I bought this bow a week ago from our classifieds. Beautiful and really good shooter. Thought I could post a few pics and maybe learn a thing or two about the bow. I read that Ben Graham passed away last November, and that he had been a very active person in shoots and encouraging archery. If you know any more of the man or the company please share. I have been very pleased, my only concern is trying to make it a little quieter. I did a little tuning today and played with the brace height and moved the string puffs. I don't think I have made any progress yet.

-Bones

The above pic was right side up on my PC, guess it got lazy when I posted it. This was a group at 20 yards.

-Bones

A 15 yard nail puncher. This made me feel good.

-Bones

One more. This was my first 30 yard shot. I have had this bow for a week. We seem to be in the honeymoon stage. :-) My only issue is that the bow is marked 50@ 28 and it scales 45 @ 28. I draw 27" so it's a little light for heavy pigs. But then again placement is everything.

-Bones

What? Only #45??? Oh, no... that will never do! Send it to me and I'll see that it's disposed of properly!

Wow. Nice shootin'!

I'd bet that if you were to twist that string up some more, you would find it quieting right down. Probably right about the same point where that bow scales #50 @ 28"

I've been trying to quiet down my LBs, since it seems like they should be so much quieter than the RCs, but weren't. Went up 1/2" on the brace and came down about 10 db (not that I measured, but it was a chunk).

I know Asbell kind of encouraged people to low-brace their bows to get a lower draw weight and a little longer DL, on the assumption that they'd net out with a faster arrow. Not sure that I buy that, unless you're borderline overbowed to begin with, but I seem to be getting a faster, quieter shot with the higher brace, because it does not change my anchor any.

GF on that note, I read that the recommended brace was about 7&1/4" So I twisted a few times to 8" and it did not seem to get any quieter. At least not that I could tell. I have not tried to scale it with a higher brace, not sure that I understand why that might change the draw weight? Ultimately I really think there is no way this bow will become as quiet as the longbow I have from Jeff. It is a true silent killer, but I would like to get rid of the "thunk" at least a little bit.

-Bones

Higher brace height = more "pre-load" on the limbs - you actually end up bending them a bit more at full draw (assuming you hit the same anchor) and that adds a little extra weight.

But yeah, if you're already above the recommended brace... I dunno.... What happens if you take it down to 7" or 6 3/4"?

I haven't tried that yet, but sounds like I need to do more experimenting.

-Bones

I had a few Hummingbirds.The recurve and the longbow as well.I liked the bows a lot and think he and his wife Linda built beautiful bows.I have not had one in awhile.I don't remember the recurve being noisy.

I saw you had a quiver on and off the bow in the pics.Is it quieter without the quiver?That Bear quiver looks like it could have vibration somewhere with all the various parts.Something could be vibrating like a tuning fork.

I would seriously try an SBD Silent But Deadly D-10 8 strand bowstring with wool puffs and see what happens.I have had great luck with those strings quieting any bow I tried them on.

Great looking bow you got their.

Good luck with it

As long as I keep the screws all tight the quiver does not seem to make any noise. Right now I still have the String on it that it came with. I usually make my own dacron strings. Would that help OR not?

-Bones

Try a heavier arrow. Use the same spine only heavier.

Visit the Hummingbird website to get some more info on Ben. He made bows for me and my son and was an interesting person to hunt with. I'm hoping Linda might start making the bows again. She took care of the meticulous finishing when Ben was building bows.

Never had an issue with noise on the three piece longbows. I have no experience with the recurves.

I believe your Bear quiver dismounted incorrectly.

I met Ben a few times he was a true asset to the sport and one of the best bowyer's in the country as well a genuinely good person. Hold on to that bow ! wish I had never sold mine

Ghost

I had shot a 525 grain arrow originally from the bow, and it flew good and true, but at my draw that bow scales 43#. I feel like that is asking an awful lot from the bow. And it had very substantial drop from 20-25 yards with the heavier arrow. I backed up to a 425 grain arrow and still get the same sound. Not saying this bow is overly loud, just not as quiet as I believe it could be.

