Recurve – new or used?

[paleoman]

#3662

I’d like to buy a recurve bow; something a little shorter and handier in a treestand than the longbow I have. Any reccomendations on what to buy new, and if I haven’t asked before are there any major risks to buying used (like a 60’s/70’s era Bear) online given that all the pics and close-ups look good? Thanks.

[Killdeer]

#22411

I have bought many bows online, and have been wildly pleased to mildly disappointed.

Before you do this, though, let me remind you of two things that I observe from your post.
The first is that you are looking for a treestand bow. AHA! you will need this bow this summer, to practice for the fall hunting season.

The second is that you are looking to buy online. You are itchy to get one, but are not sure if there are many risks involved.

Yes, there are risks! I never buy unless there are very good and very detailed pics of the bow in question. But as good as the pics are, there is nothing to compare to seeing the bow in the daylight, and trying it out on the range.

I see that you are in Michigan, a state so steeped in trad archery that I don’t doubt that longbows are pushed out of the soil instead of needle ice in the winter months.

My advice to you is that you look up all the trad events that will be taking place in your travel range and go to them. Not only will you meet a lot of nice people, but you will be able to try out lots of bows without having to pay for it. You may find that what you have been hearing touted as the next Right Arm of God is actually a rather mediocre bow, or worse, a “dog”. (sorry, all dogs.)

Folks at shoots are mostly happy to let you try their wonderful bow, which for them might be the best in the world, but may leave you shaking your head at how they can shoot with that kind of a grip. Vendors, too, of both new and used bows are happy to have you shoot their bows, as that frequently leads to sales. Bring your own arrows, as you will be trying bows in your own weight range and you do not want to be ‘splaining loss or breakage to someone who did you a favor.

Nothing beats hands-on experience in deciding what is right for you (we are all different, ain’t it wunnerful?:D) and leading to a wise purchase of a hunting partner.

Killdeer

Careful! That’s Bob Morrison on the right, and the next vendor back is Ross Vickers, of Brandywine Arrows.

Shooting the courses is a laid-back, fun affair among friends both old and new.

I bought this bow online, and it was a horror story in the delivery. The bow is a peach, however. This is one of the targets on the practice range at the Baltimore Bowmen Trad Classic. They also have paper targets on big butts for the folks who need big targets… Me!

[Killdeer]

#22416

Rereading your post, I see that you are shooting a longbow. Did you know that a lot of longbows are available in the shorter lengths? It could be that you could get a shorter longbow from the same bowyer, and thus not have to learn a new grip.

I am currently shooting a 58″ longbow, made by the same guy that made a 56″ longbow that I don’t shoot as well.

The shorter a bow gets, the more exacting it is about your release. My release sucks out loud, so I like the more forgiving, longer longbow with a different lam layup.

Now you have me curious about what bow you are shooting.
Killdeer

[aeronut]

#22569

Excellent advice Killdeer. Nothing more needs added to it. Glad to see a post from you.

Dennis

[FUBAR]

#22594

Good advice.
I have a 60# Mahaska recurve I might consider selling ifn you are interested. I am only 1 1/2 hours or so from Rockford, so if you decide you are interesterd, maybe we can set up something where you can shoot it

[db22]

#23495

Good advice from all, and I’ll briefly add my own experiences. Being a left-hander, the internet has been a huge help in finding good used recurves. I see beautiful bows in shops and other places, and don’t even ask about them, since they are right-handed. But with careful examination of photos posted in internet ads, and questions to the seller, and a willingness to tolerate a certain amount of risk, I have acquired a nice collection of older recurves, and one faily nice modern longbow. I have all I need, but that won’t stop me from perusing the ads for yet another lefty. Good luck to you!

paleoman wrote: I’d like to buy a recurve bow; something a little shorter and handier in a treestand than the longbow I have. Any reccomendations on what to buy new, and if I haven’t asked before are there any major risks to buying used (like a 60’s/70’s era Bear) online given that all the pics and close-ups look good? Thanks.

[Stumpkiller]

#24981

Certainly there are risks. One protection is to insist on a reasonable inspection period with money back (if not shipping costs) guarantee.

