Trad Gang
Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: Capnrock on October 23, 2012, 09:15:00 AM
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Hello all. I am a newbie to traditional archery. I don't even own any traditional archery items at this time. I have however, read many of the posts on here. From eye dominance to which bow for a beginner to poundage. I will willing admit my ignorance to the traditional side of things. I will also admit that I am ready to move to the traditional side of things, recurves in particular. Yes, I am another one of those guys that shoot compounds, so thats where most of my knowledge lies.
A little about me. I shoot a 29" draw at aprox 67#. My wheelie offers 80% let off. So I am roughly holding 15# at full draw. I have come to realize that I should start with a 45#-50# recurve. I shoot RH, although my dominant eye is left. I am pretty sure I want to shoot recurves LH.
I have noticed alot of hype with the samick sage bow being reccomended to beginners, however, I have also noticed just about as much hype reguarding buying used from the classifieds. I have checked and haven't really noticed anything in the classifieds...have I just missed it?
I also agree with everyone who says start inexpensive because you'll buy another one. So yes I am looking for inexpensive now with the intent of later purchasing big/custom.
Can I get any advice from some of you veterans of the sport? Thanks
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Welcome !
Why not look for a good used Bear bow ? That is what we did when we started and we still have a few of them. Bear bows are a great value and proven quality over decades. If you look for a used Grizzly, "The original working man's bow", bet you could find one less than $100. Heck, some find them at yard sales for $20 or less !
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Howdy Capnrock! And welcome!!! The samich sage is a great beginner bow at a great price.
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I have considered Bear, even the Grizzly model, there is just not anywhere around here to get one, or find one that I am looking for. I just hate going to an "archery store" only to get looked at like I am crazy because they only sell wheelies.
LH seems harder to come by...
Thanks for the welcomes!!
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I forgot mention, the differences in a TD and a one piece I have noticed on the board is
1. Travel purposes
2. Upgrading limb poundage
So from a beginner stand point I think I am leaning towards a one piece as I dont see me traveling via airplane anytime soon. I also think that "this" first bow will be used mostly for practicing and some hunting locally. Am I wrong to assume the differences?
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Welcome ! With the desires you have listed in a bow your wanting ,just remember to take some time and keep asking . This is the sight to gain all the information and equipment you will need. Check for someone in your local area. Maxx
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Thanks Maxx, thats my intent as well. After reading many posts on this sight I figured this was the place!
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Welcome :campfire:
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Welcome aboard! The other difference in a takedown is that most of them are a little heavier (mass weight). Some people prefer that extra mass in their hand. Of course, some single piece recurves made with some of the heavier woods or resign impregnated wood laminate (like diamonwood) will also give you more mass weight. You are making a smart move going with a lighter draw. Starting out heavy will just frustrate you and you will likely learn bad habits as you compensate struggling with the draw weight. A last note - I think a lot of folks here would agree that the grip of the bow is often the most discriminating feature for them. It certainly is for me. It has to fit right. Try to get your hands on a number of different bows with different style grips to see which suits you best. As a start - try at least one each of a low, medium and high wrist grip. Once you sort that out, the variations of a particular grip are mostly feel (narrow or bulky or whatever).
I'll also endorse buying used from the classifieds here. I haven't had a bad deal yet on this site. The good thing is that you can generally recoup your money by reselling a bow if it doesn't work for you.
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Thank you Stinger, and 4dogs. I would rather buy used and get a better quality I think. However if I cant find it used....
There is just not many choices around me that I am aware of that I can tryout the grips. But what you say makes perfect sense to me.
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Welcome! :thumbsup:
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Welcome from Oklahoma! I would go with a used bow from the classifieds. I think any bear bow would be a good inexpensive start in a 45-50 pound weight.
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Cowboys fan...nice(was happy to see Sutton get that program turned around years ago) I agree with your statement, just cant seem to find a lefty that fits my needs
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Welcome, keep an eye on those bow classifieds, lots of great deals pop up all the time. Maybe put a "wanted" add up, I'll bet you get some great offers from people... :campfire:
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After re-reading Stingers post, is hand shock more apparent in recurves than wheelies? I am used to shooting 5+lbs of total weight in my bow?
Is weight in a recurve that much difference?
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Welcome, check out Leftiesrus.com and contact my buddy Barry "Buckster" Buckley, see what they have, or how they can help you. Good Luck
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Well I posted in the classifieds. Does anyone fell like I am missing anything with what I personally feel is my best option at this time?
PS: I called a "local" archery shop and was quoted $425 for a new Bear grizzly...did a quick box store check and its $339. The shop couldnt even get a lefty. Thats what I am up against here.
