So you’re looking for the best recurve bows?
Choosing the right one will always be difficult. There’s no perfect recurve bow that works for everyone because everyone’s needs are different.
To make things worse, there are so. many. recurve bows.
So many, it will leave you scratching your head wondering “how on earth do I choose the right one?” best recurve bows
Don’t worry, because we’re here to help.
Whether this is your first or tenth recurve bow, you’ve come to the right place.
Today, we’re going to look at what recurve bows are, how to choose one, and the best recurve bows in the market today.
Without further adieu, let’s get started! best recurve bows
What is a Recurve Bow?
What makes recurve bows different from, say, a longbow?
Most bows, when unstrung, will either be straight or curved slightly towards the archer. Recurve bows, on the other hand, bend the other way.
To string it, recurve bows have to be bent over backward. That’s why there is so much tension on the bow, the only thing that holds it in place is the string.
Because they’re bent away from their natural curve, the tip and bottom of recurve bows slant away from the archer. This is the trademark look of recurve bows as it were.
But why did they come up with this design? And how does it affect shooting arrows?
For one, the string is very, very tense. It’s a lot harder to draw back then regular bows. When you do this you’ll also be forcing the bow to bend backward even further.
By the time the arrow is drawn, there will be an insane amount of tension on the bow. And when the shot is fired, everything will snap back into place. best recurve bows
This gives recurve bows powerful shots. The release is fast and the arrow flies straight to the target with incredible accuracy. All of these make recurve bows one of the best types around.
That’s why they’re all over the place: in hunting, sports, and recreation.
But now that you know what recurve bows are and what makes them special, the next question is how to choose one.
How to Choose the Best Recurve Bow
There is no one-size-fits-all recurve bow for everyone.
Beginners will want one thing, professionals will want another. Hunters will have some preferences that differ from those of athletes.
So before you go looking for a recurve bow, you should consider:
- Use
- Draw Weight
- Size
- Features
- Style
- Price
Use
Are you a hunter? An athlete? A hobbyist? best recurve bows
Whatever the answer, it should affect your choice.
For example, hunters will prefer a lighter bow, while athletes don’t mind extra weight if it means more precision. Hobbyists, on the other hand, might not want the strongest bow – they’d rather get the most comfortable one to use.
You see, what you intend to do with your bow will have a big impact on what works best. Keep this in mind as you’re looking to buy one.
Draw Weight
Do you want power at the cost of comfort? Or comfort at the cost of power?
Compared to other bows, recurve bows have quite heavy draw weights. This means that it’s not too easy, or light, to pull the string back. Remember, recurve bows are super tense all throughout. best recurve bows
You can think of it this way: more draw weight = more tension = more power.
If you’re a casual archer, it’s a good idea to look for one with less draw weight. You don’t have to be super strong to use a heavy draw weight bow. But your hands will get tired quickly with these.
Also, if the draw weight is too heavy, you won’t be able to hold the arrow still. If you wobble, your shot will be way off target. Remember, accuracy is just as important as power.
Size
Another important factor to consider is the size of your bow.
You don’t want your bow to be too long or you won’t be able to draw it all the way back. Neither do you want it too short because your posture, form, and accuracy will all be poor.
The rule of thumb is to measure the length between your hands when you’re in the draw position. With this, you can look up charts showing the ideal bow length based on your draw length. One place you can see this is The Archery Guide’s chart/guide, which you can check out here.
Accessories
Have you ever watched an Olympic archery competition?
If you have, you’ll notice that there seems to be a lot of accessories on their bows. Some are small, while others stick far out of the bow. You may be wondering what all of these are for.
These accessories are there to help them keep their shot as accurate as possible. You only have a few tries in the Olympics, so every shot matters.
For hunters, these accessories can get in the way. Mobility is a lot more important when you’re out in the woods. best recurve bows
That’s why you should check which accessories your recurve bow comes with. Some of these will be super helpful for you, while others will just be a hassle.
Style
Make sure you don’t overlook the looks of your bow!
Never buy a recurve bow that you don’t like.
Recurve bows are very beautiful weapons, and you should be proud of yours. That’s why you should choose one that suits your style.
The good news is that recurve bows come in all styles and colors. You’re actually spoilt for choice on this one.
So don’t buy a bow based on specs only, make sure you like the looks as well.
Price
Last but not least, price.
Not everyone can afford the bows that professionals use. A lot of us, especially beginners, are better off settling for the more affordable ones first.
And that’s fine. There are some amazing recurve bows at the lower price range. We’ll have a look at some of them soon.
Besides, unless you’re an expert archer, you won’t notice the difference between cheap and expensive bows. It’s best to learn how to shoot first before investing in the best of the best.
The Best Recurve Bows
With those six things in mind, you should end up with a good recurve bow.
Still confused? best recurve bows
We’ve come up with some of the best recurve bows in the market today. So let’s jump right in!
