Darren's New Howard Hill Big 5

[tradlongbow]

Hello- TradGang


Link to more pics
 http://s1009.photobucket.com/albums/af219/tradlongbow/


My Christmas present arrived today, Howard Hill Big Five, 50#@28, 68", Cocobola riser, Carmelized Bamboo limbs. I had originally ordered a bow blank from Craig  in Dec., but my wife seen me buying all the materials to finish the bow, and doing research on how to seal the Cocobola, she decided to call Craig and just have him finish it. Anyway, you may notice that you can see the entire Cocobola riser, it's just like the Robin Hood bow; I love it! Another thing that I did different this time, and it was at the last minute, I asked Craig to do a glossy finish. When the time comes for another Hill bow, I will get the Carmelized Bamboo again, what a difference it makes, absolutley beautiful. I'm off of work Tuesday and Wednesday, The arrows are going to be flying! >>>------>
I hope you enjoy the pics.

Thanks to me wife,
Darren

BTW- I tried 3 times to resize the photos, Sorry.

       

       

[slayer1]

Wow! She is a looker! I have always wanted to try a Hill. Just never ran across one!

[ti-guy]

Nice bow,I don't know if they'll keep the pictures they look big?!

[Rick Butler]

Wow! That's a good looking bow.  I really like that carmelized bamboo.

[Mudd]

Awesome!!

I'm glad that I figured out a good position to place my keyboard when looking at threads like this one to avoid the "drool pool"!..lol

Thank you for sharing!

God bless,Mudd

[straitera]

Hills are like fingerprints. No two the same. Never get tired of looking. What a beaut!

[longbowben]

Outstanding looking bow.Congrats love the carmelized bamboo          

[Bill Turner]

Really like the caramelized bamboo. First time I've seen it. Makes for a great looking hunting bow.  

[Bishop]

That is NICE!

[fixer]

Craig does nice work, the bow looks great enjoy your time shooting it.

[Rooselk]

Congrats. THAT is one sweet looking bow!

[Wannabe1]

Beauty of a Hill! Congrats on your unique present.      

[Irish Archer]

Nice lookin' bow for sure! Congrats.

[greyghost]

Very nice looking bow.

Nice take the ball and run end around by the wife. She did good.


Earl

[silvertip73]

Nice present, congrats!

[Ric O'Shay]

That is about the nicest Big 5 I've ever seen. Betcha it's a real shooter.

[Irish Archer]

So what is the "carmelized" limb? Actually a different bamboo, just a stain, or what?

[Bel007]

That's a beaut !

[Rob DiStefano]

Originally posted by Irish Archer:
So what is the "carmelized" limb? Actually a different bamboo, just a stain, or what?

all that means is heat tempering the boo before laminating.  i make native american flutes outta locally grown bamboo, and after harvesting i flame the boo with a propane torch.  this does two things - changes the skin color from green, creme or light brown, to amber-orange, dark brown, or chocolate.  it cooks the resin (remembering that bamboo is a grass) which makes the boo MUCH stiffer, harder, stronger and way more durable.  this is a total change to the bamboo at the molecular level.

[tradlongbow]

Hey Gang,

I spent several hours today shooting the new bow, I have to say it really shoots sweat. Once the new dacron string stretched over night, and after a lot shooting, the string started to set in and the arrows I made up are flying like darts. The arrows are 45-50 cut 29"BOP with 4" feathers.  

Rob is 100% right about the process to carmelize the bamboo. I've always liked bamboo for limbs, but I don't like the bright yellow, so, normally what I do is get black glass on my bows. This carmelized bamboo looks great, and the process it goes through, makes it stiffer and stronger, kinda like earth natural carbon.

I asked Craig if he stains bamboo and he told me that he doesn't like the stained bamboo, because sometimes you can see the yellow bleeding through in some areas. This is a much better way to go.

Thanks,
Darren