the "D" shape R/D longbow appreciation thread!

[awbowman]

Looks like the Thunderbird, but the it's straighter through most of the bow.

[jsweka]

Dang photobucket.  I know I sized that sucker and resaved it.

[awbowman]

These are a few pics
Riser

   

Shows tip
     

Shows Full length

   

[CJ Pearson]

Gil, I love the gator skin. What kind of bow is that?

[ron w]

My Toelke Super "D" when placed against a wall the handle/grip area is about 1 3/8" from the wall [very slight reflex]. When strung is "D" shaped!

[khardrunner]

AWbowman, I would say the tips keep it from being a true AFL/hill style bow. I would agree this fits here in the slight R/D catagory.

Very nice!

[Rob DiStefano]

Originally posted by ron w:
My Toelke Super "D" when placed against a wall the handle/grip area is about 1 3/8" from the wall [very slight reflex]. When strung is "D" shaped!

sight down each limb and look for a curve - if its there, it's not an American Flat Longbow (ie - "Howard Hill"), and it's a hybrid.  if it's a true "D" shape when strung, it's got "mild r/d".

however, if there is no curve to the limbs, and they're either dead straight, or slightly reflexed or slightly back set, then it's an AFL.

[Gil Verwey]

Chuck that bow is a Harrison El Lobo. The grip is made from Crocodile that Jack Harrison brought back from Africa. It was his personal bow.

Thanks
Gil

[ron w]

The Super "D" that I have there is just a touch of reflex near the tips. Maybe the last 10" or so....the rest is pretty flat! Very little Deflex that I can see! It's all bamboo with clear glass!

[NBK]

My Dwyer Defiant belongs in this group I believe.  

Unstrung profile



Strung profile

[Rob DiStefano]

Originally posted by NBK:
My Dwyer Defiant belongs in this group I believe.  

yup, u bet!    

Just like the classic howard hill longbows of the 30's, 40's and 50's, and all the good bowyers that make their own classic hill versions, i believe that the mild r/d longbow that braces to a "D" shape is also on the road to become a classic modern longbow.  

hopefully this appreciation thread will look to showcase any and all "D" r/d longbows, their bowyers, their owners and their harvested game.  i've got some pix to post, but i'd much rather get some good posts, pics and hunt stories from other members first.  

tell us about your mild r/d "D" longbow and your hunts with it!  

     [/QB]

Eloquently expressed Rob and I wholeheartedly agree!

[jpbruni]

I have been a bowhunter (compound) for many years and recently got bitten by the Trad Bug, thanks to my 2 boys! So I am new to traditional archery and knew I wanted to do it right and get a nice, solid bow so I could shoot 3-D with them.

I happened to find this gem of a reflex/deflex in the Texasbowhunter.com classifieds this past  January and I just completed a full restoration on it.

I don't know much about the bow at all and I can't find any info on the bowmakers. It is a Canyon Archery Traditions "Cougar" and was built in June of 2003 by Mike Baker and Ken Bentliss out in Canyon, Tx. Apparently is was the 4th bow they built!

It says it's a 62", 50#@28" RH, but it weighs out at 52# at 27", which is my exact draw length.  

When I opened the box, I could see it was a unique bow! It had elk antler tips, a very cool arrow inlay and some very intricate lamination work.  It came with rattler skins that were faded and pulling up in several places. It had a worn out string and a big, fat handle with a very thick leather grip. It was pretty rough and dinged up so that's why I decided to dive in and do a full restoration.

I re-shaped the handle, replaced the skins with a single Texas Rat Snake skin and completely refinished and Tru Oiled it.

The best part about the bow is that it shoots like a dream! It is very fast and a flat shooter. Several experienced archers have shot and all have said that it shoots extremely well. I could not be happier with it!

If anyone has any info on these bows, I sure would appreciate it!

Here are some pics...

















J.P.

[RC]

Vince makes a fine d bow...

[Bladepeek]

jpbruni, I can tell you all I know about that bow in 3 words, "It's absolutely stunning". Beautiful job of refinishing!

[jpbruni]

Thank you Bladepeek. It was a lot bigger job than I expected, especially the snakeskin work - removal and putting on the new one. I was also pretty terrified of attacking the handle with a rasp, but it really fits my hand well now.

Just can't seem to find out any background on this darn thing!

J.P.

You all know what they look like, but Dick Robertson, a new sponsor, makes a really good r/d bow, Here is a what I see when I shoot my Robertson twins, not identical, but they are the same weight. I still think they just as forgiving as most Hill style bows, just a bit faster.

Sorry my photo bucket is acting weird.

[Rob DiStefano]

just to keep this thread on track, remember that it's about hybrid r/d longbows that brace to a classic "D" shape - not hybrids that show tip reflex or flat areas when braced.

[grouseshooter002]

Rob,
Does my Fox Triple Crown qualify? Thank you.

Regards,
Rick