What makes a great recurve great.

[Doublegun]

Like many archers I started with a recurve, shot it for a couple of years then switched to a compound.  That was almost 40-years ago.  I stopped bow hunting in the early 80's then picked it up again several years ago and bought a new compound.  Frankly, shooting it wasn't much of a challenge and so I picked up a couple of vintage 70's Bear recurves but I never really got serious about shooting them.  That changed early this summer and I have been shooting my 50# Michigan made Bear Kodiak almost daily and I am looking forward to actually hunting with it this fall.

My frame of reference for recurves is pretty limited.  I have my first bow, a 48# Ben Pearson, a 43# Bear Kodiak Mag and a 50# Bear Kodiak so my question is what makes a good recurve good? And I am sure there are recurves that are better than those I own so I'll ask a very open ended question: how would a better bow compare to those I have?

Thanks in advance,

JDG

[Friend]

NUMBER 1

Identifying a personally more accomodating and repeatable grip.

[kawika b]

All a matter of personal perspective... what's good for me may not be good for another... and most times isn't since the Lord broke the mold when he made me... pretty sure he muttered something about "quality control".

If it works for you it's good... never let anyone tell you otherwise.

[Doublegun]

Originally posted by Friend:
NUMBER 1

Identifying a personally more accomodating and repeatable grip.

Not sure I follow you.  Would you explain?

Thanks

[kawika b]

Originally posted by Doublegun:
 

Originally posted by Friend:
NUMBER 1

Identifying a personally more accomodating and repeatable grip.

Not sure I follow you.  Would you explain?

Thanks [/b]

He probably means that finding that the bow (recurve) has a grip that is easily repeatable and ergonomicly friendly is number 1 on his list of ways of knowing that  he's found a good one.

[Doublegun]

One of the local pro's talks about Bear bows "stacking", which I understand.  Is stacking a negative?  Does it make shooting harder?

[Fanto]

my opinion?

1) must be able to shoot an arrow fast enough for its intended purpose
2) must be able to do this within your draw weight (that is to say you MAY need an efficient bow, if your shooting rabbits and can draw 70 then it matters not)
3) must feel completely natural and comfortable in the bow hand
4) should be quiet and gentle, no excessive hand shock
5) has to be pleasing to your eye, and must be durable if its a hunter

[NEB]

1) Fits your shooting style and feels good in the hand (repeatable grip like Friend said).
2) Looks good.

For me, bowhunting is about confidence and these two things give me confidence. Speed is not necessary because with a little practice you can adapt to a new cast pretty quickly.

[buckeyebowhunter]

"One of the local pro's talks about Bear bows "stacking", which I understand. Is stacking a negative? Does it make shooting harder?"

Stacking is something you'll experience with short bows, the weight of the bow will seem to stack up towards the end of your draw taking away the stability of the shot. As far as bear bows go I couldn't get used to my Kodiak magnum stacking on me, which made it much harder for me to shoot. I found that the Kodiak Hunter was a much better fit for me because it is longer, that is just my preference. I also like a comfortable repeatable grip, I also like some mass to my recurve this adds to the stability factor.  

[pamike]

for me:

Grip
Heavy Mass weight
Quiet

[Medina1]

I have about 5 things that determine how much I like a bow.
1. Smoothness of draw is my most important aspect. The easier the pull the more I can shoot, and the more I shoot the better I get.
2. Grip. The better the grip the more consistent I am.
3. Speed. I like flat trajectory. Makes me a lot more accurate and the faster the bow is the flatter my arrows fly.
4. Weight. Heavier bows are generally more stable than lighter bows.
5. Looks. I don't care how well a bow shoots, if it's ugly I don't want it.
For me that's what makes a great recurve great and I believe my TallTines has all of those things!

Caleb

[amar911]

A great bowyer.

Allan

[Terry Lightle]

Hittin where you look

[Sixby]

I agree with Amar. Only a bowyer that understands the qualities that a great bow should have and is able to create those qualities in his product makes great bows. Bows are graded by blah, ho hum, alright, pretty good, good enough, I like this but don'tlike that, The best I have used, and WOW.
 Great bows bring on WoWs with supurb craftsmanship and performance in every aspect.
The shooter can never make a great bow but can truly appreciate one when he shoots it.
God bless you all, Steve

[pamike]

Well said Steve!!!

[Hit-or-Miss]

3 words; RED WING HUNTER.

[Mojostick]

Unless it's quiet, nothing else matters.

[alligatordond]

What makes a recurve great?? Simple-YOU thinking it's great.
Everyone has different tastes and styles.

[Cory Mattson]

I do think a Bear recurve 60 inch bow is the standard benchmark bow - and we use that  bow when we teach hunters about recurves as a starting point. That bow in its day was the most efficient at a 28 inch draw throwing 10 grains per pound. Compared to today though I look for several things - Mass - bow length / draw length (we factor those together) - grip - beauty. Some limbs throw heavy arrows better others throw lighter arrows better. A 70s Bear is still a good starting point - then when a bowhunter learns enough to want to make changes - only then go looking for a custom bowyer.

[kawika b]

Originally posted by Sixby:
I agree with Amar. Only a bowyer that understands the qualities that a great bow should have and is able to create those qualities in his product makes great bows. Bows are graded by blah, ho hum, alright, pretty good, good enough, I like this but don'tlike that, The best I have used, and WOW.
 Great bows bring on WoWs with supurb craftsmanship and performance in every aspect.
The shooter can never make a great bow but can truly appreciate one when he shoots it.
God bless you all, Steve

Hahaha... I was waiting for you to jump up and down and scream "oohhhh I do I do"!!!       Pretty sure you wouldn't get any objections Steve.