Best Recurve Bows
Recurve bows are traditional bows common in sport shooting, where the archer relies on their aim and strength in drawing the bow. They’re made of recurve limbs where the tips of the bow bend back towards the target, a shape that stores energy in the bow and adds power to the arrow upon release.
What are recurve bows?
Recurve bows are made of recurve limbs that bend towards the target at the tips. The 3-shape of the bow allows it to store power at the tips, putting some extra speed and force behind the arrow. They’re the most popular bows for sport shooting, which is a type of shooting that relies on the archer’s strength rather than with pulley mechanisms aiding the draw.
History of Recurve Bows
A recurve bow is a traditional bow that has been around for centuries. They were first invented by the Mongols around 1000 B.C. when warriors looked to improve the traditional longbow. They found that recurve limbs could add speed while making the bow more portable for horseback travel. The design spread throughout Asia and eventually to Africa and Europe, becoming a preferred choice for warriors.
Advantages and Disadvantages
Recurve bows are great for archers who want the experience of a traditional bow reliant on their strength. They’re simple in design, easy to maintain, affordable, and lightweight. The recurve limbs allow it to store more strength than a longbow, putting more force and speed behind the arrow as it is shot. It does not have pulley mechanisms like a compound bow, which help reduce the draw weight or keep it at a steady level and amplify the strength of the shot.
Draw Length and Bow Size
The draw length measures how far an archer can pull back the bow, and the bow size is the length of the actual bow. Draw lengths can be anywhere from 14 to over 30 inches long, and bow size can be as small as 48 inches or as long as over 70. Recurve bows don’t have a fixed draw length like a compound bow, but the bow size should be matched to the archer’s draw length as determined by wingspan. A general rule of thumb is that the bow size should be roughly double an archer’s draw length, but most people find it best to be professionally fitted.
What are the best recurve bows?
- Obert Original Black Hunter Takedown Recurve Bow
- OEELINE Airobow Archery Recurve Bow
- Samick Sage Takedown Recurve Bow
- KESHES Takedown Hunting Recurve Bow and Arrow
- SinoArt Bamboo Takedown Recurve Bow
- TBOW 62” ILF Recurve Bow with Gordon Limbs
- Deerseeker 62" Takedown Recurve Bow
- SNOW MONSTER 60" Takedown Archery Recurve Bow
- Southland Archery Supply Premier Take Down Recurve Bow
- TopArchery Traditional Recurve Bow
1. Obert Original Black Hunter Takedown Recurve Bow
Specifications:
- Price: $109.99
- Rating: 4.5/5
- Brand: Obert
- Draw Length: 28in
- Draw Weight: 30-60lbs
The Obert Original Black Hunter Takedown Recurve Bow is an excellent option for any archer. The limbs are made of bamboo core, with a comfortable grip and good arrow rest on the uniquely stylized riser. The bamboo makes for a good balance of power, accuracy, and silence upon releasing the string. Due to the nature of the material, it may crack a bit after prolonged use, but the manufacturer is quick to fix and replace any parts needed.
2. OEELINE Airobow Archery Recurve Bow
Specifications:
- Price: $109.99-$119.99
- Rating: 4.6/5
- Brand: OEELINE
- Draw Weight: 25-55lbs
The OEELINE Airobow Recurve Bow is one of the most aesthetically striking bows on the market, with a unique, glossy black and white wood pattern on the riser. It has excellent accuracy, smooth draw, and a good range of draw weight to choose from for all archers. The limbs may feel a bit loose upon connecting it, but this looseness goes away once the string is on properly.
3. Samick Sage Takedown Recurve Bow
Specifications:
- Price: $149.99
- Rating: 4.7/5
- Brand: Samick
- Draw Length: 28in
- Draw Weight: 25-60lbs
The Samick Sage Recurve Bow is popular for good reasons. It is made of maple wood and simple black fiberglass limbs, which allows it to be lightweight and durable. It has an inclusive draw weight range of 25 to 60 pounds and comes with a full set of carbon fiber arrows.
4. KESHES Takedown Hunting Recurve Bow and Arrow
Specifications:
- Price: $109.99-$129.99
- Rating: 4.5/5
- Brand: KESHES
- Draw Length: 28in
- Draw Weight: 15-60lbs
The KESHES Takedown Hunting Recurve Bow comes with carbon fiber arrows and boasts good accuracy. It comes in sizes that suit both children and adults, making it a good option for a family archery session. The draw feels smooth and natural, making it ideal for archers at all skill levels. Some may find that the wooden riser wears down after a while and could start to crack.
