Howard Hill w/ carbon in limbs

[Matt D.]

For those that have Howard Hill bows with carbon in the limbs, I'm curious how much faster they are than those without carbon. Are we talking a couple fps, or upwards of 10 fps? Any additional info you have on shooting impressions of Hill bows with carbon is appreciated.

[Orion]

I had one, but just sold it, not because of the carbon, but because it was a little longer than I wanted.  It was 68 inches.  I've determined that 66 inches is a better length in that design for me.

Anyway, to answer your question.  It's difficult to say.  Craig at HH Archery says carbon adds about 5-8 fps.  For an accurate comparison, one would need bows of the same weight and length, one with and one without carbon, shooting the same weight and material arrows.  

My carbon backed Wesley Special was 59#.  The closest Hill I have to it is a 66-inch, 55# Big 5.  No chronograph, but the heavier bow felt like it shot faster, but no idea how much is attributable to the carbon vs the heavier weight.  But it didn't seem like the difference was that great.  The carbon backed certainly didn't blow away the glass backed bow.  That's why my new bow on order will have glass on the back and belly.  Sorry I can't be of more help.

[bayoulongbowman]

Just 5-8 feet...thats not worth it...give me good ole Bamboo!!!  

[SpankyNeal]

I have a Lamboo Tembo with carbon back but don't have another comperable Hill to compare it to. I can tell you that it shoots the exact same arrow as my Monarch Imperial R/D longbow and the Monarch is three pounds heavier. It does have a small amount of that carbon sound to it when shot but it's not loud by any means. Craig does say that if the carbon is on the back it adds a little speed, and if it's behind the back lam it primarily just adds stability. One of the guys on the longbowmen list posted his impression of his carbon wesley and stated that he could go up 2 grains per pound and get the same speed as he got with his non carbon wesley but that is a 70 lb bow - it may not have the same effect with lighter poundage. The question is, is it worth the extra $70 dollars? Probably not but that is considerably less than most bowyers charge for carbon, so if you want it get it. Hope this helps a little.

Spanky

[TSP]

I don't have a carbon Howard Hill (I do have two fiberglass Hills) so can't compare from that end, but I do have a glass Super Shrew hybrid and a similar weight double-carbon Super Shrew hybrid, the latter only recently purchased from a TradGanger.  I suspect that bow design has alot to do with how carbon might compare vs. fiberglass so this might not help much with your question, but for what its worth...

I can't say if carbon in the limbs is worth paying more for but my experience so far is that it does provide more 'pop' for a given poundage, or perhaps equal pop at 3-4 pounds less poundage than does glass.  That said, I would have no interest in buying a Howard Hill longbow with carbon limbs.  The glass versions I have work just fine and for me they just seem to be the way to go for a classic Hill longbow.  But thats just my own perspective, it all depends on what you're looking for.

[Terry Green]

I didn't even know they were making them with carbon....learn something every day.