Hello gents. I am looking to get a recurve (or 2) here before too long and i was wondering what are some of the best ones out there. Price is of no concern. I know with skills you can shoot just as well with a cheap recurve as you can with an expensive one so i want some input. I just want it to be quiet, shorter then my longbow, and pleasing to the eye. and preferably not a whole lot of writing, and other junk on it
Dryad Orion.
The absolute best recurve in the whole wide world?
That's easy!
It's the one you're holding in your hands as you walk-up to the dead animal you've just killed with it.
Pick one you like the looks of, then do a search here on TradGang's PowWow to find what others are saying about them.
Border Black Douglas Swift.
james parker makes some of my favorite designs.
http://www.huntworthyproductions.com/index.html
The answers to questions like this are always the same. I'm going to tell you RER Bows of course. The next person will tell you something else. And on it goes until just about every recurve being built has been mentioned, and you are right back where you started.
The real answer, and the honest one, is that it is a personal decision for each of us, and what is best for one is not best for another. If there really were one "best" recureve it wouldn't be long before the rest were out of business. The truth is that there are a wide variety of very good bows, and every one of them is best for someone.
By far the best thing you can do is to get to some traditional shoots and have a look at some different bows. Is there any way you could get to the Compton shoot in June? You will find more bows than you can imagine, and you can shoot each and every one of them until you find the best recurve for you.
QuoteOriginally posted by Ben Kleinig:
The absolute best recurve in the whole wide world?
That's easy!
It's the one you're holding in your hands as you walk-up to the dead animal you've just killed with it.
Pick one you like the looks of, then do a search here on TradGang's PowWow to find what others are saying about them.
Ben has hit it on the head. It took me three years of buying and selling to find the "Perfect" bow for me, I actually found two of them. We are all different with various tastes and needs.
Good luck
T.J.
TRY'UM ALL,CAUSE YOU MIGHT MISS A GOOD'UN
Try RER Bows!
take a look at blacktailbows.com The real deal is this question can not be anwsered. we can only provied you with bowyers you may not be aware of.It will just give you more to choose from. but these days there are just too many good ones to choose from.It could come down to how you liked the guy when you talked to him on the phone.
Whip is dead on the money. This question comes up a lot on here, and my stock answer is just what Whip said. With the shoots starting up in earnest now, you would be doing yourself a disservice by not going to them and learning what is out there before diving into a bow purchase.
Killdeer :wavey:
If you want one to start shooting then pick up a cheap one on the classifieds. Then shoot as many as you can during the summer. When you find the one for you, well, you'll know.
Mike
That would work!
Killdeer :D
Lots of great bows out there but make sure to try a Silvertip before you decide. They are very very nice and fit your criteria.
If you get a chance to shoot a few models you'll know pretty quickly what's right for you.
:campfire:
The comments above are true, many good bows out there.
One thing I would say you definetly should try is any Damon Howatt/Martin right up to the ones being made now.
Take some of the most coveted bows today such as Jack Howard bows, Silver Tips etc. and you will see a Damon Howatt Hunter with fine woods etc.
My recommendation to those coming into recurves is do yourself a favor, shoot a Hunter, new or old, used or off the shelf and then shoot others and decide for yourself.
You may find as thousands have that you can get the finest performing recurve for a very reasonable price and spend you money on licenses and expenses for a nice trip to the Mountains for Elk or big Whitetails.
What whip said !!
QuoteOriginally posted by Whip:
The answers to questions like this are always the same. I'm going to tell you RER Bows of course. The next person will tell you something else. And on it goes until just about every recurve being built has been mentioned, and you are right back where you started.
The real answer, and the honest one, is that it is a personal decision for each of us, and what is best for one is not best for another. If there really were one "best" recureve it wouldn't be long before the rest were out of business. The truth is that there are a wide variety of very good bows, and every one of them is best for someone.
By far the best thing you can do is to get to some traditional shoots and have a look at some different bows. Is there any way you could get to the Compton shoot in June? You will find more bows than you can imagine, and you can shoot each and every one of them until you find the best recurve for you.
Very well said!!!
My biggest problem In buying a bow Is not being able to see them 1st hand. There's a good chance I'd own a few different T/D recurves If I could get a feel for one and see It In person. The RER would definitely be on that list.
Back to what the OP asked just get out there and get what feels good In your hand. What feels good for you might not feel good for the next and vise versa. Good luck!!
The one you have the most confidence with!
I`ve been through tons of recurves and I alwys say the best two I`ve owned were the cheapest and most expensive. I`ve owned a Jeffery for 20+ years and could count the times I`ve missed big game with it on one hand and a couple of Widows I`ve owned were Super. I`m lusting for a Widow MAII right now.....Hope the wife don`t see this.RC
Check out Herwaybow.com in Irvington, Ky.
I agree with what the fellows posted previously. Find the one that fits you. Whether it is the fit to your hand or the bowyers personality. There are so many quality bows out there and great bowyers to boot. Try zipping through our sponsor links, most have a website and most would be grateful to help you over the phone. Might be able to find one close enough to visit. Hope I helped, enjoy whatever you choose and post some pics for us. Ed
I sure agree with the Renaissance Man. I just bought a 1972 Damon Howatt Hunter off Trad Gang and am using it for 3-D shoots. It is easily my all-time favorite shooting bow; and I make it a point to shoot as many of the guys' bows as I can at our shoots.
There's a fellow up in Raton New Mexico who makes the Double BB Bows - they are really smooth shooting!
