Beginner trad bow

mikolay87 · August 15, 2016, 10:21:00 AM

Hey guys,

My cousin wants to start shooting trad with me. He is a compound shooter and wants to get a trad bow for fun. He is looking to keep it around 150 dollars. What would you recommend. I would let him use one of mine but I'm a lefty

Blackhawk · August 15, 2016, 10:33:00 AM

I think the ideal 'first' bow would be one of the vintage recurves (Bear, Ben Pearson, Howatt, etc) around 40# for the average shooter.

My favorite would be the Bear Grizzlies or Kodiak Hunters which are very common, and a nice one can be had for your price range.

If you want to stay modern, it's hard to beat the Samick Sage.

AZ_Longbow · August 15, 2016, 11:19:00 AM

Samick is a good way to go. Have Him Check 3rivers.

LBR · August 15, 2016, 11:23:00 AM

If his draw length is 28" or less, the Samick Sage. Two big benefits over old bows...you can use high performance string materials (get one--the string that comes with it is pretty bad, and a good string will make a world of difference in the shooting) and it comes with a warranty. If he has a longer draw, talk with the store you are buying from and see if they have a Journey or something similar.

mikolay87 · August 15, 2016, 11:46:00 AM

He has a 30 inch draw

tomsm44 · August 15, 2016, 12:02:00 PM

Might check out Ragim bows also. Never shot one, but I looked at some in a local shop recently. I'd say they're similar to the Samick bows as far as price/quality just from looking at them. They're made in Italy. Personally, I like the vintage bows better though. And as stated above, you can get some pretty nice ones in his price range if you're patient and look around enough.

Longtoke · August 15, 2016, 12:14:00 PM

I would get a vintage bear or person. maybe something around 62" for his long draw.

ive bought 3 vintage bears that were all great shooters all under 200 bucks.

Captain*Kirk · August 15, 2016, 02:53:00 PM

Samick Sage. Has all the bushings for sights/rests/plungers/stabilizer if he chooses (him being a former compound shooter)and you can change limbs in minutes with no tools-draw weights from 30-60# in 5# increments, accepts Fast Flight, comes with a full warranty if purchased through 3R or Lancaster, very little hand shock all for $139.00. What's not to like?
I love my vintage Bears but would not recommend starting out with one. You haven't discovered how you shoot or what you like yet.

Rough Run · August 15, 2016, 05:38:00 PM

Lancaster is having a big sale on Samicks now. Would be worth a look.

Friend · August 15, 2016, 07:17:00 PM

Samick Sage is an excellent choice.

Shadowhnter · August 15, 2016, 10:02:00 PM

Another for Samick Sage

randy grider · August 15, 2016, 11:21:00 PM

Bear, Ben Pearson, Browning are all good choices. Go with 40# draw weight. If he decides he does not like it, he can get most if not all of his money back. Buy a new bow, and like a car, he will lose money.

Longtoke · August 15, 2016, 11:31:00 PM

It's hard to know what kind of bow you like when you first start out. The first bow I purchased myself was a sage because of all the good reviews and recommendations for newbies.

I hated it, not the sage in particular, but I figured out I did not like those bulky heavy risers.

Sold it and bought a 1970s grizzly. Felt much better to my hands. Sometimes it takes a few tries.

Captain*Kirk · August 15, 2016, 11:33:00 PM

QuoteOriginally posted by randy grider:
Bear, Ben Pearson, Browning are all good choices. Go with 40# draw weight. If he decides he does not like it, he can get most if not all of his money back. Buy a new bow, and like a car, he will lose money.

How can you lose money on a $139.00 brand new bow????? :confused:

peanut39350 · August 15, 2016, 11:42:00 PM

I started with a samick sage and still have it, it has been a great bow and I would definitely recommend it for a beginner

Captain*Kirk · August 16, 2016, 12:05:00 AM

QuoteOriginally posted by peanut39350:
I started with a samick sage and still have it, it has been a great bow and I would definitely recommend it for a beginner

Same here.

LBR · August 16, 2016, 10:06:00 AM

Buying a new bow (any new bow), you will likely loose some money if you decide to sell it...but you have a warranty if something goes wrong.

Buying a used bow, if you don't pay too much you can likely recoup all your money if you decide to sell it...but if it breaks you loose all of your money.

August 16, 2016, 10:12:00 AM

Another vote for Samick!

Bisch

mikolay87 · August 16, 2016, 10:20:00 AM

Thanks for the help we have a samick journey on order

mikolay87 · August 16, 2016, 10:21:00 AM

Thanks for the help we have a samick journey on order. Hopefully he will enjoy it and then we can try some higher end bows at some local shoots