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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: Tradcat on August 09, 2016, 09:36:00 AM

Title: Favorite Howard Hill Archery bow model
Post by: Tradcat on August 09, 2016, 09:36:00 AM
OK fellow tradgang brothers and sisters... Please give me your favorite HHA bow model & why. I'm leaning towards a Redman and need some input from y'all before I pull the trigger. Thanks
Title: Re: Favorite Howard Hill Archery bow model
Post by: David Mitchell on August 09, 2016, 11:02:00 AM
I have a Redman I like very much because I like the looks of yew and it is a time honored core material, but I also like any Hill I have owned.   :D  They all come off the same forms and the difference between models is undetectable by me.  The difference in models is only core material and how many lams are used.  Basically pick the one that aesthetically appeals to you.  I think if/when I order another it would be the Legend Stick.
Title: Re: Favorite Howard Hill Archery bow model
Post by: Bill Turner on August 09, 2016, 11:36:00 AM
I have owned and still own several HHA bows. The "Cheetah" and the "Half Breed" are my favorites. I have a TD "RedMan" 64", 48@28 with ebony riser and limb tips that I love but when shooting 3-D or just practicing I always gravitate to the bows with bamboo limbs.They just seem to be more forgiving.   :campfire:
Title: Re: Favorite Howard Hill Archery bow model
Post by: starshooter on August 09, 2016, 11:51:00 AM
You ll love the "Redman" I have that now and it resonates with me every time I look at it. Any HH bow will do that. One caution- do not overbow !  Be prepared to learn a different way to shoot. It's a humblng
Experience.


 


M
Title: Re: Favorite Howard Hill Archery bow model
Post by: Tradcat on August 09, 2016, 12:06:00 PM
Thanks guys... Please keep the comments coming
Title: Re: Favorite Howard Hill Archery bow model
Post by: Jim Picarelli on August 09, 2016, 05:08:00 PM
The Redman and Big Five are two of my favorite Hill's. I don't think you could go wrong with whatever model you choose
Title: Re: Favorite Howard Hill Archery bow model
Post by: frank bullitt on August 09, 2016, 05:48:00 PM
Tembo!
Title: Re: Favorite Howard Hill Archery bow model
Post by: Blackhawk on August 09, 2016, 05:59:00 PM
I have the Big 5 and Tembo and like them both really well, and cannot tell any difference in performance.  The Tembo is a string follow model, but???

Just pick the one you think looks the best.

BTW, I hope you've been browsing the thread "HH Bug Got me".  It's on the first page here with over 280 pages of pics and comments.
Title: Re: Favorite Howard Hill Archery bow model
Post by: Sam McMichael on August 09, 2016, 06:09:00 PM
I have 2 Wesley Specials, 2 Cheetahs, and 1 Big Five. I like the Wesley best, but following an injury it is a bit too stout - both of them are 65#. They are smooth bows. Next I like the 55# Cheetah. The only reason I like my Wesley better is that it was the first custom bow I ever had, so sentiment figures in. I can't tell any real difference in performance other than that caused simply by the increased poundage in my Wesley. I feel that same way about the Big Five, but it is a bit lighter than I generally prefer. I have shot a bunch of Redman bows, and they are very nice. I just can't afford one yet.
Title: Re: Favorite Howard Hill Archery bow model
Post by: Green on August 09, 2016, 06:23:00 PM
Halfbreed.  The combination of Yew/Boo really performs, and looks good doing it.
Title: Re: Favorite Howard Hill Archery bow model
Post by: fireball31 on August 09, 2016, 06:24:00 PM
I love the big 5. It is the most aesthetically pleasing to me. I like all off the laminations of bamboo to be on the back of the bow. Not to mention I still rue the fact that someone stole mine out of the back of my truck when I was at work.
Title: Re: Favorite Howard Hill Archery bow model
Post by: Tajue17 on August 10, 2016, 08:56:00 AM
Redman was the one I liked the most but his model with the red elm lams is nice too I forgot the name think it was ruffed grouse,, I'm a big fan of elm in longbows though.
Title: Re: Favorite Howard Hill Archery bow model
Post by: Ric O'Shay on August 10, 2016, 09:09:00 AM
The Tembo performs as good or in most cases better than the other models. Three (3) laminations work super and you don't get the decreased performance and feel of the extra layers of glue as you will in the four (4) or five (5) lamination models. Talk to Craig and you can get a Tembo with any wood you want. I like yew, but the Tembo with yew on the back and belly with a center lam of bamboo is great.
Title: Re: Favorite Howard Hill Archery bow model
Post by: Tradcat on August 10, 2016, 09:13:00 AM
Thanks for all the input guys. Next question: back set, straight or string  follow ? I know this is all subject to personal preference but I'd like to hear why you prefer the different profiles. Please advise. Thanks again !
Title: Re: Favorite Howard Hill Archery bow model
Post by: Tradcat on August 10, 2016, 10:33:00 AM
I like the three lam idea in the Tembo model that Danny suggested with bamboo sandwiched between two yew lams ! Would you go backset, straight or string follow and why ? Please advise. Thanks !
Title: Re: Favorite Howard Hill Archery bow model
Post by: Orion on August 10, 2016, 11:54:00 AM
If you sandwich bamboo between two laminations of yew, you no longer have a Tembo.  It's then called a Halfbreed.

