Best Traditional Bows | Recurve Bow 2022

Are recurves better than compound bows?

In most categories, compound bows beat out recurves. They’re more powerful, more accurate and more compact. They’re technologically more advanced. However, people still love to use recurves because they’re challenging and stylish. They carry the mystique of the master archer, and you will generally see elite world-class archers using recurves.

In the end it depends on your preferences and what you plan to do with the bow. Recurves do have practical advantages like easier maintenance and lower cost. Take everything into consideration when you pick. Of course, no one said you can’t use both.

What are the best brands?

In the recurve world, Samick probably gets the most lip service. Their Sage model has long been one of the best-selling bows on the market. The company is based in Korea and sells popular models all over the world.

Lately, Southwest Archery has been making a splash thanks to engineers who previously worked to design the Samick Sage. They take that same expertise but manufacture and support their products in the USA making them a bit more accessible for American archers.

Despite Southwest Archery’s success, Precision Shooting Equipment (PSE) Archery remains the largest archery supply manufacturer in the United States. Their story began in 1970 with Pete Shepley. He was a product engineer for Magnavox but decided to use his talents to make bows, his true passion. They currently operate out of Tucson, AZ.

 Bear Archery is another American manufacturer with a long history. They began manufacturing quality bows in 1964 but are best-known for the technique they developed in 1970 to make “futurewood.”

Southland Archery Supply (SAS) is a name you’ll hear a lot on the archery scene. They make tons of different products, not just bows, and those products frequently reach best-seller status. They bring that same quality to their recurves.

What’s the best recurve for a beginner?

The Southwest Archery Spyder takes first place as a solid all rounder and is one of the great beginner recurve bows.

The Samick Sage, PSE Razorback and Southwest Archery Tigershark are solid options as well. Also take a look at the TopArchery Traditional Recurve if you’re buying for a child.

All that said, even a beginner needs to choose their first bow based on what they’ll be doing with it. Someone who knows they’ll be continuing with archery onto big game hunting with recurve bows, for example, might consider the Bear Archery Grizzly. Someone concerned about losing money on a defective bow might consider the long warranties SAS provides.

Look at all the beginner bows out there to make an informed decision on what suits your plans and needs.

The Best Recurve Bows

Southwest Archery Spyder – Best All Rounder

This bow is great for beginners because of its low price and incremental bow weight. You can start your target practice with a low bow draw weight and work your way up as you get more experienced. It’s even a good bow for a child or adolescent who’ll be increasing in strength as they grow. It also comes with a bow stringer, so it’s good for learners.

The riser has a beautiful wood finish and is naturally sourced. You must assemble the bow by attaching the limbs to the riser. It’s easy to do, but you do need an Allen key. The string also doesn’t have a pre-installed nocking point. These are easy enough to buy and put on yourself, but it is a strange thing to be missing on an otherwise great starter bow.

The grip is comfortable, and the bow shoots quietly. Even if you’re a beginner, you can still plan to take this bow out hunting once you get your aim down.

Southwest Archery includes a one-year warranty with the Spyder.

What we liked:

• Great price
• Stylish wood finish
• Large draw-weight range
• Easy assembly
• Comfortable grip
• Quiet shot
• One-year warranty

What we didn’t:

• Allen key required
• No nocking notch

Samick Sage – Best for Beginners

The Samick Sage has been known for a long time as a go-to recurve for beginners. Its low price combined with its quality construction make it easy to learn on for someone new to the sport. It’s also a great bow to have in your arsenal to practice on even if you’re more experienced.

Like any good beginner bow, the Sage has a wide range of draw weights. However, it does lack the extra low 20-lb weight of the Spyder.

Also ideal for someone just taking up archery, this one is an easy tool-free takedown bow.

The riser is beautiful and has a great classical bow look. It’s also durable thanks to its hard maple design. Unfortunately, there’s no material grip, but the wood grip is comfortable enough.

The limbs are durable and upgradable, so you can stick with this bow even as you improve your skills. That makes it an even better value than it already is.

What we liked:

• Great price
• Classical look
• Durable hard maple riser
• Large draw-weight range
• Tool-free takedown
• Upgradable limbs

What we didn’t:

• No material grip
• Heavy

Bear Archery Grizzly – Best Recurve Bow for Hunting

As you might guess from the name, the Bear Archery Grizzly is a powerful bow designed as a hunting recurve. The lower AMO length allows for quieter, more accurate shots necessary for taking game. Plus, it’s easier to move around the woods.

