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Good inexpensive beginner back yard recurve bow

28K views 31 replies 17 participants last post by  smithca1988  
#1 ·
In theory, the wife and I will both shoot it. I'm fine with beginning at low poundage. I figure my longer draw length will result in a slightly heavier draw anyway.
I'd like to get something inexpensive (<$200) initially, but decent enough to enjoy and use for a bit, and maybe move to the grandsons as they get old enough to handle it.

My original theory was to get SWA Spyder @20#. They are out of them and have no idea when they'll get more. I could get a Sage from Lancaster.

I've also seen what I'm assuming are some Chinese bows named as good/decent buys here (Black Hunter and TBOW?). Now I'm wondering if those are good or if I should wait for the SWA Spyder or if there are others that are decent beginners, budget bows that I should look at that are available.

Yes, it would be great to go try stuff, but that's probably not going to happen.

Thanks for your thoughts.
 
#2 ·
#3 ·
can you provide some details on your, and your wife's, physical characteristics? Height, age, strength, etc.? I'm significantly taller than my wife and a bow for me is totally inappropriate for her, let alone a child. A 20 pound bow for an average adult man is kind of absurd, and you may find it so boring that you just give it up without really giving archery a chance. Just some thoughts.
 
#8 ·
My wife's draw should be ~26-26.5". My draw should be ~29". I've been thinking that the difference in draw length would mean that she would come in under the 28" draw weight and I would come in a bit over that weight. We are in our 50s and in reasonable shape. I'm stronger than my wife for sure.

Why would a low draw weight be boring? We got one of the grandsons one of the really cheap, ambi, fiberglass Bear bows. I've used it a few times to see how it shot before having him use it and to show him some things. It's surprisingly fun at close range, and probably only has an 8-10# draw.
 
#4 · (Edited)
answering mg1 may change what makes sense for you but . . .

As you mention, one "go to" in beginners bows is Samick Sage (and its probable clones in US)

Bolt on limbs are really cheap, so you can easily/cheaply adapt the bow draw weight to suit. If you went down the ILF riser / limb route it increases costs quite a bit - but still offers flexibility with changing limbs

My teenage daughter started with a 25lb Sage, but I put on 18lb bolt on limbs initially, then went to 22lb, then we put on the original 25lb limbs and added an 8125 string after about 18 months - works really nicely in 3D to 30yd (and ok to 40yds+, she hit a 3D Elk at 75 yards last weekend).

The grip is one of the comfiest I have ever held, its light enough for kids to use but might be a little dainty if you have big hands. Sage riser can take sights, wire rest / plunger if you want

A slightly left field alternative might be Oakridge Ash hybrid 1 piece, cheap as chips, you could buy a light draw to start and then get another one as your form improves. Super light in the hand, almost nothing to go wrong. Of all the cheap Chinese 1 piece bows this is possibly the nicest shooting experience - though I have not shot any of the cheap Chinese recurves
 
#30 ·
câu trả lời mg1 có thể thay đổi những gì có ý nghĩa đối với bạn nhưng . . .

Như bạn đã đề cập, một trong những cung tên dành cho người mới bắt đầu là Samick Sage (và có thể là bản sao của nó ở Hoa Kỳ)

Bu lông trên các chi thực sự rẻ nên bạn có thể dễ dàng/rẻ điều chỉnh trọng lượng của nơ rút cho phù hợp. Nếu bạn đi theo tuyến đường nâng / chi ILF, chi phí sẽ tăng lên khá nhiều - nhưng vẫn mang lại sự linh hoạt khi thay đổi các chi

Con gái tuổi teen của tôi bắt đầu với một chiếc Sage nặng 25 lb, nhưng ban đầu tôi đeo chốt 18 lb trên các chi, sau đó tăng lên 22 lb, sau đó chúng tôi đeo các chi 25 lb ban đầu và thêm một sợi dây 8125 sau khoảng 18 tháng - hoạt động thực sự tốt ở chế độ 3D đến 30 yd ( và ở cự ly 40yds+, cô ấy đã đánh được Elk 3D ở cự ly 75 yard vào cuối tuần trước).

Báng cầm là một trong những loại tay cầm thoải mái nhất mà tôi từng cầm, nó đủ nhẹ để trẻ em sử dụng nhưng có thể hơi nhỏ nếu bạn có bàn tay to. Sage Riser có thể lấy điểm ngắm, dây nghỉ/pít tông nếu muốn

Một giải pháp thay thế hơi bên trái có thể là Oakridge Ash lai 1 mảnh, rẻ như chip, bạn có thể mua một mảnh rút nhẹ để bắt đầu và sau đó mua một mảnh khác khi phong độ của bạn được cải thiện. Cầm trên tay siêu nhẹ, hầu như không có gì sai sót. Trong số tất cả các loại cung 1 mảnh giá rẻ của Trung Quốc, đây có thể là trải nghiệm chụp ảnh đẹp nhất - mặc dù tôi chưa chụp bất kỳ loại cung tái diễn giá rẻ nào của Trung Quốc
[/TRÍCH DẪN]
answering mg1 may change what makes sense for you but . . .

