Need opinion on Martin vs. Samick recurve bow

[LongbowArcher1987]

I have some cash burning a hole in my pocket and it's bow buying time. I'm not looking to spend over 250 bucks, just need a decent bow. I've been looking at the Samick Deermaster and the new 2015 Martin Jaguar Elite. Both look great. Anyone own one of these bad boys? I'd love to hear about them.

[huskyarcher]

I had a deermaster when i first started, delaminated in less than a year. The martins are ok, but why no go with a custom from Omega or Maddog for that price?  Those woulf be 100x the bow, and your buying American. If you go Omega, tell Kegan that Dalton sent you.

[Rob DiStefano]

lots will depend on what yer gonna do with a bow, then let yer pocketbook and aesthetics guide you.  

with most traditional bows, like most acoustic guitars, you will get what ya pay for and it ALWAYS pays to try before ya buy.  enjoy the journey!

[Bob Moran]

For $250, you could get a great used Bear that will be much better than either of those.

[Sixby]

You could get a really great Howatt Hunter for that price and it would be hard to beat that bow at any price.
God bless, Steve

[suttoman]

Yes, I would not touch Martin.  I had several of their trad bows years ago (even paid over $1,500 for a Gail Martin commemorative t/d), and I used to think they were good.  However, after spending much the same money for some great custom bows - I started to see that their stuff was pretty ordinary.  As it has been said here, for the same money you can get a great custom bow.

sutto

[LBR]

I haven't shot a Deermaster, but the Samick Sage and Journey are great shooters (the string that comes with them is awful, but that's an easy fix).  You would have money left over for accessories.

[bigiron]

find a good used martin mamba.

[Crooked Stic]

I would buy American made. Plenty of good used ones out there.

[David Mitchell]

Interesting how many times a guy asks about one or two specific bows and gets all sorts of recommendations for something else.     I bought a Deer Master for my grandson and it is one fine little bow. Great shooter.

[Joni]

I owned deermaster, first bow and I miss it. Get one and be happy!