HH bug got me ... Part One!

[toddster]

great doe

[mikebiz]

Congratulations Two4.  You only needed a dash of luck as it sounds like you prepped for the hunt really well.  Good job not giving up on the recovery.  Bad hits can take the wind out of your sails really quick.  Been there.

[SportHunter]

Nice doe Greg, congrats!

[dragonheart]

2for hooking,

Great doe and a classy hunting photo.  Posted up on Howard's birthday.  

[kestimator]

Congrats two4hooking!!
Nice photo too!!!

[Brianlocal3]

I posted this on the other topic but have any of yall shot the HHA bighorn sheep?  I am very interested in your thoughts

[mikebiz]

I have not, but I owned a BamaBows longbow that was all Red Elm.  Beautifully grained wood that creates a nice natural camouflage effect.  I know it's the preferred core wood of Nate at BamaBow.  I liked the bow a lot.

[toddster]

never seen a bighorn, or a panther guess made of cedar.  Love the Redman beautiful bow

[centaur]

Fellow Hill lovers, I got a new (to me) Yarak bow. Up until last week, I had no knowledge of these bows, but it is a Hill style, at least when braced. It has a very slight reflex when unstrung. This one is 57# @28, 66". It really slings an arrow; at about 20 yards, it is about 8" higher on the target than my 55# Wesley, so it will take some time to get my eye in tune with this bow. Here it is in comparison to my Wesley:
 

  http://i886.photobucket.com/albums/ac67/peastes/IMG_0313.jpg
According to Mark Baker, the bowyer, Tom Martini, was buddies with Dick Robertson, and made some bows for Robertson and some under his own brand (Yarak). The workmanship on this bow is very good. Yet another twist on the Classic Hill style.

[Overspined]

That's a neat bow Centaur.

[mikebiz]

Has anyone owned or handled bows (of any style) with risers made of African Blackwood or Gaboon Ebony?  If you've had each I'd especially like to hear from you.  I've seen some photos around and each one looks great.  I'd like some opinions on how "black" each one is.  I've seen some photos of Gaboon Ebony that have some brownish/reddish toned grain.  Not sure if this is typical.  The African Blackwood I've seen was straight black.  I want to choose the wood that is the blackest.  If they're both basically the same color wise, which one would you choose and why?

Also how do these woods feel weight wise as a Hill riser?  I know that African Blackwood is heavier on average than G. Ebony.  I'm looking to build a bow with a bit more mass in the riser as compared to Oregon Myrtle.  I know these two are heavier, but I'm hoping not too much.  Can't be all that bad given how small Hill risers are.

Thanks for the help.

[3Under]

Don't have a Hill style with Ebony limbs but have a Take down RF/DF  longbow (Wes Wallace)with Macasar Ebony (has dark orange high lites limb lambs with 'boo cores)  and Gabon Ebony(Black/black) in the riser it shoots fairly quick . I would think a Hill style would shoot fine with the same combo!

[Goshawkin]

Mike,I had a Wesley Special built this year that was named  "Blackwood". Blackwood riser,tips and center lam. Alot of blackwood is a deep dark brown with a purple hue to it.Beautiful,but not as dark as ebony. If you want a real deep dark black,I'd get the Gaboon Ebony.

[Goshawkin]

Sorry took me a minute to figure out the new Photobucket,here's a pic of "Blackwood".
It was a little heavier than my other Hill bows.Sold her to a Tradgang member.I'd ask the bowyer to find the "blackest" piece of Ebony he can get if you want a really dark riser.
   

[Rossco7002]

I've got an ebony handled Cheetah. I don't really notice a difference with regards to it or the other riser materials I've tried.... But it looks great! ;-)  

[MikeM]

The Blackwood riser I had on a HHA Black Bear was a dark black and you could tell the weight was heavier than all my other Hill bows (Texas Ebony, Cocobolo, and Snakewood) Can't send pictures since I sold that bow.

[kestimator]

Wow Goshawkin and Rossco7002!!!  Very nice Hills!!!

[kestimator]

Cool bows Centaur!!!

[mikebiz]

Thanks for the info and pics guys.  I think I'm gonna look for some Gaboon to use if this build comes to fruition.  Love that Cheetah with the ebony.  Juniper just looks sweet on a Hill.

[Goshawkin]

Originally posted by Rossco7002:
I've got an ebony handled Cheetah.

That's beautiful!