THE BOWMAN AMERICAN SEMI LONGBOW BY FAIRBOW IN STOCK
The BOWMAN American Semi Longbow model is designed after Writer and Showman Peter O. Stecherās personal bows, which are similar to the longbows Howard Hill took with him to Africa.This ASL bow has been made with a good 2 inch backset, creating more speed! Made with three tapered laminations of sp...
THE REBEL BOW 41@28 GREEN GLASS, YEW RISER, BAMBOO CORES
gripOur Vintage Hill style bows are shaped after the early bows by famous bowyers of days passed. Extremely narrow, (28 mm, just over an inch) at the widest point to just under half an inch at the string groove. 3 layers of real Supercore (bamboo) in front of the Yew-woodĀ Riser.Ā Did we mention v...
THE REBEL BOW 29@28 GREEN GLASS, AROMATIC CEDAR RISER, BAMBOO CORES
Our Vintage Hill style bows are shaped after the early bows by famous bowyers of days passed. Extremely narrow, (28 mm, just over an inch) at the widest point to just under half an inch at the string groove. 3 layers of real Supercore (bamboo) in front of the Aromatic Cedar-woodĀ Riser.Ā Did we me...
THE REBEL BOW 60@28 CLEAR GLASS, YEW RISER, BAMBOO CORES
Our Vintage Hill style bows are shaped after the early bows by famous bowyers of days passed. Extremely narrow, (28 mm, just over an inch) at the widest point to just under half an inch at the string groove. 4Ā layers of real Supercore (bamboo) in front of the Yew-woodĀ Riser.Ā Did we mention vinta...
THE REBEL BOW 38@28 CLEAR GLASS, PEAR AND ROSEWOOD
Our Vintage Hill style bows are shaped after the early bows by famous bowyers of days passed. Extremely narrow, (28 mm, just over an inch) at the widest point to just under half an inch at the string groove. 3 layers of tempered bamboo in front of straight Pear Riser.Ā Did we mention the vintage ...
LAMINATED ALB BOW THE THUMPER SERIES, 66 INCH NTN, 65 LBS @ 28 inch
A laminated American-style longbow. Called 'The Thumper' by Rooty. Built with well-known and proven bow woods. Hickory in the backing, Ipe as belly wood, and a cork riser, making room for a Hill-style grip. The bow has an arrow pass mark on both sides of the bow, making it fit for both left and r...
LAMINATED ALB BOW THE THUMPER SERIES, 66 INCH NTN, 65 LBS @ 28 inch
A laminated American-style longbow. Called 'The Thumper' by Rooty. Built with well-known and proven bow woods. Bamboo in the backing, Ipe as belly wood, and a cork riser, making room for a Hill-style grip. The bow has an arrow pass mark on both sides of the bow, making it fit for both left and ri...
LAMINATED ALB BOW THE THUMPER SERIES, 66 INCH NTN, 50 LBS @ 28 inch
A laminated American-style longbow. Called 'The Thumper' by Rooty. Built with well-known and proven bow woods. Bamboo in the backing, Ipe as belly wood, and a cork riser, making room for a Hill-style grip. The bow has an arrow pass mark on both sides of the bow, making it fit for both left and ri...
LAMINATED ALB BOW THE THUMPER SERIES, 66 INCH NTN, 65 LBS @ 28 inch
A laminated American-style longbow. Called 'The Thumper' by Rooty. Built with well-known and proven bow woods. Hickory in the backing, Ipe as belly wood, and a cork riser, making room for a Hill-style grip. The bow has an arrow pass mark on both sides of the bow, making it fit for both left and r...
LAMINATED ALB BOW THE THUMPER SERIES, 66 INCH NTN, 70 LBS @ 28 inch
A laminated American-style longbow. Called 'The Thumper' by Rooty. Built with well-known and proven bow woods. Hickory in the backing, Ipe as belly wood, and a cork riser, making room for a Hill-style grip. The bow has an arrow pass mark on both sides of the bow, making it fit for both left and r...