-Bones

I have been shooting a hummingbird recurve for 14 years. 3 piece takedown draws about 57 pounds at 30+ inches. I put a silent but deadly skinny string on it last year and it seems to have upped the speed a little. We have 3 of his recurves in the family and one td longbow. All hit where you look, reasonably fast and quiet. I took a young friend to Ben's shop just a few months before he died. He bought a longbow and Ben shot with us and gave expert, frienbdly advice to the new traditional shooter even though he was visibly tired and obviously not well. Ben was a devout, kind and passionate follower of Christ and and an expert craftsman/bowyer. Linda has taken a few orders and traveled to MI to work with a bowyer for a few weeks to sharpen her skills. She is repairing a takedown longbow for me now and I can't wait to get it back and try it out on deer this fall. I think you will love your hummingbird. Good luck and post some pig pics!

Ben was the most recent inductee into the NCBA Hall of Fame

http://www.ncbowhunter.com/docs/hall_of_fame_nominations/bgraham_ 2015.pdf

Brace height will sometimes affect noise. Got a Leon Stewart one piece recurve in a trade. Called LS and ask about the BH. He said about 7-7 1/4". The string should just lay in the groove and not touch the limb. Made a new string and it was horrible noisy. Started adjusting the brace. Got it close to 8" and it's plenty quite.

Got a DH Hi-Speed on a trade. Had a Dacron string on it. First shot it was so noisy I thought something was wrong with it. Made up a padded loop 10 strand D-97. And it's the quitest RC I've ever shot.

Work with it. You never know.

After shooting and hunting with a Hummingbird Kingfisher exclusively for about 10 years, I just made the switch to a Primal Tech longbow. I bought my Hummingbird used, but had some questions for Ben early on. Spoke with both he and Linda and they were very nice and helpful.

I've never had any noise issues with mine after messing around with brace height. In fact, most others commented on how quiet it was. However, I've always shot arrows between 10.5-12gr per # draw weight. I mostly used Mountain Muffler strings, but current string from Hunter's Choice Bowstrings has wool scallops from Two Tracks. It is still pretty quiet. I think the biggest factor is arrow weight.

I also recently bought a Hummingbird takedown recurve. I thought I might need a takedown someday and really liked the idea of having a bow that was made a few miles from where I normally hunt. I usually shoot ASLs without string silencers, and the Hummingbird is at least as quiet as they are. I expected it to be loud and was really surprised how smooth and quiet it is. It does have yarn puffs on the string. I have not messed with anything on it and shoot it as it as I bought it. BH is 7.25” and nocking point is 5/8”. 60” and 55# @28”

I have had many Hummingbird's over the years as Ben was a friend of mine . I shot all my bows at 7 1/4 with catwiskers .

Thanks for all the help. I think I will leave my Brace Height alone at the 7&1/4 may look into other silencers. Like I said before. Not extremely loud like a widow or anything, (okay that was just for grins), but I am trying to get it as silent as possible. The bow does shoot extremely well, and after the season I may send it in to get refinished if Linda is still doing such. Probably would not hurt to let her check out the bow and see if it scales correctly for her. It could just be the way I try to scale them.

-Bones

Shoot did not know that Hummingbird built a recurve. All I remember them for was longbows.

Good looking bow!

I've had a few Hummingbird bows over the years and still have a Kingfisher TD longbow. I knew Ben and shot with him several times over the years. He was top notch bowyer.

Hummingbird bows have been among the more quiet bows I've owned. Arrows at 10 gpp and and BH a little over 7.5" was how I shot Ben's recurves. I always used a Hummingbird string with mine. I would recommend getting a new string from 10 Ring.

Call Linda about a re-finish, I understand she may be doing that, and may even go into building bows later. I know she wants to but may not be ready yet. Check the length of your bow, the limbs may have been on another riser and are marked for the weight on that one.

How would I know if the limbs were built for another bow??

-Bones

Guess that was the first part of your response. Sorry. Measure the bow. Got it. Thanks again.

-Bones

I need to clean up a mistake I posted early on in this thread. I measured the bow, it is right on with printed AMO. On my home scale the bow weighed in at 45@28" I went to an archery shop yesterday afternoon, and had them scale the bow. It pulled 50.5 @ 28" My mistake, but this means that is the smoothest drawing recurve I have ever owner. At full draw it feels like maybe 40# not 47.5. This bow is a real gem. I do not know what all Mr. Ben Graham did in his design, but it is amazing how light the draw weight feels. This may also mean I am going to be selling a different recurve and keeping this one.

-Bones

Ben's bows are great! He was the president at our bow club. I took for granted that I could always have him make one for me, but just never took that step.

Woulda, coulda, shoulda.....

