Recomend a good, light, beginner bow

[CanadaCanoe]

Hello all,

I'm looking for a recurve or longbow with around a 30# draw weight for a friend (adult) who is just getting into archery.    

Basically, I want something that is well made and looks good, but without the custom bow price.  Chek-mate made a school bow - King's Pawn I think, that would be excellent, but I can't find one of those.  Any other recommendations?

Thanks!

[lpcjon2]

In the sponsor banner is Maddog bows. Mike makes some nice bows,check out his site.

[britt]

My son and wife shoot Maddog bows. My wife was custom for her. We paid $215.00 for it. Its the quietest bow I'v heard shot. Great bow,great price,and great bowyer.

[CanadaCanoe]

Thanks!  That sure was easy - and exactly what I was looking for.  I'll just have to find out if she prefers a longbow or recurve (I like both!).  

That Prairie predator looks great, and really affordable.  I couldn't find anything in lighter weights that was still decent looking, and who wants to start out with a really "cheap" bow?

Thanks again.

[lpcjon2]

When you talk to Mike he may be able to make any bow in the weight you want.His bows are great and a great price for sure

[SportHunter]

I'd recommend looking at vintage bows. You can pick many up for $100-150 that will perform excellent. Then when they want to upgrade they can sell it and just about break even. Bears, Howatts, Pearsons, Hoyts, many many quality vintage bows out there. Just shoot often, practice.... .. .. .. ..

[wooddamon1]

Check out the classifieds on here, I've scored some nice bows for a good price...oh, and Mike does make some sweet bows as well!

[CanadaCanoe]

I've had my eye out for vintage bows for a while.  One of my first trad bows was a Ben Pearson mustang recurve I found used.  The problem seems to be that there aren't many available under 40lbs, as I suppose most were made for hunters.  With sites like *****, too, I don't really trust most sellers to have a clue about limb twist, stress cracks, or delaminations in the tips.  Since shipping is going to be a bundle anyway, I'd rather get something I know is going to be in good shape.  Of course, sellers here are a different story, so I'll keep watching the classifieds.

Thanks again to everyone.

[CanadaCanoe]

I'm wondering if that Prairie Predator might be a bit short - She's 5'9" and drawing just about 28".

How about the Samick line of one piece bows, like the Red Stag?  I've never seen one in person, but they look nice enough for the price.

[CanadaCanoe]

I ordered the Mad Dog Praire Predator midsized longbow.  Mike was very helpful.  I figured for a very reasonable price I'd rather have one made by a bowyer in the US than a factory in China.  I'll let you all know how it turns out.

Thanks again.

[Jake Fr]

Mike makes a great bow can't go wrong their and you can also get the bear montana bow at 35# or 30# as well big jim has a lot of bows call him he may also have something in stock that will work

[Pokerdaddy]

Alot of great recommendations.  I've also heard great things about the Samick Sage, available at 3Rivers.

[darin putman]

I am relatively new to traditional archery,shooting mainly selfbows and older bows.I have a special affection for the longbow, having recently purchased a bear patriot and am becoming pretty good with it, but I have an old 1953 bear grizzly 56 inch bow that is such a pleasure to shoot that I have thought about picking up another as my kids kinda argue over who gets to shoot it.See em all over **** priced right and if mine is anything like the rest they deserve respect!!!!

[McClintock]

The Samick Sage is an excellent bow for the money.  You can get 35# pound limbs and then get heavier ones later if you so desire.

The Samick Polaris is also a good entry level bow.

I've really enjoyed my Samick Sage.  It was my first traditional bow and I've had no problems with it whatsoever.

[PaddyMac]

I've been thinking the same thing. Has anyone tried a Bodnik Little Stick or a Mingo recurve from Kustom King?

My wife is short and probably draws 22 - 24 inches and I have no idea what weight.

[Adrian Farmer]

I just bought a 30# Samick Sage for my significant other.  It doesn't necessarily have the finish of a custom bow, but it doesn't look bad and it costs only $139. The performance of the bow can be stepped up significantly by changing to a skinny string, and the Sage is compatible with Fast Flight strings.

Frankly, this bow shoots as well as any custom bow I have owned.  It also has AMO bushings for mounting accessories that you may want (sights, quiver, etc).

[DennyK]

Great Northern Fieldbow. You're close enough to Nashville Michigan to drive down and try them out.

[Shifting Shadow]

One of our sponsors, 3Rivers Archery, sell the Samick Sage. Pete Ward reviewed it.

[texbow2]

You may also want to look at a place like *********'s. They have lots of ILF risers under $200 and limbs as low as 100 if you are looking to move up to a hunting weight later.

[McClintock]

I use the Flemish Fastflight Brownell's String on my Sage and it has worked great.  Otter Fur silencers, brush buttons, and some padding on the limbs has made the bow pretty quiet.  

I've also heard really good things about Quinn bows as well.  I ordered one recently but haven't received it yet.