The bow is one piece, so there’s no option for takedown. This one-piece design is sturdy, however, and Bear has been using the same blueprint since 1964 including a manufacturing process they developed in 1970 to make “futurewood.” Futurewood is flexible yet durable and gives the bow the power to hunt. They stand behind this design with a three-year warranty.

Keeping with the classic look and feel, the arrow rest is made of bear hair, and the riser protector is made of leather. It’s truly a beautiful thing. If you’re a hunter and want to get a more traditional bow, this is a great choice.

What we liked:

• Made for hunting
• Quiet and accurate
• Historic design
• Beautiful craftsmanship
• Flemish twist string
• Three-year warranty

What we didn’t:

• Higher price range
• No takedown

PSE Razorback

As a University of Arkansas alum, I might be a bit biased, but the Razorback is a really cool bow.

This is an inexpensive option great for someone starting out. It comes in light draw weights, and there’s even a youth model that’s ideal for younger people getting into archery. If you think you’ll want to move up to heavier draw weights for hunting, though, you’ll have to spring for a different bow. The Razorback only goes up to 35 lbs of poundage.

PSE is the country’s largest archery equipment manufacturer, and you can see that expertise in the construction. The riser is strong and the wood and fiberglass limbs keep it accurate at its low draw-weight. However, note that the limbs are white, another reason this isn’t a first-choice hunting bow.

If you’re a beginner and want to introduce yourself to other archery equipment like sights and stabilizers, this bow also comes with the mounts for them.

What we liked:

• Low price
• Available youth model
• Reliable manufacturer
• Strong riser
• Tool-free takedown
• Sight and stabilizer mounts

What we didn’t:

• Low draw-weight range
• White limbs

Southwest Tigershark

This is another good starter bow due to its low price and large range of draw weights. It was designed by engineers who also worked on design the Samick Sage. It maintains those same great characteristics and quality in a sleek new look.

If you’re just getting started but plan to work your way up to hunting, this could be the recurve you’re looking for. The wood grip remains warm in winter, so you can firmly hold the riser and get an accurate shot. However, we do suggest that once you’ve got the technique down and move up to higher draw weights, you replace the included string with one of higher quality.

The takedown is easy, so the Tigershark is extremely portable. It’s easy to get to the range or out into the wilderness. It does require an Allen key to remove the limbs, though.

Overall, Southwest Archery makes great products that they proudly manufacturer and support in the USA. With the Tigershark you get a one-year limited warranty and easily accessible customer service.

What we liked:

• Large range of draw weights
• Creative design
• Thermostatic grip
• Easy takedown
• USA-based customer service
• One-year warranty

What we didn’t:

• Poor-quality string
• Allen key required

Warden (Cabelas)

If you’re a regular Cabela’s customer, you might feel more comfortable going to them for a bow as well. The Warden is one they’ve made to meet expert use with great value.

The draw-weight range is small, and starts at a draw weight of 40 lbs with 45 and 50 lbs also available. This does however center right around where you need it to hunt medium to large game. For the low price, the accuracy is top notch, similar to that of expensive models. Where it lacks is silence. It vibrates a lot when you shoot it.

Also good for hunting, the Warden has pre-drilled holes for accessories like sights, a quiver or a stabilizer.

The takedown requires an Allen key, but Cabela’s ships one along with the bow. Unfortunately, the limbs feature the model name in bright yellow. Some people don’t mind this, but to others it detracts from the traditional look of a recurve. Not to mention it might not serve hunting purposes.

What we liked:

• Low price range
• Accuracy
• Pre-drilled holes for accessories
• Easy takedown with provided hardware

What we didn’t:

• Small draw-weight range
• High vibration
• Yellow logo on limbs

Keshes Hunting Bow

The first thing we noticed is the draw-weight range. It dips down to a really low draw weight of 15 lbs that’s hard to find on other bows. This makes it not just a great option for beginners but good for children. The takedown is tool free, so a newbie should have no trouble assembling and disassembling it.

The draw-weight range is large, too. It goes up to 55 lbs. That enters the range of serious hunting power, but this bow is really more geared towards people starting out and learning to shoot accurately. Strangely, the bow weight is actually a little high for something otherwise ideal for kids.

