So you’ve tried archery and you’re ready to take the next step – buying your first bow. A beginner recurve bow is a great choice when you’re just getting started. However, it can be a little overwhelming to know which bow is right for you. Since your bow choice influences your style of shooting, as well as your shooting technique, keep in mind that you must choose the best recurve bow that fits you.

To make an informed purchase decision you first need to understand everything there is to know about buying a beginner recurve bow. After reading the information below you will understand what it takes to make a well-informed purchase.

What Is A Recurve Bow?

Recurve bows consist of a riser and two limbs that curve forward at the tips, towards the target. This bow type offers a great deal of power due to its design, allowing it to deliver energy more efficiently when compared to a longbow. Recurves are lightweight, easy to maintain, easy to carry, and made using fiberglass, aluminum, and/or traditional wood.

Why Shoot A Recurve Bow?

As a beginner, recurve bows are easy to simply pick up and shoot. There’s less equipment, less technical details, and most people are generally familiar enough to quickly get started. Beginner recurve bows are also great to use while perfecting your form and technique. Recurve bows that are smooth and easy to draw allow the archer space to refine their skills and increase draw weight as they progress.

However, the fact that they are easy to shoot does not mean they’re easy to shoot accurately. It’s actually quite challenging to shoot a recurve with consistent accuracy unless you put in many hours of dedicated practice.

Reasons To Shoot A Recurve Bow:

• Affordable Options
• Easy To Get Started
• Easy To Maintain
• Convenient Store
• Easy To Transport
• Lightweight
• Great Power
• Great Speed
• Very Accurate
• Change Draw Weight (With ILF Limbs)

Bow Specs To Understand

Before you purchase a new bow, you need to understand and determine a few things to ensure you make the right choice. Below, you’ll find a number of specs you’ll want to pay attention to so you’re making an informed purchase decision.

Handedness

Your drawing hand is what determines whether you will need a left or right-handed bow. Remember, if you are a right-handed shooter, you are going to hold the bow with your left hand (vice versa for a left handed shooter). Check the packaging to find out if any recurves you are interested in are for right-handed or left-handed archers. You can also check the placement of the arrow rest. If it is on the left side of the riser, then it is a right-handed bow. If you’re not sure which hand you want to pull with, we have an article covering hand-eye dominance and what might work best for you.

Draw Length

Your draw length plays an important role as it’s used to determine your bow length and arrow length. Draw length refers to the number of inches you need to effectively pull your bow to a full draw, from the apex of the string to the throat of the grip. Recurve bows are not designed with a preset draw length. You do not want to purchase a bow that is too small or too large, you must choose a bow length that will support your draw length so you can shoot accurately.

If your draw length is too long, you will over-extend your bow arm and likely experience string slap. If it’s too short, you won’t be using the correct muscles to hold and fire your bow properly. Your draw length directly affects accuracy, so be sure to be as precise as possible when measuring to get your personal draw length number.

There are a few different methods for calculating draw length. The Arm Span method is a popular method and when done correctly, will provide you with an accurate draw length number. Here’s a quick description, but be sure to check out our article on how to measure draw length for full details.

Arm Span Divided by 2.5: Stand up straight until it feels natural and then expand your arms out to your sides as far as you can with your palms facing forward. Measure the distance between the tips of your middle fingers (asking for help makes this easier). Take this arm span measurement in inches and divide it by 2.5 to determine your draw length. Use a calculator to ensure your numbers are indeed correct.

Bow Length

Now that you have determined your draw length, you can determine what length bow will fit you best. The longer your draw length, the longer the bow. The short your draw length, the shorter the bow. To help you determine which bow length is best for you, here’s a chart to help you get started.

