Another Hill Bow Choice

[Sam McMichael]

I am tinkering around with the idea of getting another Hill bow. It would either be a Redman or a Halfbreed.

I would like to know how they compare in regards to performance and length of useful service. Also, have you found that a strip of carbon is worth the expense?

How many layers of bamboo and yew have you found to be the best choice for the Halfbreed? I am wondering about the caramelized bamboo - what do you think both in terms of looks and being worth the cost?

I have not contacted Craig at Howard Hill yet, because I am not completely certain of the funds for this project. More importantly, I don't have the green light form the wife, either. (May have sneak another one past her.)

I highly value the opinions of the Trad Gang users, so let me know of your experience with these items. Thanks.

[falconview]

Mine has three lams of bamboo under the yew
I have two hills with this configuration, the other has
Bocote verneers both  28@60# 70"  very smooth lots of power.   Good luck

[khardrunner]

The tembo I had was the smoothest (also the longest at 69") and the halfbreed was the fastest (a 66 inch bow)

[Greg Skinner]

I have a Tembo and a Redman, both finished from blanks and both with the carbon strip.  I personally believe the carbon strip is worth the extra, but only if placed directly under the back glass.  I request black glass for the backing for that reason.

My Redman seems a bit smoother, but the Tembo is a bit faster, although the Tembo is 55# and the Redman is 52#, so that no doubt accounts for a few feet per second extra speed shooting the same arrows.

I had a Halfbreed that had the carbon under a lam of yew on the back with clear glass and it did not seem to add much zip.

If I were to order a Halfbreed today it would be with a lam of yew under clear glass on the belly, 2 lams of carmelized boo and a lam of yew under black glass and the carbon strip next to the black glass backing. If I was going with a heavier draw weight, say over 60#, I would perhaps opt for an extra lam of boo, but my Tembo has just 3 lams plus the carbon and it is as good as it gets at 55#, in my opinion.

[Kevin Hansen]

I am by no means an expert on Hill bow options having purchased a Craig built Hill just a month or so ago. It is a replacement for the Hill style bows I sold over the years as I gradually converted over to shorter and shorter hybrid style longbows. I received much of my advice on new bow options from fellow Tradganger Rob D.(can't spell his last name without looking it up)I'm glad I listened to and followed his advice as I am very happy with my new bow.
I went with a 70" Tembo...3 lams of bamboo. The carmalized boo is awesome. The bow is smooth, and shooting it brings back many good memories from years back.
Hope this helps.    
Kevin

[David Mitchell]

Well, after owning enough Hills that I can't tell you the number right off the top of my head, my advice is to go with what looks best to you. They all come off the same forms (unless you get the string follow model which you can get in any of the models) and you won't be able to tell much difference in them in my experience with Big Fives, Tembos, Wesleys, and Redmen (is that the right plural for Redman?) You won't live long enough to worry about "useful service" on any of them--they'll likely outlast you.  There is probably as much difference between two bows of the same model/material as between different models since wood characteristics vary from piece to piece.  I've never found carbon to be that big a deal--especially when put under a layer of glass.  Now if it's the backing itself it may be some help but still not much in my own experience. Admittedly I've not owned a Hill with carbon. The one longbow I had with carbon as the outer back lam had problems (twice) with carbon splinters popping up along the edge--so no more of that for me.

You really can't go wrong on any of them--that's the great thing about your decision.  As long as its a grip style you like and woods/colors you like, you'll be good to go with any of them.  And odds are it won't be your last order from Craig.  

[Ben Maher]

What Dave said x 2

Having said that I'm a Robin Hood nerd and as such I dig Yew !

[Sam McMichael]

Yeah, Ben, so am I. One of the reasons I asked about this was I was afraid my Robin Hood fantasy might cloud my judgement  in favor of the Yew. Lots of good advice so far. Thanks