Samick bow...what can you tell me about them?

[Bowhunter57]

I've had my eyes on the line of 62" take down recurves, by Samick, in the 45# range. I'd like to find one for around $300 or less. The Sage runs around $129 and the Phantom runs around $229, which I see as reasonable. I've owned custom recurves before, so I'm familar with them and am looking foreward to getting back into traditional archery.

* Has anyone shot a Samick t/d recurve? If so, what's your opinion?
* Where did you get your's?

Your opinions and experiences are appreciated.
Thank you, Bowhunter57

[Bud B.]

I don't think you can go wrong with the price. I have never shot one but have heard/read good reviews. Most folks who have shot them would say you get more than your money's worth.

I have a Samick one piece recurve and love it. I probably overdraw it but it has held up fine and shoots great.

[saumensch]

Ive shot several of them and set up some beginners with Samick bows.
In my opinion for the money they are OK. Quality isnt Super, ive seen 1 delaminate and 1 Riser get cracks but ive also seen many that still hold up very good and caused no problems at all. They need some work to get em quiet and they arent the fastest, but as said for a beginner they work fine. My girlfriend is shooting a Samick SHT and likes it very much.

That said, if i would live in the US with all those vintage Bears, Pearsons etc. for little money around, i wouldnt go the Samick route. But here used bows for little money are....Samicks.

[Bud B.]

saumensch is right. For $300 you can get a real nice older Bear.

I have Super Grizzly from the 70s and it is my go-to bow. The Samick I own has not seen the woods while in my hands.

[Rob DiStefano]

imo, these offshore, conglomerate mass produced stick bows are reasonably durable.  i've bought, used and given away more than a few.  

however, i think that rather than spend $200 on a new asian made bow, one would be far better off amassing another $50-150, and take their time to vigilantly check the classifieds for a used one piece stick bow (though t/d's can be found at that price occasionally - a superb 3pc checkmate t/d recurve just sold for $225!).  

look for a modern stick bow that can handle hmpe bowstrings ("fastflight approved") and over-the-counter manufacturers such as martin and bear, and definitely most any offering by a custom shop bowyer.

make SURE the bow you select will be a holding weight you can easily handle and that its length will be in proportion to your draw length.  this can vary greatly depending on the type of bow in question.

[Turkeys Fear Me]

I'll play the other side of the coin than Rob D on this one.  If I only had 300 dollars to spend for a daily shooter, I would rather spend it on a new Samick than a used Martin or Bear or Checkmate or ??.  The performance will be about the same but if the Samick fails after six months, I get a new one.  If the used one fails after six months, I have about a pound and a half of firewood.

[WPAtrapper]

PM sent.

[Rob DiStefano]

Originally posted by Turkeys Fear Me:
I'll play the other side of the coin than Rob D on this one.  If I only had 300 dollars to spend for a daily shooter, I would rather spend it on a new Samick than a used Martin or Bear or Checkmate or ??.  The performance will be about the same but if the Samick fails after six months, I get a new one.  If the used one fails after six months, I have about a pound and a half of firewood.

good point, however ... i've seen far more asian otc bows fail than usa otc, and way far less usa customs.  it's all a gamble of sorts.  i'll stick with the tried 'n' true customs.

[Mint]

I wouldn't buy one if you paid me. I've seen two longbows break and two recurve risers crack on them. I would go with a used bow from a decent bowyer.

[FerretWYO]

Originally posted by Mint:
I wouldn't buy one if you paid me. I've seen two longbows break and two recurve risers crack on them. I would go with a used bow from a decent bowyer.

Just saw a recurve yesterday with a delaminated limb and a cracked riser.

[toppredator]

My first traditional bow was a Samick Predator take down recurve.  I had no complaints, a good bow for the money, TRW.

[Turkeys Fear Me]

I'd be willing to wager that Samick's failure rate per unit sold is lower than that of most custom bowyers, especially when the bows get to be second or third hand.

If the failure rate on the Sage alone was 5%, that would be more bows than most custom bowyers make in a year.

It really is a matter of scale and perception.
 
There are going to be a LOT more Hondas getting warranty work than Lamborghinis, but the failure rate will be MUCH higher for the Lambos.

[PaddyMac]

I bought and immediately returned a Sage this spring. I think they have a good reputation and it was certainly a good value in function, but the riser and limb attachment system looked kind of like $2 can opener glued onto a foot and half of 2x4.

[Bjorn]

I would go the used bow route too. I like to bow hunt and would not consider a bow made by a non bow hunter.

[LV2HUNT]

I ordered a Samik Stingray from a TG sponsor and was not impressed at all. It went back in the box after 15 minutes.

I have heard others who have handled a lot of bows give them decent reviews and I am just not sure where they are coming from.

I would buy a used bow from a reputable company.

[buckeyebowhunter]

IMO samicks are not bad bows, my friends first bow was a stingray, he still owns it and hunts with it. They are fast flight compatible, light, quiet,and the price is less than a bear grizzly. The grip also fits my hand well. However, I know nothing about the samick company or their background. All I know is that for the price of my friends bow, it seems like a pretty good deal.

[Chuck from Texas]

Without a doubt look at the used market. There are great bows there that will hold their value. Watch the classifieds and  http://traditionalarcherysales.com/index.php
Len Busbee is a straight shooter and has lots of good used bows.
Chuck

[two4hooking]

I love my Red Stag.

Try to find a laminated riser takedown for under $200 anywhere, let alone a used one.

I killed a bunch of deer with mine.  It shoots fine.

[Steelhead]

I had Red stag one piece and it shot really well.It was a good looking bow and did not have any flaws to be concerned with.Glue lines were good and overlays were good.

looks like thier are possibly some quality control issues possibly from what I have read.So its possible you might get a lemon.

I have only had the one Samick and it was a good bow.Not a large sample though.

I think you could run a wanted add in the classifieds for a 62 inch TD second hand in your price range and see what responses you get.

You might find a cherry of a bow that way for a reasonable price.

I would try that 1st.

[Rob DiStefano]

Originally posted by Steelhead:
... looks like thier are possibly some quality control issues possibly from what I have read. ...

in essence, that is the gamble with those over-the-counter asian bows.  particularly with hunting weight bows and not kid's or ladies bows.  my youngest adult daughter shoots a greatree longbow and it's just fine for her.  her 9yo son alex shoots a custom maddog longbow, and THAT is THE bow for kids!  or adults!!