News

June 8, 2021-

 We deeply appreciate your patience as we work through our new models! We will be posting finished inventory models through the summer, starting this week, as we get them done and ready to ship. We have some new photos in our gallery comparing some of the different models and colors and will have some more photos coming this month. As we work through the new models this summer by testing different lengths and riser layouts, we hope to have our options sorted out by the end of this year when our custom order availability opens again. 

 Due to family health concerns related to summer temperatures, we will not be a vendor at the Eastern Traditional Archery Rendevous this year. We still hope to attend and enjoy the weekend as participants, however, and look forward to seeing you all there!

May 3, 2020-

November 5, 2020-

 Life doesn’t follow a script! We’ve been blessed with an exciting hunting season and a full freezer, and in preparation for winter we’re getting ready to shift gears and move back into production mode. After several months of working on the new take down prototype, the budget limitations for what I’d envisioned will put the project on hold until next summer. We’ve just found some PPE to get through the winter work and so have redrawn our budget for the beginning of 2021.  As we’ve worked through the crazy pandemic aftermath, we’ve found there’s a huge demand to see the Native return so I’ll be taking this opportunity to change direction and revisit/update the Native beginning this winter.

 The Native was dropped this year due to a warped form. At the time, it made more financial sense to complete the new takedown bow forms first and then add a short limb option to replace the Native. Unfortunately the costs began to add up and that project would not be completed until late 2021 at the earliest, and would cost more than initially expected. This is fine for a long-term project, but doesn’t give us any options for our customers until then. So instead, the three-piece take down will be put on the back burner and the Native will be given an update, a face lift, and will be launched on a new form for next year. Some of the issues that the Native had will be addressed and the model will reworked into a new layout. This will give me the opportunity to improve limb stability and riser layout to keep the cost the same. Work will begin this winter and we will have updates throughout the process.

 Also, for those looking to contact me for more information or to place an order, please do so via direct email at kegan_mccabe@yahoo.com. We have been receiving a great number of scam calls and our cell phone reception through the winter is already poor, so we have already missed several calls from customers. Some folks have reached out through our social media accounts as well which can be difficult to track once an order is placed, since we’re no longer taking deposits. Thank you! 

August 16, 2020-

 We’ve waited as long as we could to make the final decisions on how we’ll be handling the last part of the year. It is now clear that we won’t be able to continue working in the manner we’ve been accustomed over the last seven years with a significantly limited access to safety equipment and the current production developments. For these reasons, we will be working on a limited build schedule with orders taken in smaller, more controlled build batches until the entirety of that batch is completed. 

 To help manage these limitations and lower overall build quantity, we will be pursuing different material options through the rest of the year to build at the highest possible level of quality. We will also be investigating alternative shop management systems to help improve efficiency and maintain a healthy work environment. This means that as the year progresses, particular interest will be paid to how efficiently bows can be built, finished, and made ready to ship to improve turn around. New finish and different core options will add slightly to the costs of production, however we’re confident that you’ll be very pleased with the improvements in quality and turn around. 

 We deeply appreciate your understanding and consideration during these turbulent times. It means a great deal to our family and we’ll be doing everything we can to deliver our best possible work to our customers as we move forward!

July 29, 2020-

With the ongoing pandemic, it has become clear now that we will not be able to resume building at the level of production volume we had become accustomed. With that in mind, we will be doubling down on the quality of our bows and taking advantage of some potential improvements to our bows. The first will be switching the Spirit from a standard single-piece riser to the split risers we’ve been using in the past, however, we will be doing so in a manner that doesn’t move the belly fiberglass into the riser wood, to maintain the clean aesthetic that many prefer. We are also experimenting with this option on the larger Dymalux Imperial and Royal Huntsman. Because of the extra steps involved, this will include a small price increase on the Spirit but will not change the price of the Imperial or Royal Huntsman.

We will also be adding new colors to the riser selection for all models, as well as new materials. These will be added throughout the rest of the year and will be made available as they arrive. Another option we will be exploring will be a different possible finish. New material has been brought to my attention and will be explored later this season that may offer the same excellent durability but with a smoother and more attractive look.

