$150 to spend, older bear grizzly or new samick sage? HELP

[nedrowjoe]

I have the opportunity to buy a left handed bear grizzly for $150, or buy a new samick sage. the takedown feature is appealing to me. What would you do. remember I only have 150, no saving money for a few weeks will go, I have a 1 year old son. I hear everyone say, "save your money for a few weeks and buy a better bow" I just want to know what you guys would do, and any details on why you feel that way, Thanks Guys!

[Bud B.]

Have you inspected the Bear? Is it an older Bear? What weight are you looking at? I'd lean Bear but can you give us more details on the bow?

[-snypershot317-]

like bud said above, more details on the bear would be nice. if its in good condition or lightly used, or used but well taken care of, i would consider it. but i am also very picky about buying used bow since the last used bow lasted very shortly and developed a cracked limb...i also must say that i currently shoot a samick sage and can find nothing majorly wrong; just some nuisances to me at least. these nuisances being for one its doesnt look pretty but its not terrible (looks arent as important to me so long as the deliverance is good) and for two the bow is relatively long at 62" and can be hard to maneuver through brush but not impossible. with these being said, i will say i am fond of my samick in that its very smooth shooting, accurate, likes a heavier arrow, and is fairly quick. but do keep in mind tho that it is marketed as a beginners bow, but there is a lot of bow for the buck. the bear would be an upgrade so long as its in really really nice condition. hope this helps,
jesse

[Mike Tomano]

I've shot, but never owned, a Samick. Shot fine. But, for my money, the Bear Grizzly is one of the finest shooting mass-produced bows ever made. I own several and they have a very comfortable form and excellent shootability. Inspect any used bow thoroughly. Lines in the finish, cracks or lose glass, bent limbs from improper storage or stringing could cause a bow to break. Every used bow I buy (and there's plenty) has to look almost mint or, if showing signs of use, must come from a reputable, dedicated archer. Good Luck! Best, MT

[Shawn Leonard]

I will be the one to disagree. The Samick is a pretty good shooter. They are quicker than the Bear and if you like the T/D feature that is a plus and you an get more limbs for it as well. If it is an older Grizzly, I am talking a dogleg than go with the Grizzly but usually they cannot be had for $150. Either bow will serve you well and no need to save more money for a better bow, lots of animals killed with these bows for sure. Shawn

[subsonic]

I have a Sage. It is a great shooter. I have mine set up with a Bear Weatherest and it is accurate and quiet for a recurve. I would not hesitate to take mine in hunting. The take down feature and the ability to buy other limbs is a bonus. You will need to buy a decent string. The one it comes with stinks.

[PeteA]

3 guys in my crew started out with Samicks. Good bias for starting out. The Bear Griz is none as the working mans bow. Great bow as well. If it's the right weight and in good shape it will do you well for a long time.

More info needed to make a real informed decision.

[Cyclic-Rivers]

I have heard Samciks are good bows.

Me, I am partial to the 60's era Grizzlies.  If the grizzly is in good shape and in your draw weight, thats where I would look 1st.

If there is any quuestion about the grizzly such as integrity or weiggh being a bit off, go with the samick.

[Stephengiles]

I own a samick red stag and shot a grizzly. The grizzly is hands down a better bow. But if your new to the sport, if you buy a samick it comes with a warranty. I don't know how good that warranty is ...but from what I've read if your buy from a reputable dealer they will help you if you have a problem. Also the sage is fast flight compatible, if your into that sort of thing. I'm sticking with b-50.

[ISP 5353]

I own a Samick Journey and I have been very impressed with it.  Samick bows are a great value.

[reddogge]

I don't know how long the Grizzly is, maybe 58" like the 66 an 67 models, but the Sage is 62"and will feel smoother to draw and shoot due to length and more mass weight. It WILL need a good string and I'd recommend fast flight string to make it come alive. Plus you can get another set of limbs cheap either heavier or lighter for form work.

[kp]

Hey Joseph, both bows are great bows provided you do your part.
My choice will be the Samick Sage (LAS has done pretty good by me - had one set of limbs exchanged with no return problems). I like using fiast flight strings, I also like the idea of having several different weight limbs. I have a Sage that I keep as a travel bow - with 3 sets of limbs (25#; 35#; 50#). They breakdown/assemble without tools - they fit in your luggage, and have found them pretty dependable - I just got back from a trip in July and was happy to have had the takedown. I hope some this helps.

