Favorite D shaped longbow

[Benny Nganabbarru]

And I don't notice any of this handshock business with it, but my mate does!

[Jerry Jeffer]

Mahantango
 
 

[AdamH]

MOHAWK L/B's by Vince Migliorato, of Conifer CO. builds a "Superb"   "D"  Bow !!

[WESTBROOK]

The handshock is usually from gripping the bow wrong or too light of an arrow.

Eric

[Red Boar]

I had a JD Berry Renaissance that was a very sweet shooter....just a tad too light for me so I had to let it go.  Stunning bow, however.

[Kevin L.]

For a top of the line bow, look at a Wallace Mountain or a Hill.

If you want to save a few $$ and are handy with the basic tools, check out a blank from 7 Lakes. They're not as fancy as the other choices you've been shown, but they are good, functional "D" bows.

[gilf]

As Crash says, strung they are all D shaped but unstrung they can vary a fair bit. Here in the UK and Europe, Longbows and AFB's (what you would traditionally call a longbow) all need to conform to the D shape when strung when used in competition.

Look at the Border Flat bows, these vary a fair bit when unstrung but all conform to the D shape continuous curve when strung.

In terms of shooting (poundage, speed, hand shock) , they vary as much as any bow.

[3Under]

I also have a Northern Mist Shelton
(66"long, 54#s @ 28"). No noticeable handshock!

[jhansen]

A couple of others have mentioned this but Hill and other "D" bows usually need a heavy arrow to prevent handshock.  I had a Hill that was uncomfortable to shoot...okay, it would darned near jar the fillings out of my teeth...when shot with arrows that weighed 8 grains per pound of draw weight.  I made up some arrows that weighed 12 grains per pound and that was one sweet shooting bow.  The stored energy in a bow has to go somewhere.  Better it go into the arrow than up your arm.

I know that I didn't answer your question about one bow vs another but I think the bottom line is that most handshock problems can be dealt with.
John

[Swamp Pygmy]

Thanks for the help guys.

I notice the handshock but it never really bothered me. I guess I grew up where if you told someone your bow hurt your hand they'd tease you. Maybe offer you some puddin'. But to me at least its a non issue. If I literally shoot for 3 hours in a row, my wrist will be a lil sore. That is a reasonable expectation to me.

 I was just asking because I have a slight r/d longbow, and one that is almost completely straight. I really like the straight one and I eventually want to start making completely straight ones. I was just curious if some were more quiet based on length of fade out, or number of laminations.

[Jedimaster]

Northern Mist Baraga.  Sweet shooting bow that has a bit of reflex when unstrung but keeps the D profile when strung.  I'm no expert but some highly distinguished individuals recommend the Northern Mist bows.  I trust them and am a believer after purchasing the Baraga.

[Bob Stager]

Thanks for the input.I hope to be able to test some of these at Denton Hill.   BOB

[Hatrick]

Have to agree with Jedimaster, of all I've shot the Northern Mist Baraga was the best for me.

[WESTBROOK]

The Northern Mist Shelton has little bit of string follow (opposite of reflex) built into it. Its a sweet shooter!

Eric

[Swamp Pygmy]

I've thought about that and it always seemed genius.

Like a well worn self bow.

[Rob DiStefano]

I think I've either owned or tried almost every classic "D" braced longbow out there for the last 40 years or so, including the more recent stealth aggressive r/d variety, and I'm SO glad I found Vince and his Mohawks ... my search is over ... the Mohawk 2pc TD double Tonkin cane is best for me - incredibly smooth drawing out past 30" for a 62" length longbow (I pull 29"), zero shock release, super slim handle with tapered locator grip (even on the Connexion TD bow!), and arguably the fastest of this style/type of longbow when using heavy GPP arras ...

 www.MohawkBows.com

 

[Stone Knife]

For me the choice is clear, Howard Hill  

   

[WidowEater]

liberty engligh with the semi reverse handle and ever so slighly r/d profile

[Ol'school]

I will put in another vote for Abbott, I've had one for over 17yrs and it is still my "GO TO" bow.
 
70" 70#@29" Osage

[Orion]

The D-shape on current mild r/d longbows isn't quite as D-shaped as it is on Hills and other straight or slightly setback limbed bows.  Though wooden self-bows have almost universally had a d-shape when strung, it's Hill bows that popularized and defined the D shape that others have since compared themselves to.  In addition to my Hills, I like my almost D-shaped Robertsons, Great Northerns and Dwyers.        I've also liked Libertys, Yellowstones, Abbotts and Northern Mists, though I don't currently own any.