Finally, the new three-piece take down bow project will be in full swing soon. Early prototypes are getting built now and we’ll have the first reports in the next month or so with pictures. There has been a great deal of interest in this new model, but I want to assure everyone that this will take time and the process won’t be rushed just to make sales. I appreciate your patience and hope to bring you the best I can build!

July 6, 2020-

 The Omega household hopes that everyone was able to enjoy a Happy and Patriotic Independence Day over the weekend! As July starts we have taken time to re-evaluate our plans for the rest of this year. The Eastern Traditional Archery Rendezvous has been canceled so we will be listing the inventory we’d already prepared in the next week or so at a discount. We’re also working through some health issues in the family and doing our best to manage scheduling during this time. 

 For July we are launching the new Royal Huntsman longbow. This is a 66″ Imperial with a slightly different limb profile. By reducing the overall reflex to the limb and concentrating it to specific areas, the new Royal Huntsman refines the 66″ Imperial layout with a more stable and efficient limb. It’s a nicer overall balance to the limb, reducing vibration and increasing arrow speed without losing any stability. In fact, the Royal Huntsman’s limb is actual less temperamental and more stable than a comparable Imperial. While the new Royal Huntsman doesn’t have as many length options as an Imperial, this allows the 66″ to be perfectly balanced for shot feel and performance without compromise in the normal draw range, although additional options may be worked out and made available in the future. 

 With ETAR cancelled I will be taking the time to jump start the new 3 piece take down design. With the 60″ Native currently discontinued and the new takedown nearing prototype stage, it makes the most sense financially to complete this project first and determine whether or not this new model better addresses the need for a shorter model with different limb options, rather than rebuilding the Native form now at a higher expense. We’re hoping that by investing in the take down, we will be able to offer better options and more customization as we go, as well as a more convenient bow for transport. The launch limb will be a hybrid limb similar to the Spirit and the old Delta T/D offered years ago, but may eventually include a shorter recurve/hybrid limb option, a longer more traditional longbow style limb, and possibly some more extreme examples of “hybrid bows” in the future that all work with the same riser.

 We sincerely appreciate your patience and support during these times. Many are struggling and we are truly blessed to be doing what we love and provide you with the best longbows I can build! It’s our sincerest hope to repay your support by further improving our options, models, and features this year to bring you even better examples of Omega Longbows! Thank you!!

April 27, 2020-

 The Omega Native will be temporarily unavailable while we update the model and get the form reworked. The form had warped after several years of use, and so will be discontinued until a new form is built.

April 15, 2020-

 During this international shut down, we want to thank everyone who is still working and keeping things going. Omega will continue working as long as we’re able. So far the biggest limitation will be maintaining the respirator cartridges I wear while grinding fiberglass or spraying finish, but we’re exploring new options and have budgeted the materials we have for the next couple months. 

  For this year we’ve made several new changes to the lineup and are continuing to work on more. The standardized Dymalux risers in the split-riser models have been a hit for their mass and coloration, and the improved finish quality has been well received so far. However, in order to continue offering a variety  these materials moving forward we have increased our prices for these models. We had stopped taking orders to work through the current build list so this change in pricing will be applied to all new orders taken after April 30. This change in pricing will not apply to the orders currently being finished out, and will not change the pricing of the base model Spirit which uses a less expensive laminate in the riser.

 The Native is currently undergoing some changes to further refine the model and better meet the needs of our customers. The length has changed and may continue to do so over the next few weeks as the updates are worked out and refined. While some are disappointed that the shorter versions are no longer available, these updates improve smoothness, stability, durability, and shot feel. 

 The new Royal Huntsman model is also nearing completion. This hybrid-limb version of the Imperial will be finalized over the next few weeks and will be made available early this summer. With the same heavy Dymalux riser and contoured grip it’s a very accurate bow with better performance than a standard Imperial with the more efficient limb layout. The biggest difference most folks will notice is that limbs have greater vertical stability with less recoil. 

 We want to thank all of our dedicated customers and those new folks that have shown an interest in Omega. We will continue doing our best to update and improve so we can offer the best quality bows possible! Thank you! 

March 17, 2020-

 We’re just barely into the spring of 2020 and already this decade is roaring! Between viral pandemics and new products hitting the market every day, it’s hard to keep track of everything that’s going on at times. Things have certainly been chaotic in the Omega household too, but we’ve been trying our best to keep up!