Regardless, to address your next question.  I like backset because it's faster than straight or string follow. String follow may have the softest draw, but is also the slowest.  Straight is in-between.
Title: Re: Favorite Howard Hill Archery bow model
Post by: two4hooking on August 10, 2016, 03:20:00 PM
I love the old Schulz built Tembos.  A well built Tembo would be my choice.

Of Craig's profiles I think I would choose the straight or backset.
Title: Re: Favorite Howard Hill Archery bow model
Post by: Tajue17 on August 10, 2016, 05:23:00 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Tradcat:
Thanks for all the input guys. Next question: back set, straight or string  follow ? I know this is all subject to personal preference but I'd like to hear why you prefer the different profiles. Please advise. Thanks again !
if your a decent shot already with a ASL (because I think string follow is more forgiving and easier to tune) you will only get to have one bow then back set!!! because I think it has a bit more oomph and you still get decent cast with a heavy arrow..........funny thing is my current favorite ASL is my stringfollow I'm just loving that bow but If I could only have one its backset.
Title: Re: Favorite Howard Hill Archery bow model
Post by: on August 11, 2016, 11:18:00 PM
http://www.howardhillarchery.com/limited-edition-longbows/black-mamba.html
Title: Re: Favorite Howard Hill Archery bow model
Post by: Rob DiStefano on August 12, 2016, 08:12:00 AM
this is highly subjective stuff and there is no right answer.

NO ONE can "help" you make yer own decision about what model HH is "good" for you.  heck, they're ALL GOOD in one way or many.  

since most of us will never get to hold and shoot a particular bow and draw weight that we have in mind, it will ALWAYS be a crap shoot of sorts as to how you'll feel about a bow that just arrived at yer door step.  another reason why there are so many bows listed on the classifieds.

SO - just go with whatever tickles yer fancy, and what matters most is not getting the right model, it's getting the RIGHT HOLDING DRAW WEIGHT for ... YOU.  that alone trumps all the other stuff.

GOOD LUCK!
Title: Re: Favorite Howard Hill Archery bow model
Post by: meatCKR on August 12, 2016, 09:11:00 AM
Rob is right on.  I spied a Legend Stick on the HHA website that was just the right specs for me - 64" and 57# @ 27".  So I bought it. All Caramelized Bamboo from the limbs to the riser and simply outstanding!  Here are some pics.

  (http://i1057.photobucket.com/albums/t384/MeatCKR/LS_pic1.jpg) (http://s1057.photobucket.com/user/MeatCKR/media/LS_pic1.jpg.html)

  (http://i1057.photobucket.com/albums/t384/MeatCKR/LS_pic2.jpg) (http://s1057.photobucket.com/user/MeatCKR/media/LS_pic2.jpg.html)

  (http://i1057.photobucket.com/albums/t384/MeatCKR/LS_pic4.jpg) (http://s1057.photobucket.com/user/MeatCKR/media/LS_pic4.jpg.html)

Enjoy your search!

