Thinkin' I might need a Habu...

[huntsfairchase]

Well, I just sold off a few of my bows. And like any addict, I'm looking for something new. I've yet to own, or even shoot a newer Habu. If I buy one, it'll be the first bow that I've bought without shooting one. I'll be looking for something used, so to those own or have owned Chris' newer bows, are there any particular models or years to look for or avoid? Any guidance would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Nate

[LoneWolf73]

Great grip. Excellent craftsmanship. Top of the heap on custom bows.

[Bowwild]

Very nice bows, all that LoneWolf wrote above. Plus they are very stable, easy to string, and the woods are top-of-the line for the species. Choices are pretty slim, mostly Cocobolo or Bacote but those are sure two nice woods.

I've had 2011 and have 2012.  I like them both. Frankly, they were equally good and I couldn't tell any difference in these two years. Both of mine were/are recurves.

I hunted with the 2011 and it worked great for  me. I've been hunting with other bows the past two years.  I suspect I may be returning to the Habu as my consistent shooter.

If you find what you are looking for you can probably get a very good price with the used market so stinky these days. The two-year wait is a huge deterrent to many who might like a Habu. Of course they ain't cheap.  

This will sound odd but I'm proud of the fact that I paid very fair prices for mine. I didn't wait for hundreds to be discounted or ask for price breaks. I knew what they were worth and what is the value of 5 days vs. two years?

 Neither one was more than a few weeks old when I bought them.

[Dave Lay]

been watching the LH longbow in the classifieds for a long time  I cant believe no one has bought this bow at 1/2 the price of a new one

[JC]

I had a Death Adder for about a year. Loved the grip, very well built, very easy to shoot, only issue was it was HEAVY, just too much mass for my taste. I did however shoot it very well and loved the way it looked so much I had to order a vyperkhan. I called him to discuss and long story short, "we did not hit it off" to put it mildly. I sold it a few days later. A shame.

Great bows though.

[Brock]

Never shot his newer bows or a longbow hybrid...but I absolutely loved the Habu Bushmaster recurves he made in the 90s....I have a brown one after getting a nice used grey first.  Just did not FEEL the grey so sold it and bought a brown exactly like it in 1999.  Great bows....and a lot cheaper than new and they stand the test of time.

I dont think there are any to avoid per se...depends on what you like or want. They are a heavy mass bow...makes very stable and such but even though I lugged my Habu recurve in Georgia swamps and marshes for miles and hours a day last year for four days on canoe hunting trip....it is not a light bow in the hand.      But it is a workhorse and a high performing workhorse at that...haha


If straight up recurve I would recommend one from 90s through early 2000s...if more of the Vyperhkan or Death Adder style in your future...then just wait for the classifieds and make it known on a couple forums and one might pop up.  My recurve is 60# @29 and is 64" bow and pulls as smooth as many 50-55# bows at my draw of 29.5 inches.  His tolerances are very small...he is anal and a perfectionist...and it shows in his work.

That being said...the prices are crazy on new bows....

Good shooting and best of luck...might give him a yell to see if anyone has a used one they are looking to sell to fund a new purchase from him.  Otherwise just stay vigilant and ready when popes up as they dont last long on used market.


here she is...12 years old in this picture...
   

[Warden609]

I really enjoyed the two Habus I use to own(vyperkhan and death adder). Great shooters!! Both had awesome cocobolo wood. I don't know if you can go wrong with a Habu. Good luck with your search  

[huntsfairchase]

Thanks for the advice fellas. Sounds like it'd be hard to go wrong with any of them. I have yet to talk to or hear from anyone anything negative about his craftsmanship. I understand his pricing after talking to him. What the heck, I think his bows have done the marketing themselves. I spoke with Chris tonight and I jumped on the list, but…as mentioned above, I'd rather wait 5 days than 2 years…So, if you happen to have one in the low/mid 50# range that you'd part with, pm me. I'd be more than interested.
Nate