 One project that is coming to a close is the new updated 2020 Native. Since January, I’ve been working hard to address the few areas where the Native could be improved. The first was to the riser material, replacing the standard hardwoods with more consistent impregnated laminate. This was accompanied by an update to the riser dimensions, slimming the center and shortening the length slightly. That lead to a new split-lamination lay up, with the core running along both the back and belly of the segmented riser creating an automatic accent and taking stress off of the fades. Recently, I’ve had a chance to finalize the new 60″ layout ahead of schedule. While many loved the ultra-compact length of the Native, the new 60″ version is stronger, faster, and smoother than ever before. This was something I’d hoped to complete later in the year, but recent opportunity gave me the chance I needed to do it now. Given the competitive pricing and extensive warranty, this makes the most sense for Omega moving forward. We will be dropping the 62″ Imperial given the limited applicability as well. 

 My wife and I are getting the photos together for the new 64″ Spirit release. We’re behind on it’s final debut however we’re filling orders for these bows as quickly as possible. While early orders ranged from 62″ to 66″, the differences in performance and stability don’t make enough sense for the balance and price point of the Spirit. The 64″ version will be the only option moving forward, as it offers the best all-around performance. For archers looking for a shorter bow, the Native would be recommended, and longer draw archers are best off with the Imperial. There will also be a new model based on the Imperial coming out later this year in 66″ with a hybrid limb based on the old Delta t/d that can offer another long-draw option for folks with draw lengths over 32″. 

 These small changes will help improve the consistency and overall performance of our lineup, and hopefully remedy some of the confusion folks are having when ordering their new bow!  

March 2, 2020-

It’s been a whirlwind start to the new year and we’re already most of the way through the first quarter. Time flies with so many interested customers placing new orders! We thank you all for your patience, as this has been a very busy time for our household. Mrs. Omega has been working as a tax agent putting in a lot of overtime there and so I’ve been trying my best to run the rest of the house and office on my own again.

As the new options have begun moving through production there have been a few new tweaks that weren’t exactly planned, but have become welcome improvements. The first was the adjustment to the riser templates and forms for the split-riser models. This allows the core laminations to run on both the back and belly of the back section of the riser, creating a beautiful natural accent to these bows. This replaces the accent option and helps improve consistency in every build.

The second change has come from a reevaluation of the carbon option. We have received a good deal of interest in this new option however as our bows are priced competitively, and the expensive carbon provides very little change in performance, we will once again be moving this option to the back burner until a more useful application is established. The results of these carbon builds have been inconsistent and we don’t feel this is appropriate for our customers and the expectations they have of my work. It also seems to have lead to an increased interest in other options or materials we don’t offer or even intend to offer, showing that at that price point there are more expectations of customization.

With the carbon being put on hold, a new model option will be added to the lineup later this year. The new design will feature the larger, more forgiving riser of the Imperial with a more hybrid limb layout like the Spirit, resembling a one-piece version of the popular Delta t/d Longbow offered years ago. This bow will round out our lineup and offer a high performance option for whatever your longbow application, and serve as a template for some of these new projects. Keep an eye out for more information concerning this new model later this year!

The new laminated riser materials are also proving popular and much more consistent than the natural materials. We hope to continue exploring these new options moving forward. Likewise, as we refine our options with materials and layouts that provide better products for our customers, the new models will allow us to better address the varied desires of a high performance longbow. This may lead to Omega becoming more of a made-to-order production style company, rather than a “custom” shop. This will give us the opportunities to continue expanding and improving through R&D on new models or improvements without having to change our pricing. Alternatively, if as we improve should we continue to offer more and more custom options we may see a price increase to help meet demand and increased material costs. However much has yet to be seen and time will certainly tell.

December 30, 2019-

 It’s the last week of 2019 and we’re busy with the new year updates! As we work our way through and begin putting updates in place, we’re finalizing the details and setting goals for the year to come. As we’re just a small family business, setting a good yearly budget and mission is important. As our new materials come in and new designs are final-tested, we’re starting to see where 2020 will take us and where we might be able to go with Omega over the coming months.

