Cheaper bows

[Longtoke]

I have one cheap bow that I really love. I shoot it all the time along with my toelke and big Jim and do t really prefer any one over the other. It's a mandarin drake or galaxy black hunter. I have the boo longbow limbs.

You would be amazed it only cost 130 bucks but shoots like. 700 dollar rig.

[Ark.Buck]

I've been wanting to try a r/d longbow, and this thread pops up, I can now see a galaxy ember in my future. will the galaxy ember handle fast flight strings? buck

[David McLendon]

Galaxy Ember does do Fast Flite, I'm shooting an 8 strand on my 55#.

[Roadkill]

The bow that “fits” you is key.  We all know we have our go-to bows, the ones that make it fun.  You can pay a lot and not be happy

[Hoosierarcher88]

In going to tinker with some warfs or sage limb swaps and see if that may help get a few of the guys switched over. One already has a 52" old browning recurve that i straightened the top limb last year. He got a nice little buck with it but the bow is only 40# and he is 6'2" so that little bow isnt very enjoyable for him to shoot.

[Red Beastmaster]

Gallaxy Ember, Big Rock Black Hunter- same bow.

 If you are interested in one check with Twig archery. Their Black Hunter longbow comes with bamboo limbs, FF string, nock pt. silencers, rug rest all installed ready to shoot. When I got mine it even included a bow stringer. Twigs bows are all weighed so you are getting the draw wt you ask for. All for $200. Check Johns YouTube videos.

They shoot rediculously well!

[M60gunner]

I shoot with a guy that has one of those cheaper bows. It shoots as well as any, looks good as well. One lady we know got one out of Singapore in three days, less time than from suppliers here in USA. I personally don’t want to purchase any but I wonder how our companies can compete in the long run?

[LBR]

I don't think these bows hurt U.S. bowyers in the long run...actually they probably help.  Most won't or can't risk $500+ just to see if they like a sport.  The cheap bows get them hooked, then they start saving up for something nicer, better name brand, etc.  Meanwhile they are still spending money on U.S. dealers for the bows, U.S. made arrows, fletching, gloves, tabs, quivers, etc. etc. etc.

[Hoosierarcher88]

I don't think these bows hurt U.S. bowyers in the long run...actually they probably help.  Most won't or can't risk $500+ just to see if they like a sport.  The cheap bows get them hooked, then they start saving up for something nicer, better name brand, etc.  Meanwhile they are still spending money on U.S. dealers for the bows, U.S. made arrows, fletching, gloves, tabs, quivers, etc. etc. etc.

thats exactly my point. Most people dont want to spend even 300 on a bow to see if they like it but they can spend 300 on a bow, tab, arrows,quiver and target and have all brand new equipment by choosing one of the cheaper bows. A guy can get a sage, fleetwood or af and get all the fixins to start shooting for less than $300. If they like it then they usually buy something mid range in the 350-500 dollar range. As they progress and find what style bow they like they usually end up ordering customs and higher end bows. Short tern yes they are buying foreign but eventually that itch hits them and they get hooked

[M60gunner]

OK, I see your point. Residual sales are important to business. I seem to forget being young, raising a family, and being broke and wanting new bow and those fancy aluminum arrows.

[Hoosierarcher88]

Most of the guys are like me. Young, good job so wife can stay home with the kids, a couple kids and vehicles that are money pits lol

[David McLendon]

The bow that “fits” you is key.  We all know we have our go-to bows, the ones that make it fun.  You can pay a lot and not be happy

Hmmm, I'm pretty danged happy when I reach down and pick up a Shafer RC or LB and my $200 whim buy LB is definitely not going to replace them.
 However it is remarkable how well it shoots and I wouldn't hesitate to take it hunting, I don't think it'll ever be my
 A-line bow on a major trip but I can see it taking a lot of local freezer meat on a fairly regular basis. For somebody looking for a quality bow at a really good price to get into the sport or make a change from cams & cables it would be tough to beat and then move on up from there as you find your direction.

[ty_in_ND]

I don't think these bows hurt U.S. bowyers in the long run...actually they probably help.  Most won't or can't risk $500+ just to see if they like a sport.  The cheap bows get them hooked, then they start saving up for something nicer, better name brand, etc.  Meanwhile they are still spending money on U.S. dealers for the bows, U.S. made arrows, fletching, gloves, tabs, quivers, etc. etc. etc.

This is what I did. My 1st bow was a $150 takedown recurve I bought from Cabelas that was make in Korea (Fleetwood Spartan). After a couple years of practice shooting with that bow, which was perfectly functional, I decided I wanted something a touch nicer to take the tradbow hunting plunge with. I had a Kota Kill-Um made for me and I haven't looked back. So, not only buying American-made, but from a bowyer who lives a couple hours from me.

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[Lakerat007]

I got a 60# big rock blackhunter hybrid that I couldn't be happier with. Well made and sweet shooter.

[Hoosierarcher88]

Well i spoke with a good friend of mine who was asking about what recurve to get. He had a few he was looking at but i had to steer him away from then as john is 6'11". I have several older compound risers laying around so im going to try to take one of the longer ones that will require i bit longer bh and mount some samick journey limbs and see if i can stretch the draw length out to fit him.

[Keefer]

 I recently bought a Galaxy recurve and yes it is a very cheap priced bow But it really amazed me on how it shoots. I have some nice American made bows and I know many including myself would like to keep as many jobs possible right here in the U.S.A. BUT many things we use daily come from elsewhere or at one time did such as my Huntmore 360 seat. I read on many Trad sites how much it cost and where it was made not to mention the weight .I felt differently and enjoy each time I sit in it and Scott the owner doesn't offer that chair anymore. Not sure to why but I seen folks beat it to death on where it was made and cost.
 We each know our limits on what we can and can't afford but I personally won't put a product down "If" I know the person can only afford that product. I may try to explain in a private one to one manner with that person what experience I may have had with a product but seems to me folks will jump on a bandwagon in a heartbeat on something that may cost less and built by a different country without ever trying a product themselves.
  Yes your dollar and spend as you please but some folks can only buy "Cheap" things even when they desire to have something else.
  I worked in a American factory one time and nearly 1/2 of the workers were from another Country but that product had stamped Made in the USA!  Yes made in USA but not by an American. When it left this country so did most of the employees there.
 

[limbshaker]

I've had a couple cheap chinese bows I took in trade or package deals or whatever. I wasn't real impressed. Have a Sage takedown now and after throwing the string in the trash it shoots okay I guess. Stacks like crazy after 28" and the limbs twist all over the place. Like another poster said, a rasp and some sandpaper would do it a favor.

If I was in a position to buy a cheap bow to get started or the house burnt down and i had to start over, I'd buy used vintage/custom. I have bought some really nice bows here and elsewhere for right around $200. Yeah the Samick is still half that, but it's a quarter of the bow these are too IMO.

Other cheap import bows may shoot great for a lot of people, but I'm not a fan. I ain't a snob either I'll shoot whatever works for me. Some of my longbows look like someone has been using them for a pushpole in a flatbottom boat and they still get hunted with. 

[6feathers]

I do think that the over seas bows have their place especially for those people new to trad archery.  Galaxy Edge and Galaxy Ember seem to be well made bows that are decent shooters.  Granted they are not a pretty as the custom bows and maybe not as smooth to shoot.  But for the person just starting out, they are a great value

[Trenton G.]

Yard sales are great places to look for cheap bows. I found a ben Pearson mustang for $20 once. When I mentioned there was a bit of limb twist they dropped it to $10. One of the best shooting bows I have. The older PSE Blackhawk is also a really good bow for the money, as well as a really pretty bow.