you'll bust more nocks with a Hill bow in reverse!

[stickgunner]

Brian,
Sweet Bow!!!! I got to get one of these.

My son shot a 64" Northern Mist whisper with the elm core at Waterloo and still thinks it was the best shooting bow he has ever shot. I for one like the glass going around. A reverse does not need to have as much squeeze because of its inherent forgiveness. There can be some loss of performance, but if I ever buy another longbow it will be a reverse that may be on the short side.

[Gordon Jabben]

I think in the future, most Hill style bows will be reverse handle.  They are just that much easier to shoot.  What do you guys think?

[Overspined]

I wondered what you meant by the glass going around, now I see what you mean. It makes me think about making one with a little more depth, but then I'd have to narrow up the belly of the gripes it wasn't so big around, and I'd rather not do that. I like the wider, rounded belly of the grip, it's so solid. I have small hands though.  Funny,  on the standard hill I like a deep, thin, knife grip...

[Brianlocal3]

Here are some of Howard shooting his reverse handled bow






Thanks Charles for emailing these to me

[Mudd]

James's reverse handle went into the mail today so maybe by Tuesday I'll have some personal thoughts and experiences to share with you.

Those are some cool pictures of Mr Howard shooting Brian.

Thanks for sharing..!!!!

God bless, Mudd

[L82HUNT]

Eaglewing Frontier 66.  Carbon back. Bow is a blast to shoot. No silencers needed, but unlike a lot of d-bows the string is so dead on release you don't get that string vibration. Feels like most hybrids when it comes to handshock.  Plus Steve's work is well above most out there with his wood work

[Sixby]

Glenn, I see you got it.

Can you say why that bow is so much fun to shoot? I honestly have a hard time figuring it out.

For some reason I just get a real charge out of shooting that bow out of all of them I make but I cannot explain why I feel that way. To me its like it just way solid and dependable, I feel like I can take that bow and absolutely go get critters with it.

God bless , Steve

[L82HUNT]

Originally posted by Sixby:
Glenn, I see you got it.

Can you say why that bow is so much fun to shoot? I honestly have a hard time figuring it out.

It seems with this style of bow that I can get away with more error in my shot.  If I'm shooting a curve or a R/D and have a bad release, do something with my bow arm I can really notice it in both arrow flight and impact.   This bow if I do that stuff there very little if any effect.   I really think in a hunting situation it could play a role.

[stickgunner]

Brian dont mention it. Looks like forward/reverse handle bows will be making a come back. Traditional archery is a kick in the pants. Maybe we will see some of you gents at the Moses Lake, WA shoot on the 19,20,21 of April.