New WhippenStick Classic String follow bow

[Str8Shooter]

I thought I'd share some pics of a new bow I recieved last week. I know there are a lot of folks here on TG that appreciate the classic longbows.

I got home last Thursday to find a loooooong box waiting for me covered with a ridiculous amount of stamps  
 

As I peeled the box open and unwrapped the bow sock this is what I saw.
 
 
 
 


Here's the profile of the bow unstrung and strung.
 

She's a 68" string follow longbow. Riser is cocobolo, the limbs are 4 lams of laminated bamboo under black glass with canebreak skins on the back. She pulls 46# at 28" and it is smooooth.

I've owned a fair share of bows but not many of the Hill style. I've shot a bunch, some nice mannered and some that dished out concussions. That was one of my biggest worries with this style of bow. Now, I'm not going to say this bow is totally dead in the hand but it is very mild in the hand. Just a little bump to let you know you've shot it but no lingering vibration and no hand jarring hits.

I got to hit the range this weekend and I think that Ol' Howard was on to something with these string follow bows. I'm switching back to split finger with this bow so my elevations were a little off at times but I've really found this type of bow to hold the line easily and it really isn't influenced much by shooter influences. Even with fairly heavy arrows I found it to have a very solid cast and it carried and grouped very well out to 50 yards. And, I have to say this type of bow is super quiet. No exageration, it's the only bow I've ever owned that I can shoot and I hear the feathers heading downrange over the bow.    

I shot a quick vid doing a little form check. You can see the bow in action.
 

Thanks for letting me share.

Chris

[R.V.T.B.]

I love my Whippenstick Classic.  Ken builds an awesome bow!

[ron w]

Nice looking bow.....classic lines!!  

[newell38]

Kens the best bowyer making bows right now IMO. He has a couple new bows coming out this year that are gonna be amazing! Congrats on the string follow! Very nice!

[Steelhead]

Sweet bow!Glad you like it.It does have a Classic appeal to it.Ken builds a fine bow for sure.

[Flingblade]

I liked your video.  That bow seems to shoot nice.  I am thinking of getting a string follow longbow.  Where can I look at the Whippenstick?  I searched for a website but didn't find one and didn't see a sponsor link.
Thanks

[cedar]

This is a dumb question, but I'll ask anyhow.  What is considered a string-follow longbow and how is it different than other american flatbows or longbows?  Thanks for the help. I don't want to hijack your thread, very nice looking bow you got there.

[Str8Shooter]

Thanks guys. The more I'm shooting this bow the more I'm really starting to figure it out and appreciate it. I've started shooting with a bit more heel pressure into the bow and it has made a good bit of difference in how the bow feels and reacts at the shot. I think I had the pressure too high up in the grip.

Flingblade, you should be able to google Whippenstick bows and find his site. Ken isn't a sponsor here so I'm not sure if I'm allowed to post a link to his site. PM me if you are having a hard time finding it. This particular model isn't listed on his site right now.

John49, there are basically three versions of this type of bow (a Hill style longbow). There are reflexed, straight and string follow. A straight bow is, well, straight when unstrung. The tips will be in a straight line through the riser. The reflex bows have tips that curve slightly away from the shooter when unstrung and a string follow is the opposite. The limbs will curve slightly towards the shooter while unstrung. The general consesus is a reflex bow will be slight quicker but may have a touch more thump in the hand. A string follow may be a hair slower but will be milder to shoot and will be more forgiving of shooter mistakes. A straight end bow will be in the middle. I'm no expert on all these different models but I am finding this to be quieter, smoother and easier to shoot than the three reflexed straight bows I've owned in the past.

Chris

[knobby]

Nice looking bow, Chris. I'm sure you'll shoot that one as well as your other bows. Guys like you can make any bow look like a shooter, while guys like me can make a "cadillac" shoot like an "Edsel". Thanks for sharing.