[McDave]

I own two Samick's, a Nighthawk and a Red Stag.  The Red Stag has lighter limbs on it for use by my grandchildren or other visitors,  and i bought the Nighthawk to take along on backpacking trips.  I recently bought a left handed riser to use on the Nighthawk to practice left handed shooting, so it is quite versatile.  I talked a friend into getting a Sage recently with 40# limbs, that he draws to about 45# with his 30" draw length.  The Sage works well for him with his longer draw length. I also own several older Bears which I shoot myself from time to time.

I'm happy with my Samicks and Bears, all of which get shot regularly, if not daily.  Samicks have a higher than normal breakage rate, which you might expect from a bow that costs less than $150.  But they are sold by reputable dealers, who will no doubt make good on them if they break.  For that reason, and the low cost of a new one, I wouldn't buy a used Samick, and I would imagine the used market for them isn't that great. So I would imagine buying a Samick is sort of a lifetime commitment, other than handing it off to your friends or relatives.  Used Bears, on the other hand, are bought and sold all the time, and if your's is in good condition, you should be able to sell it for as much as you bought it for, as long as you didn't pay too much for it.  Of course the Bear is a 30 year old or more bow, and if it breaks, it's gone.  On any used bow, you're sort of at the mercy of the seller as far as limb twists, etc., are concerned, so if you buy from someone with a good reputation, that's all the warranty you're going to get.

I always take one of my old Bears to classes that I teach to use for demo shots, and the people who can handle the weight, usually one of the adults in the class, love to shoot it.  In my last class, there was a guy who must have put a hundred arrows through it and by the end of the class he was regularly getting 6" groups at 20 yards.  The kids love to shoot the lighter weight Samick, although being kids, they aren't usually as obsessed with it as the guy was with the Bear.

[Paul_R]

nedrowjoe I sent you an email

[Frank V]

I have an older Bear Grizzly & really like it. It has a few stress cracks, but is sound. It shoots really well. I'd inspect the Bear Grizzly & if it's sound & the weight you want I'd buy that one.
Bear used to bill the Grizzly as "the working man's recurve" it's still a good bow.  

[wandering monk]

a classic bow is always cool...my son has my dads 1960 Fred Bear bow hanging on his wall...limb socks...old school quiver , arrows and all...

but to think it was going to be my hunting bow this fall...are you kidding?..it deserves better...

the samicks mentioned are great entry level bows...lets be real here...

the few thousand shots getting dialed in as a new bowhunter...that old bow should not be expected to perform that task...

[Caranthir]

Nedrowjoe you didn't tell us your  draw length or the poundage of the Grizz. If your draw length is >28" you are going to have some major finger pinch with the grizz as opposed to the Sage. Also as above the Sage can support the fast flight string while it is questionable with the grizz. If the take down option is important to you its a "no brainer" if New vs used is not an issue then it would be hard to advise. In any case you need to put a flemish stiring on them both. Hope this helps. Caranthir

[Caranthir]

Nedrowjoe you didn't tell us your  draw length or the poundage of the Grizz. If your draw length is >28" you are going to have some major finger pinch with the grizz as opposed to the Sage. Also as above the Sage can support the fast flight string while it is questionable with the grizz. If the take down option is important to you its a "no brainer" if New vs used is not an issue then it would be hard to advise. In any case you need to put a flemish stiring on them both. Hope this helps. Caranthir

[damascusdave]

Originally posted by wandering monk:
a classic bow is always cool...my son has my dads 1960 Fred Bear bow hanging on his wall...limb socks...old school quiver , arrows and all...

but to think it was going to be my hunting bow this fall...are you kidding?..it deserves better...

the samicks mentioned are great entry level bows...lets be real here...

the few thousand shots getting dialed in as a new bowhunter...that old bow should not be expected to perform that task...

My 1960 Kodiaks have been shot plenty including by new shooters...I had one young fellow who absolutely would not shoot anything else once he tried my 38 pounder...those bows will still be shooting arrows long after I am gone...quality bows last a long time

DDave