What would be a good competition recurve bow with which to start learning archery?

2 Responses to What would be a good competition recurve bow with which to start learning archery?

1. targetbutt says:

   November 27, 2002 at 6:50 am

   Well there are two schools of thought with this. Three if you count using range equipment, which is the best way to start. That is find a range and see if they will let you use their equipment. Some ranges in the US offer them for free. The reason for this is, if your ambition is to someday be in the Olympics, you have to be very careful with your poundage. Start with very low poundage and then increase it 2-4 pounds at a time over the course of many months. This is done to prevent you from developing any bad habits. As you can see, the cost of equipment will go up dramatically as you’re forced to go through at least 4 sets of limbs as you do the poundage climb. Go to, if you’re in the US and find an archery range near you. Specially when you are so new to the sport, you’ll need guidance. Very few people can be a successful competitor in this sport without some guidance in the beginning.

   Now, if you do decide to purchase your own equipment. There are two schools of thoughts. Buy something cheap to start with, like a wooden Bullseye bow. Use that to do your poundage climbing, then move on to a competition level bow.

   The other one, and this is the one I recommend. Is to get a good riser, this is the middle part of the bow. The riser is something that you will never need to replace. So get the one that you like the most. Then get a pair of cheap crappy limbs to start with.

   Hoyt, is getting back into the business of beginner equipment starting in 2009. If you’re looking for a good bow, I suggest waiting until then. I’ve seen some of their new bows for next year, and they look spectacular, but I haven’t seen the price points yet. Some other mid level risers out there are Win & Win Winact, Samick Athlete, Hoyt Eclipse, these usually go for about $200-$350 for the riser. Then there are the beginner risers like Samick Myzar, Samick Agulla(not to be confused with the Agulla Ultra), KAP T-Rex (KAP is a division of Win & Win), KAP Winstar II, look to spend about $150-$200 on these risers.

   Other stuff you need to shoot Olympic style archery
   - Sight
   - Arrow rest
   - Plunger
   - Finger tab
   - Arm guard
   - Arrows

   For arrows, I suggest going with some Easton Platinum Plus, at $50 per dozen they’re very good arrows. Michele Frangili actually held the indoor world record for a very long time with these arrows, until he broke his own record with ACE’s.

   For sights, most beginners buy Cartel sights, because they’re cheap. Problem with the Cartel is, after about 2 months you’ll throw them away in disgust because they will rattle apart everytime you use them and buy something else. Sights do get expensive, the good ones like the Shibuya or Sure Loc will cost at least $150.

   My advice is to find a range, get some coaching and find out if this is what you want to get into. It’s a very addicting sport, specially once you start competing. If you have any further questions you’re welcome to email me.

   EDIT
   You can’t use a compound bow at the Olympics.
2. bigbucks27 says:

   November 28, 2002 at 4:11 pm

   get a compound faster better cooler….recurve:limb to face….