Hill style bow build - Finally makes meat!!! - Now a buck!! (pg 4)

[DXH]

jweska, about how much do you have invested in the laminations? and total cost of the bow

[jsweka]

DXH - I've got just shy of $180 in this bow.  That includes the laminations, glass, riser block, smooth-on, and shipping from kennym. His prices are very reasonable, the quality is outstanding, and service is very quick.  I checked the thicknesses of the lams when they got here and they were dead on perfect the entire length of each lam.  I will be doing business with kennym in the future.

Now this cost doesn't include the materials for the hot box and form, or tools. With each bow you build the total cost goes down because you already have your hot box and form.  And nobody can build just one - it's addicting. I've built a total of 6 longbows (a couple for friends) off this form so far, so I figure right now each bow has cost a total of roughly $210.  The decreasing total cost of each bow I build is how I justify building another to my wife - I'm saving her money    

[timbermoose]

that is a sweet looking bow. cant wait to see the final product and hear how she shoots. im still trying to talk my wife into letting me build one like it. i love the hill style bows.

[jsweka]

I've been out of town over the past week visiting family over the holidays and doing some hunting with my flintlock (Man, is a longbow so much nicer to carry in the woods!)  I got back home this afternoon and the last coat of finish had a good long time to dry.  I cut a piece of leather for the grip and got that on using contact cement and a "baseball" stitch.  I got a little artistic with the ends of the stitching and added some wooden beads.  I then added the shelft and side plate from the same piece of leather I got the grip out of.  Added the string and beaver balls.  I would have liked to have gotten some outside pics of the final product, but it was dark out by the time I got everything on it.  Hopefully the weather will cooperate for some shooting tomorrow.

So here's some finished pics.  It ended up at 63# at 28".

 

 

 

 

[KellyG]

just purty love it

[Ken75]

very nice bow and build . always wondered how you build a glass bow . not much on tillering though it must come out near tillered when you cut it out. love the Hill style

[kennym]

SWEET!! Nice job bro!!

Do you find it hard to get the pic you want of a bow? I have a heck of a time showing the bow and getting any detail in the pic!

[DEATHMASTER]

That is a nice bow.
Enjoy!

[K30bowfisher]

Wow, really beautiful bow. Good work, I love that cocobolo riser.

[eagleone]

SHARP!!!!! nice work

[Swissbow]

Dang, that's an awesome looking bow. The riser is absolutely stunning. Nice work.

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Andy

[ghost rob]

That's really nice John! I hope you bring it to Marsh hill this year if you come, I'd love to shoot it. Super job! Rob

[jsweka]

Thanks for all the compliments guys.  I'm pleased with the way this one turned out.

Kenny - It is a real pain trying to get good pics of a bow.  To get those four that I posted last night, I must have taken two dozen that didn't look good.  Either too much glare, too dark, big shadows, etc.

It was a nice day here in central PA, so I took it out for it's first real work out and to get some pics in natural light.  I have no idea how fast it shoots, and don't really care, but it it seems to spit a 650 gr. arrow with authority - at least faster than some of my other bows.  I didn't notice any handshock, but then again I usually don't notice handshock like some guys do.  I guess I'm just a little numb.  

I really like the way this one shoots and it is now my new "go-to" bow.  So Rob, yes I will have it at Marsh Hill and you are more than welcome to try it out.

Here's the pics and thanks for coming along on this build.

 

 

 

[red hill]

John, that is definitely a beautiful bow! Haven't been a fan of black glass on the back of a bow, but you just converted me. I absolutely love the simple details of that bow.  Man, I'm in awe of you guys that make building bows look so magical.
Stan

[KellyG]

Looks good shoots good who could ask for anything more.

[twitchstick]

Looks great!

[jsweka]

So I hunted with this bow last year, but never got to draw on a deer with it.

Saturday evening a shot at this doe presented itself. I really concentrated on a tuft of hair as she was coming into range and when she was broadside at 15 yards I let one fly and actually hit where I intended.  Good double lung hit and she made it about 75 yards.  She piled up right on the gas line that led back to my truk which made for an easy drag.

It was nice to finally make some meat with this bow.  Now if I can only connect on a buck....

 

 

[Trux Turning]

Way to go John!! That's still a nice looking bow too.

[kennym]

Great job John!!  

[coaster500]

Nice work both Bow and Doe