He is missed. By many.

beautiful bow but I would ditch that quiver just being honest

AndyMan I know it's definetly not a great accessory, but the quiver works and after I tightened the screws up on it it has no noise. Kinda hard to find a bow mounted quiver that stays in place and does not make extra noise.

-Bones

Didn't mean to hurt your feelings

was just being honest

was just thinking out loud

1, the bow is too perty for that ugly quiver that might

2 with those arm mar the bow finish and

3 pressure up on the near ends of the fades with those arms

would look at something that would attach under the limb bolts or inserts if the bow has them , or a strap on great northern of thunder horn

sorry

PS: I'm not a bow quiver guy anyway

I could never get those bear quivers quiet. I had a couple and they were noisy. Yours may not. But the 2 I had years ago sure were.

A beautiful Thunderhorn lynx quiver with matching offset color leather would look fantastic on that bow! And they are dead-quiet.

BTW, that is one heckuva pretty bow. Congrats!!!!

An EFA quiver would compliment it nicely. There are many of Ben's bow with Don Ward's quivers on them.

http://www.eaglesflightarchery.com

Thanks for the suggestions. AndyMan no offense taken. It is ugly! There is a softer rubber around the arms that touch the bow, and being on the top side on the fades of the arms I don't think they are hampering the effectiveness at all. I have tried a few other bow mounted quivers, but they all seem to move around the limb, or the hood is floppy at best. I will look at the other quivers suggested however. Again Thanks for the compliment. Mr Graham built a fantastic bow if they all are like this one.

-Bones

That is a beautiful bow made by a great bowyer. Do you know what kind of wood veneers are under the clear glass? Good luck with it! TLM

Like leather cutter stated his wife does refinish work.I never owned or shot his recurves.But have one of his longbows.It shoots great for me,best of luck figuring out your recurve.

I know it has birds eye on the back, and I am guessing Walnut riser. Not sure what the belly is, but it is is a figured wood and looks nice.

-Bones

I am guessing, but maybe lacewood or one o the maples other the than hard rock. Natural camo to say the least.TLM

When I decided on the bowyer for my first custom, it was a Ben Graham Hummingbird. Actually drove to Ben's home in NC from NJ and ordered in person. Other than the fact that he built me one gorgeous and functional three piece longbow, he was and still is one the finest individuals I've ever had the pleasure of meeting.

I anticipate moving most of the bows I presently own, but my Hummingbird ain't goin' nowhere.

Brought the thread back up to post this Hunt. Hummingbird went to west Texas with me, and made this happen yesterday evening. Buck was quatering hard away. When I shot, my sons says, "Dad I would not have taken that shot, and it looks far back." He is 9 and scored his first doe and buck this year. Well it was farther back than I intended and I felt like a pile of it when he skirted the cedar thicket and I saw how far back the shot was, mid rib. Started my prayers. After 20 minutes I could not wait any longer so we got on the trail, about 10 yards from the shot we found first blood and within 60 yards he layed. Shot was far back but buried in the off side shoulder. he was quartering really steep and about 18ish shot. Hummingbird Takedown, Goldtip 500 Blems with Bear Razorhead. Excuse the stick poking out behind his head, all I could find to prop him up.

nice deer and nicer bow

I don't own any of the recurves or shot any made by Ben. I bought a Kingfisher used one piece longbow on this site.I like it and it's quiet and fairly fast.I spoke to Linda over the phone and she is a very nice person.Like Forester already said Linda is repairing and refinishing bows.

In the coming weeks I will most likely give Linda a call. My season has now been filled and time to start working over equipment. Funny. Never can wait for the season to start. Prep 10 months and hunt hard for 2. Thanks everyone for the responses.

-Bones

Congrats Bones. Nice buck and beautiful bow. So, did you get it quieted down? jim

I believe so. I have a very thin piece of felt at the contact point of string in the groove. Also brace is at 7&1/8", heavier arrows, still going to put a calf hair rest on it and remove the scratchy tape the previous owner had in the sight window. I had to make myself understand that it is a recurve and not a longbow. The bow from Jeff Freeman is as silent as anything ever could be. The only noise I hear from it is the string moving past the leather at release. Obviously it is quite impossible for any recurve to be that silent. The string does contact the limb. This deer was completely calm and content when I turned the arrow loose and I honestly don't think he moved an inch until the broadhead had impacted him. That was a very good feeling.

-Bones

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