Samick Sage – Best Beginner Bow
What we like:
- Affordable
- Light draw weight
- Takedown bow
- Easy to add accessories
What we don’t like:
- Not the best quality
Samick Sage is easily one of the most popular recurve bows today. Ask anyone in archery for a good beginner’s bow, they’re likely to recommend the Samick Sage.
But what makes this bow so great for beginners?
For one, it is very affordable. Whenever you’re getting into something, it’s not always wise to buy the most expensive equipment. The high-end bows were made for experts, and it could end up as a waste for money if you bought one of these.
Another reason the Samick Sage is good for beginners is its draw weight. The Sage’s draw weight can go as low as 25lbs. With this, you’ll have a very comfortable shot and can learn proper form easier. best recurve bows
What’s more, Samick Sage is also a takedown bow. This means that you can disassemble the bow into three separate parts (the riser and 2 limbs). They are a lot easier to bring along because of this.
Finally, you can install a lot of accessories. As you get better at archery, you’ll start to want to add some of these. Whether you want an aiming guide or a stabilizer, it’s super easy to install on this bow.
That said, this isn’t a perfect bow by a long stretch. Remember, it is a beginner’s bow, the quality will never be as good as a professional one. Yet for casual archers, this bow has everything they need.
Bear Archery Grizzly – Most Accurate
What we like:
- Super accurate
- Lightweight
- Strong and durable
What we don’t like:
- Expensive
If you’re looking for some of the best bows, Bear Archery has you covered. Bear Archery is one of the biggest names when it comes to recurve bows. And the Grizzly is one of their most popular products. best recurve bows
As you can guess, this bow was made for hunting. It’s lightweight, shoots quiet, and is strong enough to penetrate game skin from afar. It’s a simple yet super effective bow.
The Grizzly is also super accurate. It’s one of the most accurate bows in the market today. That’s why it’s not only great for hunting, but also for target shooting as well.
To top it all off, the Grizzly was made to last. These bows don’t snap easily, they are super strong and durable. You can expect to have this for a long, long time once you buy one.
Sounds like a perfect bow? Well, it isn’t. The problem with the Grizzly is its price point. It’s not something that everyone can afford. But if you are willing to invest for accuracy like no other, the Grizzly will be worth it for you. best recurve bows
Southwest Archery Tigershark – Best Takedown Bow
What we like:
- Takedown bow
- Adjustable draw weight
- Durable build
What we don’t like:
- Poor string
We’ve gone from a beginner bow to professional bow, but what about those looking for something in between? If you’re looking for an “intermediate” bow, Southwest Archery’s Tigershark is a great choice. best recurve bows
So what makes the Tigershark an intermediate bow? When it comes to draw weight, the Tigershark has quite a broad range. It goes from 25lbs all the way up to 60lbs, allowing you to choose how much you want. best recurve bows
The Tigershark isn’t too expensive, but it is very high-quality. Like the Sage, it is also a takedown bow. Unlike the Sage, its parts are super well built.
That’s why it is super easy to set up. Everything fits perfectly into place, and you won’t experience any wobbling or loose parts.
Surprisingly, the problem of this bow is its string. The quality of its string is unlike the rest of the bow, which is unusual. This, however, isn’t a big problem. All you have to do is buy a better string. best recurve bows
Bear Archery Kodiak – Best Hunting Bow
What we like:
- Lightweight
- Accurate
- Powerful
- Beautiful
- Durable
What we don’t like:
- Super expensive
While the Grizzly is great for hunting, Bear Archery has created a bow that is even better. The Kodiak is arguably the ultimate hunting bow. best recurve bows
Everything that you are looking for in a hunting bow, the Kodiak has it. Lightweight? Check. Silent? Check. Powerful? Check. Accurate? Check. It doesn’t lack anything.
To make things better, the Kodiak is a super beautiful bow. The rosewood and maple combination will make you fall in love at first sight. It’s a bow that will fill you with pride when you hold it. best recurve bows
It’s also super durable. The bow also contains fiberglass, making it very strong. Once you have this, you won’t need another bow ever again.
All of this comes at a price, a very expensive one. The Kodiak is by far the most expensive on our list. But is it worth it? Absolutely.
Southland Archery SAS Spirit – Most Affordable
What we like:
- Super affordable
- Light draw weight
- Takedown bow
What we don’t like:
- Not the best quality
If you thought the Sage was affordable, wait until you see Southland Archery’s SAS Spirit.
This is yet another bow that is great for beginners. The draw weight is very light, 18-36 lbs. So you can shoot and shoot and shoot without getting tired.
It’s okay for casual hunting as it does penetrate quite a bit. The problem is that it isn’t the most accurate bow there is. best recurve bows
You can also disassemble it when you’re finished using it. This way it’s very easy to bring around. Unlike the Tigershark though, it isn’t very sturdy when you put it back together.
Other than that, there isn’t much to say about the SAS Spirit. There are no major problems with it, but you get what you pay for.
Conclusion
There are dozens of other great recurve bows in the market today. Of all of those, these are our top 5 picks. best recurve bows
So go out there and get your hands on one of these! Whatever you choose, we assure you you are getting one of the best recurve bows.
