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The Pirates of Archery board is unique in the degree to which they emphasize bow building, and a goodly number of really talented builders hang out there. They have been incredibly helpful to me as I have learned to build my bows. They sponsored a successful bow exchange last year, where each participant built a bow for the next one in line. They decided to do it again this year and I was invited... (allowed? 8^)... to join. I felt pretty self concious about it, since my "old traditional" bows are extremely simple compared to the advanced designs they make. However, there was some actual enthusiasm over the possibility of getting one of my Hill style flatbows. Bob Davis, "Bobmeister" on the board, had the fortune - good or bad is for him to determine - of being the recipient of my efforts. Bob, as do most people, shoots heavier bows than I do, but I tried for a weight he'd like, and came up with a bow that either pulls 50# or 54#... I have two scales and they disagree.

The riser is zebrawood, mounted on top of the lams, but under the belly layer of glass. The riser is also extra long, at 18". The idea is to give shorter working limbs for speed, to use the extended fades as a kind of power lam and also to provide a larger sight window, similar to an old Root longbow I have that I like.

My concept in the assembling the woods of the bow was that quilted maple resembles cream when first poured into coffee, the way it curls and spreads. So, with the quilted maple on top, I used the walnut to give a dark base, like coffee. I left the fades of the zebrawood exposed under the belly glass. The angled cut of the fades reveals strong, dark swirl streaks that, again, resemble coffee colors. So, the bow ends up named "Cream in My Coffee". This type of construction is also one favored by Howard Hill for his own bows, including the one I am fortunate enough to own.

The bow is 68" and, as noted above, somewhere between 50 and 54 pounds at 28". I'm looking forward to seeing what Bob gets on his scale. Of course, I'm also anxious to see what he thinks of shooting it. At that weight, I can't draw it to full length. I do know it's a stout bow and should power a heavy arrow very well.

Unstrung and strung

As I said, I'm a little self concious about the simplicity of my bows, compared to the other swap participants. I decided that I'd throw a little something extra in. My wife is in the marine upholstery business. She had a customer bring in a leather cushion she'd made years ago, so that she could make a new one. We used the old cushion's leather to make a nice bow case. This is the closest Hill syle copy I've made yet, and I thought it rated a Howard Hill Longbowmen patch.

Closer shot, showing the zebrawood riser

Here's the riser fades, showing the grain of the sloped cuts under the belly glass. I used another piece of the leather for the wrap.

Laced wrap

Quilted maple back

There you have "Cream in My Coffee". I hope Bob likes it. I also hope it's the last bow this heavy I ever build... It's tough working on a bow you can't draw.

I had a definite boost this morning. Brent and I went down to see Bowdoc about some Bear bows and I took "Cream in My Coffee" along for his opinion. His is an opinion I'd put a lot of weight on. He drew it repeatedly, then got out a tillering stick and checked the tiller all the way down, then checked the bow all over. There is a small flaw in it, and he found it, darn him. It's one that if I had corrected it, I would have ended up retillering the whole bow and lowering the weight, so I decided to live with it (or rather that the recipient would live with it). Most people probably wouldn't have found it. As my grandfather used to say, "There is always crabgrass in the lawn of life..." Anyway, after all that inspection, with occasional, "hmms.....", Bowdoc held out his hand to shake mine and said, "Damn fine, Dick. Congratulations..." Over the course of our visit, he made similar comments several times. Made me feel like walking on air. He also said it's a stout bow, and should have a good strong cast with a heavy arrow, but I knew that. I'm a little puffed up right now, and had to share that. The bow is now on its way to Bob, who should get it on Monday.

I'm happy to report that Bob received the bow and is obviously extremely pleased. He sent me a personal post and also posted pictures and comments on the Pirates of Archery board. Most of the pix on his site post were repetitive of what's shown above, so I didn't include all of them, just a few I particularly liked....

>>>Dick, it was delivered this AM. You did a awesome job on this bow buddy. I am amazed at the back veneer, talk about cool looking. Heck the whole bow is cool looking. Very very beautiful. I spent some time in the backyard today and put quite a few arrows through it (35/55GTs). with 145 grain tips and although I didn't bear shaft they look like they are flying pretty true. I set the knock point at a 1/2 inch above and I think that's pretty close too, but Bear shafting will tell when I get a chance. I kept twisting up the string too, to 6 1/2 inch brace. A few more arrows and it should start holding. It really puts out a whallop when the arrow hits the target. This thing would go clean through an Elk with no problem at all. Oh, just so you know, I put it on my digital scale (el cheapo) and it shows 55@28. My scale jives with Keno's on the WTT stuff.

I want to thank you very much Dick for the nice bow, I appreciate it. I hope you have had as much fun on this swap as I have had. I really enjoy them.

All the Best
Bob<<<

I got a mysterious white tube in the mail today and was frantically ripping the end off of it to see what was inside. First I noticed a very nice genuine leather bow sock with a cool Howard Hill Bowman patch on it. Removing the sock revealed a beautiful straight stick.

After a little practice at 20 yards I was able to start getting consistant groups.

Dick puts out one hell of a stick. I am tickled pink at the quality of this Hill type bow. The craftsmenship is superb and I know the new meaning of quiet ;) .