Hi, Dave… Congrats! It is a great starter bow. Particularly for the Longbow shooter as it is designed in the Classic Longbow style. It is a pretty bow and a tough one. They tend to be a bit skinny in the handle. And you will hear complaints on other forums about handshock. I say Bullderdash! The complaints come from the recovering compound crowd that never shot a traditional longbow before. With the correct brace height, and correct grip, there will be no more handshock than any other bow. Typically, if you match your spine and arrow weight with weight slightly on the heavier side. There should be no worries. For the record.. ignore comments about “production” bows too. All Martin bows are still hand crafted, made one at a time by individuals. You made a great choice for a starter bow. Other advice.. always use a Stringer. And string and unstring the bow when not in use.

You said it Dave, trad bows really are magic sticks! Enjoy 8)

That was my first longbow in years i bought mine some years back it was a great bow it shot very well and got me interested in Hill style bows which i now own eight of. My Martin is now in alaska with my younger brother. it still shoots just as well as the day i bought it and its now over 20 years old. they do exibit more hand shock than my later bows most of whch are bamboo which to me seems to exibit less hand shock than other longbows Ive owned poundage being equal but its not objectionable at all.its a Great bow that really doesnt get the respect it deserves.

codger wrote: its a Great bow that really doesnt get the respect it deserves.

Amen to that.

Sadly, my mentioning about using a stringer. I was stringing my ML-9 one day and not totally paying attention. The upper limb slipped and came whamming back at me, right across my chest and shoulder. I didn’t break anything, but I was black and blue for days. I thank God I did not get whacked in the face or eye. However, with that mishap, the glass cracked vertically up the limb from the Riser and Shelf, and could no longer be safely shot. It was a beautiful bow and it hit where I looked. I miss it.Even though I too, have several Hill Style Bows.

If you get hooked on Stickbows. There is nothing else like it!

DAVENASH wrote: I have also smacked myself in the jaw when a stringer slipped on me. Had tears running down my leg for a few moments.Something you only need to do once.Lesson learned.

Hey Dave! You can let go of that ML-9 now and let your Grandson shoot it now! :P:lol:

Yup! You only need to smacked once! Stringing a Bow is no different than loading a gun. It warrants the same care.

Enjoy! 8)