Bighorn bows

[cacciatore]

I get 2 Bighorn bows made in the late90's,I really love them being fast,stable,accurate and quiet also with ff.Since the company looked to have some problems in the last few years you don't see them really often.It is a shame because this is a historical name on traditional bowhunting.So I would like to know who shoot them and what are your feeling about these bows.

[Barney]

Got 6 of 'em    Have no complaints or I wouldn't shoot them. There's too many good bows out now to shoot one you don't like.

[JimB]

cacciatore,my first custom bow was a Bighorn.In the  1970's,when the compounds came out,most companys either quit making recurves or cheapened the ones they did produce.many people thought the recurves and long bows finished.Fred Asbell started his company a few years later about 1977,possibly one year earlier.He was maybe the first custom bowyer to start building the recurves again or at least the most visible.

That first bow was a one piece,I think in 3,maybe 4 different lengths.The first year,they sold for $120.I ordered mine the following year and they were up to $180 by then.My first was a 54" one pice and I still have it.I carved a handle shape I liked out of foam and sent that with the order.Denny Behn was working with Fred at the time.That is one of the nicest feeling handles of any I have owned.Those early bows had a shiny finish.

The following year,they announced there new,3 piece takedown and textured,satin finish.I had to have one of those and ordered a 56" one.I made a copy of my first bow's grip and sent that with the order.that first year for the TD,the price was $225.

I always loved those bows.They were smooth,stable shooters.I was shooting 60 and 61#'s at the time and have no idea what kind of speeds they had.I don't think I spoke to Fred at the time.It seems like Denny Behn answered the phone both times I ordered.It took a few months each time to recieve my bows and the wait was torture.It was a pleasure doing business with those guys.

I first met Fred at a Safari club show in reno,NV in 1971.I only got to speak to him briefly but I remember he perked up when I told him I had one of the 54" one pieces.He said I had a collecters item.The bows by that time sold for $700 and were more than I could afford.

Interestingly,Denny Behn has been a sculptor for a large taxidermy supplier for most of the years since leaving Bighorn.I have been doing some sub-contract work for the same company for several years and actually worked with Denny on a project a few years ago and still see him once in awhile at trade shows.A very talented guy.I believe he helped design some of the Cascade bows.Funny how things come around.

I will try to find a picture or two.Enjoy those bows.

[JimB]

Here is the 54",61# one piece on a back pack bowunt in West Virginia.
 

[shick]

Jim, your 'horn' is still looking very fine.
Shick

[cacciatore]

Thank Jim for posting,very nice bow,take care of it Ii am sure it is rare and valuable.

[Blackhawk]

Jim, I really enjoyed the post and the history lesson.  Steve Gorr, who owns Cascade Archery, is a friend of mine and frequently refers to Denny as a friend and hunting partner.

BTW, Mr. Asbell must have been a fan of the Bear Super Kodiak.  Great design with classic looks.

Thanks again for a great post...

[glass76]

I've got a one-piece Bighorn I ordered from Fred in 1980. My first custom made bow. Can't imagine letting go of it.

[Barney]

Go to the website and check out the new Survivor 54" TD.

Pretty neat.

[JimB]

Blackhawk,that is interesting.There is a thread also on the history/collecting forum and I believe it was Droptine that said Fred did love his Super Kodiaks and that was why he started the company.