I have bought several unseen bows – one had a very minor limb twist and the other two were bang-on as described and photographed. Among them was a 1966 Browning Explorer that I am having a ball with and it has my MUCH more expensive and newer bows gathering dust.

Watch out for sellers who say “I know nothing about bows” as they have too many “outs” when it comes to misrepresenation whether they are honest or not. Check the classifieds on traditional forums and check the seller’s profile and recent posts. You can get a good idea of who you are dealing with.

There are a LOT of fair deals and excellent bows out there. Wish I had this resource (forums/Internet) 35 years ago when I was starting out.

[Joe Lasch]

#26847

A used bow is a great way to get a chance to really try a different bow, shorter length, higher weight, etc. There has already been some great advice on the cautions to take, and you should heed those. Often you can buy a bow, and if it turns out not to be what you were hoping, turn around and sell it to recoup most if not all of your investment. It is a perfect way to try a number of different bows over time without breaking the bank. And once you settle on what you really love, you can always have the custom of your dreams made then.

Michigan is a virtual paradise when it comes to great shoots and gatherings with all kinds of bows to try out. Take advantage of one or more of those if you can. The Compton rendezvous, held in Berrien Springs in June is one of the biggest and best events in the country!

[paleoman]

#31638

Hey Guys – thanks for all the advice, it’s very generous! I got sidetracked in getting back to this site w a trip to Vegas for my 50th b’day. I’m curious, having really no experience with a recurve, on how much more difficult or not they are to shoot? The longbow is challenging, enough that I want to throw in the towel half the time. Not sure I want any more challenges:wink:

Killdeer – I have a Jim Reynolds Thunderstick, 62″ length. 45# @ 28″. Thanks to for your very generous replies!

[Killdeer]

#31768

Nice bow you have there!
I don’t think a longbow is any easier, nor harder to shoot than a recurve. They are different, and you learn to shoot them as individuals. I can say with complete honesty that I have achieved the same level of incompetence with both styles of bow.

Try a lot of bows, and you will find whether you prefer a high or low wrist on the grip, the feel of a light or heavy riser, all that stuff. All these different bows are like nibblies at a buffet. Have a great summer!

Killdeer

[Stumpkiller]

#31778

paleoman wrote: I’m curious, having really no experience with a recurve, on how much more difficult or not they are to shoot?

I find a recurve easier and more accurate. Depends on the shooter and the bows. My longbow is a rectangular handle “old” style and I have girly wrists so it kills me after a shooting session. The higher grip of my recurves works out better for me, and the added speed means less vertical spread over distances I am likely to shoot – so less chance I’ll shoot low.

But I will say when you have a real brain fart and mess up a shot the recurve tends to throw it much wilder; so a consistant form is perhaps more important.

Center-shot recurves also tend (IMHO) to be less critical of spine.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#31782

Killdeer wrote: I can say with complete honesty that I have achieved the same level of incompetence with both styles of bow.

Killdeer

Hahaha….same here. And I can honestly add that attaining equal levels of incompetence is no small feat and requires more dedication than one would think.

[Hiram]

#31903

paleoman wrote: I’d like to buy a recurve bow; something a little shorter and handier in a treestand than the longbow I have. Any reccomendations on what to buy new, and if I haven’t asked before are there any major risks to buying used (like a 60’s/70’s era Bear) online given that all the pics and close-ups look good? Thanks.

Firstly, How much do you want to spend? I drive a Toyota Pick up for gas milage and cost. There are several less costly Recurves you could purchase that would “Get the job done” depending on your level of shooting etc. Generally, a high quality Recurve will have some shooting qualities that are “built in” due to the higher price. I think though that as the old adage which holds true to the test in many cases, “It is not so much the Bow, but the shooter” will generally be the standard. I would determine the amount to spend, then attend a major Trad gathering with vendors present and shoot and handle as many Bows as you can! Then based on that knowledge make a decision reletive to the Bow that feels the most natural, and displays the shooting qualities you desire. Buying a Bow without first having handled and shot it, may be a large mistake for most of us to make.:)

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