Steve
Title: Re: Favorite Howard Hill Archery bow model
Post by: ron w on August 12, 2016, 10:58:00 AM
I have several, my favorite is my Owl and a Half Breed, I just shoot them well and enjoy taking a walk with them searching for stumps to shoot at. Both are back set.
Title: Re: Favorite Howard Hill Archery bow model
Post by: Three Arrows on December 30, 2016, 04:56:00 PM
I've owned three of them so far.  A Redman, a Big Five (used) and a Legend Stick.  I must say, I cannot put the Legend Stick down.  It is the smoothest and quietest longbow I have ever shot.  Up until recently, the Berry Vixen was my favorite of all time.  I am going to end up giving away the Vixen to someone!  The Legend Stick feels perfect in my hand.  It is quiet, so quiet that I will not be putting silencers on the string.  It is even quieter now with Chad's string on it.  It even seems quicker!
Title: Re: Favorite Howard Hill Archery bow model
Post by: Deno on December 30, 2016, 05:22:00 PM
My 70" 70# HH Big 5 is my go to bow.  Shoots darts where I'm lookin'...well, most of the time anyway.

Deno
Title: Re: Favorite Howard Hill Archery bow model
Post by: ron w on December 30, 2016, 05:23:00 PM
I have several but my favorite is my Half Breed. I also have a 2 pc Wesley Special that shoots really well.
Title: Re: Favorite Howard Hill Archery bow model
Post by: Orion on December 30, 2016, 05:25:00 PM
Edited: Ooops.  I see I responded earlier.  Oh well, at least I'm consistent.

Cheetah, Big5 and Tembo in any order.

I like back set because it yields more performance compared to the other two. Hill bows aren't speed demons to begin with.

Back set bows have a little more initial tension and build poundage/stack less at the end of the draw compared to a string follow., but these are relatively small differences. Some like one feel, others, another.
Title: Re: Favorite Howard Hill Archery bow model
Post by: RC on December 30, 2016, 05:58:00 PM
Wesley and Cheetah for me.RC
Title: Re: Favorite Howard Hill Archery bow model
Post by: Dan bree on December 30, 2016, 07:28:00 PM
Three arrows . You can mail your vixen to me !
Title: Re: Favorite Howard Hill Archery bow model
Post by: Sam McMichael on December 30, 2016, 07:53:00 PM
You asked about backset or string follow. All my Hills and one of my Northern Mists are straight. One Northern Mist Shelton is made of yew, and with its string follow is very nice. I find string follow to be very desirable and yew to be very smooth. Whatever Hill you get, don't second guess yourself afterwards, they are all very nice.
Title: Re: Favorite Howard Hill Archery bow model
Post by: ron w on December 31, 2016, 09:25:00 AM
Looks like I responded twice also......forgot about my HH Owl.
Title: Re: Favorite Howard Hill Archery bow model
Post by: on December 31, 2016, 03:33:00 PM
The bow on the left is the best shooting longbow that I have ever shot. 57.5@ 26 and 60@27, it is a Half Breed from a blank.   Common sense says that i should give it to someone that will try to wear it out.  It is an addictive bow to shoot and when i shoot it, I shoot way more right hand shots than i should.      (http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab283/pavanldb/longbows/DSCN0331.jpg) (http://s872.photobucket.com/user/pavanldb/media/longbows/DSCN0331.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Favorite Howard Hill Archery bow model
Post by: One eye on March 16, 2017, 11:03:00 PM
I love the Wesley Specials.  I have owned several, and wish I hadn't sold them during my "bow collecting" stage.  I guess it is time to get another.
Title: Re: Favorite Howard Hill Archery bow model
Post by: nineworlds9 on March 17, 2017, 06:41:00 PM
Ive always liked the Redman, but my new favorite is going to be my new limited edition Black Mamba, #46, which I should have in my hand in around 5 weeks.     :bigsmyl:
Title: Re: Favorite Howard Hill Archery bow model
Post by: dragon rider on March 18, 2017, 02:22:00 PM
Halfbreed.  Looks good, shoots even better and has little, if any, hand shock.