Just curious what peoples experiences are with the current generation of Howatt bows. In particular, the Super Diablo and the Hunter.

After discovering the riser on the Scorpion was made from a soft wood like hemlock, my opinion is not so great.

Also, If they did not continue using the precise double tapered limb laminations for the Hunter after 2011 (and it is my understanding they did not as almost all the Howatt bowyer's were gone) then the new bows would not be a Hunter.

I would suggest you try one if at all possible. All of use can have an opinion, but the proof is in the pudding. I've heard as much good as negative about them...so you need to try to find one to shoot.

I had an opportunity to handle several new Howatt bows at our banquet this past August. I did not like them at all and I’m a Howatt fan. They all seemed to be overbuilt and blocky in the handle. Big, fat grips and the finish looked like it was done by an 8th grade shop class. But, that may appeal to some people. For my money- I would find a used one from the days when the Howatt bows were strong. Save a little change and get a BETTER bow. That’s how I feel about it.

George, I am a lefty and live in a very rural area so getting to test drive will likely not happen. There is always a bit of "the old stuff is better than the new stuff" mindset so I am hoping some owners of the new Howatt's will chime in.

If someone was looking to purchase an older Hunter, what year models do you gents suggest a person should gravitate toward?

Here's some discussion about them from two years ago.

http://leatherwall.bowsite.com/TF/lw/thread2.cfm?threadid=284486&category=88#4120571

I follow Martin Archery FB page. New traditionall models are coming in 2019. They aren’t revealed yet.

Thank you very much George.

They make a good compound. I would look for an older Howatt if it were me.

76aggie

My favourites are the 1961-1964 rosewood Hunters . Things of beauty that are well designed, smooth and fast.

Close second favourite is the 1959 to early 1961 walnut and rosewood models.

Here's a 1962.

Sounds like Howatt went the way of Bear!

If you never shot one, then you really don't know what the new ones are like. Some folks have talked highly of some of them.

I had a 2013 Hunter that shot fine. I put limb skins on the back of the limbs.

When I decided to sell the bow, I pulled the limb skins off, and the finish had checked so badly that it peeled off with the limb skins. I also recall sending the first one I got back to 3Rives because it had visible voids in the glue lines at one fade. The second one still had them, but I ended up just dripping some superglue in them.

My Acacia tree Savannah was the best Martin that I ever shot. The newer Savannah I had was nice, but still not quite the same as far as finish goes.

I think the newer Martins are probably okay, but I'd have a hard time paying full price for one.

This is a photo from FB of the new limited edition Dream Catcher.

My buddy has them my mentor and he likes them but says they are more like the old hunter models. I saw them I don't like their looks for me nothing like the old ones in style.

I hear the new 2019 Martin Howatt traditional bow line will be unveiled to members of the Martin Archery Talk & Tech FB group on January 10th. I’m especially interested in seeing the new 66” amo Heritage longbow.

Peter, that 62 is really nice looking. Thanks.

2019 Howatt Heriitage 66 amo longbow pics from Facebook.

The new ones are good bows ! I have not owned a new one but shot plenty of them as friends have them. I would not be afraid to buy one if its what I wanted.

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