grips on Hill bows

[fountain]

i have only shot a hill bow a handfull of times and just cant get past the grip.  i like a high wrist, recurve grip.

i ordered a cheetah today and decided on the locator grip which i was advised to get since i like the recurve grips.  i also asked if i could get the grip smaller in circumfrence so i can get my hands around it.  

i have always seemed to get a lot of handshock due to the way i hold the bows.  i just dont feel comfortable with all the weight that low in my palm...feels like the top limb is gonna come back and pop me in the head.

i was also told by another well respected shooter that many go with the dished grip and not many went for the locator.

i ws torn, but still had the locator on my mind and went with it.  reckon i should have went with a dished???  i am second-guessing now.

[Stone Knife]

They need to be heeled.

[SpankyNeal]

From the ones I have seen the locator is not very pronounced and is not too different from a slight dish. Either way if you hold it like a high grip recurve your going to get shocked! Shooting the Hill bow requires a dedication to the bow and the style - it's not for everyone, but those of us that have taken the journey seriously have ended up loving them above all others. I personally like the straight best with the Shultz style slight dish coming in a close second - didn't like the locator much at all but there are those who do. It will probably serve you well coming from a recurve just remember to get that heel down even with the locator grip and you'll be fine!

Ken

[fountain]

i didnt see very much noticeable difference in the gips by the pics on the site.  is it really that much difference in the locator and the dished?

[jsweka]

Even the locator grip on a Howard Hill bow is a low wrist grip - still very different than the grip on most recurves.  I hope you aren't disapointed when you get it.  But give it an honest try and you might find you like it.

[Mudd]

My new-to-me HH Tembo has a sight locator grip. It's the 1st HH style bow with this style grip I've shot. It doesn't seem to be a problem.

I asked for a straight Hill style grip on my Mohawk Classic but also asked that the palm side not to be as narrow as the one other Hill Big 5 I use to own.

I can't detect much if any hand shock in this one.
It's 70" and 42@28 but shoots way faster than its weight.

I had to really work at it to not shoot over my target at 20 plus yards the 1st few shots because I had told myself that I needed to remember that it was afterall only 42#...lol

I'm learning to be in love all over again..lol

God bless,Mudd

[Dick in Seattle]

Stone Knife is right, they do want heel pressure.  I've had something over 30 Hills and made 20 Hill styles.  I started with the locator but it tends to move your hand pressure up.  I quickly learned to much prefer the straight grip.   I now make all my bows with only the straight grip.   Hills are wonderful bows... a challenge that is worth it if you meet them on their terms.

[Stone Knife]

When I first started shooting trad again 5 years ago I bought a used martin Savannah and shot that for a while, it had a grip that I more use to. Then I saw an ad from Howard Hill Archery and for some reason I had to have one, I never saw one first hand let alone had the chance to shoot one. I debated on what grip to get I second and third guessed what I wanted, finally deciding on a straight grip. I ordered the bow and it came about  four  weeks later, I strung it up and shot it     I thought my fillings were going to fall out from the hand shock. I thought to myself what the heck did I get myself into now. It was at that point I made the decision to learn how to shoot the bow properly, that began my journey with a Hill. For a while that is all I shot I have strayed away some but keep going back to to my Big Five. When you get it the bow will teach you how it wants to be held if you pay attention and learn you will love it like no other. If you try to force it to adjust to your style it will scold you like no other bow can.

[ron w]

I have a Jerry Hill with a dished grip, just some heel pressure like Stoneknife said and you should be fine. It might take a bit to get familiar with but give it a fair shot and you'll learn to like it.

[Mike Vines]

I love mystraight grip Wesley Special. No shock at all, and very smooth and quiet.

[lpcjon2]

Originally posted by Stone Knife:
When you get it the bow will teach you how it wants to be held if you pay attention and learn you will love it like no other. If you try to force it to adjust to your style it will scold you like no other bow can.

I couldn't agree more!

[fountain]

i sure hate to send him another e-mail tonight, but i may go with the dished....it actually looks more like some kind of locator

[fountain]

how is the riser cut on these bows?  i shot almost vertical and may need a touch more towards center cut.,......that possible?

[Stone Knife]

If you go with the straight it can be modified to any of the other two later. Mine has just enough shelf on it to accommodate a 11/32 arrow but i like 5/16 to gt me closer to center.

[mississippidave]

I have a sweet shooting Wesley Special with a straight grip.  The first time I shot it it jumped out of my hand....since then it's become my number 1.  I shoot it low wrist even thought I shoot my recurves high, straight wrist ala Asbel.  Same goes for a Cheetah I just picked up.  Both fine, fine shooters, accurate and quiet.

[Overspined]

Craig likes to make his customers happy, and will gladly change the grip on the order for you. Don't wait too long though, he builds them fast.

[fountain]

gonna call him tomorrow at lunch...bout 9 there.
i dont want to bother him too much bout it.
may see if he can cut the riser out a touch more since i shoot more vertical than canted..i think they have a narrow shelf from what i remember

[Gil Verwey]

Some guys love longbows others don't. It sounds like you may not like a longbow. It also sounds like you are trying to turn a longbow into a recurve. You said you only shot a Hill a number of times and can't get past the grip, but you ordered a new one. Why not just stick with the recurve. There is nothing wrong with that.    

"i have only shot a hill bow a handfull of times and just cant get past the grip. i like a high wrist, recurve grip.

i ordered a cheetah today and decided on the locator grip which i was advised to get since i like the recurve grips. i also asked if i could get the grip smaller in circumfrence so i can get my hands around it."
 
Good luck
Gil

[Orion]

I agree with Gil.  None of the grips on a Hill come remotely close to being high wrist, not even medium wrist. If you shoot it high wrist, it won't make any difference which grip you get because you'll only be using the top one inch of it.  It is possible to shoot a Hill high wrist, of course, but it's not designed to be shot that way. Good luck in whatever you decide.

[Wrangler]

Well, as you can see from the replies, you will be required to make a commitment to learning to shoot your Hill. The upside is that from day 1, I was totally in love. Absolutely the most fun bow I have ever shot and I'm having a ball learning to shoot it. I have a dished grip Cheetah, love it. I'm so accurate with this bow that I get ooohs & aahs from my wife when we shoot! I had to get her a Hill Bobcat, she loves it. We both also have recurves and hybrid longbows.