In the hands of an experienced archer, the recurve bow is an extremely useful hunting weapon. A modern recurve bow will make you a better shooter and deadly hunter. Even in the hands of a novice archer, the recurve bow is a great tool for target practice and the refinement shooting form and accuracy.
The limbs of a recurve bow curve away from the archer when unstrung, which means a recurve bow stores more energy and delivers energy more efficiently than a straight-limbed bow. This all boils down to a faster, deadlier arrow (1).
The market today is saturated with recurve bows, so separating a decent bow from an excellent one can be difficult.
Our list of the 10 Best Recurve Bows will help you simplify your choice and our Buyer’s Guide contains essential information when choosing a recurve bow that’s right for you.
1. Samick Sage Takedown
This 62-inch bow is designed for entry to intermediate level archers. It is designed to accommodate a draw length up to 29 inches and a recommended brace height between 7.25 inches and 8.25 inches.
The limbs of this bow are crafted of hard maple with black fiberglass. This bow offers a single tapered knob and metal limb pocket design. In addition, it comes with pre-installed brass bushings for a brass plunger, stabilizer, sight, and quiver. The package also includes a B-50 bowstring and arrow rest.
2. WOARCHERY Combat
This bow from WOARCHERY is ideal for archery battle sports games, archery combat games, and LARP battle events. It is manufactured with a strong nylon bow riser and fiberglass laminated bow limbs.
The Combat Archery Takedown is a 54-inch, ambidextrous recurve bow with a 25-pound draw weight. It is certified by both the CE (2) and ASTM (3) and features a maximum draw length of 32 inches. The package includes a silica gel finger saver, which allows for easy finger release without a glove or tab.
3. SAS Snake
This 60-inch bow features an ambidextrous design that makes it an easy-to-use option for both right and left-handed shooters. The bow’s “almost indestructible” design makes it a great fit for youth camps, backyard shooters, or anyone looking to have fun and improve their archery skills.
The bow offers a draw weight between 16 and 22 pounds and a brace height of 8.75 inches. It also features a total weight of 26 pounds, although smaller options that weight 22 and 18 pounds, respectively, are available. The package includes 2 string nocks, 2 right-handed stick-on arrow rests, and 2 left-handed stick-on arrow rests.
4. Toparchery 56” Takedown
A great bow for right-handed shooters looking for solid performance at a reasonable price, the Takedown Hunting Recurve Bow from Toparchery is a total length of 56 inches and offers a maximum draw length of 30 inches.
This bow is nicely polished and boasts a high-strength casting aluminum riser, as well as strong fiberglass limb made of maple. It also features a draw weight between 33 and 50 inches and the manufacturer recommends using aluminum or carbon arrows with this bow.
5. Bear Archery Grizzly Bow
An excellent bow for both beginner and intermediate archers, this is a great option for both hunting and target practice because it offers superb accuracy and great arrow speeds in a compact and durable design.
The Grizzly bow is weather-resistant and provides exceptional value for your money because it comes 100% ready for shooting right out of the box with no needs for additional accessories. Many previous users called this bow “a work of art.”
6. SinoArt Falcon
Made specifically for right-handed shooters, this bow is crafted for the most comfortable user experience possible. The manufacturer has assured this by rounding the edges of the metal riser and limb pockets to provide a sleeker, lightweight bow.
The SinoArt Falcon is a 60-inch bow forged from aluminum-magnesium alloy. It features a riser height of 18-inches, brace height ranging from 6.9 to 7.5 inches, and draw weights ranging from 30 to 70 pounds. The package with this bow includes a rise and bowstring, as well as two bow limbs.
7. Longbowmaker Hungarian-Style Flagella Horsebow
With a draw weight ranging from 20 to 110 pounds, this is one of the most versatile bows on the market today. It’s perfect for anyone seeking a reliable, fast, convenient, and carefully designed recurve bow.
This bow offers a maximum safe draw length of 33 inches and bow body length of 145 centimeters. It also features a string length of 131 centimeters and is handmade by one of the largest professional longbow manufacturer’s in China.
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Buyer’s Guide
Now that you’ve read our list of the 10 Best Recurve Bows, you need to know how to narrow down to just one. This Buyer’s Guide will focus on a few characteristics that should always be considered when buying a recurve bow.
