Is there a "best" recurve out there?

[Diamond Paul]

Wow, what a question, huh? Seems like I've shot a ton of really nice recurves over the years, but just can't seem to find that "perfect" bow. Just got a new one from Harrelson Archery, and it shoots very well, but seems a little rough around the edges when it comes to finish work. I have been intrigued by the threads I've read on Border Bows from Scotland, but they seem pretty high. What do ya'll think: is there a recurve that really stands out from the others in terms of smoothness, workmanship, and performance? I'd love to see some pictures. Thanks for replying, Paul.

[Esquire]

Paul,

Welcome to the site!

I have to say the cream of the crop is a DAS Kinetic. Next (and not far behind for less money) is the WARF.

In an all wood bow the recurves made by Mark Lauver of Penn Archery Works are hard to beat, in my own experience. Both in workmanship and finish, and, more importantly, performance.

I just shot a couple rough pics to give you an idea of what my McKean (by Lauver) looks like. My WARF is camera shy tonight, due the ugly way I slapped on a clicker, but it is pure joy to shoot. My DAS is merely a pipe dream but maybe another raffle...?

[James Wrenn]

Best covers such a big range because we are all so different in what we want in a bow.There is no right answer to your queston except the answer you come up with for yourself.

The Borders are among the top performers out there but like any bow you hear good and bad about them depending on who is doing the shooting.I suggest you try and make a way to shoot as many bows as you can before making a purchase.My top list is much like Esquire's and Hank's except I have no wood risered bows on it at this time.

[dgf41]

AS far as looks and finish goes Blacktail Bows I think are the best looking. I have not shot one but have not heard anything bad about them . There are a lot of good looking bows on the market and opions very. My favorite bow is ugly but I love the way it shoots for me and would not give it up.

[Jim Pritchard]

I'm a bowhunter and backyard shooter. "Best" to me means a bow I can hit with consistently and one that is dependable.
For me that's the DAS.
I've shot lots of wood riser bows but no metal risered ones save the DAS.
As others have said, shoot as many as you can. Don't skip over the metal risered bows beacuse of what others may be telling you.
Regards,
Jim

[Trillium]

What does "best" mean? On these sorts of threads, everyone lists their favorite bow as the "best."

I suspect that among the well-known traditional bows built today (the thirty or forty whose names crop up is these sorts of discussions), they are all about 90 to 95 percent exactly the same -- the are all approaching the upper end of greatest possible efficiency in design, built to very exacting standards using top-notch materials, display force curves that are consistant with the draw length requested by the shooter, deliver a properly spined, reasonable-weight shaft a reasonable distance with a very, very high degree of consistancy (or at least as consistantly as the shooter can shoot). In terms of design, there are few archers (if any) around who can determine the marginal differences between efficency from one bow to another -- it usually takes a very controlled laboratory setting to determine any differences at all, and those laboratory tests (such as the ones Blacky conducts) universally show that the tested bows are outstanding performers. The traditional bow business is very competative, and those bowyers who don't meet the prevailing high standards, don't stay in business.

The other 5 to 10 percent of the bow is the intangibles that have little to do with actual performance of any given bow -- aesthetics, grip design and fit, limb length, design that favors optimum performance using heavy (or light) shafts, "feel," personal relationship with the bowyer, etc. I like my Hummingbird better than most other recurves I have shot, but that hardly means that my 'bird is the "best." It may, however, be the "best" for me...

[Bill Carlsen]

Honetly now, you all know that the DAS is best. Interchangeable limbs, tiller and weight adjustment, shelf or elevated rest, best limbs in the world, dead in the hand, interchangeable grips, mass weight adjustments, quiet as a church mouse, custom camo paint jobs, best customer service known to man. Did I mention speed? Dave just put together a buffalo bow for Doug Chase. It is about 65# @ 31" and shoots a 1028 grain arrow 180 fps! That is smokin' for such a heavy arrow.

[Pinelander]

Trillium has got it going on about this subject...

Like someone said somewhere else, "the best is the one that you shoot the best".

All the other things are of personal preference. I could show you pictures of beautiful wooden recurves from Bighorns to Widows to Fedoras... and beautiful metal recurves from Warfs to Quinns to DAS Kinetics. Wouldn't help much though... 'cause ya gotta shoot 'em to know 'em.

In time, this thread could turn into a symposium of recurve/longbow art and function, but for now... take a look at a list of current trad bowyers today (it's listed somewhere, just can't find it right now). It's the one that has a link to each of their websites.... I'm like a kid in a candy store when browsing through them.

[danosage]

I don't think there is a "best" out there. I haven't shot a DAS, but for me, a set of Sky Conquest or PSE Centra limbs on a warf, or even an un-weighted metal riser is hard to beat.