Keshes even sells this bow with some accessories. You get a stringer tool and an eye sight. Plus, there are threaded brass bushings to install more accessories down the line.

Keeping with the beginner theme, it comes a great low price and has a 100% money-back guarantee.

What we liked:

• 15-lb draw weight available
• Tool-free takedown
• Comes with accessories
• Low price range
• 100% money-back guarantee

What we didn’t:

• Heavy bow weight
• 60-lb draw weight not available

TopArchery Traditional Recurve Bow – Best on a Budget

TopArchery means “traditional” when it comes to this bow. It features a minimalistic design that looks similar to a medieval longbow, albeit with recurves.

There’s no arrow rest or ergonomic grip, but that’s the style they’re going for. If you want a modern design, this bow isn’t for you. However, if you want to get down to the roots of archery for a good price, this could be the one.

Impressively, the draw weight ranges from 30-50 lbs despite the bow’s small size and light weight. Even though it’s a really basic bow, it’s good for target practice, serious archery, and even hunting.

The wooden riser has a faux leather grip that’s comfortable, and the limbs are made of flexible fiberglass. It’s a nice first bow and would make a great gift for someone considering getting into archery or wilderness survival.

What we liked:

• Traditional design
• Good draw-weight range for design
• Light weight
• Compact size
• Comfortable grip

What we didn’t:

• No arrow rest
• Limbs have potential to separate from riser

SAS Explorer – Best for Taller People

For starters, this bow is 66 in. It’s a good bow for taller people who usually have trouble finding budget options.

Its low price and simple tool-free takedown also make it good for beginners. Additionally, the four-pound incremented draw weights are on the low side. If you have a child who’s considering archery, a bow like this could teach them to shoot while outlasting their next growth spurt.

The bow doesn’t come in any draw weight above 34 lbs, though, so large men looking to hunt large game should probably look elsewhere. It’s adequate for hunting small game, but given the colored aluminum riser, it’s probably more suited to target practice.

Speaking of the riser, the aluminum keeps the bow light but durable. For the price you can expect this bow to last a while. And you can get the riser in red or blue to fit your particular tastes.

What we liked:

• 66-in AMO length
• Low price range
• Tool-free takedown
• Durable aluminum riser
• Comes in red or blue

What we didn’t:

• No left-hand option
• Low draw weights

SAS Spirit

Consider the SAS Spirit if you want a low cost straightforward option to get you used to shooting before moving on to fancier, more expensive recurves. The price is hard to beat, and the assembly and takedown are a breeze.

The riser has a classic wood finish made from three different Asian tree species: chuglam, gmelina arborea and beech. It’s pretty, it’s strong, and perhaps most importantly, it has a comfortable grip for a new archer.

The draw-weight range is really low but highly customizable in increments of two pounds from 18 to 36. Again, this is what you want for target practice, but it falls short of the force necessary to hunt big game.

Finally, you can buy with confidence thanks to a three-year warranty from SAS. That’s reassuring for a bow in the budget price range.

What we liked:

• Low price range
• Tool-free takedown
• Strong wooden riser
• Comfortable grip
• Comes in two-pound draw-weight increments
• Three-year warranty

What we didn’t:

• Low draw-weight range
• White limbs

SinoArt 68″ Recurve

If you’re on the taller side but don’t feel like forking over piles of cash for an expert bow, this may be your answer. It might even work for you if you’re over six feet tall.

Besides its length, this recurve also has a unique design. The all-wood riser is snazzy, and the limbs have been rounded for a sleeker look.

Keep in mind that even though it’s big, this is a starter bow. It has a large range of draw weights from 18 to 36, and you can get it in two-pound increments so you it’ll be just what you need to hone your skills. However, since it’s unavailable in any draw weight over 36 lbs, you can’t hunt medium to large game with it.

To further the bang for your buck, you get a bunch of accessories with the SinoArt 68. In addition to the bow, it comes with a bow stringer, an arm guard, a finger tab, a sight and an arrow rest. The holes are pre-drilled for these accessories, so it’s hassle free.

What we liked:

• 68-in AMO length
• Sleek look
• Available in two-pound draw-weight increments
• Comes with several accessories
• Tool-free takedown

What we didn’t:

• Low draw-weight range

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