So my first new custom Hill style was delivered to me today after a good 3 1/2 month wait. I have tried many used Hill styles 66-70", 50-100+ #, over the past year and had finally settled on what I wanted in a new bow. My bowyer of choice for this endeavor was Nate Steele at Bamabows Archery. I had been aware of Nate's reputation for quality and value for quite some time but it wasn't until a fellow enthusiast made me aware of Nate's "Tribute" Hill style model that I began to consider him as my bowyer of choice. One of the factors was the ability to make a bow well in excess of 75#. I had originally considered going with an HHA build, but still having a hunch about Nate and his Tribute model I bided my time and much to my delight found a 70" 105@30 Tribute 'used but like new from one of Nate's frequent customers, albeit a right handed one (I'm a lefty.) I proved to be strong enough to draw it right handed and lefty, though I had to attach some Velcro to the side of the riser and shoot it like a selfbow to do lefty. I had previously been shooting various bows of max heaviness of 75-85#@28, 75 being pretty comfortable to shoot for extended periods... at my slightly over 29" draw 105@30 proved to be a bit much to draw with any semblance of control, but not by too much. I had a hunch that 5-10 less# would be spot on to get me to full draw and start a real serious regimen and turn my heavy quest into a regular go-to. My goal is to have a heavy Hill bow for working out and hunting with a locator grip that will have a real flat cast with lighter (8-9gpp) arrows that reminds me a little of my performance longbows but is still a Hill. This righty Tribute I found to test drive had a flawless fit and finish and shot like a dream for being such a beast, what bit of controllable shooting I could do at shorter 20 yd or less ranges hahaha. This and the bow's quietness and smoothness combined with a super price structure solidified my decision to order a brand new lefty Tribute to my desired specs. The righty got sold and an order was made.
This is the result.
Meet the 'Werewolf'. Lefty Bama Tribute, 69" 94@29, wenge riser with wenge overlay, black glass, black phenolic tips, and black leather laced locator grip, 4 lams of bamboo:
Shot her tonight with my heavy wood arrows at 15 and 20 yds. My brother measured my draw, I'm pulling her to 28 3/4", so 93#?? LOL. She shoots like a dream. SO quiet. Selfbow quiet. ZERO handshock of any kind. Just a real faint bump. Actually one of the most, if not the most well mannered Hills I have shot to date. The locator grip is perfect. Nate built it to the dimensions I requested. He was great to work with, very friendly and made it his mission to make the bow just how I wanted. He normally does not stock wenge and he made it a point to be willing to build a wenge bow on my request and find a really pretty piece for me. It looks way more brown than it is in the bright light. It is darker in person, I love the black streaks.
The bow is a winner and my chosen Hill. Thanks Nate!
Topic: HH BUG GOT ME - Part Two! (Read 472184 times)
