HH bug got me ... Part One!

[Linwood Hines]

re Green:  I like it!  rem that Great Northern sold a LOT of "retro" green bows, so I'm not the only one who appreciates Green.

[toddster]

Charlie nice work, you are giving me the itch to get back at building another bow.  I have been thinking about it and like your approach, gluing the the upper and bottom lam's together, seem's like it would make it "easier" to line up all at once in form.

[3Under]

Eric,
I sure like the looks of your "Green Classic"! It looks similar to my TD Shelton.

I had Steve rework the original "straight grip" to a smaller dished grip. I'm pleased with it and it fits my hand much better. Steve does a great job!
Larry

[cahaba]

Beautiful bow WESTBROOK.

[Green]

Originally posted by Green:
 

Originally posted by Hermon:
 

Originally posted by Green:
Thanks y'all for helping me sort through this.  I forwarded the picture to Craig as there's gotta be a reason for that "R".

One would think that Craig should be able to look up the serial number and tell the story on it?       [/b]

Hope so.  If I ever were to sell the bow, I'd like to be able to explain it.
[/b]

Here's Craig's response to my question about the origin on this bow:

Rob:
I can understand your confusion. I was also confused so I went back and looked up the original order.
This bow has juniper on the back and yew on the belly. This is why the serial lettering is unique.
Hope this helps.

         Craig

So...I guess it is, in fact, a Red Hawk.  That's pretty cool!

[Goshawkin]

Originally posted by Green:

a Red Hawk.  That's pretty cool! [/b]

Yes it is!  :D

[Tinbow]

Ok after seeing the pics of Mudd's new Vixen I'm thinking JD Berry is in store for my near future . I have a question though what's everyone's thoughts on the Misty Dawn ?

[False Cast]

Any short draw guys shoot a 63" or 64" Hill-style?

[Goshawkin]

I draw 26.5" and have a 64",shoots very nice for me.

[False Cast]

Originally posted by Goshawkin:
I draw 26.5" and have a 64",shoots very nice for me.

Thanks for your input. Backset? Glassed?

[Charlie Lamb]

Lams and backing ready for glue up. Note tip wedge glued in place.
   

Spreading glue with notched putty knife.
   

Glass and lams stacked, with heat strip,rubber pad and firehose in place.
   

Cutting riser with bandsaw.
   

Cut and ready for grinding Buchanan dips.
         
   
Grinding riser with drum and jig.
   

[Charlie Lamb]

Riser glued to lam lay up. I set the riser 1/2" below center on the lam stack which makes the upper limb 1" longer than the lower limb.
   

[Goshawkin]

Originally posted by False Cast:
 

Originally posted by Goshawkin:
I draw 26.5" and have a 64",shoots very nice for me.

Thanks for your input. Backset? Glassed? [/b]

it's a 64" 56#@27" Timberline,backset,all yew,clear glass back and belly. Shoots great and is one of the faster Hill style bows I've shot at around that weight.I know some guys would say I need to be shooting 66" because of my draw,I have some 66" bows as well.I really don't feel the difference between them.I honestly don't think anyone would until you got into the really long 28"+ draw lengths either.

[Green]

Excellent Charlie...thank you!  It's nice to see a Hill style bow come together.  Never heard the term "Buchanan dips", but that's a nice jig setup you've got for grinding your fades with consistency.  Really nice to watch a craftsman at work.

[two4hooking]

Very interesting Charlie!  Keep it up...love the build!

[False Cast]

Originally posted by Goshawkin:
it's a 64" 56#@27" Timberline,backset,all yew,clear glass back and belly. Shoots great and is one of the faster Hill style bows I've shot at around that weight.I know some guys would say I need to be shooting 66" because of my draw,I have some 66" bows as well.I really don't feel the difference between them.I honestly don't think anyone would until you got into the really long 28"+ draw lengths either.

Thanks for the info. At my draw of 25"-25.5", I'm considering a 63" or 64" bow. I appreciate hearing from others' personal experience. Obviously, the bowyer's recommendation will impact my decision the most. I wouldn't dislike a bit more maneuverability as compared to my current 66" bow… but is certainly isn't lacking in the smooth department.

Any other input from short(er) bow users is welcome. Thanks everyone.

[Bud B.]

Originally posted by two4hooking:
Very interesting Charlie!  Keep it up...love the build!

Ditto

[Shakes.602]

Awsome Charlie! I am anxious to see the Finished Product Sir!!

[mikebiz]

Originally posted by False Cast:
Any other input from short(er) bow users is welcome. Thanks everyone.

Hey False Cast.  I have a 25" draw and have shot 64, 65, 66, and 68" Hill-style longbows. Currently all of my Hill-style bows are 64", except for one that is 66".  I have no problem with any of them.  I would say that the 66" is probably a bit smoother, but none of my bows are really comparable.  One is backset bamboo, one is backset yew, another is string-follow bamboo and the 66" is straight-limbed bamboo.  All of them are glassed back and belly.  I do think that the string-follow bow is the most pleasurable to shoot, though.  So much so that I would definitely order that profile on a new bow.  

I have shot Goshawkin's all yew 64" bow.  Quite a bit of backset on that one and it is FAST in my opinion.  Of course it's much heavier than my personal bows so that's probably why it seems so quick.  That's also why he owns it now    :D  

So in short I think you'll be very pleased with a 64" Hill-style longbow.  I wouldn't go any shorter than that.  64" will be plenty maneuverable in all hunting and shooting situations.  You dont' see too many Hills under 64".  There's got to be a reason for that.  Good luck.

[toddster]

Awesome charlie, very interesting concept of glue up.