Expertise and Physique
Experience and body type are the biggest factors in determining how fast your bow should be. Beginners and smaller individuals should air on the side of lighter, slower bows while larger, more experienced archers will enjoy the benefits of a heavier, faster bow.
New archers can also benefit from a lower draw weight because it makes it easier to practice, build good habits and shooting posture, and avoid unnecessary injury. When we speak of physique, this includes whether you are right or left-handed. Don’t buy a left-handed bow if you’re right hand dominant!
Draw length is also an important consideration. You can find yours based on your wingspan (the distance from the tip of your middle finger to the tip of the opposite middle finger when your arms are stretched wide). Once you have your wingspan measurement, divide that by 2.5 to determine your draw length (4).
Preferred Use
How you plan to use your new bow will also factor into your decision. For example, if your preferred use will be short-distance target shooting, it doesn’t make sense to buy a super-heavy and super-fast bow. This will put unnecessary strain on your muscles and joints while also destroying your target and arrows much more quickly than it should.
If you plan to use a recurve bow primarily for hunting, however, you should make sure to buy a heavier bow. We recommend a bow with more than 50 pounds of draw weight so that arrows fly fast in enough, and with enough force, to be effective when you hit your target.
Arrow Selection
Choosing the right arrows requires consideration of the draw weight and draw length of your desired recurve bow. The main factor that determines whether an arrow travels straight or veers off the desired path is called “spine.”
There are two types of spine you should be aware of, the dynamic spine and the static spine. Static spine is the stiffness of the arrow shaft when the arrow is at rest. Dynamic spine is the actual spine of the arrow when it is in flight. The physical stiffness of the arrow, the length of the arrow, and the weight of the point affect the dynamic spine. There are many useful charts online to help you find the correct arrow length (5).
Frequently Asked Questions
A more informed decision will result in the purchase of a recurve bow that’s truly going to be a good fit. This list of frequently asked questions is designed to teach you a little more about recurve bows and the many aspects of owning and maintaining one.
How do I properly take care of my bowstring?
The first thing to consider is not to twist your string when you brace your bow. You should also be wary of threading in the string. Special string lubricant or even simple beeswax can be used once in a while to care for the string, especially if you do find threading.
How do I extend the life of my bow?
First, make sure never to leave a bow braced when it is not in use. Avoid leaving your bow in the sun for extended periods and, if your bow gets hot, wait until it cools down to brace. Never shoot a bow without a proper, healthy arrow.
Are there any materials I shouldn’t shoot into?
Yes. Arrows should never be shot into hard targets, including wood.
When should I apply wax to my bowstring?
Wax should be applied when you start noticing small fibers sticking out of your bowstring. Many archers call this “fuzzing.”
How do I apply wax to my bowstring?
Using beeswax or the special string lubricant, start by applying to the entire string as well as the serving. Then use a small piece of clean, soft leather to rub the string vigorously in order to heat the wax and burnish the string. The warm wax will penetrate fibers and bond them while the leather removes any excess.
Should I purchase a string silencer?
String silencers reduce vibration and make your bow quieter. There are many types made from different materials, including rubber, wool, and fur. If you’re a bow hunter, a string silencer can go along way towards helping you remain stealthy.
How do I fix crooked limbs?
Fortunately, this is a relatively easy process. First, restring the bow with a stringer tool. Next, move the string out of the groove and push the limb in the direction needed to correct the twist. Then, let the bow sit for 24 hours and the limb will be straightened.
What is fletching?
Fletching is a noun that refers to the feathers of an arrow. Fletching helps to stabilize the arrow shaft and gives and arrow natural spin during flight.
Are bow tip protectors important?
Many archers tend to lean on their bows. This puts added stress on the lower limb tip and can result in significant damage over time. Installing bow tip protectors is an essential addition to protect limb tips from abrasion and moisture. They also help to keep your bowstring firmly attached to the lower limb. These tips are available in leather, plastic, and rubber, and they cost very little, so there’s no excuse not to have them!
Summary
There are 3 types of bows, recurve, crossbow, and compound bow. Modern recurve bows are made of space-age materials and are the tool of choice for archery events at the Olympic Games (6). We hope you’ve found the information in this article useful and that your new recurve bow will be on the way soon. Hope you shoot straight and your arrows find their targets.
