the Ubiquitous Bow Question (but not which one)

[Kmurray]

Ah, good analogy Matty. Thanks.
The price of the bow is only a consideration because I KNOW this will only be the first in a long line of purchases to come. Like my first car, it was a 10 yr old Mazda (and that was back in the 80's),  That car taught me a lot about how to care for and appriciate what I struggle to pay for today.
I don't want the learning curve to be frustrating but I also don't want to grow out of a $700 bow in a year either.

[Easykeeper]

It's not always easy to try stick bows before you buy one unless you happen to know the right people.  If you can't do the try before you buy all is not lost.

Good idea on keeping the draw weight low.  

You know you want some type of longbow (there are several different types), keep doing the research like this thread, use the search function to see what others are shooting and what looks nice to your eyes, then hit the classifieds.  Stickbows hold their value very well after the initial depreciation.  Lots of people buy, sell, and trade several bows without loosing much, if any, money before they find "the one".  There are so many subtle differences in bows that one persons keeper will bore the pants off someone else.  If you buy a good used one and you end up not liking it you will have no trouble reselling it, possibly getting all your money back minus shipping.

[Butch Speer]

Hills & Hill style bows get a bad rap for hand shock. Isn't necessarily so. If you have a quality longbow, use heavier arrows & most importantly, to me, grip the bow properly, you will find HH bows very pleasant & satisfying to shoot. Using a longbow for the first time, without proper instructions are what gives them a bad name. The first time I shat one, it rattled my teeth.   :p

[arrowlauncherdj]

Butch, that kinda is my point, it didnt feel natural, no matter which one I tried by any maker. And it has been so long, I cant remember the makers specifically.  But point being, if it were me as a newbie, and I was definitely wanting a fiberglass lam bow, there are so many designs out there that have improved on the concept,  that any Hill would pretty much be my last resort for a bow even as someone who has been shooting a few years now.  But for a beginner, that would be even moreso an issue, IMHO.

Not trying to get all the Hill guys on my case here, but I watch so many guys shoot them and when they release, it looks like they go into contortions from the bow reaction unless they choke the heck out of the grip.

[WESTBROOK]

Kmurry,

As much as I love my Hill style bows, I dont know if I could recomend one as a first bow for some completely new to traditional archery. They are as simple as it gets and a pleasure to shoot but if your not wise to the grip and other little things that go along with them they could be a turnoff.

I would suggest a mild R/D longbow, they still have that classic longbow look that catches your eye and are a little easier to get to be friends with. Something like a Northern Mist Baraga, Mohawk, Robertson Mystical or Purist. Great Northern make a super little entry level longbow called the Field Bow, it is 60" and upto 45# for $325, Jerry Brumm build some of the best bows available.

The other little thing about a traditional longbow is they are very light in the hand compared to a recurve or any 3 piece bow, it will take some time to get strength in the bow arm to hold it steady.

Good Luck in your search

Eric

[Kmurray]

Eric,
I can tell your thinking like me  
Or maybe I'm thinking like you, either way you've mentioned almost every bow I've been considering and reading about for months ha ha.
Including the GNBC field bow, it was the Bobcat's only real competition in consideration for a "first longbow". Again, it just has all the traits that make it seem like a sound option. The bobcat just had more in the way of options for aesthetics.
I've been drooling over the Robertson Primal Styk for some time, and I'm pretty sure that will be my first true custom "real" bow once I get the technique and skill to justify that kind of investment.
That was of great help, thank you.

[Cochise]

Howdy
Let me know if I can be of help. i shoot mostly
recurves, and of the four longbows i own three are r/d hybrids. the one Hill bow i shoot
is a string follow 73@27" (not the best starting point for you).
I keep a office in a midrise bldg in downtown Phx where on occasion i set up a 60yd indoor range.
Cochise

[WESTBROOK]

Kelly,

I was also was thinking in the another direction, seeing that this would be your first traditional bow you may pick up on the straight Hill style grip quickly, since your not a recurve shooter you dont have any bad habits to break    

Eric

[Kmurray]

Cochise,
Thank you for your offer, I may very well take you up on that. Even if not to try a bow, but for some pointers and camaraderie. I've only been in AZ a month now... so aside from work, I have no life Ha ha...

Westbrook, that was exactly why I was thinking along the lines of the Hill bow... I have no habits at all, good or bad...I was thinking maybe if I learned on the Hill, and formed good form and technique, shooting anything else would be a simple matter of adjusting what I already know... where as if I had started on an "easier" (for lack of a better word) bow, I may indeed form some lazy or even bad habits that would be a real pain in the a$$ to break down the road... but its also possible that the Hill bow would not be that effective and be more discouraging than a beneficial training aid... which is why I came here.... humm.... still torn

[Kmurray]

eek... double tap post...sorry