As you mention, one "go to" in beginners bows is Samick Sage (and its probable clones in US)

Bolt on limbs are really cheap, so you can easily/cheaply adapt the bow draw weight to suit. If you went down the ILF riser / limb route it increases costs quite a bit - but still offers flexibility with changing limbs

My teenage daughter started with a 25lb Sage, but I put on 18lb bolt on limbs initially, then went to 22lb, then we put on the original 25lb limbs and added an 8125 string after about 18 months - works really nicely in 3D to 30yd (and ok to 40yds+, she hit a 3D Elk at 75 yards last weekend).

The grip is one of the comfiest I have ever held, its light enough for kids to use but might be a little dainty if you have big hands. Sage riser can take sights, wire rest / plunger if you want

A slightly left field alternative might be Oakridge Ash hybrid 1 piece, cheap as chips, you could buy a light draw to start and then get another one as your form improves. Super light in the hand, almost nothing to go wrong. Of all the cheap Chinese 1 piece bows this is possibly the nicest shooting experience - though I have not shot any of the cheap Chinese recurves
I recently acquired the Samick Sage Archery Takedown Recurve Bow, accidentally read the information on this website https://bestrecurvebowforbeginners.com/, specifically opting for the 40 lb draw weight version, and I must admit that it has far exceeded my initial expectations. Whether you're a novice or a seasoned archer, this bow proves to be an outstanding choice. Let me share my firsthand experience with this exceptional product.

First and foremost, one of the standout features of the Samick Sage lies in its user-friendly design. The process of assembling and disassembling it is an absolute breeze. The takedown system has been ingeniously engineered, allowing for swift and effortless assembly without any compromise in stability or performance. This feature proves especially advantageous for archers who frequently find themselves on the move or engaged in outdoor activities where portability is of utmost importance.

The build quality of this bow is truly remarkable. Samick has succeeded in crafting an exceptionally durable and dependable piece of equipment. The materials utilized in its construction are of top-notch quality, ensuring both longevity and robustness. Even after extended periods of use, I have observed no discernible signs of wear and tear, which speaks volumes about the bow's remarkable durability.
 
#5 ·
I have a Samick Sage and a Sage Elite. I think they are really good bows, especially for the price. I also have a Spyder. These are also very good bows for the price. 62 inch bows will fit most adults and kids can shoot them too.

Twig archery is a small shop in Ohio. He probably has all these bows in stock.

The stock string on these bows is the only weak point. It will wear out pretty quick, but that is an easy fix, with a better quality string.
 
#7 ·
The “Black Hunter” series of bows have become the new go to bow for those starting out or those compound guys wanting to give traditional a try. In the past you could buy through Amazon at 80.00-120.00 and end up with a great shooting bow or one that the limbs gave out in the first 1K shots. Basically hit or miss. Or you could buy from Lancaster Archery (called the Ember) or Twig Archery (still called the Black Hunter) for around 200.00 and get a higher quality bow. (Same bow as Amazon just better fit and finish). At ETAR last weekend I saw that Big Jim’s custom bows now have their own versions of this popular bow. The “Elite” and the “Special “ and they were flying out of his booth all week. The Elite is 60” and has a black and red wood riser (very nice looking @ 139.00) and the “Special “ is your basic Black Hunter in a green finished wood riser ( @129.00) Biggest thing here is if you know anything of Big Jim’s quality reputation you could feel safe buying a lesser priced bow and know that he will back it. Both bows are available in 30# @ 28” and if your wife is of average height she will probably draw between 24”-26” …my wife is 5’ 7” and draws 26.5” and my 30#Black Hunter is 25# at her draw length.
 
#9 ·
My wife is about the same size as yours with probably ~26-26.5" draw. So the draw weight is 5# lighter at 1.5" less than 28. I would have thought the difference was larger. Then if I'm drawing 29-29.5" then I'd probably see a similar increase or would the "stacking" phenomenon make it even more?
 
#13 ·
And that is why that was what I was going to get. I haven't seen anything but good reviews of them. I'd even planned to get one for my wife and I and one of the smaller ones for the grandson, but by the time the CFO said "OK, order it" they were sold out and now have no idea when more are coming.
 
#15 ·
Im 99.99 percent sure the SWA Spider is a Chinese bow as are the Galaxies. The Lancaster Galaxies and the SWA bows are both good. I probably wouldnt buy a Chinese bow from a no name company because you dont have anyone guaranteeing that it is marked right and not a second.

