When buying a recurve bow, there are certain specifications that you want to keep an eye out for before you buy one. We understand that with so many things to look out for, buying a recurve bow can be a bit overwhelming.
With so many out there, how do you choose the best recurve bow for hunting?
Below, we have created a list of things that you should pay attention to when you’re on the hunt for a new recurve bow. But first we’ve rated five of the best recurve bows around so that you have a good start to your hunt.
Top 5 Best Recurve Bow Reviews
1. Samick Sage Takedown Recurve Bow
This is the number one best selling recurve bow around today. Samick Is a Korean archery company that’s been up and running since 1975. Samick Sports has grown substantially over the years and is the top choice for athletes all over the world. They have sold bows in over 50 countries!
The Riser
The Samick Sage Takedown Recurve Bow is 62 inches long and has a draw weight of up to 60 pounds. The riser on the Samick Sage is made out of Dymondwood and Maple and has an attractive, polished finish. These top quality materials are what makes this bow so durable and long-lasting. It’s a simple yet very effective design.
Not only that, but the riser is drilled so that you can add accessories to your bow such as an arrow rest. As if it couldn’t get any better, the Samick Sage take-down recurve bow also comes in left-handed and right-handed models which makes it more versatile than other bows.
The Limbs
The limbs on this bow are made out of laminated maple making it more durable and resilient. This bow is an ideal choice for beginners because the limbs are so easy to change. You can unscrew the screws with just your fingers so no tools are necessary.
Technical Specs
| Bow Weight: 3.4 lbs | Max Draw: 29 inches |
| Draw Weights: 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60 lbs | Riser Limbs: Hard Maple with Black Fiberglass |
2. SouthWest Archery Takedown Recurve Bow
This bow has been designed to be lightweight and easy to use for archers of all levels.
The Southwest archery takedown is ambidextrous and has a wide draw weight range of 25-60 pounds. This bow comes with pre-installed bushings so that you can add several accessories like quivers, sights, and much more.
If you register your product, you get a one year warranty on your takedown recurve bow. To spruce things up, even more, there’s a ready to shoot package that includes:
- A recurve bow case
- An arm guard
- A bow string tool or bow stringer
- Carbon arrows
- Spyder takedown bow
The Riser
The polish design of the riser makes it smooth and easy to grip. Because of this design, you don’t have to worry about the wood of the limb getting cold in the winter. You’ll always be able to comfortably hold your Spyder takedown bow. The Riser is made from two different types of wood and comes pre-drilled so that you can add accessories to it if you so choose.
The Limbs
The limbs are made out of laminated maple. The tips of the limbs are made out of plastic. This minimizes the risk of causing damage to the bow when you’re changing the strings. Like the Samick Sage, the limbs of the Spyder takedown recurve bow can be easily changed. This allows you to start at a lower draw weight and work your way up as your archery skills become more advanced.
Technical Specs
| Suitable for Bow Fishing | Length: 62 inches |
| Draw Weights: 20, 25, 29, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60 lbs | Draw Length: Between 22-28 inches |
3. PSE 10 Snake Recurve Bow
This bow is the perfect bow to help beginners break into the crossbow world easily. PSE is famously known for its unique and affordable bows. The PSE 10 Snake recurve bow has a maximum draw weight of 25 pounds making it the perfect bow for children and teenagers. Although it’s designed for children, the snake recurve is a full-size bow at 60 inches.
Because this bow is designed for younger archers (or beginners), it’s very lightweight and easy to handle. The PSE 10 Snake Recurve bow comes as is, meaning there’s not a spot to add accessories. However, because there are no screws, the Snake Recurve is very easy to assemble right out of the box.
Snake Recurve Features:
- 60 inches tall bow length
- Draw weight of 25 pounds
- Sleek, ambidextrous design
- Includes an arrow rest, nock point, and string
Technical Specs
| Weight: 3.2 lbs | Length: 60 inches |
| Draw Weights: 25 lbs | Draw Length: 30 inches approx. |
4. KESHES Hunting Takedown Recurve Bow and Arrow
The Keshes Takedown Recurve bow is the perfect for target shooting and can be used by the whole family. What makes this bow so family-friendly is its wide draw weight range (15-55 pounds). Not only that but as the children grow and become more experienced, they can upgrade the draw weight, making it a bow to last through the years.
Made out of combined woods and black fiberglass, the Keshes Takedown Recurve is designed to be lightweight and comfortable to hold. The limbs on the Takedown Recurve are drilled in so there are no tools required for assembly. To top it off, KESHES has a 100% guarantee that you’ll be completely satisfied with your purchase. If you’re not, they’ll give you a full refund!
Takedown Features:
- Ambidextrous
- Drilled in limbs to allow for future upgrades
- Bowstring
- Stick on arrow rest
- Safe and easy to use stringer tool
- Sight
- Step by step assembly instructions
Technical Specs
| Weight: 3 lbs | Length: 60 inches |
| Draw Weights: 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60 lbs | Draw Length: 29 inches |
5. Courage SAS Hunting Takedown Recurve Bow
The SAS Hunting Takedown Recurve is a versatile, long-lasting bow for archers of all levels. Its riser is made out of laminated wood and has pre-installed brass bushings so you can add accessories such as a quiver, stabilizer, or plunger.