DRAW LENGTH (inches)	BOW SIZE (inches)
14 – 17	48
17 – 19	54
19 – 21	58
21 – 23	60 – 62
24 – 27	64 – 66
27 – 29	66 – 68
29 – 31	68 – 70
31+	70 – 72

Draw Weight

A bow’s draw weight (also known as “poundage”) is a measurement used to determine how much force is required to pull the bow back. Draw weight for recurves increases incrementally as they are pulled, with poundage measured at a standard 28”. For example, say you have a 40 pound recurve bow. This means the draw weight will be 40 pounds when pulled back to 28 inches. If you pull it back a few inches shorter, the draw weight will be less. Pull it back further and the draw weight will be more than 40 pounds.

To measure your draw weight, you will need a bow scale. When deciding on your draw weight, it’s difficult to specify because it’s based on personal ability and preference. Starting with low poundage is recommended because high poundage can lead to frustration, fatigue, bad form, and injury among others.

Age, size, and gender will affect draw weight ability. The chart below can help you get a better idea of what you can expect to pull. But again, start on the lighter side until you are comfortable.

ARCHER’S SIZE	DRAW WEIGHT
Small Children	10 – 15 lbs.
Large Children	15 – 25 lbs.
Female & Youth	20 – 35 lbs.
Male	35 – 45 lbs.
Large Frame Male	45 – 60 lbs.

Best Beginner Recurve Bows

It’s always a good idea to compare when you are getting ready to purchase your first recurve bow. It’s best to try bows out before you buy them, but sometimes that’s not a possibility. That’s why we’ve made a few suggestions to help you find quality equipment.

Now, ask yourself – What are my shooting goals? How often will I shoot? What features are most important to me? Are power and accuracy a goal? Will I be participating in target archery, traditional archery, field archery, 3D archery, and/or hunting? Depending on your preferred archery discipline will help you choose the right recurve bow for you.

Best Youth Recurve Bows

1. PSE Archery Razorback Recurve Bow for Youth – 62″ – 30 lb.

Description: You cannot go wrong when choosing this best beginner recurve bow! The PSE® Archery Razorback is a great way to introduce younger archers to the joys of using a traditional recurve bow. Available in two lengths – the Razorback at 62″, the Junior at 54″, with draw weights to match.

• Excellent Introductory Recurve Bows For Youth
• Two Lengths With Draw Weights To Match
• Razorback Recommended Brace Height: 7-1/2″ to 8″
• Razorback Junior Recommended Brace Height: 6-1/2″ to 7″

Draw Weight: 30 lbs.
Hand: Right Hand
Brace Height: 8”
Weight: 3 lbs.
Axle-To-Axle Length: 62”

2. Vista Monarch 54” Recurve Bow

Description: The Vista Monarch is a perfect beginner recurve! Built with traditional style and materials, the hardwood riser has a comfortable grip design that makes practice easy, and the wood core/fiberglass limbs have reinforced limb tips. Complete with arrow rest installed—ready to shoot!

• Comfort Grip Design
• Hard Wood Riser
• Wood Core/Fiberglass Limbs
• Reinforced Limb Tips
• Arrow Rest Installed

Draw Weight: 20 lbs. and 25 lbs.
Hand: Right Hand

3. Bear Archery Bullseye X Recurve Bow Package for Youth

Description: The Bear Archery® Bullseye X Recurve Bow Package for Youth delivers quality performance that fits in the palm of their hand! The take-down design is perfect for more experienced archers and allows for compact transport and storage. This attractive recurve bow is made from sturdy, lightweight. multi-laminate materials. Includes an arrow rest and string nock. Recommended for ages 12 and up.

• Take-Down Design For Compact Storage
• Durable, Lightweight Multi-Laminate Construction
• Comes With An arrow Rest And String Nock
• Best Beginner Recurve Bow for 2022!

Draw Weight: 15 lbs. and 26 lbs.
Hand: Right Hand Only
Brace Height: 8”
Weight: 2 lbs.
Axle-To-Axle Length: 48”

Best Adult Recurve Bows

1. PSE Archery Nighthawk Recurve Bow

Description: Enjoy the fun and feel of a more traditional take on archery with the PSE Archery Nighthawk Recurve Bow! Crafted from hand-selected wood, this take-down recurve provides modern shooting performance along with a classic feel. Threaded for a cushion plunger, this bow also comes equipped with a stabilizer bushing for easy installation.