 Our goal for 2020 will be to apply everything learned over the years to improve through simplification. Double down on our strengths and move past our current limitations. The last few years have seen more new changes to the existing lineup than ever before, but that lead to some frustrating budget and scheduling conflicts at times. Omega is set apart from others in the market by focusing on affordable performance and quality through limiting custom options. Initially, that allowed aggressive background R&D year-round with constant improvements as inventoried materials were kept minimal. While there will always be a need for certain custom choices, some are more in the spirit of Omega Longbows than others. 

 To start, we have decided that the new Spirit will replace the Original as our entry model. The Original has been updated and improved in every way through it’s successor, the Spirit. The Spirit will feature the new Spectraply riser as the standard riser material, eventually replacing the natural American hardwoods offered over the last few years. The hardwoods will be available while supplies last. With various colors of Spectraply available standard for the riser block, the new Spirit will feature all the options of the Original with better performance and a more consistent, higher quality finish at the same starting price of $395. We’re very excited about this change as it will set a new standard in value for Omega in 2020.

 In the same vein, we will be budgeting towards establishing an inventory of Dymalux colors as the replacement riser material in the Native and Imperial for 2020. The Dymalux is heavier and stronger than the cumaru and ipe, our most popular hardwoods, without any of the oil concerns that can interfere with the glue joints or finish. It’s stronger and more consistent, and produces a smoother finish. Being heavier and more humidity-stable, it’s also perfect for the new 2020 Imperial riser layout, bringing the standard physical weight to two and a half pounds. This is one of the heaviest Imperial combinations ever, exceeding the old “flared ipe” riser previously offered only as a special upgrade.

 We pride ourselves on our competitive value, and we don’t want to lose that while pursuing further refinement and improvement. For the sake of long term quality, we have decided that we will also be dropping the “Unfinished option” for 2020. This will simplify the lifetime warranty and prevent potential issues in the future. This will also allow us to take orders without deposits for standard configuration builds, simplifying the payment and ordering process.

 The double carbon limb core will be the first new option launched under the Special Custom Options designation in 2020.  This new distinction between standard and Special Custom Options will enable us to better offer clear, direct customer warranty coverage for the life of the weapon while opening the door for new, exciting projects. This approach will hopefully lead to the highly anticipated 2-piece take-down update and possibly the return of micarta risers. 

 We still have a lot of work to do but we appreciate all of your support so far. Thank you for helping us get to this point, we’re very excited to share the next parts of the journey with all of you!

December 16, 2019-

 The end of 2019 is just a couple weeks away. It’s been a very busy fall as the new Spirit hybrid has been tested and tweaked and is almost ready for its debut. We’ve finally received our order of Spectraply, a died hardwood laminate available in a wide range of colors. This material will be more cost effective and consistent across our models, and open new color options for our customers in 2020.

 The new year will feature several changes to our lineup as well as our policies. We will be making changes to the pricing and warranty coverage for unfinished orders, to better address the desires of our customers. We will be adjusting our bow lengths to better meet AMO specifications and there have been updates made to every model for the 2020 model year. 

 To update on previous experiments, we have decided not to pursue Flemish strings as an option. There will be different colors available through the year, but this will be for our endless loop strings. We will be restocking new riser materials throughout 2020 as demand requires, and may limit certain riser options due to costs. The carbon option will also be delayed as final layouts are determined to maximize the carbon performance characteristics.

 Finally, for January of 2020 we will be launching a new deposit procedure. For any order featuring standard options and common draw specifications, there will be no deposit. Orders are placed and scheduled and the balance due upon completion. This will distinguish more exotic or customized orders that feature special options, limited-availability materials, or new options that may not be around forever. By changing how we handle orders this way, we can speed up simpler orders for folks who want to take advantage of our simple designs and speedy turn around. However, at the same time that we speed up simple orders we will now have a bit more room to work with new options or more customized orders for those folks who want something really special. Hopefully in time this will improve Omegas for the betterment of both worlds!

October 22, 2019- 

New Photos in the Gallery! Check them out here!

https://www.omegalongbows.com/?page_id=82

August 11, 2019-

 The summer air is beginning to dry and the nights have begun to cool. ETAR is over and fall is in the air. As usual, it was a wonderful weekend spent with old and new friends, enjoying some beautiful landscape and wonderful archery experiences with all. We came home this year with many wonderful memories and some wonderful new ideas!

