Howard Hill Tembo Help and pictures

[dad]

Think I narrowed my choice to HH Tembo. Black glass on the back and clear on the belly. I'm thinking on the bow weight 45#@ 27" with 68" length and Cocobolo riser. Now I can't make up my mind on the grip Dished or locator. I had a Big 5 with straight grip I'm thinking one of the other to would be better for more constant grip. With my arthritis in my draw hand this will help with the longer limbs in a lighter weight. Just got to make up my mind on the grip any thoughts?

[David Mitchell]

Only you know what you would feel most comfortable with. Good choices on the bow.

[dad]

Will do the string follow also.

[Orion]

I have a bow that's almost identical to what you're considering, except mine is 66 inches.  It has a dished grip.  Craig's locator grip would probably be better for consistent hand placement, but the difference between them is quite small.

You might want to consider a 66-inch bow.  Mine is marked 46#@28, but scales 48#.  That's fairly common for Hills.  A lot of them are a few pounds heavier than marked.  The reason I suggest 66 inches is that to make a 68-inch bow of the same poundage, it's necessary to beef up the limbs quite a bit.  More limb weight detracts from performance slightly and contributes to increased hand shock.  On the positive side, it adds to overall bow weight, which can make the bow a little easier to hold on target.

I've just always found 66-inch Hills to be a little more lively and quicker than 68-inchers of the same poundage.  I draw 28 inches.  With a 27-inch draw, 66 inches wouldn't be overtaxing it.  It would still draw very smoothly.

Something to think about.  If possible, try to shoot a bow of each length in a similar weight range before you place your order.

Good luck in your selection. Can't go wrong either way.

[khardrunner]

Get the dished. If you don't like it, you can always make it a locator. Pretty tough to go the other way.

[Brazos]

I have 2 different bows from HHA both with locators.  One is close to 12 years old with a slight locator.  The other I got last June with a much more pronounced locator.  I also just got a David Johnson with a dished grip.  I can shoot any of them as well as the other.  If I had to give the nod to one grip it would be the more pronounced grip on the HH I got last June.  Not that I can shoot it any better than the other two, its just more comfortable.  Once you know how to shoot a HH style longbow I believe you can quickly adjust to one style a grip to another.

[dad]

Would the extra limb length cause my bow arm top mussel hurting when I shoot a lot to where I have to wear a brace its like tennis elbow or is it something else?

[Stone Knife]

If you could get to a shoot or with some Trad Gang members near you, try to shoot a few and see what you like best. Just a thought you could get a straight grip and if that doesn't work for you it could be change to one of the other two choices very easily.

[RC]

I`ve shot 66" Hill bows a lot. I shot one that was 68 and fell in love with it.Easy to tell a difference in how smooth it was to pull. My next Hill will probably be 68.I draw 27 as well.I did notice it may have not been as fast but that really matters little to me. Comfort is better than speed as I "Mature".RC

[Orion]

66 inches 68 inches.  Either is in the wheelhouse for a 27-28-inch draw.  Gotta agree with RC re smoothness of draw.  Longer seems a bit smoother, but again, the difference, to me at least, was very slight. Try before you buy if you can.

[mike g]

Dad.
For a consistant grip.
When you grip the bow place your thumb on top of the leather wrap, do that everytime....

[centaur]

I have 3 Hills; one with straight grip, one with dished, and one with locator. I use my index finger as a guide, placing it just below the shelf on all three, and I can't tell any difference. I do notice a bit more handshock with the straight grip if I don't hold the bow firmly enough. Otherwise, for me at least, it is a tossup. Your mileage may vary.

[two4hooking]

Originally posted by mike g:
Dad.
For a consistant grip.
When you grip the bow place your thumb on top of the leather wrap, do that everytime....

Good stuff Mike g...I do this also!

I am partial to the white glass on the belly  

[Greg Skinner]

I agree with those who say to try before you buy if that is possible.  

I have a 66" Tembo, a 66" Redman and a 68" Cheetah.  My draw length is 26 1/2" and to me the 68" feels sluggish compared with the other 2.  I never shoot the Cheetah for that reason.  All of my bows have the straight grip. I say start with the straight and if you don't like it you can make a dished or locator pretty easily - hard to go back the other way.

[dad]

I had a straight grip in a 68". I went to a dealer and he had a Northern Mist Baraga with a locator grip but the bow was only 62" long the grip felt nice. With the short length I couldn't relax into the bow. I'm kind of slow and deliberate when I get into my form. I cant a little I wonder if the 66 or 68 length would be better with this style?

[Mike Mongelli]

Originally posted by two4hooking:

I am partial to the white glass on the belly    [/QB]

You mean like this?  
 
 

This is a 64" string follow Tembo.  I have tried a locator grip but prefer the straight style.  I would also like to try a shallow dish some day.

[dad]

Mike nice looking bow!

[dad]

I ordered my Tembo today! Now the wait. Thanks for your help. I went with 66' and 26" draw and Cocobolo riser black wrap,carmolized boo, string follow, straight grip and a 14.5 riser length and a FF sting and black glass front and back

[Wannabe1]

Look forward to the pics! How long of a wait do you have?

[David Mitchell]

If it's the usual Hill wait time he'll have  around 3 weeks.  I never had a longer wait than that on four different orders from Craig.