5. SinoArt Bamboo Takedown Recurve Bow
Specifications:
- Price: $104.99-$119.99
- Rating: 4.7/5
- Brand: SinoArt
- Draw Length: 28in
- Draw Weight: 30-60lbs
The SinoArt Bamboo Takedown Recurve Bow is especially well-loved for its accuracy, as well as its elegant bamboo and black fiberglass design. This model has good power with up to 65 pounds of draw weight, and the string is quiet upon release. It’s especially good for hunting game, although it can be used for target practice as well. A version of the bow is available for both left and right-handed archers.
6. TBOW 62” ILF Recurve Bow with Gordon Limbs
Specifications:
- Price: $194.99
- Rating: 4.5/5
- Brand: TBOW
- Draw Weight: 30-60lbs
The TBOW 62” ILF Recurve Bow is a great choice for archers of all skill levels, as it is easy to put together and has customization options when it comes to the limbs. The limbs are not only lightweight, but also are resistant to bending and other forms of wear. While this bow is a bit pricier than others on this list, it is worth every penny due to its high-performance and durable construction.
7. Deerseeker 62" Takedown Recurve Bow
Specifications:
- Price: $109.90-$112.90
- Rating: 4.5/5
- Brand: Deerseeker Outdoor
- Draw Length: N/A
- Draw Weight: 30-60lbs
The Deerseeker Takedown Recurve Bow has a good balance of power and flexibility. The bow limbs are made with multiple layers of fiberglass and maple. It has a stylish design and shoots very smoothly, making it good for hunting as well as target practice. The bow features a draw weight of 30-60lbs depending on what size you purchase and comes in both left and right-handed orientations.
8. SNOW MONSTER 60" Takedown Archery Recurve Bow
Specifications:
- Price: $129
- Rating: 4.4/5
- Brand: Snow Monster
- Draw Length: 32in
- Draw Weight: 30-55lbs
Both beginners and advanced archers will be pleased with the Snow Monster Takedown Recurve Bow. It is lightweight with a max draw weight of 60 pounds, making it a great option for backyard target practice and hunting small game. The bow is intended for right-handed shooters. It is handmade and well-crafted with black fiberglass and carbonized bamboo limbs, designed to make the bow silent upon shooting. The bow riser is made of laminated wood that comes in gray-green, red and gray, or chestnut.
9. Southland Archery Supply Premier Take Down Recurve Bow
Specifications:
- Price: $139.99
- Rating: 4.6/5
- Brand: Southland Archery Supply
- Draw Length: N/A
- Draw Weight: 25-55lbs
With a simple setup and good reliability, the Southland Archery Supply Premier Take Down Recurve Bow is a great option for anyone getting started in archery. The bow itself is made of clean-looking fiberglass, with a bow riser of laminated maple. It can handle draw weights from 25-55 pounds, depending on the size ordered. This bow is available in both left and right-handed options and includes a bow stringer as well. Some archers do find it to be a bit noisy due to the plastic limb slots. It’s particularly popular with teens and young archers.
10. TopArchery Traditional Recurve Bow
Specifications:
- Price: $82.99 - $84.99
- Rating: 4.4/5
- Brand: TopArchery
- Draw Length: 28in
- Draw Weight: 30-50lbs
The TopArchery traditional recurve bow is a stylish option for anyone looking for something classic and elegant. The bow has a wooden design and tasteful embellishments on the leather accents. The tan and red bowstring is easy to get on. Some may find that it breaks down after prolonged use, and it does lack an arrow rest on the riser. It may not be the best option for anyone shooting over 50 arrows a day.
FAQ
What is a recurve bow?
A recurve bow is one of the main shapes of bows that are used in archery. Recurve bows are characterized by the tips of the bow, which “recurve” to be pointing in the direction of the target. Unlike compound bows that use pulley mechanisms, recurve bows rely purely on the archer’s strength to draw the string back. Recurve bows also store and release energy more efficiently than straight bows, making them a popular choice among archers.
Is a recurve bow good for beginners?
Yes, recurve bows are among the most beginner-friendly bows for those looking to get started in archery. They are affordable, accessible, and widely used, so it shouldn’t be difficult to find tips on how to shoot recurve bows. Recurve bows are available in various styles, lengths, and draw weights, which allows archers to adjust their preferences as they improve. Easy maintenance and durability are additional characteristics that make recurve bows attractive to beginner archers.
What is the difference between a recurve bow and compound bow?
While both recurve and compound bows have redeeming qualities, they have some distinct differences that provide benefits to archers. Compound bows feature pulley systems that help lessen the load of the draw weight, while recurve bows do not. Recurve bows instead rely on the archer's own strength to draw the string. Compound bows are often harder to maintain than recurve bows, as there are more moving parts to the equipment. When compared to compound bows, recurve bows are much more lightweight and easier to transport.