 The first new idea is the start of a fresh new model to offer something more universal in fit for everyone, while offering the higher levels of performance that come from a more aggressive hybrid limb like the Native. This will be a 62″ hybrid that blends characteristics of the Original’s limbs and Native’s deflexed riser to produce a less-temperamental and more cost-effective hybrid for a wider range of shooters, from young beginners, to discerning lady archers, to long-draw bowhunters wanting something a bit more compact. This bow will offer a more universal design that an archer can use and depend on from the beginning all the way through their archery career. The first couple prototypes are off the form and start testing this month- and first impressions are good. The performance is better than expected, vibration is minimal, the limbs are stable, and pricing should be very competitive. This new model will hopefully better address the demand for a bow that offers more of a recurve feel in a lightweight, mid-length hybrid, without the custom-fitment of an Imperial or the short, radically thin limbs on the Native.

 In addition to the new bow with broad appeal, we will be addressing some string improvements and revisiting the Flemish twist as an option with custom orders. My wife Anika has found a new passion in making colorful and creative strings, and we will begin testing some new options and string recipes over the next few months to hopefully offer higher quality, more beautiful strings with each new Omega.

 Last but not least, we’re taking a lot of the feedback we’ve received over the new materials like carbon and Dymalux, and working up new options and packages to help better address pricing levels without limiting the level of customization available on new orders. As with many new changes, it can be hard to gauge interest from just a few examples but we had a lot of fun talking with so many different shooters and learned a lot from the different perspectives. We want to find that perfect balance for each model as it relates to the archers themselves. We will be finding which layouts benefit most. This will include the new target-optimized Imperial, hunter-focused pricing options for this new hybrid, and further investigation of an affordable takedown option for Omega. Please stay tuned as these new projects come together!

May 17, 2019

The updated 2019 Imperial has been well received and the interest in the new carbon and Dymalux options has been growing! Learning from these improvements, and with customer feedback in mind, Omega will be making some changes to the lineup and options for the rest of the Omega models.

First, after seven years the stained red oak riser option will be making a departure from our lineup. While still available in special circumstances by request, the stained oak riser will no longer be standard and stains will only be available in limited applications. The stained oak will be replaced by Tigerwood, cumaru, ipe, and at least one domestic U.S. hardwood option (still in the works). These will no longer be optional extras, but standard choice for any new custom order without discrepancy in pricing between materials. The red oak will be dropped due to the increased interest in the South American hardwood riser options and the difficulty in producing the same quality of finished bow with a stained and porous-grained riser.

Second, all Omegas will now be going through a much more rigorous finishing process. With the red oak and more elaborate stain options being dropped, the wet sanding process between coats of finish can be more thorough to produce a smoother and more durable final finish. Finish work now takes longer to complete than the shaping and tillering after glue up and hopefully this is reflected in the final quality of finish.

Finally, there will be several small updates to the Original and Native introduced over the next few months. The Native will be undergoing some changes to the layout to help improve the quality and durability. A forward-handle riser layout will reduce stress on the core woods. The Original will be returning to its roots with the previously used taper-layout and an updated riser shape that’s more reminiscent of a traditional longbow. These changes aren’t cosmetic, though, as every detail is improved for function and refined to offer the best shooting bows for your dollar. With the changes to the taper the 62″ Original model will be dropped. Its stack point simply comes on too quickly and final shot quality suffers. For archers interested in a shorter bow, the 58″ Native offers far better shooting characteristics and the 62″ Imperial still remains a smooth and comfortable option.

With these improvements comes a small increase in price. This increase accounts for the increased cost of the new riser materials, the blades and abrasives to better work these materials, and the increased time and epoxy finish used in completing each bow. The unfinished discount is also adjusted to better reflect these changes. While increasing the price wasn’t something I wanted to do, it’s been extremely difficult and stressful keeping up with the demand for Omegas while also building to this current level of quality. This may lead to a new model being added later in the year specifically designed around a lower introductory price point, depending on demand. However for the time being the main focus is on improving the current line up and the new available options.