I saw a couple of nice looking Ragim bows at the local archery shop. One was the Wolf longbow and the other was the Black Bear recurve. I was struck by how nice they looked and was really surprised by how inexpensive (cheap) they were.
How come nobody is using them. I don't see any for sale in the classifieds.I don't even see anybody discussing them.They aren't even on that auction site. Are they new models? Anybody ever shot one? What is the overall impression of Ragim one piece bows? They seem to make quality youth take downs.Thanks for your opinions.
Brian
I owned one for a while, they are great entry level bows that can give years of service. The one I had been reworked, the finish was redone, and the guy worked the grip down into a longbow grip, it was a recurve.
The only complainant I have ever heard was that the finish is not what it could be. Funny, if it were you would be paying a heck of a lot more for the bows. Some have complained about the string nocks being sharp and needing some additional sanding, other than that the people who own them like them.
Mine was a silent stable shooter, it was not a speed demon, but that is the least important factor in a stickbow as far as I am concerned. When stickbows start shooting at the speed of sound, then I will change my mind....LOL
If you are thinking about getting one I think you might be suprised.
Thanks Scott
I really appreciate you taking te time to post your opinion.
Brian
Just buy it already.....lol.
I got one for my son two years ago. Cheap bow for them to bang around. Not bad bows but the lack the fit and finish of most. I filed the string nock out, reshaped the shelf and refinished the riser. If you get one, don't be afraid to take a file or a rasp to it. dino
ttt
Theyre a good bow for do it yourself customization.Very good for the price.
I am shooting a three piece takedown, the impala, until my sovereign balistik comes this fall. Biggest complaint is that it is sharp around the nock and the sides of the limbs are rough and have caused several strings to blow out. But it does make a good starter bow.
I and a buddy have identical Internature T/D 60# at 28". These bows look good, shoot fast, smooth and quiet, have shot them for 2 years hard, no troubles at all! This is not a ragim, but imported by AIM, aboout the same thing, goes for around $150.0 on TradTech.com. I wouldnt hesitate to buy another one.
I also have an Internature take down 45# @ 28". I had to do a little "adusting" on it (the upper limb was marked with the draw/amo/draw weight etc. so I moved it)but other than that, the bow works great. I use it three or four times a week in the back yard to work on my form.
The biggest problem that I have found with them is that they don't oost enough to get most of the shooters today to take them seriously. A lot of shooters today seem to think that you can buy accuracy and that if it is pretty and expensive it just has to improve your shooting.
I have an Internature Viper long bow thats 50 @ 28. Im very happy with it. And so far have not had any problems with it. I know two others that have Ragims and are very happy with them.
Do Not confuse Internature and Ragims. Both are imported by AIM. Internature's are made in Korea. Ragims Italy. Here is the link to Ragim.
http://www.ragim.org/ragim.asp
Hey all,
Ok, The can has been opened, Which are better? Ragim or Internature?
Brian G
I have an OMP (Internature) 62" recurve that has very good fit and finish. Seems to be tillered well.
The Ragims we handed out to the kids seemed nice for the price.
I had a Tamars Recurve (made by Ragim) and the upper limb exploded just as I was doing some warming up shoots at the beginning of a 3D tournament.
It was a 60" bow which I shot with a 31,5" draw.
At least there was no problem with the guarantee.
I've used a number of Ragim bows for the Boy Scouts and they hold up well to constant use by folks who are still learning. Bought one for my wife. They are not $600 dollar custom bows. They don't pretend to be. I like them.
Ron
Dragging this old one out of the archives.
My young fella is looking at a longbow to goof around with over the summer holidays (commited compond shooter). He has narrowed it down to three bows available here in OZ at reasonable dollars.
Bear montana
Internature/Cartel Viper
Ragim Custom Wolf
Does anyone have any opinions/ratings of these bows? He understands that they are not high class/greade bows, but he isn't looking to spend the big bucks either. Maybe the bug will bite :D :D when he gets a good taste of the fun
Cheers
imho, and without a question of doubt, as i have owned and used all three of the bows you've listed in holding weights from 45-52#, there is no contest - the bear montana is head and shoulder's above the other two. it has a better build quality, and the limb design is smoother on the draw and release while yielding better arrow performance. this is not to say those other longbows are "bad", they're just not as equally "good" ... IN MY HUMBLE OPINION and ymmv!
I bought my oldest son (12) a Ragim Matrix Jr last summer. It's not a "bad bow" for the money as it comes, but we like a lot of the others here modified it by stripping the riser, rounded the shelf, and refinished it to his liking. As others pointed out, do not be afraid to cosmetically modify these bows... It was a good learning experience shared by father and son that yielded good "custom" results! By the way, does anyone have a recommendation for the brace height on this bow? The Ragim website posted above does not list a brace height for this particular bow...
actually, i still have a ragim matrix (64"/30#) that i use as a "guest bow" for trad newbies, or for me as a "rehab bow". a quite decent trad bow for $100, imo. anyhoo, i set the brace height on the 64" at 6-3/4", works fine.
