Any Abbott Shooters here?

[swiftstick86]

Hi everyone.  I was just wondering if any of you shoot longbows made by Steve Abbott.  I bought one used three years ago, my first trad bow, and I absolutely love it.  I killed my first archery deer with it this past Halloween.  Steve passed away a couple months ago and I had my heart set on getting my hands on a couple more of his bows.  His friend, Chris, is still making bows and I put one on order with him a few days ago.  I'm really excited to be getting a new long bow, but saddened to know that I won't ever have the man who made the bow that got me so hooked on trad archery make a bow specifically for me.  

So how about it?  Do any of you folks shoot an Abbott?  How would you compare it to other bows you have shot.  I am so hooked on mine that I don't even have the desire to shoot anything else.

Jeff

[Red Beastmaster]

I've been shooting Abbotts for many years. I'm currently shooting a 66" yew limb/cocobolo riser, 47# @ 27". It's my fourth longbow from Steve and I'll never part with this one. He made it for me a year ago.

I've bumped into Steve several times over the years at big shoots here in PA. He always knew me by name in spite of our sparse meetings and the thousands of people he greeted in his booth. He was a heck of a nice guy and made beautiful great shooting bows.

This past summer I had the good fortune of seeing Steve again at the ETAR in July. We talked a bit and joked around like always. I even got my picture taken with him and my new bow. Pretty cool guy.

Last Oct I shot my first deer in 16 years with my new longbow and had to tell Steve the news that night by email. He was happy for me and wished me well on my upcoming hog hunt in the spring. That was the last we communicated.

I'm really glad I got one of his last bows and the chance to see him again before he passed. Gonna miss him.

This evening I took my Abbott off the rack and strung it up. I had not shot it in awhile and just had the urge to take it for a spin. I emptied quiver after quiver into my targets. Shooting this bow just makes me smile.

Good luck with your new bow!

[Shifting Shadow]

I've had Abbott longbows. Steve was friendly and helpful on the phone. I know he donated at least one bow to the troops overseas. At one time he harvested his own yew wood from the Northern Cascades. I had one of his yew longbows. It was a thing of beauty. Steve did a lot promoting traditional archery and bowhunting. He was good for our sport. It's too bad he's gone.

[Roadkill]

We were camped near him two years go.  A unique guy who turned out terrific bows.  Our community will miss him

[Bluegoose]

I have a 66" 40# @ 28" Abbott with Cocobolo Riser and yew limbs. We bought it used last summer and, it is my favorite bow out of all that I have owned. I probably get 46 # or so out of it with my 30.5" draw and the Abbott really zips an arrow. It draws and shoots so sweetly and is just elegant and beautiful to look at. My daughter and I couldn't get over how beautiful it was when we got it out of the shipping tube. I dubbed it the "Lauren Bacall of longbows" the first time I shot it. (Google if you need to ask)

I plan to order another bow from Chris sometime this summer about 5# heavier.

I only got to speak to Steve a couple of times by phone, but found him very helpful and enthusiastic.

[Kelly]

So is Chris taking over Abbott Longbows?

I have two of them, all yew with cocobolo handles-love them.

[swiftstick86]

Kelly, it appears so.  I spoke with Chris on the phone and had had some short e-mail correspondence with him.  I asked if he would still be using the forms that Steve used and he said yes.  I will be letting you all know how the new bow turns out, but the wait is going to be a little while.  45-60 days was the estimate Chris gave me.

The Abbott that I have now is 48# at 28".  I got it used, and I think the riser is walnut.  I'm not sure about the limbs.