Howard Hill ( Which grip ?)

[S.C. Hunter]

For the HH shooters what style grip is on your HH and why? I am thinking about getting one and want to hear from those who have them. Thanks

[Ken Babicky]

I have two Hills and have the locator on both. On my first I ordered it with the straight handle, never trying one before, but I was inconsistent in my hand placement and I am certain it had something to do with my initial struggles I had with the bow. I decided afterwards that I had nothing to lose so I got out the tools and put my own locator grip on it, (using one of my other bows with a locator I liked as a template). I immediately had more success with tuning and shooting and it became my favorite bow. There are alot of folks on this site who prefer the straight grip, but for me I'm just better off with a locator.

[Benny Nganabbarru]

My first Hill had a straight grip, but my second has a locator grip. When eventually I buy another, it too will have a locator grip.

[Rob DiStefano]

trust me on this - it doesn't matter at all what bow grip *ANYONE* prefers.  what counts is what grip feels best in YOUR bow hand.  try before you buy, else take a chance.  anything else is a waste of time ... trust me on this!  

[Dick in Seattle]

Rob's advice is sound... it's what works for you or what you like most (which will probably be the same thing).  I started out with all locators and gradually shifted to all straights.  However, the last bow I built for some reason I made a dish and really liked that.

[S.C. Hunter]

Thanks, Rob I am just putting the question out to find the pro's and con's. I have shot a dished version that wasn't bad at all, and plenty of locator as that seems what everydody sells.


  I was more curious about the straight.

[Canyon]

I have locaters on mine except my takedown Hill. It has a straight grip by necessity and gives me fits. Someday I am going to master that bow.

[Wannabe1]

I have one with a dished grip and one with a straight grip. I actually shoot both pretty well. I have never shot a Hill with the locator grip so, can't comment on it's feel.

[David Mitchell]

My preference is the straight grip.  I like them with more of a tear drop shape tapering to the belly side.  I own 5 Hills and several other "Hill style" longbows, but the Hills are my preference.

[ron w]

Dished for me.....

[Raging Water]

Originally posted by S.C. Hunter:
Thanks, Rob I am just putting the question out to find the pro's and con's. I have shot a dished version that wasn't bad at all, and plenty of locator as that seems what everydody sells.


  I was more curious about the straight.

I have 3 Hills, straight, locator and dished. I much prefer Dished. It just feels right with that kind of bow. Plus, Craig’s dished is really nice. I have a Gordon Moorey Longbow that I got from Leo Markert.  It turned me on to dished.  Whenever I can, I try and get dished.
But Rob is right, what you like is the important thing.

[TSP]

Never shot a locator Hill.  But, the locator version has so little 'locate' in it (very mild compared to others) that I'd guess it wouldn't affect how it shoots to any great degree.  My preference relates more to the look of the bow.  I very much prefer the classic lines of the straight/dished styles.  It may sound quirky, but for these particular bows it just doesn't look right unless straight or dished.

[JRY309]

I like a slight dished grip on my Hill,but have no problem with a straight grip either.Grips can be a personal preference for the shooter.

[Raging Water]

The heavier the draw weight in the bow, the more I like a dished grip.

I think the way the grip makes the bottom of the palm contact the bow makes the bow arm stronger.

I much prefer the dished grip when the bow gets over 80#.

My 2 Cents.

Matt

[S.C. Hunter]

Thanks everyone I have shot a dished and liked it but that has been a few years ago. I guess my memory was good on the dished grip. I am not sure about getting the straight since I have not shot one that I can recall.

[Rob DiStefano]

Originally posted by S.C. Hunter:
Thanks, Rob I am just putting the question out to find the pro's and con's. I have shot a dished version that wasn't bad at all, and plenty of locator as that seems what everydody sells.


  I was more curious about the straight.

let me say this again in another way - it's all subjective stuff and the there is no right or wrong with ANY bow grip.  

the pro's and con's about ANY bow grip is totally in the mind and bow hand of the bow holder.  

YOU NEED TO DECIDE WHICH GRIP FEELS & WORKS BEST FOR YOU BASED ON *YOUR* REAL WORLD EXPERIENCE.  anything else is a crap shoot.

oh, you can't try out some or all of the bow grips you question?  join the club, and that's one reason why there's so much turnover in the bow classifieds.

ALSO, consider that certain grip types will feel completely different for certain brand and model bows ... and since almost no wood handled bows are cnc shaped or molded, there will be differences and inconsistencies from bow to bow.  feelin' lucky?  

'kay?    

[Tajue17]

I found I like the dished grip better than straight but like someone said you really need to make this call for youself,, I once  strung a left handed hill backwards and shot it as a righthanded bow for fun and it worked pretty good and the grip felt pretty good too...

[GingivitisKahn]

Straight grip for me. Seems I'm very much in the minority on this topic.  Works for me!   :D

[LongStick64]

I have three Hill with straight grips and one Longriver with a dished grip, while I prefer how the straight grips feel in my hand, I shoot better scores with the Longriver and the dished grip.

[Irish Archer]

I've only shot straight grips and like them very much.

When I order my new bow, it'll be a straight grip also. That way, when I finally shoot a different grip, should I like it more, I can turn down the straight grips to match. I'VE GOT IT ALL PLANNED OUT!