As the name implies I am just starting and this is my first year hunting with a recurve, that being said my first time out this season I had the opportunity to take a shot at a nice 8 point, I drew back on him and SNAP the bow I was using was a 50 year old Blackhawk, my day was done at 9 am and with a 45 min drive home that was it for the day at this spot, I went out later closer to home. But back to the point, I never carried a spare when I used the compound but now I carry a spare recurve, my primary bow is a 58” Red Wing Hunter 50# @ 28” my back up bow is a 58” Ben Pearson similar grip and feel 43# @ 28” its close enough that I can use the same arrows.