LAMINATED ALB BOW THE THUMPER SERIES, 66 INCH NTN, 51 LBS @ 28 inch
A laminated American style longbow. Called 'The Thumper' by Rooty. Build with well-known and proven bow woods. Hickory in the backing, Ipe as belly wood, and an cork riser making room for a Hill style grip. The bow has an arrow pass mark on both sides of the bow, making it fit for both left and r...
THE REBEL BY FAIRBOW WITH YOUR CUSTOM OPTIONS
Ā Vintage Hill-style American Longbow Our Vintage Hill style bows are shaped after the early bows by famous bowyers of days passed.Extremely narrow, (26-30 mm, just over an inch) at the widest point to just under half an inch at the string groove. Up to 5 layers of tempered bamboo in front of the...
THE REBEL BOW 50@28 CLEAR GLASS, OSAGE AND SUPERCORE AND MYRTLEWOOD
Our Vintage Hill style bows are shaped after the early bows by famous bowyers of days passed. Extremely narrow, (28 mm, just over an inch) at the widest point to just under half an inch at the string groove. 3Ā layers of tempered bamboo in front of straight Osage OrangeĀ Riser.Ā Did we mention the ...
THE REBEL BOW 43@28 MANSONIA AND ROSEWOOD RH
Our Vintage Hill style bows are shaped after the early bows by famous bowyers of days passed. Extremely narrow, (28 mm, just over an inch) at the widest point to just under half an inch at the string groove. 3 Layers of tempered bamboo in front of the hardwood Mansonia Riser one layer to box it ...
What sets a straight American longbow apart
A straight American longbow has limbs that run, well, straight, no recurve and no pronounced reflex. The cross-section is flatter than the deep D of an English longbow, and the bow tends to be a touch shorter, usually 64 to 70 inch. Most modern American longbows are laminated: a Bamboo or Cedar core glued between thin Fiberglass strips, which gives more speed and stability than a solid wood self-bow. Draw weight is the force you pull at full draw, measured in pounds; draw length is how far you pull. A straight design is forgiving on form but slower than a reflex-deflex of the same weight.
How to choose the right Straight American longbow?
Start with draw weight. Beginners do well between 25 and 35 lbs at 28 inch; these weights are comfortable to learn with and forgiving on form. Field archers and stronger shooters tend to settle around 40 to 50 lbs. Above 55 lbs you are in serious territory, expect faster fatigue and a steeper learning curve. Match the bow length to your draw: 64 inch covers up to 28 inch draw, go to 66 or 68 inch if you draw 29 or 30 inch. Depending on the model. For Pure Hill bows we follow the Shulz rule aka 28 inch draw equals 68 inch length, 29 inch draw equals 69 inch lengt etc. If you want a faster cast and don't mind a slightly less forgiving shot, the reflex-deflex version is the alternative.
Craftsmanship and finishing
We start with Bamboo or Cedar cores, planed and tapered and free of defects. Two strips of Fiberglass are glued on with 2K epoxy under pressure, then the bow is shaped with a sanding paper and tillered on the tillering tree until both limbs bend evenly. The grip is built up with leather or wood for a slim, classic feel. We finish the bow with a 2K varnish that protects against the elements without dulling the color of the laminations. Most American longbows leave our workshop strung with a Fastflight string.
FAQ
Dacron is the safe default; a touch slower than modern materials but easy on the bow and on your form. Most of our American longbows ship with Fastflight. Because these are laminated bows, you can use Fastflight or other low-stretch strings for a faster cast, the laminate takes the higher loading without issue. If the bow is a solid wood self-bow, stay on B50 or Dacron.
A straight american longbow has limbs that run flat in profile; a reflex-deflex longbow has limbs that curve forward at the tips and backward at the riser. The reflex-deflex stores more energy at full draw and shoots faster, while the straight longbow is quieter, smoother and more forgiving. Most archers describe the straight as classic and the reflex-deflex as fast.
For a first bow, 25 to 30 lbs at 28 inch is a sensible range; you can learn proper form without building bad habits from a too-heavy bow. Field archers and bowhunters typically end up between 40 and 60 lbs. If you have shot before and have decent shoulder condition, 35 to 45 lbs is a good step up. Try before you commit if possible, your shoulders will tell you.