Newbie in need of advice on recurve

[XombieChow]

Hey guys...this is my first post and i'm looking forward to getting to know you all

I am re-new to archery with some experience with the compound bow in my early teenage years. Now I am very interested in learning a traditional recurve. Although I'm not exactly sure what to look for, what I've found are the one piece Bear recurves or Martins. However after researching them i haven't found anything over 60" in length. I calculated my draw length at 28.7" and from reading around it seems like I may need something longer. Any advice in that area?

Also any general advice or articles you could point me towards would be great...i'm new to archery but not new to forums so I understand some info has probably been posted before but i have searched for the info i'm looking for with no luck .

Ah and my main interest in getting into the traditional bow is for pure recreation/stress management

Thanks guys and gals. I'm looking forward to hearing from you all.

[Tropicalshot]

welcome to the forum and hope you enjoy what you learn,

i shoot olympic style recurve so i will leave the traditional stuff to those who know better

[cestria]

My understanding is that, Olympic style recurve target bows are generally longer that traditional style as there is no restrictions to the archer on the shooting line. Traditional bow are often used in the ‘field’ where obstacles are more frequent. The fact that you maybe using a ‘short’ bow with your draw length is not a problem if the bow is designed that way. I’ve seen big guys use Hungarian horse bows, which are very short.

[Desert Archer]

Originally Posted by XombieChow

...my main interest in getting into the traditional bow is for pure recreation/stress management

That still leaves open a number of choices. So called "traditional" recurve, barebow recurve and Olympic recurve.

For traditional (let's say wood riser) I would recommend a 64" to 66". Longer is most always smoother and more forgiving at the shot. Since you are talking about recreation the best shooting equipment will be more enjoyable. You are most likely to find this size in a take-down recurve.

If you want to try barebow or Olympic recurve shooting I would say a 68" recurve would suit your draw length. Most folks in the 28" to 29" draw range find a 68" recurve to be idea.

Good luck and welcome back to real archery! (smile)

Dave

[^HUN^]

Shooting for recreation and stress relief ... I'd suggest going one step further and truly traditional with a longbow or Asiatic reflex, they are endless fun.

[trooper]

Dear Xombie,
I have a bow which may be just the one you are looking for, it is a Samick progress 2 recurve, take down , in blue, 68" 38lb R/H, very little used.
The prise is £100.
If you are interested please send me an e. mail.
Colin.

[Raedwald]

Weclome XombiChow, and from a woodland near Norwich! Have a or three!

Sounds a familiar concept!

My draw is about 28.5" or thereabouts, so not dissimilar to yours. I shoot NFAS/EFAA, and, like many traditional archers, have no problems with bows of that length. Many archers find the same - with a good quality bow it's not an issue.

I used to shoot a Martin X200 - a cracking bow, 60", 35#@28" and very nice. Suited me perfectly. Still got it for when old age creeps in and I've got to lower the #age!!

After trying a few other things (including a 68" AFB - not for me) and working up the #age, I've just (like a week ago) acquired a very nice Bear Grizzly. 58", 50#@28" and very smooth - very, very smooth! Doesn't feel the poundage at all (so much so, we had to check it - it comes out about 52#)

My advice would be to get yourself to a good retailer that stocks a good selection and can offer you the correct advice and equally importantly let you shoot them. It can be expensive if it's the wrong bow - a new X200 or Grizzly will set you back over £200 and some of the others will be twice that or more. And if you've the opportunity beforehand, talk nicely to other trad-recurve archers in your club (you are a member of a club, aren't you? ), they'll like as not be happy to let you loose a few, just to get the feel.


Happy to try and answer any questions you might have!

[XombieChow]

Thank you guys so much for such quick and helpful responses.

Hun - Thanks I will check out the Asiatic reflex

Trooper - I'll keep you in mind

Tropical - Thanks for the welcome

Cestria - It's funny that you say "big guys" because i'm only 5'8" 175 lol...yes i guess i might have freakishly long arms...i'm not sure...i promise i calculated right.

Desert Archer - Thanks for the info...that's really helpful.

Raedwald - Thanks for your advice...i don't belong to a club at the moment...i live in the States and in an area of Texas that doesn't lend itself well to much of any kind of "culture" I'll have to take a look but I don't think there are any archery clubs outside the boyscouts around here lol

Thanks again guys!

[Raedwald]

Lol! Well, given we now know your location... Apologies for assuming you were this side of the pond!

Certainly the Grizzly is one of the "classic Bowhunting bows", so there might be a fair few of them around your location. You might even find you know someone who's got one!

[XombieChow]

Raedwald: Is that a 58"? How tall are you and would it be a good length to begin with?

[Desert Archer]

No offense intended toward Raedwald but no, a 58" bow is not a good choice to begin with. At the beginning of a traditional/classical/barebow archery journey you need to learn the basics of form. For that you need a bow that you won't be fighting just to get it to or keep it at full draw. Far too many folks start too heavy and, if they persist instead of quitting in disgust may end up learning to shoot, but will have picked up, then had to un-learn far too many bad habbits along the way.

No matter how strong you are, or physically fit, archery is more a matter of finesse than brut strength. The most experienced classical archer I know, Anthony Camara, has written a book called Shooting the Stickbow (available at: A Practical Approach to Classical Archery) and he always tells beginners, or someone like you who's shot before but new to the stickbow, buy lighter and longer than you think you can handle. 30-35 pounds at your draw length is more than enough, and for that draw I think you would be better off with a 66" bow than any of the hunting length models you've mentioned so far.

This is even if your ultimate goal is to bow hunt (since you're in Texas where it's legal). I would still recommend a light, long recurve to learn on. If as you say, your goal is just recreation and might lead to target, field or competition I would go one step further and suggest a 68" take down recurve. The advantage there is you buy low poundage limbs to learn on, then up grade to heavier and better limbs as you learn.

Again, hope this is of some help,
Dave

[Raedwald]

None taken DA, and I'm not going to disagree. Certainly on the poundage element.

I shot a 68" t/d recurve for getting on for a year before going to the X200 (I'm 5' 8" btw). Yes, I could have probably gone to it earlier but it wouldn't have been right to start out with, even for field (not just for a trad bow either, most of the compound archers I know would say the same).

As you shoot and develop, so the poundage you need will increase. A t/d recurve, where you can replace the limbs is a good option to start with. Most of these will be 68", some may be 66" and some are even of a "trad style".

Look at the Martin or the Bear as a long-term aim (if you'll excuse the pun!)

[XombieChow]

Can anyone point me in a direction of a bow that would meet that requirement?

[Desert Archer]

An entry level or intermediate 23" ILF (International Limb Fitting) riser from any of the major manufacturers would allow you to go from 64" (short limbs) to 68" (long limbs). Likewise, any of their entry level ILF limbs would get you started.

There is an enormous temptation to "get the good stuff" right away, but try to resist it. Virtually every one I've heard of ends up getting new/different stuff in the first couple of years. Sometimes several times. Even entry level limbs will shoot as well as you do or better. Save your money for when you know better what exactly it is you want...and want to do (in archery).

Dave

[XombieChow]

Thanks! You guys are the best.