If you try sharing one bow - you will need different arrows. And Im guessing that after a few week you will feel the bow is too light for you.
 
#16 ·
Cant seem to reply to post - "Why would a low draw weight be boring?"

depends what you are doing, what you are expecting, but . . .

In my experience (having played with low power fibreglass bows in the garden when the kids were small, bows at under 20lb (and cheap arrows) don't offer any real accuracy, partly because small variations in technique can make a bigger different to accuracy and also because the arrow path is much more arced, which you will notice sooner at lower power. Still fun plinking bean tins off a wall at 10yds mind

- if you want to develop your skill as an archer (with decent anchor / release, good grouping etc) then you will appreciate "proper" kit with a bit of power (the difference from 20 to 25 to 30lb is very noticeable in terms of accuracy IME). From 25lb you can look at 20 - 30 yards+, hitting golds or 3Ds with some repeatability

If you can only draw 20lb (we have a tiny lady at our club with shoulder issues who draws 18lb) then you can get accurate but will likely need to have some ultralight matched arrows
 
#17 ·
Black Hunter (sold as Galaxy Ember also). No better starter bow (seasoned archers love them too), bang for buck, IMO. I have helped many people, men and women, to traditional archery over the years, and it is this bow which has helped build confidence the fastest. It is very much a point and shoot bow, with great hand-torque resistance and all round performance.
 
#18 · (Edited)
I have the 66" Galaxy Bullseye from Lancaster. I bought 26-28# limbs. Perfect low poundage adult bow. Im shooting out to 30 yds. My wife , and my mentally handicapped adult sister all shoot this bow. Cant beat the great quality for the little money.




I also bought an inexpensive SAS target sight. It's much easier for novice shooters to quickly dial in a distance zero when allowing different people to shoot one bow.

 
#20 ·
I think all of the bows mentioned would make good starter bows. One thing I didn't see was how you planned to shoot. If you plan to shoot Instinctive any of the options given would work and be shareable. If you want to use a sight, it gets a little trickier. The Southwest Archery/Sage clones already have the inserts installed, but some of the others do not. It might be more reasonable to each have a bow if using a sight. A pin set up for your anchor and draw most likely will not be on target for her. Some sights the entire sight moves to adjust the left/right impact. That would make sharing difficult. It could still be done with each of you using a different pin on the sight. I just think shooting this way it would be easier and more enjoyable if you each had your own gear.
 
#21 · (Edited)
Very weird, I saw this post on page 1 and 2, and thought that I'd somehow posted the same thing twice, but when I edited one, it edited both.

It was a reply to a bunch of your other posts.

Hmm, lets see if I can remember the gist...

Yes, lots of Chinese stuff, best to purchase from someone that will stand behind it.
Yes, if we use 1 bow, we'll have to get 2 sets of arrows. Also, if we get 2 bows, we'll have to get 2 sets of arrows, but I think the poster was just trying to make sure that I understood that she and I shouldn't use the same arrows despite using the same bow.

I'd read several good reports about the Black Hunter, but it's great to hear about the other brands/names that it's sold under.

I'll look into going a little heavier on the draw. I'll also look into something a bit longer that would work better for both of us. It would be great if one bow would work acceptably well for both of us, but then if we both enjoy it, we could buy another bow and change the draw weight to suit each person.
 
#29 ·
A good option for an affordable beginner backyard recurve bow is the SAS Spirit 62" Takedown Recurve Bow. This bow is well-suited for those who are just starting out in archery and want a budget-friendly option.

The SAS Spirit offers a balance between quality and price, making it accessible for beginners. It comes in various draw weights to accommodate different skill levels and physical strengths. Its simple takedown design allows for easy assembly and disassembly, making it convenient for backyard target shooting and storage.

When you're setting up your beginner archery kit, don't forget to consider purchasing suitable arrows, an armguard, and a finger tab to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.
 
#31 ·
SAS has the Robinhood also sold by another brand as the Sport, a great bow if you wanted a duel sided bow incase somebody you know is opposite eye from you or find out you are not the side with X eye dominance you thought you were. This or the Bear Titan is a good chioce with its 22--30 pound draw depending on persons draw length. Just stay way from the Bear Firebird as most people have had to tape up the grip due to size for kids Large at most that is not super comfortable and the risers little shelf often fails soon after getting prompting people to buy Bear Wetherests and install them, properly fitting the nock for the new rests. Other options like the Junxing/other brand duel sided all fiberglass bow are a good option for being 28 pounds with a 28 inch draw, staying away from the one model where you can change the draw pounds by what string grove you have for the bow, the string really only works well on the outer string grove with the others needing a very long draw to work so multiple string lengths would be needed at 1 inch increments of difference and a way to tell them all apart.