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Looks like you're getting some hits over there, maybe add "help please" to this title for even more opinions/offers...
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welcome :wavey:
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Thanks for the welcomes everyone. Lots of bows for sale in the ads, just not sure what I'm looking at or for, for that matter.
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Welcome, I,m not an expert but from my experience you may want to try a few. You might be suprised at what you shoot best. There were bows I wanted and bows I could shoot, after a little buying and trading found what I needed. One day I'll try a few more but doubtful I'll find one that I can shoot any better than my little old Crooked Stic, it just agrees with me as to were the arrow should go. Good luck finding the ones that agree with you!!!
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Welcome, sounds like you have a good handle on things starting out any of the bows mentioned above would be great, and I would also like to mention a Quinn Stallion. These are outstanding recurves not just for the beginner but for any one. Hard shooting,quiet, good solid bows. You can find them once in a while on the classifieds or buy a new one for around $275 I believe. I have one and so does a buddy and we love them. Just my 2 cents. Good Luck and enjoy.
Tom
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Welcome to tradgang,your questions are very common.Take a look at our website if I can help you with more questions let me know.
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You can often find lefty bows a lot cheaper than right hand bows due to lower demand. That said, I would try to shoot some left hand bows and some right hand ones if I were you. Instinctive shooting can be done with cross dominant eyesight. My daughter does it. You may have an occasional issue early on, but that can be minimal.
Changing from right to left can be done, but may not be necessary, especially since you have been shooting a compound that way.
I would say starting with 45# as a maximum would be wise. You will probably not draw 29" with a traditional bow either, by the way. Lighter is better until you get your form ironed out. Aside from the fact that being overbowed can cause form problems, heavier draw weights can also mask some form errors. Also a light bow will let you shoot more without fatigue.
I just bought a 40# bow for form work, and wow, can I tell a difference in my shooting already! Form errors are magnified with the light bow. I still make some, but my groups with both the lighter bow and my 50# hunting bow are shrinking rapidly.
There are a bunch of Tradgangers from MO who may be able to give you a hand too. You may want to start a thread to find some of them, though lots of them will probably be in the woods now.
Oh, and welcome aboard!
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Well, after some thought maybe I should just stick to RH shooting. Just thought I may as well give LH a try. Not many starter/beginner bows out there in the ads it seems anyways...
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Welcome from Kentucky!
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What do you look for in a used bow? How do I know what I am getting? I don't want to get taken. Honestly as of now I am looking at mamber#, and amount of posts. I know thats not perhaps the way to do it, but like I mentioned my knowledge is squat about recurves. I do understand that member# doesn't = experience. I am just unsure and need perhaps a well trusted member to guide me on this purchase that I can message and ask questions, maybe?
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Kentucky TJ....huge Wildcat fan here in MO....
Thanks for the welcome too!
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Good choice to start with a 45# bow. You may find no need to move up in poundage. My go-to bow is a 1969 Bear Super Kodiak 45#. My Black Widow is 46#. Don't forget to check out the on-line auction house. I've picked up two vintage Bears for around $200 each on the site. Just because it costs alot doesn't mean it's a good bow for you. I hunt with a bow that I payed $50 for in a pawn shop and have a $800 semi-custom bow that mostly hangs on the wall. Go figure.
Good Shooting
Ross
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If you are willing to help me pick out my first traditional, and get my feet wet and would rather message me that is fine as well. Thanks
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Randy, I see that nobody answered your question about hand shock. When I talked about mass weight what I was getting to was feel of the bow rather than hand shock. For me, a heavier riser is more stable in my hand, meaning I don't torque it as much on release as I do a lighter bow. Others would completely disagree. It's a personal preference. I have found hand shock to be more of an issue with limb design or limb timing than riser weight. I had a '66 Bear Kodiak that was the most evil shooting bow I've ever shot. I watched someone else shoot it one day and saw the limbs flying all over the place. No wonder it was a handful to shoot. I'm smart enough though to know that most Kodiaks don't shoot like that.
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Wish you were closer Capnrock. I've helped quite a few people with traditional archery thru the years. Four people I actually gave bows to after they showed continued interest. Should have seen the look on the one guys face when I told him to take that Sky Eagle takedown bow home with him. Dang, and I've still got too many bows. LOL
Ross
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Wow Ross, I wish I had your problem with too many bows...thought that would be like having to much money!!! lol. After typing that my wife reminded me of the five Mathews wheelies I have lying around, so I understand now.
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Welcome!
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Welcome, Please check out our custom made bows at our website!
We build recurve as well as longbows.
Thank you,