Howard Hill Wesley Special Takedown, or Wes Wallace Royal Takedown?

[Learner]

I've started saving for an HHA Wesley Special Takedown.  Hopefully sometime in early 2017 I will be able to finally order one.

However just recently, through reading TB magazine, I've become aware of Wes Wallace's "Royal" Takedown longbow.

Does anyone here have experience with both of these bows?  If so, what are your impressions , which one would you choose, and why?

In my mind, the history behind HHA is important.  I also had a chance to meet Craig, and would like to give him my business.

On the flip side, the design and finish of Wes' bows looks exceptional.  However I don't know how long it takes him to produce a custom order.

Then most importantly is the performance of both bows.  Does a  Royal made with bamboo lams have similar performance characteristics to a Wesley?

Any advice would be appreciated.  Photos, also!

Thanks in advance,
Frank

P.S.:  if you have experience with one piece versions of either bow, that would also be appreciated.

[ron w]

Two totally different bows......The Hill is a Hill and you love them or you hate them. The Royal has a bit of reflex and is a good solid performer. I have had both and liked them both, I sold my Royal to a friend, I had to drop down in weight. Still have my Wesley T/D and love it.

[Steelhead]

I had a 2 PC Royal.It was 66 inches and had bamboo limbs with veneers.Its a reflex deflex.It has a little more reflex that than most mild R&Ds IMO.Not radical though.

Its a really nice bow with narrow limbs.It has good speed and is quiet.Cant think of anything I did not like about it.

I like his 2 PC T.D.Same style as the HHA uses.He does mold the grip though to be locator style with contours.The grip is nice.I like the smaller size brass and steel sleeve.It does come in a larger size.I like a smaller grip though.I have had quite a few bows with the brass and steel sleeve and they all had custom grips molded on over the hardware and wrapped with leather.I do like them as they are strong and add a little weight

The fit and finish is 1st rate as you would expect on the Royal Longbow.Mine had a gloss finish.Excellant all around bow IMO.

I never had a HHA T.D.I had a Big 5  twenty years ago that was a 1 PC.

[foxbo]

I've owned several different hill style bows and a Wallace. Neither was a takedown. If I had to pick one, it would be the Wallace. It was more accurate for me and faster. You may want to also consider the Pronghorns. I have a one piece which is probably the best bow I've ever shot at 62".

[matt steed]

Frank; you have chosen two very different style bows. I own a Wesley Special. I have also shot the Wes Wallace Royal a bunch. They are both extremely good bows and the men that build them are top notch. Wes actually sent me a longbow to shoot for a few weeks as a test drive. It would be a good idea if you could make arrangements to shoot both bows. I am almost positive that HHA will send you a bow to try out. I ended up going with a Pronghorn longbow. But if I had to decide between those two; I would go take the Wes Wallace. I can understand your concern about both bows; your saving your money to buy the one that fits you the best. I highly recommend you test drive as many as possible.


God Bless

[M60gunner]

I have a WW LB and have shot the Wesley as well. Like said, two different animals. As much as I am drawn to the allure of the Hill bows the Wallace just shoots better for me.
Turn around times may vary. I have read Craig can get a bow to you pretty fast. Not sure about Wes, call him.

I think it may come down to how you prefer to shoot.  The straight grip of the Hill may require some modifications for you if are accustom to recurve grips.  There are those that will say form does not need to change, on the target course that may be true, but to get the most out of a longbow, fluid versatility is big payoff when hunting.  As explained in detail by John Schulz in his video Hitting 'em like Howard Hill avialable on Youtube.  A mild r/d longbow can be shot the same way and the grip will dictate the bow arm to a degree. The Robertson takedowns are available in two grips, neither is radical and Hill style form can be used with both.   If it were me, I would prefer the one piece Hill with a slight saddled grip, but the new Robertson takedowns have a really nice system, that may be easier to live with than the sleeve system.   There are a number of the Robertsons in stock to view.   There are no wrong choices if you are willing to meld to the bow you purchase.

[Learner]

Thank you to everyone for the wisdom you shared.  It is much appreciated.  There's a lot to think about.

I do think that I could shoot a Hill style, straight grip longbow, based on the following:

1) I have learned my left arm form from watching Jeff Kavanagh's YouTube videos, as well as John Schulz's video and clips of Howard Hill.  Jeff especially stresses pointing the left elbow backwards, rather than down, which goes along with John's advice of bringing the left arm straight out perpendicular to the left side. Doing this naturally allows for a bend in the left elbow.

2)  I use a full contact grip, pushing through the base of my thumb, even with my current cheapie recurve bows.  I have also had a chance to hold straight grip bows in Craig's shop (I visited during a business trip).  I keep all four fingers slightly loose while coming to full draw (to insure that I'm not putting torsion on the string relative to the bow), then lock down on the grip prior to release.  I don't just hold with my upper fingers as many recurve shooters seem to do, but keep a good solid grip as Howard advised.

So for both of these reasons I think that I could comfortably shoot a Hill style longbow. From what I've read here on TradGang, to be able to successfully shoot the Hill style bows, you should keep a bent elbow, as well as a firm grip, both of which I've been working to develop.  Mind you, I haven't actually shot a Hill style bow yet (only having gripped them), so this is just my presuppositions speaking.

I do like the idea of having one sent to me to try prior to ordering my own.

[Learner]

Originally posted by ron w:
Two totally different bows......The Hill is a Hill and you love them or you hate them. The Royal has a bit of reflex and is a good solid performer. I have had both and liked them both, I sold my Royal to a friend, I had to drop down in weight. Still have my Wesley T/D and love it.

Ron, do you have the small or the large version of the Hill TD grip?  I'm curious to see what you preferred and why.

I have smaller hands, but after having a chance to hold both grips at Craig's shop, I actually liked the larger grip better.  Of course, shooting it will tell the real story.

Thank you,
Frank