Has anyone owned a Dave Johnson longbow?

[Gil Verwey]

They look like nice longbows. I have had many different bowyers ASL longbows, but never saw or shot one of his. I have only seen pictures of them. If you did own one what did you think of them?

Thanks
Gil

[Buggs]

I have not owned a Johnson, but would not hesitate to get one.

I have made a couple ERC, ASL's and it makes a light, snappy bow for sure. Johnson's bows look fantastic and the arc of the tiller in all the pics I have seen is perfect. Plus his price is hard to beat.

[Gordon Jabben]

Yes, I've owned a couple over the years.  A friend is using one that just got too heavy for me at 75#.  His cedar bows (about all he made) are really nice.  The first thing you will notice with one, it is so light it feels like a feather.  They are smooth drawing, beautiful, great workmanship, really quick.  One thing, I like bows with a little more center shot as Dave's are around 3/8" I would guess.  Also some may want a little more of a shelf.  Dave sent me a hello the other day so I think he's doing fine although last I heard he wasn't building bows.  I can't imagine you being disappointed in one. Old picture of some rabbits I got with one of Dave's bows. 

[H1tman7]

I picked one up just a few weeks back, have been very happy with it. As others have mentioned, very light in the hand

[Overspined]

I owned one and it was a tad short so I sold it. They’re nice. My only concern is cedar is the most prone to cracking when in cores from my experience. Of all the bows I’ve made, the only core issues I’ve ever had were with cedar. Despite careful culling and all, I just quit using it. I’ve never had a core of hickory, ash, boo, or walnut crack in a lam.

[Overspined]

Yes, I've owned a couple over the years.  A friend is using one that just got too heavy for me at 75#.  His cedar bows (about all he made) are really nice.  The first thing you will notice with one, it is so light it feels like a feather.  They are smooth drawing, beautiful, great workmanship, really quick.  One thing, I like bows with a little more center shot as Dave's are around 3/8" I would guess.  Also some may want a little more of a shelf.  Dave sent me a hello the other day so I think he's doing fine although last I heard he wasn't building bows.  I can't imagine you being disappointed in one. Old picture of some rabbits I got with one of Dave's bows.

I’ve messed with center shot, hill style asl bows just seem to shoot better being cut away from center. They’ll all shoot great when you pick the right spine. I get that the arrow wants to fall off but that’s part of the learning process

[Gil Verwey]

Thanks everyone. I had seen one of his early ones with yew lams. It looked very nice.

I had a large collection of Harrison longbows and a Hill collection. I have had many bowyer's ASL longbows. I always came back to Howard Hill or Northern Mist. I think in regards to longbows I am just going to stick with Harold Hill Archery. I feel they made them as good as the best and probably better. If I ever found a Schulz Trophy Hunter in my weight and length I would be tempted.

My search has ended and I am sticking with what I know. My next will be a new Hill Wesley takedown 68" or 70" 60#@30".

Thanks for the insight.
Gil   

[5deer]

 

[Papajack]

My hunting partner has a couple of his bows and loves them.

[toddster]

Yep I have one, had it for about 6 years.  It has taken some critters.  It is light in bow weight, Cedar is pretty.  It throw's and arrow with authority, quick turn around.  To me it draws smooth, but the weight to me seems to stack up a little quicker than Sunset Hill, Northern Mist.  But still great bow.

[Brazos]

I have one Dave built me around 2012-2013.  It’s a very nice bow.  It shoots arrows with authority like my 2 HHA long bows.  Mine is a 64” 40# cedar bow.  It’s a little different than my 68” bamboo HHA 48# & 60# draw weight bows.  It shoots great and I do not feel it shoots any better or worse than my HHA bows.  The limbs and grip seems a little wider on the Dave Johnson bow.  I like the more narrow HHA bows in that regard but once I shoot the Johnson bow and get in the groove with the different feel I can shoot just as good with it.  It just has a different feel to it (not saying it’s good or bad) compared to my HHA bows.  I just have to shoot a session with it to get on track if I have been shooting my HHA bow for a while.  I bought the Johnson bow as a off season/target bow and at some point during the summer I switch to my HHA bows for hunting.  After hunting season is over I switch back to the Johnson 40# bow.