Home › Forums › Bows and Equipment › The search for a better bow
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I have been shooting recurves for awhile now, and the only bow I’ve ever shot has been a Samick Sage. Although it’s a very nice bow, I would like to upgrade. I know Black widow makes some nice bows, but they’re just way too expensive. I’ve been looking into Stalker recurves, but I haven’t found much information on them. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
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The advice I got from boucou sources back several decades was “go to shoots and shoot many kinds before you buy”.
I would have to say with the myriad of fine, find bowyers out there, all who have a slightly different take on limb design, handle shape, etc… is to “try a bunch”.
Big shoots like ETAR, KAZOO, and whatever you might have locally are always the best bets… You can also try used but with S&Insurance, that can also get costly sifting and sorting.
Took me 25 yrs to find a bowyer who asked for video of me shooting from varied angles until and then could asses my shooting style and build a grip that fit me... That would be Kirk at Bigfoot (one in my avatar) and he’s a bit nutty on making sure all his designs AND each bow is properly balanced, tuned and the best brace height. That doesn’t come cheap, but for me, I wish I’d have started with someone with such a penchant for details versus all the varied bows I waded thru and lost money on going with other’s recommendations!
“Take time to find one…it ain’t an overnight thing…. do wha….😀
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I agree with Doc in that you need to shoot some different bows to get a feel for what you like. I think in some ways a person can adjust to match the bow and that is fine. But the real joy is finding a bow that matches you. I shot recurve for a number of years and was fine with it but for some reason when I tried a longbow…I found what matched my style of shooting. You need something that feels good in your hand and that you hands fits into the same position with each shot. Since I am a longbow guy I don’t know how to advise you so much towards a good recurve…but if you venture into the longbow I could talk all day…
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Feeling “right” is a key, I’m sure!
I had girls I danced with at the shoots that I couldn’t miss shooting her, but when I brought her home, she turned into a witch!
In working with Kirk, I learned new concepts but don’t profess to understand them, in the way of palm pressure points and how the bow will react when shot. ❓ 🙄
I got Masters of the BBIII and tried every grip and position I could on several bows I have fought with for years. Nothing helped. Now, I pick up my Sasquatch and every time, gloved, sweaty, doesn’t matter, it settles right into my hand like I always hoped.
Surely, some of it is my own “self-taught” form, but some of my issues are the grips on varied bows. Vertical and lateral limb stability goes a big way to reduce recoil and strange behaviors of the bow once shot & Kirk nails that too.
To say I was in my mid-60’s before I found a bow that “fit” is a sad song to sing, but it’s the tune that is my story.
I also shot recurves “better” than LB’s with straight grips so now I have a LB with a grip very similar to most recurves… do whatever it takes!
Take time. Bows aren’t cheap. Time is too precious to waste shooting a bow that doesn’t “fit”.
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Gee this sounds as bad as fly rods.
Can’t tell you how many bows I’ve made over the last year, trying to get one “right.” But I can tell you that with every bow, I either know something that dosn’t work, or I have a better bow. No, none of them look “pretty” but I kinda like that.
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LOL 🙂 My bigfoot Sasquatch is my last bow! While I waited for my turn, I stole recycle cans from the neighborhood fins and sold them to pay for a few “upgrades”, 🙄 but it sure is grand to sit in an empty woods looking at all the grain swirls and muse on it. I love wood grain so that is something that meant something to me…
A bow/gun/fly rod is a tool… some do the job better than others and that too, depends on the person in whose hands it lies!
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder… and watching someone who handles their weapon like an extension of themselves, is a thing of profound beauty!
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Thank you all for the suggestions. I’ll definitely be trying a number of different bows before I buy one now 😀
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South builds a fine bow. But like others have said go out and shoot everything you can get your hands on.
Hope this helps
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I agree with the majority about handling and shooting as many as possible .
My brother -in law picked up an old bow at an auction the other day . He’s new to TRAD and was really excited about his find . He stopped by to show me the new/old toy . Turned out to be an old Pearson , built for Kmart . Had a grip like a recurve but the limbs were either R/D or D/R ,,,,I can never get it straight . It is the first OLD bow I have seen in such fashion . 64 inch , 45@28 . I just happened to have a new string hanging in the garage . Braced her up and served a nockpoint in short order . Da’gum she’s quick . Shooting my over weight arrows it was clearly spittin’ ’em out substantially faster than my new SK . Quiet , fast , light to handle and shoots where you point it .
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The Traditional Bowhunters Expo in Kalamazoo, MI is January 24-26, 2014. I highly suggest you attend if you are anywhere close to that area. Lots of custom bowyers will let you shoot ’til your arms fall off!
I also have to add that my first bow was a Ben Pearson, about 35 pounds, and it is still one of my favorites. It shoots right where I’m looking, and it’s light enough I can shoot it all day long without losing accuracy. It’s the bow we hand to people who’ve never shot before, because it’s so forgiving. Great bows to get started with!
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Would like to attend the Expo but can’t do it . Maybe in the future .
That’s neat about you first bow , Webmother . Pearson didn’y make the most attractive bows , but they were and still are very functional .
Shoot till your arms fall off ? That’d be about a dozen shots for these arthritic limbs.:roll:
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Anonymous
November 20, 2013 at 2:28 pmPost count: 124mhay wrote: I agree with the majority about handling and shooting as many as possible .
My brother -in law picked up an old bow at an auction the other day . He’s new to TRAD and was really excited about his find . He stopped by to show me the new/old toy . Turned out to be an old Pearson , built for Kmart . Had a grip like a recurve but the limbs were either R/D or D/R ,,,,I can never get it straight . It is the first OLD bow I have seen in such fashion . 64 inch , 45@28 . I just happened to have a new string hanging in the garage . Braced her up and served a nockpoint in short order . Da’gum she’s quick . Shooting my over weight arrows it was clearly spittin’ ’em out substantially faster than my new SK . Quiet , fast , light to handle and shoots where you point it .
Having shot that bow (I think) at the BHA Rendezvous last year, I can attest that the Pearson is a great bow.
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November 21, 2013 at 2:49 pmPost count: 124
The sweetest bow I’ve ever handled or shot is the “Wolfer” by Dick Robertson of Robertson Stykbow. Dick, who many will recognize as far as name and reputation, will flatly tell you that “the Wolfer” is the only thing he wants to build or shoot anymore; he considers it the best he has or could build. Handling one, I’d have to agree that it’s simply amazing.
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I’ve heard that the Sage is a great bow…that being said, if you shoot it well, and need to upgrade, why not get different limbs? If you absolutely have to have a different bow altogether, start searching the classifieds on this, and other traditional archery sites…there are a few out there. The most popular (I won’t name it, other than the “Gang”) requires a paid membership to view their classifieds. But, it would be a solid investment, as there is a LOT of used, quality custom bows on there for very reasonable prices, as well as advice from most every member on fit, form, etc. I’ve found that site to be one of the most informative out there, besides this one. For around $300 you can more than likely get a trad bow that would otherwise cost 2-4 times that, as well as a lengthly wait on the bowyers build list. Just my .02 for what it’s worth.
Shirikahn
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