What's your idea of the perfect recurve?

[Mike Mecredy]

Hi All,  without mentioning the bowyer, the company ect. Describe to me the characteristics of what you think is the perfect recurve bow.  

(and there's no such thing as a perfect recurve bow, isn't a good answer, I already know that, I just want your opinions as hardcore trad bow hunters)

[Tyler C. Moore]

Short yet forgiving limbs that dont stack are most important to me!  Compactness and shootability are my big concerns.

[Bowwild]

For Hunting:
-58"
-50#
-Gains 2-2.5#'s per inch from 26-28" draw
-Medium Grip that is 4.5" circumference at the throat
-Heavy Riser
-Grip is Medium with flat palm
-Shoots about 170-180 FPS at 10GPP
-Can be silenced to dull thud with 1 set of whiskers
-Of course it will be LH

[threeunder]

LOL...I'll agree with Roy....it's gotta be a lefty.

Mine would be...

3 pc takedown anywhere from 56" to 62"
I'm a sucker for belly mt'd limbs, but doesn't have to have them.
52#-54# @ 28"
Smaller sized low to medium wrist grip
Smooth as a baby's butt on the draw
Quiet
Fast
Cut 3/16" past center
Oh!  and hits where I look!

[TOEJAMMER]

The one I've never had.

[Hoyt]

I prefer 64"
Fast
Smooth to 30"
Large sight window
Around 3 pounds
Slim to medium riser with long gradual trans. to limbs.
One piece
3/16" to 5/16" past center
Thumb grove and palm swell

[Shawn Leonard]

I say anywhere from 58-62"s, has to be quiet without having to add a ton to the string or limbs.(maybe some bowhush) Static tips and smooth drawing, either foam or bamboo cores and  fairly quick, but quiet trumps quick as long as it ain't a dog. Also a fairly large sight widow at least 3"s and a riser around 15"s or so, grip that can be made to what I want, not some standard grip for everyone. It should be stable and have no handshock either. I should add either a one-piece or a 3 piece T/D is fine as long as there is some weight to the riser(heavy woods help in a one-piece.) I lately prefer a one-piece. Shawn

[Whip]

As far as something you can quantify, smooth draw without stacking for longer draws.  Longer length bows also seem to be more forgiving for me.
But the most important ingredient is the grip.  Some just fit better than others, and not everyone will like the same grip.  What works for one person will stink for another.

[tecum-tha]

My special Korean Mughal hybrid currently in the works. Press is ready, soon.
Compact, feather lite and well balanced.

[Hopewell Tom]

As per Bowwild,(lefty part, too) adding make it a one-piece, static tipped and cut somewhere past center.
Not that I know about static tips, but they seem to be the next big thing...

[Wiley Coyote]

A longbow!!!  

[CKeth]

I'm pretty easy to cater to. I'm short with a short draw so all this stacking stuff is Greek to me. I like short bows, 52" to 56" seems to be the sweet spot for my preferences. I like a pretty slim medium to high wrist grip, cut to center shelf, fast flight capable, and dark glass on the back with a matte finish. I do enjoy the look of my bows and don't like to have to cover them for hunting.

[Hud]

Bear TD TYPE I or II, with that rest cut low so it is easier to "point and shoot", and the original white tip limbs, that were stable and had good speed. Low wrist, narrow handle to reduce torque. Matt finish, and 58 - 62", 55-65#. Just look at Fred's original TD.

[snag]

2X what Whip said...it's all about the grip.

[Piratkey]

Deflexed Riser around 19",sight window 3" or more(the straight part),grip that fit my hand.
Limbs:very good stability (verticaly and horizontaly)
All in TD 3pieces,fast,quiet,no vibrations , no hand shock and dont stack at my draw

[beaunaro]

Bowild just described my RER "XR" to a tee.
Irv Eichorst
www.truesouthadventures.com

[damascusdave]

Well Mike, you mentioned on the *********** that I gave you the kind of information that you wanted about longbows so I hope you will cut me a little slack on here about recurves...one could do a lot worse than a 1960 Kodiak...I, and a lot of other people, think Bear Archery just might have got it right with that one...they actually think enough of that basic design that the current Kodiak is a '59 replica (and I still say that bow, because of the glass riser and tip overlays, is as much '60 as '59)

DDave

[Peckerwood]

Fast , quiet , and with a draw increase of 1.5 lbs. / in. from 26 to 30 in.

[Mike Mecredy]

Yeah Dave, I designed my 60" "retro" recurve with the profile in mind somewhere inline with an old Kodiak and the Ben Person Cougar.  

[Sean B]

I like 58" and 60" bows, in the 50 to 60# range.  Quiet, and smooth drawing.  I'm not big on speed.  I prefer mass weight in the riser, although, I've been liking 50's style recurves lately. I need the shelf to be close to my hand.  I have a high anchor, so  look for a short sight window, that also gives me a few more inches of working limb. I'm not picky on grip because for some reason, they all seem to feel good to me. I guess a few may feel better than others though.