Best Beginner Recurve Bow
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By James Holbert · Explained Archery
The best beginner recurve bow is a 62 to 68 inch takedown recurve with 20 to 30 lb limbs that you can swap for heavier ones later. For most adults that means a Samick Sage or Southwest Archery Spyder at 25 or 30 lb. Smaller adults and teenagers do better with a PSE Razorback at 20 to 25 lb. Skip anything sold as a kit with 45 lb limbs "for hunting"; nobody learns to shoot well on a bow they cannot hold steady.
Quick answer
Four things make a recurve a good first bow, in this order:
- Takedown design. Limbs unbolt from the riser, so you buy heavier limbs as you get stronger instead of a new bow.
- Light draw weight. 20 to 30 lb for adults, 15 to 20 lb for children. Form comes first; draw weight comes later.
- Length that fits your draw. 62 inches suits draws up to about 28 inches, 66 to 68 inches for longer draws. The recurve bow size chart has the full table.
- Standard parts. A bow that takes a normal string, rest, and stringer is easy to maintain and resell.
The picks below are judged on those four points, not on speed or looks. Every one has been the first bow for a large number of archers, which is why replacement limbs and strings for them are easy to find.
Which draw weight should a beginner recurve be?
Lighter than you think. A recurve has no let-off, so you hold the full weight at anchor on every shot. A 25 lb bow lets an adult shoot 60 to 100 arrows with good form; a 40 lb bow has most beginners shaking after twenty. The number on the limb is the weight at 28 inches of draw. If you draw 26 inches, subtract about 4 lb; if you draw 30, add about 4. Read the bow draw weight chart for the full table by body size and age, and measure your draw length before you order.
| Archer | Starting limbs | Move up to |
|---|---|---|
| Child 8 to 12 | 10 to 16 lb | 20 lb after a season |
| Teenager or small adult | 18 to 25 lb | 25 to 30 lb |
| Average adult | 25 to 30 lb | 35 lb for target, 40 to 45 lb for hunting |
| Strong adult with coaching | 30 to 35 lb | 40 to 45 lb |
Limbs are cheap next to a bow. Buy light, then step up 5 lb at a time.
The picks
These are ordered by who they suit, not by rank. Prices change, so none are quoted; the links go to the product on Amazon.
Best overall first recurve: Samick Sage
The Sage has been the standard beginner recurve since the late 2000s. It is a 62 inch takedown with a laminated wood riser, limbs from 25 to 60 lb, and a bushing for a plunger or stabilizer if you ever want them. The grip is on the chunky side, which most adult hands like. Buy it at 25 or 30 lb, and buy a stringer with it. The stock string is a basic Dacron; it works, but a better string is a cheap upgrade after a few months.
Best alternative: Southwest Archery Spyder
The Spyder uses the same limb pattern and length as the Sage with a slimmer riser and a smoother finish, and it often ships bundled with a stringer, rest and arm guard. It fits a smaller hand better. If the Sage and the Spyder are both available at similar prices, pick on grip size and color; the shooting experience is close to identical.
Best for smaller adults and teens: PSE Razorback
The Razorback is a 62 inch takedown that is lighter in the hand than the Sage, with limbs available in the 20 to 35 lb range. It is the right choice for anyone under about 165 cm, for teenagers, and for adults who want the lightest starting weight. It is not a bow you will still shoot in five years, but it is the bow most likely to get you through the first five months without bad habits.
If you want a one-piece traditional bow: Bear Grizzly
A one-piece recurve cannot change draw weight, so it only belongs on this list for someone who already knows they want a traditional hunting bow and can start at 35 lb or more. The Grizzly is 58 inches, built since the 1950s, and holds its value. Buy the Sage instead if there is any doubt.
| Bow | Length | Limb range | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Samick Sage | 62 in | 25 to 60 lb | Most adults, first bow | Basic stock string; buy a stringer |
| Southwest Spyder | 62 in | 20 to 60 lb | Smaller hands, bundle buyers | Check what the bundle includes |
| PSE Razorback | 62 in | 20 to 35 lb | Teens, smaller adults, lightest start | You will outgrow it |
| Bear Grizzly | 58 in | 30 to 60 lb | Committed traditional hunters | One-piece: no weight changes |
All four take a standard recurve string, rest and stringer.
What else you need on day one
A bow on its own is not a shooting setup. Budget for these before you spend extra on the bow:
- Bow stringer. Not optional. See how to string a recurve bow for why.
- Six to twelve arrows matched to your draw length and limb weight. Use the arrow spine calculator and the arrow length calculator; most beginner limbs pair with a 700 to 1000 spine at 28 to 30 inches.
- Finger tab and arm guard. Sore fingers and a bruised forearm are the two things that stop people practicing.
- A target and a backstop. Covered in best archery target and backstop.
- A place to shoot. A club or range for the first month is worth more than any accessory. If you plan to shoot at home, read whether it is legal in your yard first.
The full checklist is in the archery equipment list.
What to avoid
| Avoid | Why |
|---|---|
| Kits with 40 lb+ limbs sold as beginner hunting bows | Too heavy to learn on; form collapses and you develop a flinch |
| Very cheap fiberglass one-piece bows with no limb bolts | Cannot change draw weight, often no proper string groove, poor limbs |
| Bows sold without a marked draw weight or length | You cannot match arrows or a string to them |
| Ambidextrous grips on anything but a child's bow | Neither hand gets a proper grip; see how to hold a bow |
| Compound bows sold as 'easier' | Easier to hit with, harder to set up alone; compare in compound vs recurve |
Buying twice costs more than buying the right light bow once.
Left or right handed?
Bows are sold by the hand that holds them. A right-handed bow is held in the left hand and drawn with the right. Check eye dominance before you order: point at something with both eyes open, close each eye in turn, and the eye that keeps your finger on the object is dominant. Most people should shoot from their dominant eye side even if it is not their writing hand.
Related guides
Set the bow up properly before the first session.
Frequently asked questions
Short answers to the questions people ask most before buying.
What is the best recurve bow for a beginner?
A 62 inch takedown recurve at 25 to 30 lb, such as the Samick Sage or Southwest Archery Spyder. Smaller adults and teens should start with a PSE Razorback at 20 to 25 lb.
What draw weight should a beginner recurve be?
20 to 30 lb for adults and 10 to 20 lb for children, measured at 28 inches. You should be able to hold the bow at full draw for ten seconds without shaking.
Is a 62 inch recurve good for a beginner?
Yes for draw lengths up to about 28 inches, which covers most adults. Draws of 29 inches or more shoot more smoothly on a 66 or 68 inch bow.
Should a beginner buy a takedown recurve?
Yes. Takedown limbs let you increase draw weight for the price of limbs instead of a whole bow, and the bow packs into a small case.
Do I need a bow stringer for a recurve?
Yes. Stringing by hand twists limbs and puts the limb tip next to your face. A stringer costs a fraction of a replacement limb.
Is the Samick Sage still a good beginner bow?
Yes. It is not fancy, but it is a properly made 62 inch takedown with limbs from 25 to 60 lb, and replacement parts are everywhere.
References
These sources support the guidance on this page.