• Classic Recurve Design For Traditional Fun And Feel
• Riser And Limbs Constructed Of Hand-Selected Woods
• Take-Down Design
• Threaded For A Cushion Plunger
• Stabilizer Bushing

Draw Weight: 35 lbs. 40 lbs. 45 lbs. 50 lbs.
Hand: Right Hand
Brace Height: 7-1/4” – 7-1/2”
Weight: 2.5 lbs.
Axle-To-Axle Length: 62”

2. Topoint Archery Endeavor

Description: The Topoint Archery Endeavor recurve bow for adult youth teens is ideal for athletic competition! Rated as a best beginner recurve bow, this recurve is a very popular choice for new archers.

• ILF Pocket Fitting Makes It Easy To Put Together Or Take Apart Riser And Limbs. Change Out Limbs To Decrease Or Increase Weight.
• Riser Length 25 inches
• International Fitting
• Comfortable Plastic With Wooden Camo Grip
• Magnesium Alloy Painted Riser
• Strong Fiberglass Maple Laminate Bow Limbs

Draw Weight: 16 lbs to 44 lbs.
Hand: Right Hand
Brace Height: 8”
Weight: 2 lbs.
Axle-To-Axle Length: 66” 68” 70”

3. Samik Sage Takedown Recurve Bow

Description: This Samick Sage Takedown Recurve Bow was specifically designed to be an affordable, versatile bow choice for beginner and intermediate archers. A great first recurve bow that supports the ability for new archers to hone their archery skills!

• Made With Highly Durable Hard Maple Limbs With Fiberglass Lamination On Both Sides
• Supreme Versatility Thanks To The Interchangeable Limbs
• User-Friendly, Cleanly Designed Limb Bolts For Quick Changing Of Limbs
• Sturdy Riser Construction That Can Accommodate Multiple Bow Weights, Limb Weights
• Ergonomically Designed Grip With Crowned Arrow Shelf
• 14 Strands Dacron Recurve String
• Pre-installed Brass Bushings For Various Attachments And Upgrades

Draw Weight: 25 lbs. to 60 lbs.
Hand: Right Hand and Left Hand
Axle-To-Axle Length: 62”

4. Fred Bear Grizzly Recurve Bow

Description: Fred Bear® recurve bows are finished in satin gloss for all-weather, all-terrain protection!

• Cut-Past-Center Shelf With Bearhair™ Rest; Dacron® String
• Laminated Construction
• Durable Weather And Scratch-Resistant
• Generous Shelf With Bearhair™ Arrow Rest
• Best Beginner Recurve Bow for 2022!

Draw Weight: 45 lbs. and 50 lbs.
Hand: Right Hand
Brace Height: 8 ½“
Weight: 2.7 lbs.
Axle-To-Axle Length: 58”

5. Bear Archery Super Grizzly Recurve Bows

Description: A treasured Bear® recurve bow from the past is back! The Bear Archery Super Grizzly Recurve Bow is an excellent choice!

• Black DymondWood® riser features a red accent stripe
• Limbs are backed, faced with black fiberglass
• Crowned, cut past-center with Bear Hair rest and leather side plate
• Dynaflight 97 Flemish Twist string

Draw Weight: 50 lbs.
Hand: Right Hand
Axle-To-Axle Length: 58”

When it comes to the best beginner recurve bow, it is up to you to decide!

Conclusion

A recurve bow is a classic bow choice. That is why recurves are a common first bow choice for new archers who are looking for that traditional archery experience. Understanding your bow specs allows you to make the right choice. Plan on spending what you’re comfortable with up to a few hundred dollars. You can always upgrade at a later date once you have fully mastered your first recurve. Now, get out there, practice, and improve your skills as an archer!