Big Horn Bows......a question???

[ron w]

I'm looking a possible trade for a Big Horn T/D recurve. This one has the curved limb beds. 62" and it's 45# @ 28". Don't see many at that poundage. What do you think of these bows and would they be from about the 80's?

[South MS Bowhunter]

Ron,

I have a 1989 model Custom Bighorn with curved beds. I believe the redisign beds were early 90's.

And I like mine, probably not the fastest but a good stable good looking bow.

[Straitshot]

They were the first custom bows I ever purchased back in the late 80's. As Ron above stated probably not the fastest but they were very stable forgiving shooters, I really liked mine and wish I had never sold the first one I ever bought.

I just ordered them in too heavy poundage. Back then I was too stupid to know better.

[stagetek]

If the accent stripe comes to a point in the front of the handle, those were the oldest. I'm guessing early to mid to late eighties. What came after that was a curved accent stripe thru the center of the handle. Again, guessing, I think late eighties into the ninety's.

[shick]

Ron, email sent.
Shick

[ron w]

Originally posted by stagetek:
If the accent stripe comes to a point in the front of the handle, those were the oldest. I'm guessing early to mid to late eighties. What came after that was a curved accent stripe thru the center of the handle. Again, guessing, I think late eighties into the ninety's.

The bow I'm looking at has a curved accent strip. It separates a light and dark wood.

[meathead]

My first custom too. Mine is from 87. Did anyone mention the they are not the fastest bow because the are not. Lol. I don't shoot mine very often anymore but I will say that it is one of the most shootable bows I have had. I can just pick it up and the arrows just fly right where I am looking.

[oldtimerbow]

I have a couple of them, one I have owned for 20+ years, they are on my will not sell list.

[Keith Zimmerman]

I have lots of them including 2 Special Editions.  I wish they were still being made.  Ive had a couple Silvertips made using Bighorns as my inspiration in design.

[Recurve7]

Excellent bows. I suggest take advantage of the opportunity at hand. I have 3 big horns and they are keepers.

[cacciatore]

All the Bighorn bows are accurate shooters quiet and dependable hunting bows, they were not speed demons.
The curved bed design is for sure the more collectible but the best performers were the one made during the KOM era when they started to make some very nice true custom bows.
The Special edition Keith is talking about are been of inspiration for more than just one modern bowyer.
Overall a must have bow for a collector

[Michael Arnette]

I've shot a several early 90s bighorns. All of them were superb in every regard except speed. I've never seen a big horn for sale that was less than 50 pounds though, you might have a jewel. I think the era in which they were built was one of higher poundage fad?

[troy butler]

I have a late 90's model and its a shooter. Don't think I would sell it. Wish I had of gotten it in the 50-55lb instead of 62lb that is my only regret.

[South MS Bowhunter]

I to order mine with high poundage 63#@31".  I was new to traditional and had no guidance beside magazines back then.

Order based on compound draw length and what I "thought" I could handle

[Rando]

An Asbell-era Bighorn (flat limb beds) was my first custom bow as well, and the only bow I carried in the field or at the range for over a decade. It is a heavier weight bow than I can shoot comfortably for extended periods now, but it remains the bow I've shot the best over the years. No speed demon, but stable & consistent with many varieties of shafts. I still call it Ol' Faithful, and it won't leave my limited stable of bows in my life time. I've always regretted not buying a one piece Bighorn... great bows!
Rando

[South MS Bowhunter]

I'll state also that the thought to sell my Bighorn has crossed my mind , but it is either pushed far from it by my wife or me.

She looks at it as an "heirloom" to pass down to the children and I reckon she right and my own personal sentimental value make me hold on to it.

Some things in life are just meant for eternity!

[Keith Zimmerman]

Ive always wanted a 2pc BH longbow.  I heard they didn't make many of them.  Ive been looking for years.

[NY Yankee]

I have a 2000 Grand Slam 3pc. 62" bow on the 17" riser, 70 pounds at 29" and It's PLENTY fast enough. It'll knock the block over backwards.

[ron w]

70 pounds.......I would need 2 guys to help me string it.......  

[ThePushArchery]

My asbell curved bed Bighorn will stay with me for life.

I spent a weekend at Fred's house about 5 or 6 years ago and after sitting in his library for a couple of hours listening to all the hilarious and intriguing stories from his archery past, including bighorn bows, I had him take his pocket knife out of his pocket, scrape the finish off a section of my riser, and sign his name on my Bighorn.

Every time I handle that Bighorn, it takes me back to Fred's library and a cold drink in hand.