What are the best RECURVE bows for your buck?

[owlbait]

Zipper Bows is going to have a new model that may be just what you are talking about.

[Whip]

I have a small fortune of custom bows hanging at home. And a couple other small fortunes have passed through my hands buying and selling quite a pile of used bows. (Which is a great way to try out a bow you might be interested in)

So what bow did I carry in the woods this fall?  A 1968 Bear Super Kodiak. The old Bears, Damon-Howatts, Wings, Pearsons, etc. shoot great and look good too.

As for the newer recurves, the top of my own list are RER, Rose Oak, Dale Dye. But your list is bound to be different.
Personal preference is the deciding factor, and what is best for someone else won't always be best for you.

[CDR]

I agree with Whip, you can't go wrong with an older Bear!

[landman]

I have a number of custom bows and I love all of them but I really do believe that other than satisfying my desire to own pretty and unique pieces of functioning art, they aren't noticeably one bit better than a Bear Griz or Super K or a Damon Howatt Hunter or other bows in that category.  

I've whittled my collection down to 8 recurves.   I love my Super ks but my go to bow is my Wes Wallace Partner that I've owned for over 15 years.   If it weren't for that Partner I'd stay with an early 70's Super K.

[Huntschool]

I started  in the 60's with a Bear.  Have had several since then.  They are likely the best bang for your buck.  As has been said, you can find them pretty easy other than the high end collectable models will bring some bucks.

The bow sale area here will give you some opportunity...

Its up to you and your budget....

[koger]

Quinn Stallion. Go to their website, they are back up and building bows after David Quinn passed away about 2 months ago. Their bows shoot as fast and smooth as BW's, I know, I sold 2 to buy more Quinns. Riser is alum., bombproof, but easy to transition to coming form wheelie bows. Has one of the best records around on limb quality, and the guy who is making them now, working for the Quinns, is as good or better at limb making that David was, per my last conversation with him before he passed.They also have a wooden riser that is about the same weight, beautiful, with bubinga limbs and clear glasss. A lot of folks buy the Quinns as an entry level bow, $279 for a Stallion, new, but end up sticking with them. PM me back  if I can be of any help.

[Archie]

I picked up an older Bear Polar recurve (1962, but not exactly sure) on Craigslist.  No cracks, twists, scratches or dings or holes drilled.  Its a very smooth bow, as well.  I got it at a great price from somebody who had no interest in archery, who said it had been sitting in their house for 10 years.  I plan to shoot it for a while, then either give it away to someone or sell it and make a little money.

You can find deals out there, and that'd be a great way to get ahold of an inexpensive bow that you can shoot until you decide whether you like it or not.  If you are unsure when you come across a bow like that, the Tradgangers would be glad to give a good quick opinion on whether it'd be a good choice.  Keep your eye on Craigslist, local classifieds, estate sales, etc.

[JimB]

As far as new,custom bows,the Whisperstik Mojostik is a lot of bang for the buck.I have two and still can't get over how well they shoot and how quiet they are.They are definitely a couple of the best bows I have ever owned and my favorites right now.

[Lefty]

Best new recurve for the money IMHO is a Quinn.

[Blueridge]

Shooting trad bows since 1970 and have owned quite a few different brands of recurves. For my money a Black Widow is hard to beat. Smooth, accurate and very well built. I did keep a few old Bears in rememberance of Fred and shoot occasionally .

[AdamH]

Holm-Made, right here on this site, Chad builds a Beauty that'll shoot with the Best of em ...

[mongoose]

I have to add another vote for the pittston predator, I have 2 one is 51#@28(snaked limbs by me), and a classic 43#@28  

[Paul B.]

For the "best bow for the buck" I have found that a Bear black bear riser and ILF adapter plate and ILF fitted limbs is the best shooting, most accurate bow I have, or maybe I should say that I shoot this one the best and I can change limbs to suit the day. The old riser was $40 and $30 for the adapter plates and about $150 for a set of limbs(some I bought used and some new low end).
I admit it is not the prettiest bow but it is a shooter.

[GRAYBEARD]

My favorites are Ron LaClair's Li'l Favorite and Lone Wolf Kayapo by John Maus. Picking a bow is almost as personal as picking a wife; some just fit, some do nothing but give you nightmares!

[GRINCH]

GREYBEARD hit the nail on the head,me personally I like zippers.

[jrbows]

Don't know if it's been mentioned because I was too lazy to read through 3 pages of responses,but for the money Tarbell makes a very good shooting and easy to look at bow and after I bought one (new for 229.00 delivered) off of the big auction site I asked a tuning question about the bow and the response I got was signed N.Tarbell he's been around a long time and the experience is reflected in the quality and performance of his bows,his bows aren't always on there and the weight you want may be hard to get but be patient and keep watching one will turn up,I think I watched for over a year before I found one but it was worth it,these shouldn't be overlooked.

[doowop]

Quinn or a Warf.

[Tatorbones]

I want to thank everybody for their advice, I have a lot of great looking bows to check out and well see what I finally choose. I'm hoping to go to the show in feb. in missouri at the hotel, well see though.

[KHALVERSON]

that question is subjective
i quess the one that shoots the best for you
for me its
predator
black widow
bear 76er
quinns
not nessasarilly in any order just what i like to shoot
kevin

[Covey]

I have a Silvertip, Awesome bow, smooth as butter, everything you want in a bow. BUT... you can get by with a hole lot less. I could have bought 4 or 5 old but good bows for the price I gave for one. I've shot alot of old dandy bows! thats the route I'd take! JMHO!! Jason