That's easy Brian....there's nothing "wrong" with them. Very economical way to get in the game.
In a few days or weeks I will be able to tell you about the Viper. I have one on its way. I did research it online and it got good reviews from all that I read. Changing to a FF string is suppose to get rid of the mild hand shock. Since it will be my first trad bow I will own I don't think I will notice any way.
Kelly
My son started with an older Impala takedown and I had an 09 Impala 55lb both were great bows I shot the hell out of mine and had no issues with it! I got see their whole line when the rep was at the store where I used to work! their longbows looked real nice and so did the 1 piece recurves! they do not have the distribution in the states like Samick does! When you do find Ragims in stores it is usually the youth models or the Impala!
My brother has shot one for about 10 years, a regime, finish isn't as fancy as a custom, but it shots great and has held up well.
+1 for a Ragim as a starter. My son has shot a Ragim Master for a couple years now and really likes it and shoots it well.
The only thing I don't like about it is it has plastic limb pockets and I haven't been able to find any heavier limbs for it.
Thanks heaps for the additional info fella's :thumbsup:
Cheers
Initial quality and durability of the Ragims hasn't been too good IMHO. Maybe their newer stuff is better?
My choice of lesser expense bows would be Samick.
Eh, I've had 3 of them and ground the crap out of two risers :)
Great introductory bow for kids!
We got some for our 4H archery program through Mike at the Nocking Point and they hold up well.
Decent bows for the price and you can get the kid size riser with inserts for target sights.
QuoteOriginally posted by Bear Heart:
I am shooting a three piece takedown, the impala, until my sovereign balistik comes this fall. Biggest complaint is that it is sharp around the nock and the sides of the limbs are rough and have caused several strings to blow out. But it does make a good starter bow.
I had a PSE model Impala made by Ragim.I had the same experiences.Had a string go and caused the limb to start to seperate.Garbage bows.Don't buy one.Shortly after that I realized I needed to start buying better bows. :thumbsup:
QuoteOriginally posted by KellyG:
In a few days or weeks I will be able to tell you about the Viper. I have one on its way. I did research it online and it got good reviews from all that I read. Changing to a FF string is suppose to get rid of the mild hand shock. Since it will be my first trad bow I will own I don't think I will notice any way.
Kelly
fwiw, awhile back i did a review of the viper for 'archery focus' magazine ...
viper-legend-reviews.pdf (http://www.tradgang.com/rob/viper-legend-reviews.pdf)
QuoteOriginally posted by Bear Heart:
I am shooting a three piece takedown, the impala, until my sovereign balistik comes this fall. Biggest complaint is that it is sharp around the nock and the sides of the limbs are rough and have caused several strings to blow out. But it does make a good starter bow.
Is this the same bow PSE sells?
My first trad bow and was very good for the money. I agree that you should sand the nocks and put some sealer over them but otherwise good for the money. I also had a 25# youth model for my youngest> I ended up giving them both away, one to a youngster and the other when we were shipping bows to Iraq. They shoot where you point them and hold up pretty well
sam
Samicks are good also. I have a Volcano and no complaints...shoots hard and where I look.
Very good finish also. A fine bow.
Nothing is "wrong" w Ragim bows. Martin sells the Fox Custom as the L100. Fit and finsih on that and the Ragim's is better now (2010 and later).
As for fit, the local shop has had to send back several made in the USA Martin recurves and longbows (Savannah, Hunter, Rebel, etc) cuzz the tips were messed up. Off center cuts, too shallow, etc.
Stuff happens.
I bought a Ragim Brown Bear in Feb. of 2008.I have shot it nearly every day since.At 45# it aint no rocket but is smooth,Quiet,and holding up.If I was'nt a trad addict at the time of purchase and needed a quick fix I probably would have faired better in the classifieds.
Biggest problem -
NOT MADE IN AMERICA.
We produce/manufacture very things in America these days. We make damn good bows - why go overseas.
I the Red falk and it is a great beginner bow. I really cant complain. Very smooth and consistent bow, just dont put it in a race.
Had a Ragim one piece recurve that I shot the heck out of, never had a problem. It was fast and quiet for the money I was surprised.
Who are some re-sellers for this bow?
My biggest complaint is the sharp string grooves
I bought a Ragim bow for my grandkids to use a few years ago. Still have it, and it works fine for its purpose.
Wish I had saved the brochure that came with it so I could quote exactly, but it said something like, "if you learn to shoot on this bow, then maybe later on you can get a better one." Which struck me as a charming note of modesty that you wouldn't see very often about a product.
I have one in #25 for my daughter. She shoots it well an has had no issues with it.
I see this thread was started a few years ago but if someone were to be looking at an entry level bow today then these are an option.
Maybe it is just me...I have seen a lot of twisted limbs on them...does not give me a lot off confidence in their products
yep great starter/ fun bows. i got the 48" "horsebow" for my wife such a fun little bow
i also have a PSE sequoia made by Ragim. it shoots good, looks good, no maintenance, was cheap, what more do you want?
Get a fastflight string on that horsebow and light arrows. Transforms the bow.