[vermonster13]

Perfect your form and you can make just about any bow appear to be the best.

To many great bows and different styles to proclaim a best, but you can have a best for you.

[Cato]

In part, your answers may be somwewhat influenced by way of the pool from which they come. So many guys out here (including myself) are drunk on accuracy and shooting well at longer distances. Bow selection is a significant part of the equation. Heavier mass weight, and tuning features are extremely helpful to most.

That said, my vote is clearly for the DAS. A Warfer is almost a must for every archer as a standby and tinker toy (and much more). And if I couldn't go the DAS route, I'd have to try one of these Quinns.

One of the things I like the most about the DAS and the Warf is being able to tune the bow to the arrow by use of varying the draw weight, centershot, plunger, tiller, etc. Once you see how much you can do with all that, its pretty hard to go back to bows that do not offer those features.

So as they say on the Roam show, War DAS, War Warf, and War Quinn.

By the way, the Blacktail is awful pretty, and a very good bow.

Cato

[ROB TAYLOR]

MMMMUUUUUAAAAAHHAHAHA!!! (evil laugh)........Why the DAS is the best recurve, my friend....

-Rob

[Grey Ghost]

I have a BW Greybark and two Warf's hanging on the wall. The ONLY recurve I would love to add to my wall would be a DAS with all the bells and whistles. I shoot both longbows (ACS-CX) and recurves, and the DAS is the only bow I want to add to my collection. It offers all the advantages of the WARF in a different package. Just think you can buy new limbs in any draw weight and length you want for about $180 a set. Name me any other major WOOD custom bow that you can do that with. Like Trillieum said. "best for me."

gg

[tuffshot]

Finding the best recurve is a very old quest. There have been many champions from years gone by who thought they had the best. Improvements in technology has made many improvements. Each individual bowyer puts his own design factors in their bow, such as limb design, riser length and weight etc.

From the past to the present there is a better bow out there, but the one that fits the individual best is usually the best. It can be an archers lifetime quest.

A good archer always thinks his bow is the best.

[dwalk]

let me start by saying i'm saving for a DAS.

i, like many others here, have, and have owned and shot, many 'custom' recurves to include BW, Bob Lee, Wes Wallace, over the years. i still have and shoot the bows aforementioned (except the BW) i also have a Hoyt GameMaster.

the Hoyt has become one of my favorites due to the 'tunability' mentioned earlier.

as far as PERFORMANCE is concerned i never have "chronoed" any of them (and i own a chronograph)

i believe most modern day bows, both 'custom' and production are highly capable.

to answer the question which is "best" i would have to say; "i'm not sure, you'll have to find out for yourself."

[James Wrenn]

OK I WILL ADMIT IT! I was pussy footing around some with my first post.My DAS is the best recurve out there.Better than all you other guys DAS bows as well! Better than a six pack of Blacktails.

[Pinelander]

James, you're just too persnickity and biased towards those "metal in the middle" bows.

All you guys are nuts!!! Everybody knows that Black Widders are the best trad bows out there. They shoot REAL HARD ya know....

[CaptJack]

the best recurve I've ever owned or shot was my 72"-42# Wing C-II freestyle comp bow that I competed with back in the early 70s. I would put it up against any of the Hoyt ProMedalist or metal BlackWidow comp bows that were out at the time.
If we are talking about a "best bang for the buck" takedown wooden hunting bow today it would be a BobLee.
Personally I like Palmer's bows, and his carbon limbs, but his current bow is $1200 and I wouldn't spend that kind of money on a bow.
The absolute "best bang for the buck" bow on the market today is a Quinn Stallion. For around $200 you can have an incredible metal handled, tunable recurve that has limbs that compete with ILF limbs.
If price was no object- there are a number of options

[Keener]

I guess it all depends on what you intend to use the bow for.
If you are hunting then you will want a wooden riser that melts into your hand.
You want the bow to touch you on a primal level. You want it's look and feel to invoke ancient spirits and bring the predator within you to the forefront.
You want a bow that you will be so utterly confident in that all you have to do is pick a spot and shoot.

You want to be able to look at the grain in the wood and see the fine craftsmanship and the pride that went into the weapon you have chosen.
You want a bow made to kill. Period.
What you want, if you want the best, is a Brackenbury Quest.
(preferably a Black Walnut Riser with Bloodwood accents and Black Walnut limbs)

Now, if you want to shoot foam or spots, I guess any soulless, cold, metal-risered bow will do the job.

[James Wrenn]

Yeah I like that soul that comes only from wood too when I am hunting.That is why I have that wood grip on my DAS to make out with once in a while.