What bow ?

[NeilM]

I am a field archer and mainly shoot compound, but it is nice to have something different to shoot from time to time.

Last year I bought a Border Bows Falcon AFB, but I don't really get on to well with it (me, not the bow) and so I am thinking of changing it for a recurve of some sort. I draw 30 to 31 inches (hence the AFB) and so I am looking for suggestions for bows.

I must add, I know almost NOTHING about recurves. OK I know the difference between a take down and a one piece, but not much else.

[robtattoo]

Best advice I can give you; Stay away from anything with 'Samick' written on it. They stack like mad at anything over 28". The Martin Dreamcatcher or Mamba is a belter of a bow (Mamba is a little cheaper, but esentially the same bow)
A lot depends on the draw weight you're looking for & price you're prepared to pay!

[provins]

Hi Neil
What Robs suggested is dead right but you haven't mentioned whether your shooting sighted or unsighted styles.
Have a look on the www.nfas.net sight under the secondhand bits as you might pick up something there for a reasonable price.
A couple of days ago there was a nice Fread Bear Kodiak for sale on here ............
but I bought it.

[Raedwald]

Well if the Mamba and Dreamcatcher are anything like my X200 (drawn to 28"), then they'll be good bows.

Definitely avoid the Samick ones, and be careful of "shops own brand" which might well be re-badged Samicks.......

[NeilM]

Thanks for the advise on Samick. I am aiming a bit higher up the price scale than that. I have not decided if I am going to use sights or not. Is it OK to put a five pin sight on a recurve ?

Provins, I saw that Kodiak and said I would have it, but your phone call beat my PM, I hope you do well with it.

I am a NFAS member, but without the kind of advice you guys have offered, I was not sure what to look for or what I was looking at. ( Oh, I know Black Widow and Border Bows are very good).

I like Martin bows, I have used their compounds for years and I rather like the look of the Dreamcatcher.

Thanks for your help, any more comments / suggestions are welcomed.

[Windknot]

Hi Neil,

I can recommend two Chek-Mate bows- the King's Pawn, which is basically a 64" version of the Falcon, and the Sabre which you can get in lengths of up to 68". Both will handle a 31" draw length just fine. And you can order them with sight, button and stabilizer bushings if you want.

I mostly shoot (at Thornbury) on Sundays, and I usually shoot one of my Falcons if you'd like to try it.

You'll find more info on Chek-Mate bows at www.recurves.com -I've dealt with Chad Weaver quite a few times now, and he's great to do business with.

Jakes

[NeilM]

Hey Windknot, I will be at Thornbury this Sunday, and would like to have a look at the bows. I have had a look at the web site and the bows look very nice.

BTW, did you shoot at the 3D event last week ? I was shooting a bow Saturday and a camera Sunday

[JohnK]

I've drawn a 64in Border Reiver past 31" and it was the sweetest wooden bow I've ever shot. No finger pinch either. I have a 58" one-piece Samick recurve which stacks at about 29-30". My wife's 50" Samick recurve can be drawn to 32" without stacking.

Centreshot in Malvern are a Martin dealer and I think have one or two Martin trad recurves in at present. The owners are friends of mine, and I help out there occasionally.

[NeilM]

What are Centreshot's opening hours ? I have had a look at the web site and it seems to indicate Thursday and Friday afternoon and Saturday's only. I wouldn't mind having a look at the Martin's, in the flesh / wood.

[Macbow]

I have only owned one Martin bow - the Vision hybrid longbow - supposedly a great bow according to their website but I thought it was a total clunker. Best trad recurve I ever owned was a Border Black Douglas which had very fast yet sweet drawing limbs and a super stable riser. If I was going to buy another recurve for field archery, barebow or with sights, it would have a metal riser and would accept ILF limbs - if Olympic archers are using them they're good enough for me. I recently tried the Hoyt Gamemaster and loved it (relatively cheap, smooth and fast) but not enough to tempt me away from my AFBs and possibly too short for you with the standard limbs. If you're looking for a change because you don't like the Falcon it is also worth checking out the Blackbrook Zeta as it has much more mass in the riser, wider limbs and a locator grip yet it's still IFAA legal for longbow. I have a lovely Border Griffon but I just don't have the finesse to shoot it well. If you want to stick with more trad looks Bowtec do some superb bows for the money - there's a link on my homepage. One thing when dealing with a British bowyer is better communication, a true custom fit and craftsmen who stand behind their product if there is a problem. Might cost a few quid more but worth it for high quality and peace of mind. Just my tuppence worth.