Bill
Lots of good ones out there. I've owned a bunch (including rer, palmer, rose oak, marriah, silvertip, martin, et,.) My favorites so far are Habu, Assenheimer, and the Hoyt Dorado. The Hoyt Dorado and Gamemaster will shoot with any custom bow out there IMO, and better than most.
I have shot Zippers since 1989. I've owned other bows, and shot them from time to time, but the Zipper Bob Thompson built for me makes meat when crunch time comes.
I recommend as others have that you attend ATAR or Denton Hill if travel is possible this summer and make your selection when you have a chance to try all the different makers like Bob Morrison, Rose Oak, and many more who build great bows, that may or may not suit you.
Find a stock bow that works great...you'll be sure when he customizes it for you it will shine in your hands.
Best of luck.
I like a Dale Dye and a "Hogdancer" bow, build one yourself, it's not that hard and you can make it the way you want. It won't be cheaper to build your own though.
All this Trad Stuff is about having fun... Right? So if price is of no concern (like it can be for me, sometimes) Get out there and try alot of bows. Or buy 'em and sell 'em. That's fun too.
When I got myself a Black Widow TFV I thought it was the bow to end all bows. Great recurve but the following three (or was it four) :rolleyes: purchased used, in total, cost what one new custom bow would.
Tell yourself ya got the bug and go for it!
... mike ...
Kohannah Recurve, Whisperstik Mojo Stik, BW TFV, Bear Grizzly '67, Martin Dream Catcher are some of the ones I dig.
Thank you gents for the replies. IS there any place in Southern IL, or IN where a feller could go to look at (and possibly try) a few?
The best advise I can give you is to buy a "like new" Blackwidow used. I've shoot a few and they are good shootin bows but never owned one. The main reason is how they hold there value. I'll bet you could sell it 10yrs. from now and never lose a dime. Few bows out there can make that claim.
This so easy , the one Im using at that moment, mark
i'll put a plug in for bob lee.
i like ben kleinig's response :thumbsup:
One of the best things you can do is try before you buy. Some boyers will send you a bow to try such as Dick Robertson. Give him your credit card # and pay for shipping and he will send you a bow to try, if you like it, buy it, or order a custom one, if not send it back. This is the smartest way before you lay out a grand for a bow. By the way I would also highly recomend his bows, functional artwork.
RER, Robertson, Blacktails, Schafer, etc. Shawn
Try as many as you can before you make your decision. For me it's my Black Widow PSA and my Zipper SXT.
Bill
Mine, naturally.
Well,, Someone had to chime in with the obvious choice,, Widow,, Shot or owned them all over the last twenty years,, but none have the overall qualities that are timeless other than Black Widow. Love them or not a Great company to deal with, bullet proof construction, quick and quiet, my guess would be more Trad animals taken with Widows(with the exception of Bears)than any other Trad bow so far. JMHO ,, Frank
The best is as many have stated, what fits you best. For me after 20+ years and to many different bows to count ( ask anyone ) I went back to the bow I started with.
Martin Hunter..........
If you are starting out I would have to recommend make time to go to the denton hill meeting / shoot in July and shoot as many bows as you can and the one that feels good in your hand and hits were you are picking that spot is the one to buy... If you want a new bow and want to get it now I sure can not say how happy I am with my checkmate bows and also a Martin hunter bow I have...not big prices, still best bang on your dollar spent...
A buddy gave me from 1971 a browning backpacker II bow that sold for $99 bucks back then, he never shot it and still is not a trad bowewr, he shoots compounds etc. BUt that bow was the best used bow I ever have had in my hand...
Bill
Bill
For your first recurve i would go with a Martin bow, not to expensive and a real pleasure to shoot. The old Super Diablos and Dreamcatchers were great bows, so are the hunters. The Savannah is a great longbow that isn't too hard on the wallet. Old Bear kodiaks are another old bow that are great shooters.
I would spend more on a bow if you see that you like shooting.
Try a 57 Bear Kodiak or a great Northern Ghost.
Trap
RER-get your hands on one and give it a try.
Good Luck!
bears paw
BPbows.com
for me, right now
ZIPPER
I've owned a bunch of different ones and still have several of the top end curves. Right now, I'm enjoying a DAS Gen II with a set of Winex shorts. Coolest curve I've ever owned.
Try all you can there's no hurry,really,,and give Don Assenheimers bows a try,,,,,,,,,Mike
There are many great bows out there...hard to go wrong with any really.
My personal favorite is a Bob Lee t/d but I would be just as content with a Widow, Shafer, Dalaa, Foley, Great Plains, Brack, Morrison, Big Horn and a whole bunch of others I suspect if I had a chance to shoot them.
Shoot as many as you can there are some many good bows out there my choice is the RER bows.
:campfire:
I've got 2 custom made bows. I can't say anything bad about either one. Martin archery made my custom '09 HUNTER and Bob Lee made my HUNTER T/D. I've taken 5 deer with my HUNTER T/D and hoping to take a few with my Martin this season. Both bows were off only 1 pound to my specs. (+1) Good bows, pleasing to look at,fine craftsmanship and good customer service. :archer:
The "best recurve" is the one who's grip fits your hand consistantly, feels good drawing and delivers an arrow accurately for you. Like others have said it is individual and it is best if you shoot some and find the bow for you. I bought and sold several until I found that bow. I shot several high end bows that guys raved about...didn't like them and ended up selling them.