HH bug got me ... Part One!

[petertschantz]

Thanks Rob. I can shoot the 50# without problem, holding at full draw for several seconds. I think in large part getting a lower # bow for form work is just a handy excuse. However, as I am already dealing with some arthritis, using a lower # for practice & maybe some 3d is probably a good idea. I'll try your idea on reps just to help build strength, sounds like a great idea.

Pete

Originally posted by Rob DiStefano:
 

Originally posted by petertschantz:
Thanks Rob! I think I'm finally on the right track, at least until I can get some coaching. I hope to tend to that this fall sometime. I'm afraid I'm going to have to break down and look for a ~40# bow, darn the luck...

Pete

with bow holding weight, there's a limit each of us have that varies with physiology, time and luck.  

there's also a low holding weight that if we go below, consistent clean release can be a problem and accuracy will suffer.  and there's a good median holding weight that some folks are needless struggling to employ.

however, imho, if you need to go to a lower holding weight to work on form, yer probably overbowed.  

if yer current holding weight is just a tad too much (and the word 'tad' is important, because more than a tad may be just too much, and in short order you'll know the difference 'tween 'tad' and 'too much'), begin practicing 'rep drawing' with yer bow 3x daily.  that is, without using an arrow, employ what you think is 'good form' and pull the string past yer anchor, to your ear.  start off each session easy - pulling just a few times and hold for no more than a second.  in very small increments, increase the reps and holding times a few more every other day.  within a few weeks, or months, yer bow will feel SO easy, and yet the release will still be crisp.  

i'll tell ya, once you've gone through this rep program, it's pretty much ingrained in yer muscle memory, and barring some serious ailment or quite advanced age, you can lay off pulling string for weeks and then brace up and draw to anchor and it still feels quite easy. iow, for the very most part, once you've made drawing yer bow's weight 'easy' you just don't lose it.

once the holding weight feels easy, then work on form. [/b]

Rob....good sound advice and so true by experience..."muscle memory" is way important in consistency.

[frank bullitt]

Huh! Page 2, no, back to the front, please!

Reverse handle Hills, do ya have one? Please Show it!  Don't hide in the Closet  :D

[Wannabe1]

I for one don't like a reverse handle longbow. But, that's just me so, show 'em if ya got 'em.  

[frank bullitt]

Yeah, thats right TW, Show 'm if ya got 'm.

Good to see ya lurking!  

[Rob DiStefano]

it's purely aesthetic subjectiveness, but i cringe whenever i see a reverse handle hill ... ouch!    :eek:        :p    :cool:    :D

[Wannabe1]

Oh ya, I'm still around but, been working on my shooting and trying to get ready for the upcoming season. Opening day for me is last weekend in August so, times closing fast. Not going to elk hunt this year so, concentrating on deer only.

[frank bullitt]

Good to see ya setting your priorities. Best to ya!

Howard supposedly shot one in Japan. One of the best shots I have seen, was at the MLI in 1988, with a Shultz's reverse handle bow. He was from Conn., not for sure of his name!

He could shoot the eyes out of a skeeter!

Cringe, no, he could shoot! Howard didn't say which side the handle had to be on!  :D

Funny thing, I have never owned a reverse handle hill but have always liked the looks of them as well.  Guess they are not considered to be "normal" therefore never gained or maintained a following.

Likewise, I am not considered to to be normal...and certainly won't gain a following per se, though many friends may come my way.

No cringe here either but I have no immediate plans to get one.  My HH Half Breed and Osage Royale will keep me busy for a few weeks till, with any luck at all, I will get long white tube in the mail holding a dandy bow that will perfectly round out my trio....

The great thing happening is this complete overhaul of my long-lived archery experience.  Having shot most everything that had a string, I am pursuing a long and nearly lost passion.   Will shoot Hills exclusively...till I cannot stand or pull a string.  

See y'all in the States soon enough! You'll find me on the hardwood ridges and the southern swamps - anywhere from northern Michigan to Florida....  the passes and deep gorges of the greatest mountain systems in the world from New York to Washington State.  

It is time to have some fun!

   

[Mudd]

I think it's important for me to step up and be an interpreter for Tony...lol

Over the last few months Tony and I have developed a genuine friendship via yahoo messenger. The norm has become that we talk about twice each day, once in the morning(Tony's evening) and then again during my evening(Tony's morning).

I think it important that whoever reads Tony's post (immediately before this) understand (as I do now) that his use of the word "dandy" carries with it great weight with him.

"Dandy" for Tony is used as one of his strongest outward expressions of approval or praise.

I just thought you should know so now feel free to go back and re-read his message for a truly better understanding of the person of Tony Van Dort.

I had the pleasure of having here and shooting both of his bows. They have been shipped to a place that Tony can put his hands on them almost immediately upon his arrival back to his own home country.

I say.. albeit a little early.. Welcome Home Tony!

God bless,Mudd

[Dick in Seattle]

I've done several forward riser HS bows,  based on John Schulz bows I've had.   I like 'em.  Like string follow, the forward riser moves the hand forward and seems to make the bow a bit more forgiving.   Here are a couple of pix of Forward Scout, my first one:


 

This one was taken before the finish was on...

 

This one was of the finished bow, which was built for a bow swap.

[frank bullitt]

Real nice, Dick!  

[David Mitchell]

Not a Hill, but I like My Northern Mist Whisper.  As the name implies, very quiet to shoot and very instinctive pointing.  Neat bow....my first ever reverse handle.  Due to the fact that the bow hand sits so much closer to the lams, it is virtually impossible to torque this kind of bow.

 

[SteveL]

I agree wholeheartedly on the Whisper. I've had one for several years now and it's virtually impossible to torque that bow. And deadly quiet too. Also, having had several of Steve Turay's Northern Mist longbows, there is no better crafted bow out there.

[mikebiz]

Hey Rob.  On what page are the pics of your grip.  I can't find them for some reason.  I know they are out there somewhere.  Thanks.

[Rob DiStefano]

Originally posted by mikebiz:
Hey Rob.  On what page are the pics of your grip.  I can't find them for some reason.  I know they are out there somewhere.  Thanks.

is this what yer looking for?

typical straight "choke" grip, with heeled palm pressure  ............ versus ............ single thumb base pressure point grip

   

[Looper]

All right longbowmen of the world, there's a new round in the fun shoot.  A Halfbreed won the last one, so let's keep a Hill in the top spot.

[Overspined]

Reverse handle bows eliminate most torque and shoot great. My hand is shaped funny so I shoot them well once settled, but the standard hill grip with a regular riser fits me best. I thought about a teardrop grip custom on a reverse handle, but don't want to risk a bow that I cant shoot, and nobody else would want...

[Overspined]

I did just get my Miller split bamboo longbow in the mail!!! I can't wait to shoot some arrows tomorrow. High gloss finish, straight grip, 45#@28" and so damn cool. I have several glass bows and thought something a bit different would be fun!

Matt,
That is cool!          

Lets have a look-see and maybe a review of some kind.