Additionally, the limbs are made out of Makore and Maple and are coated with fiberglass which provides a matte, black finish
The SAS Takedown is fairly easy to assemble but does require tools. Its draw weight ranges from 35-55 pounds and the bow length is 60 inches total, making it a great bow for target shooting. Also, SAS offers a 3-year warranty that keeps your bow covered in the case that it needs any repairs.
The kit includes:
- Bowstring
- Rug Rest
Technical Specs
| Weight: 3 lbs | Length: 60 inches |
| Draw Weight: 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60 LBs | Right Hand Only |
Recurve Bow Buying Guide
Before we dive into the buying guide for the best recurve bows, here a couple of things that you should keep in mind before you make your final decision.
Create a Budget
The first thing you want to do is create a budget. we’ve taken a look at a lot of recurve bows, and noticed they can get a little bit pricey. Not only that but buying a recurve entails that there will be some extra accessories that you’ll want to buy to make your experience with the bow better.
Creating a budget will help you stay on track and will keep you from buying anything unnecessary. Make sure that you plan accordingly so you don’t hurt your wallet.
Create a List
Most Olympic style recurve bows are designed to be altered. You can add arm guards, arrow rests, quivers, sights, and much more. If you make a list, you’ll be so much more prepared when you start shopping because you’ll know exactly what you want to get. Not only that, but you’ll be more likely to stay within your budget.
Take a Beginner’s Course
If you haven’t done so already, taking a beginner’s course will educate you on what to look for when you’re buying the best recurve bow for you.
Because there are so many features that can be added to your recurve bow, it can be hard to decipher which features are necessary.
A coach will guide you on the specific gear you need so that you’re not wasting money on things you don’t actually need.
Determine How the Bow is Going to be Used
Some bows are designed for certain activities. These activities can range from hunting to sports, or it can be a side hobby.
Recurve bows are used in Olympic games and are a great first choice for a beginning archer. For this reason, there are Olympic style recurves and barebow. Olympic style bows are outfitted with a sight, plunger, clicker, and other accessories. These recurve bows are not suitable for hunting because the bow length is not suitable in that they are too tall.
Specifying what you want to use the recurve bow for will keep you from investing in the wrong product and bow length.
Determine your Draw Weight
Your draw weight is the amount of force that’s needed to draw your bow (pull the string).
This is an important factor to consider if you’re planning on doing some hunting. The larger the game, more draw weight will be required to take down the animal.
Determine the Weight of the Bow
You don’t want to buy a bow that’s going to be a chore to carry around. Check the bows weight and make sure that you’re buying something that is easily transported.
Hunting and target practice are things you’ll want to consider when you’re weighing out your bow as hunting recurve bows will come with different characteristics.
Check out the Limbs of the Bow
Most bow limbs are made out of fiberglass and wood. Keep in mind that the limbs are typically replaced after a couple of months of buying the bow. It’s not a terrible idea to stick to buying cheap limbs. This will save you money in the long run.
Find a Good Manufacturer
There are SO many companies out there that design their own recurve bows. This is something you want to be cautious about. Just because a company sells a recurve bow, doesn’t mean they’re any good.
You’ll want to check for the quality of the strings, limbs, and risers.
These things will tell you if the recurve bows are any good. But don’t worry, further on in the article we have listed some of the best high-quality recurve bows out there.
The Advantages and Disadvantages of Buying a Recurve Bow
Now that we’ve gone over some of the things you should look for when you buy a recurve bow, let’s explore some of the advantages of having one.
The ancestry of the recurve bow runs deep. It is one of the earliest versions of a traditional bow to date. So, you’re investing in something that’s going to last you a really long time. If you’re going to be hunting all day, you don’t want to carry around something that’s super heavy.
But, like anything, it’s also important to consider the disadvantages that are associated with buying a good recurve bow.
Even though the recurve bow is lighter than traditional bows, the draw weight is higher. So, the strength you would normally put into carrying around your bow you’d put into drawing it.
You want to have a decent amount of upper body strength to wield this bow. Additionally, recurve bows take more practice to master which is why you tend see them in Olympic sporting games.
Recurve Bow Accessories
Final Thoughts
We have spent several hours checking out and reviewing recurve bows to help you make your decision. We hope that this article has helped narrow the choices down a bit. Remember when you’re looking for a recurve bow, keep in mind your budget, your specific bow needs, and the draw weight.
Out of the above bows, the KESHES hunting Takedown Recurve Bow stands out for us as it’s a really good place to start. It’s a great tool to use to get your children interested in archery. Not to mention, it’s super affordable. It’s strong, long-lasting, and simple, so you don’t have to worry about upgrades or screws or any of that. For beginners, and even those looking for some more target practice, this may well be the best recurve bow for you.
I’m Nebojša, a seasoned digital marketing professional with over 15 years of experience. My writing covers a diverse range of topics, from technology and gaming to app development and automobiles, all while delving into the intricacies of SEO optimization. Beyond the digital realm, I find solace in nature, inherited from my father’s love for the outdoors. His passion for hunting has influenced me, adding another layer to my appreciation for the natural world.