Advice

[Alan Hughes]

Hello all! I am Alan I have been lurking around for a few days:-). I was hoping to get some advice from you guys.  I have been hunting with compound bows for a couple of years and have enjoyed it. I have been really interested in trying Traditional Archery. I was wondering do you guys think I would be better off buying a used bow (Bear, Ben Person, Browning, Wing, Damon Howett, etc) or a new bow like a Samick Sage.  I am planning on getting something in the 45-50 pound range I do not want to be over bowed ;-). What are your thoughts

Every Blessing

[legends1]

We build custom bows but anyone will tell you any sound made bow longbow or recurve you find that is comfortable at your draw will be a great bow. You are thinking right by not getting a bow to heavy. That will make you pick up bad form and habits. This is a great cite and great folks to learn from. Welcome.

[Flying Dutchman]

First of all: a warm welcome from the Netherlands!            

Some advice: you are right not to spend to much money on your first traditional bow. Most likely you will soon buy another bow when you like the traditional shooting. And likely you will end up as a bowaholic like most of us.        
So a second hand bow (check out the classifieds here) is a good idea.

As for draw weight: do yourself a favor and go not higher then 40 lbs. A traditional bow is a whole other breed then a compound.

A low drawweight allows you to get a proper form which is so important. Once you develop bad habbits, it is very hard to get rid of them. Higher drawweights opens the door for bad habits for sure!

Maybe it is hard to find a used bow in a lower draw weight. In this case a new budget bow like a Samick is the way to go. Or a Bodnik/Bearpaw bow from Kust om King.

Enjoy the journey bro!

[Gooserbat]

For the money that Sage is hard to beat and you'll have a warranty if something wad to go wrong.

[Daserdark]

Have a look at the Samick Red Stag, a lot nicer than the Sage and not a bad shooter for what I've been told.
I'm fairly new to trad shooting myself and I went from shooting my 72# compound to a 50# Red Stag and I did not struggle at all. I shoot instinctively and snap shooter too so that might help.

[Diamond Paul]

Don't spend a ton of money on the first bow.  You won't really know what you like or really want until you've shot a while and tried a bunch of different makers' bows.  Buy some books on beginning trad archery and you can learn quite a bit.  The only problem with buying used off the classified section is that you don't really know anything about what you will like.  It would be better to go and try an inexpensive model, like the Samick, and see what you think after handling it.  If you know anyone who shoots trad bows, or there is a club in your area, see if you can shoot some of their bows a bit before you buy anything.  JMO.  Good luck.

[Charlie3]

Hi Alan, where in Alabama are you? I lived there until 2 years ago and might point you to some folks that might sell you a bow or two and help you with setup while they're at it.

[Terry Lightle]

Alan
Hope you come to the Pre Spring Arrow Fling in Feb.Great time to be had there.Tannehill Park last weekend in Feb.

[Alan Hughes]

Thanks for the help and the welcome! I live on the Tennessee Line Ardmore.

Every Blessings toht zeens Dutchman

[**DONOTDELETE**]

You are going to enjoy this change over...

A safe bet is drop 20 pounds from what you were using on the compound bow. I went from 84# with hatchet cams to a 60# long bow and did real well getting started.... after a year or so i dropped down to 55-57# for hunting, and use a 45-50 for 3D shoots. and working on my form where i'm shooting hundreds of arrows per day....

Best advice i could give you is to hook up with some other traditional archers and get some help on establishing good form. Being self taught is a long road with a lot of switch backs.

[Stump73]

Welcome!

[warbird]

As far as vintage bows I have collected many Wing, Bear, and Damon Howatt over the years.
I became really fond of the Bear grizzly's. I have owned three over the years. A 66 babinga, 69 shedua, and a 70's super grizzly. Always some for sale and at a reasonable price.I dont think I ever paid more than $50 for one. 58" amo is a good size hunting bow. Just a great meat and potatoes bow.

[LBR]

What bow depends on a lot of variables.  You won't go too light--easy to go too heavy.  5# less than you are capable of is much easier to shoot than 5# too much.

[Charlie3]

I was a couple hours south and do not know where to direct you up there. I will 2nd the suggestion to attend the Tannehill shoot, they were always fun and usually tons of vendors so you can shoot a variety of bows.

[Alan Hughes]

I doubt I can hold out until Tannehill ;-)

[Alan Hughes]

I might check with Twin Oaks?