Looking at a new Hill longbow

[ChadMR82]

I really like my Howard hill tembo.  I want to get another hill bow and like the look of the cheetah.  Curious if anyone has shot the tembo and cheetah side by side and what they thought. Thanks

[dad]

My friend has both, in his opinion the only difference is the looks and he likes his cheetah better for that reason! 

[ChadMR82]

Im going to tell on myself.  I’m still getting over losing my dad a couple years ago.  When you responded to my post I got an email that said, “dad has responded to your post.”  It kinda made me smile just seeing that even though I knew it was just the name of a member on here.

Ok, enough with the sappy stuff lol….

[evgb127]

I have owned a Tembo, Big 5, Halfbreed, and a Cheetah.  I don’t own a chronograph, so I don’t have any objective evidence on performance. Subjectively speaking, I couldn’t feel any difference among them. They were all good bows.

In theory, the Tembo may be a better performer because it only has three lams, opposed to the Cheetah’s four lams. Fewer lams means less glue, which in turn means lighter limbs. So, again, in theory, the limbs may recover faster. This is why some say they like the 3-lam Tembo over others with more lams.

Another thing to consider is that true Hill-style handles have steep and narrow sweeps. As a result, a lot of stress is placed on the fadeout. Having a bow with one one lam running up belly side of the riser (like the Cheetah), may theoretically not be as structurally sound as a bow where all the lams are stacked behind the riser. You can, however, ask Craig to build any model will all lams stacked behind the riser if you want.

Finally, when dealing with clear glass, you always run the risk of getting a bow with streaky glass.  Not that it matters performance wise, but some people may find that unappealing.

Ultimately, it all comes down to personal preference.  Life’s short.  Why not buy both and see which one you like best? Fortunately, the re-sale market for Hills right now is great, so you won’t be out much if you decide to sell one.

[M1982]

One day I want to try out a Redman and a Tembo.

[ChadMR82]

I have owned a Tembo, Big 5, Halfbreed, and a Cheetah.  I don’t own a chronograph, so I don’t have any objective evidence on performance. Subjectively speaking, I couldn’t feel any difference among them. They were all good bows.

In theory, the Tembo may be a better performer because it only has three lams, opposed to the Cheetah’s four lams. Fewer lams means less glue, which in turn means lighter limbs. So, again, in theory, the limbs may recover faster. This is why some say they like the 3-lam Tembo over others with more lams.

Another thing to consider is that true Hill-style handles have steep and narrow sweeps. As a result, a lot of stress is placed on the fadeout. Having a bow with one one lam running up belly side of the riser (like the Cheetah), may theoretically not be as structurally sound as a bow where all the lams are stacked behind the riser. You can, however, ask Craig to build any model will all lams stacked behind the riser if you want.

Finally, when dealing with clear glass, you always run the risk of getting a bow with streaky glass.  Not that it matters performance wise, but some people may find that unappealing.

Ultimately, it all comes down to personal preference.  Life’s short.  Why not buy both and see which one you like best? Fortunately, the re-sale market for Hills right now is great, so you won’t be out much if you decide to sell one.

Could you post a pic of the lams on cheetah and how they stack on the riser like you reference?  Thanks

[evgb127]

Here you go.  The bow on the left is a cheetah.  You can see how the lam runs up the belly sweep of the riser.  The bow on the right is a halfbreed.  The riser sits on top of all of the lams.

For a better comparison, here is my buddy’s cheetah, which he had built with all lams behind the riser.

[Tim Reese]

Own both. Tembo is a great bow! It’s smoother than my cheetah but also a few pounds lighter so could be that. Either way can’t go wrong. If going with colored glass go Tembo. If you want clear go cheetah.

[dad]

I'm very sorry for your loss. It took me over two years to get over mine. I will keep you in my prayers.