Traditional archery brings with it a natural appeal, offering those that participate in the sport the opportunity to connect in the most primitive of ways with the game they pursue. This instinctive draw toward traditional archery has led many on a quest to seek out the best takedown bow available, to get started in their endeavors.
According to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, 41 percent of the U.S. population participated in wildlife-related recreational activities (11.5 million hunters)
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
At a Glance: Here are our Top Recommended Recurve Bows
If you are currently considering the prospect of joining the ranks of traditional archers, be sure to check out the best recurve bow in 2024, the Bear Grizzly Recurve Bow, as well as any of the other fine bows on this list.
Top-Tier Recurve Bows
Bear Quality Grizzly- Best Overall
Bear Archery is a name that is synonymous with recurve bow perfection. Founder, Fred Bear, is often cited as being one of the greatest bowhunters to have ever lived, and he took the production of the bows that carried his name every bit as serious.
The Bear Grizzly Recurve Bow combines both style and functionality to render a shooting experience like none other. It´s in our opinion the best recurve bow for hunting too.
This bow comes as a proven design that has remained unchanged since its last revision in 1964 and has been used by thousands of hunters worldwide.
Much of the Bear Grizzly Recurve Bow’s extensive popularity can be attributed to its quality construction.
Specs:
- Bow Length: 62”
- Bow Weight: 2 pounds
Features:
- Futurewood riser composition for durability
- Weather-resistant
- Shoots smoothly, accurately, and silently
This bow features Bear Archery’s Futurewood riser composition, which is known for its superior durability and weather resistance, as well as fiberglass over maple wood limbs, and a Dacron Flemish twist bowstring. This is truly a good recurve bow!
Southwest Archery Spyder- Best Value At Intermediate Range
If you are looking for a recurve bow that offers exceptional quality at an excellent value, then the Southwest Archery Spyder Takedown Recurve Bow is a wonderful place to begin your search.
Southwest Archery is quickly gaining a reputation for offering high-end traditional archery equipment at a fraction of the cost of many market competitors.
Most archers will be hard-pressed to find a bow that offers such a full list of amenities, at such a reasonable cost.
The Spyder Takedown Recurve Bow comes in 20-60 pound limb offerings and can be purchased in both right and left-handed configurations.
Specs:
- Bow Length: 62”
- Bow Weight: 2.3 pounds
Features:
- Very smooth draw
- Can be used for hunting and bowfishing
- 1-year warranty
This bow also comes with all threaded bushings preinstalled, making the use of additional accessories such as stabilizers, sights, and rests a breeze.
The Spyder Takedown Recurve also comes backed by a 1-year manufacturer’s warranty.
Samick Sage- Best Beginner Recurve Bow Option
The Samick Sage Recurve Bow has long been known as “The” starter bow for those that are new to traditional archery.
With a price point that is well within reason for the average archer and a quality fit and finish that is capable of meeting the needs of even the most discerning archers, this is truly a bow for the masses.
The limbs featured on the Samick Sage are quite hearty, as they are constructed from a dual-layer design that combines maple and black fiberglass for enhanced durability.
This durability is further bolstered by the bow’s use of metal limb pockets.
Specs:
- Bow Length: 62”
- Bow Weight: 3.4 pounds
Features:
- “Take Down” design, offers superior portability
- Great for beginners
- Very Durable limbs
Another useful feature of the Samick Sage recurve takedown bow is that individual poundage limb sets are available for purchase at a later date.
This offers any archer the opportunity to slowly work up to higher draw weights at a gradual pace, while also maintaining proper form.
Southwest Archery Tigershark- Best Take-Down Recurve Bow
The Tigershark is yet another noteworthy recurve bow produced and marketed by Southwest Archery.
Like the Spyder, also reviewed on this list, the Tigershark combines a high level of functionality with striking and respectable looks, all at a fraction of the price that most intermediate bows on today’s market are offered at.
The Tigershark is considered to be a third-generation redevelopment of the highly popular Samick Sage recurve platform, improving upon the Sage’s fit, finish, and overall appearance, while retaining the bow’s highly touted level of performance.
Many of the engineers that were involved in the Samick Sage’s design, were also involved in the development of the Tigershark.
Specs:
- Bow Length: 62”
- Bow Weight: 3 pounds
Features:
- Available in right and left-handed
- High-quality construction
- “Take Down” design for ease of portability
Additional design features found on the Tigershark include reinforced limb tips and flush mount limb bolts.
The Tigershark is also fully outfitted with threaded bushings for easy installation of sights, arrow rests, stabilizers, or other accessories.
Southland Archery Supply SAS Explorer- Most Durable Recurve Bow
If you are searching for a target archery recurve bow that will provide hours of backyard fun for the entire family, look no further than the SAS Explorer.
This recurve bow also combines lightweight physical characteristics with rugged durability to stake its claim as one of the toughest bows on our list. This is due, in part, to the bow’s ultra-tough cast aluminum riser.
The SAS Explorer maintains its ties to traditional recurve technology, with its use of hearty maple wood limbs, reinforced with fiberglass.
These limbs are hearty enough to put up with regular, high volume shooting, as they are resistant to cracking, splintering, and weathering.
Specs:
- Bow Length: 66”
- Bow Weight: 2.4 pounds
Features:
- Durable aluminum riser
- Available in multiple colors
- Lightweight and easy to handle
This bow can also be purchased in several different color configurations as well. To be precise, three different riser color schemes are available, such options including blue polished aluminum, red polished aluminum, and G1 camo. It´s a good target shooting bow, and bow for hunting alike!
Southland Archery Supply SAS Spirit- Best Bow For Tall Archers
The SAS Spirit is another fine example of the fact that you do not have to spend a substantial sum of money to purchase a bow that is capable of satisfying your needs.
This bow is priced conservatively, yet performs as one would hope. While the SAS Spirit might not feature the “bells and whistles” of other premium bows, it is certainly capable of satisfactory performance.
This bow features a certain level of eye appeal as well. The riser is made of chudlam, gmelina arborea, and beech wood, while the limbs are made from maple laminations and fiberglass.
These factors combine to make a bow that is quite aesthetically pleasing.
Specs:used for hunting and bowfishing
- Bow Length: 66”
- Bow Weight: 3 pounds
Features:
- Available right and left-handed
- Versatile for target or hunting use
- Durable and lightweight fiberglass
The SAS Spirit will also likely make a suitable choice for anyone who is of a taller build. This is because the bow’s longer than average 66-inch length makes it ideal for those that require an above-average draw length.
You find our article about top-notch takedown recurve bows.
Which Recurve Bow Is The Best?
After comparing all of the recurve bows on this list, I feel that the Bear Grizzly is the top-notch recurve bow on the market today, with the Southwest Tigershark coming in as a not so distant runner up.
The Bear Grizzly is a time-honored design of over 50 years, offers a seamless finish that is second to none and is known for its unsurpassed shootability. It´s also one of the best recurve bow for hunting.
When combined, these factors equate to a recurve bow that any traditional archer (read.. recommended vintage recurve bows) would be proud to call their own (read.. top-notch bowfishing kits)
If you are interested to read more about the best recurve bow brands click here. More about the best target shooting bows here.
