Sentman Longbows

[Even]

Hello all

I've just acquired a 66", 60# Sentman Longbow, and I'm really impressed so far.  I lucked out with arrows, and had a set of front heavy 340 carbons I made up a few years back that seem to fly extremely well.  Further tuning will happen!  Its quiet as a mouse, too, with zero hand shock.

What are people's impressions of their Sentman bows?  This particular one isn't going anywhere, I tell you that!  Its going to make this summer's arrow flinging a lot of fun!

I'm told its a fairly early model of Mr. Sentman's, a reflex/deflex design, cut fairly deep.   Is anyone familiar with the names/characteristics of his longbow models?   

thanks for any thoughts!

[Terry Green]

They had a great following years ago when we started Tradgang in 2003.  If I remember correctly there was a model called the moose jaw.  He used to post here quite a bit.But it has been over a decade since i've heard from him at least and this is the first time i've heard of his bows in over decade also. You have yourself a gem and don't let it go, but do go and have fun with it.It will serve you well.

[Wudstix]

Gary has retired and is no longer making bows.  His company was Moose Jaw bows.  One particularly nice bow he made was the Razorback a semi-curve longbow.  Moosejaw is one of the bows you don't see for sale much.  Granted quantity produced many not have been like some of the larger bow makers, just real good bows.  You do indeed have a gem.  I'm a little jealous!
 

[Even]

Thanks for the info, Gentlemen!   

I've shot it twice now, and so far I'm extremely impressed.  It may be my most natural "pointer"... it just seems to put an arrow where I am looking, no muss, no fuss.

Its pretty too, with black locust limbs, and a Purple Heart and Wenge riser, divided with a thin strip of Osage Orange.  The gentleman I acquired it from was a real class act, too, which is always nice to find.

I've found references to a few Sentman models after I typed in Razorback and Moosejaw, so thanks guys!   Its hard to tell, as there aren't many pictures out there, but He had older models called the Competitor, Icon, and Deluxe apparently.  I'm thinking it might be one of those.   The evolution of his design would be interesting.  Now I want a Moosejaw, LOL!

[Wudstix]

My leanings are toward the Razorback or perhaps the Strikeforce.  I like the semi-curve of the Razorback, but the riser on the Strikeforce looks like the mass would be good.  We'll see what I can get my hands on.
 

[Even]

It seems, looking at the few pictures I can find, that Mr. Sentman's early models were a milder deflex/reflex, and he gradually moved to more and more deflex/reflex as his models evolved.  It is neat to see the progression.

One thing I really like, in comparison to my other longbows, is how deeply its cut.  Nearly center line, for the arrow.  I imagine that contributes a lot.  I'm curious to see if his arrow shelves became deeper as the models progressed, too.  I imagine an archer of Mr. Sentman's skills, had some very specific reasons to develop his line the way he did, over the years.  Its neat to see the lineage, if that makes sense?

[Wudstix]

From what I understand Gary started out with John Schultz making Hill style bows.  Not sure if he still holds the heaviest bow pulled record, at 176# ?  It was nice that he waited until Howard passed to break his record.
 

[dbeaver]

Can we see some photos?

[Wudstix]

I did a search on Sentman Moosejaw and came up with some threads here.  Gary stopped making bows in 2008, so I didn't look hard enough to find bow pics.  Many of the pics were Photo bucket and gone.
 

[Even]

I'll try and get some photos up when I get a chance, its been a busy day or two, and grey weather.   Been hoping for some sun for better pics.

Yeah, I've dug up a few threads, here and over on another site or two.  Its nice to see his bows remembered.  There are a few pictures out there, for sure, but not too many!

That is one hell of a poundage.  I found his account of how that contest went, and looks like it was his second try, first time the arrow came off the shelf!  Sheesh.

[Wudstix]

176# would be good for Texas hogs, we do have some big ones!!!
 

[Even]

A few pics for you all.  Today was a better day, snow nearly all off the ground now!   Bear in mind, I'm about the world's worst photographer.

[Even]

176# would be good for Texas hogs, we do have some big ones!!!
 

My friend was down your way a few years back, hunting hogs, and yeah, he said the size of some of them was damned impressive.   Seems to me he was down near the coast somewhere.  The buggers haven't made it up this way yet, winters still get too cold, and too many wolves, but they're not all that far south, over in AB.  Maybe in a few years, I'll have to learn to stalk hogs.  Seems like it would be a challenge, and a lot of fun.   

I'll have to get a wee bit stronger if I need 176 pounds though  

[Wudstix]

Anything you use for deer will be fine on hogs, just have to shoot them a tad different.
 

[Even]

I'm thinking a 60# Sentman, which should be 63#-ish at my draw length, should be just about perfect

I'm thinking I'll need to wring out some new/different broadheads though.  More blood is better, and that shield seems tough to get through.  Got any recommendations or broadheads you KNOW work well?   Terry might want to chime in too.  Coastal Blacktail and hogs seem a mite different...

[Wudstix]

I like big 3 blade heads, but heavy 2 blades work as well.  Sharp is the key.  I try to hit them low and tight to the front leg.  That seems to work.
 

[Even]

I'm going to sit down in the next couple months, and properly figure out building wood arrows, to match this Sentman.  I can already tell its going to be my main squeeze for quite a while.

Learning to build woods properly has been on the agenda for a long while, though I've built plenty of carbons, and some aluminums.  I think I'll find a good broadhead, for hogs, to base the arrows around, and get them shooting right.  Should be good for anything I'd want to hunt these days anyway.   

[Wudstix]

Start with good quality shafts and the rest is not hard to figure out.  I personally like tapered and footed shafts, great arrow flight and good FOC.  Usually, add 10-15# of spine weight to bow poundage at 29" arrow, which works pretty good for me.  Recurves are Dacron strings and longbows are FF.  All bows are pretty good performance wise.  Broadheads are 160-250 grains.  YMMV
 

[groundhawg]

He also made the "Mountain Bow". I have one and like you said, it's very quiet and spits an arrow.

[Wudstix]

Currently, tracking one.