Just to counter, I have a friend that won the Vintage Hunter class at the IBO worlds this year in TN, with a Samick wood recurve (non sage) with aluminum arrows. I think it's a Phoenix but I'm not sure. While I shot my class with a $1400+ RU rig. So long as the bow fits you and is the proper length and draw weight, there is nothing wrong with a sub $400 recurve.

Here is a link to the Samick Hunting line..

http://samicksports.com/hunting_eng.html?ckattempt=1

 

I've shot some mid range samicks and they were hit or miss- some were fantastic, some
Not so much. I've also shot some mid range "others" where their mid range was 2-300$ more than samicks with the same results. Depends on the individual model but I'd say Samick in general puts out quality bows that are a steal for the money. I know you want takedown but if you can get your hands on a discontinued Samick stingray (one piece) you will be a very happy camper.

 

Over here the Bearpaw bows are sold quite a lot. I have shot a few and even looked at one for myself. I only ended up buying a Ragim because they make almost all of the risers and limbs for the Bearpaw take down bows. Ragim bows are sold under a different name in the USA and Canada, the info on this is on their website (ragim.org).

I have actually been told by several pro shops here the only difference is the silk screening om the limbs. And ofcourse the €75 / €100 extra this will put on the bow. Just like with any other item, bigger name equals bigger price. And not always a better article.

About the samick I can only comment on the Stingray. Some guy at my club has one and let me borrow it to see if I liked it. Personally I didn't. To me the bow is very jumpy and provides a strange hand shock, probably because of the grip that does not sit comfortably in my hand.

Verstuurd vanaf mijn GT-P3110 met Tapatalk

 

I can chime in here. My first bow was Samick Red Stag one piece. I was fairly happy with that until a limb delaminated in just over a year. I then moved to a Sage and can't say anything bad about it, but I didn't give warm fuzzies either. I then wanted to try a longbow and got a Bearpaw Slickstick. I really liked everything about it except it's length. In particular, I am really impressed with how beautifully simple it is (love the dull coat finish) and really appealed to the Less-is-more side of me. However, it is only 60" and I thought a longer and little heavier bow might help my accuracy. I went all in for a Tradtech (also made by Samick if I'm not mistaken). I just didn't connect with it. the adjustments and ILF options just kept me tinkering. I felt like I was doing more adjusting and experimenting than shooting. Plus, there just wasn't a personal connection with it (some of you may know what I mean). I ended up selling it and going back to more basic stick 'n string type longbow. I'm now shooting a Mohawk and it is the kind of bow that just makes me want to shoot it well... very easy to spend time with. The Bearpaw felt this way too. The Tradtech and Sage did not. I think this "connection" with bow can be every bit as important as the other qualities that define a bow. It's also a very personal and individualized judgement. I wish I would have started with that as my priority and kept it my priority. I think I would be a better trad archer by now.

 

I had owned two greatree bows the goshawk & highlander.The limbs were interchangeable on the riser making for shorter or longer bows.I preferred the
60"goshawk the grip just fit me well and you could not beat the cost.

 

I've owned a number of Samicks and one Great Tree.
The Samicks were all ok with one standing head and shoulders above the rest.
That one being the much maligned SLB 69.
I know some people really don't like the SLB but after taking a rasp to the handle an reshaping it just a tad it shot almost as well as any other longbow I've ever owned, an there's been a few.
The great tree was an impulse buy that got sold on a few weeks later as it stacked something awful and had hand shock out of this world.
Now having said all that I wouldn't really want to own another of either brand because I've spoilt myself with some of the best longbows and recurves you can buy today,and after that there's just no going back.

John.

 

$400 is much better spent on something like this coming up in the classifieds.

http://leatherwall.bowsite.com/tf/lw/classdetail.CFM?id=99090

Predators and Bob Lees can be had at sub-$400 all the time.

Just gotta be patient and keep your eyes peeled.

 

A well designed, high mass 25" riser might not shoot any better out of a hooter shooter. But it sure add heck will with a person holding it.

Grant

 

To add: I am shooting my ilfs off the shelf, so to be fair I'm not taking advantage of the ease of tuning available with plungers etc.

 

Thanks guys. I actually have several ilf and warf bows including a recently acquired loc silver hawk riser that was beautifully converted. Just looking for something different and wondering... I'm not that experienced, but it seems to me like what you are getting with an ilf and limbs like Blackmax are decent limbs and just a longer and heavier riser/bow. I guess I can't help but wondering if a 62-64" "budget" takedown with a long riser that's pretty solid or maybe even with a stab shoots almost as well. I am surprised that everyone everywhere has love for the sage, but there's no talk of the higher end samicks. Maybe it's like the above post said, just not worth the increase in cash.

 

I heard from someone cant/ won't really say who- that he put a peep in the string and a sight/scope from a compound, on a $139.00 Sage and did the same to a high dollar Ilf rig over a $1400.00 set up and shot both thru a "Hooter Shooter" at 60 meters. and the sage shot the same Groups as the high dollar rig about 3.5-4" . but he also went on to say that the arrows were the "factor" you had to used at least a good mid grade arrow and went on to tell that some manufactures arrows just wouldnt do "it" no matter. the last time I saw him shootin If I remember right, I think he was using easton?

 

One of my first recurves was a Greattree Ridgefire. I still have it and shoot it sometimes. It's the same as a Sage as far as specs and shootability. Stacks at 29", like you're hitting a wall. Other than that, it'll bust nocks and rip off feathers, just like my Sage did,(sold that to a buddy for what I had in it). He turned around and sold it for a profit two weeks later. Lesson learned. Decent bows and great value. I would have waited for a 62" Journey if I had it to do over. That said, impossible to beat a warf, dollar for dollar. Best advice i can give you....buy the Quinn Stallion that is available right now in the classifieds. You will never regret it. James

 

CheckMate Hunter used to be the best bang for the $ but they have gone up in price quite a bit.

 

There are some really good deals on some nice Warfs in the Blanket., I firmly believe they are still the best values in archery. Once you get into ILF the sky's the limit on limb options.....

My bad...you're looking for wood..

 

I think Kegan at Omega longbows has a takedown LB around $400 ... might also make your price point buying used -fwiw I got my trad bow initial fix in pretty cheap by going to Asian bows; they're fast but they're one piece not take down & the grip is a whole new thing to learn - M

 

Thanks grant and longrifle. That's the kind of info I was looking for. Wondering if the more uncommon, non sage "higher end" was worth exploring. Does Falco have a simar price point? Maybe a better question for the thread would be are there any good sub $400 options for takedown wood non ilf recurves?

 

I've only had experience with the Samick Verna...lasted about two weeks before I sold it. That was the tooth-rattlingest piece of wood I've ever held. I tried new strings, Limbsavers, heavy shafts, and every brace height between 7 and 9". Never got it anywhere nearly as smooth as my other bows.....

 

Once you are beyond the lower price point the greattree and samick bows aren't worth their cost imho.

Bearpaw sits a bit above that depending on the model.

Grant

 

I like the Sage, but it feels a little stacky if you are drawing out to 29+ inches. Of course it is a 62" bow. The Samick Journey, I believe is a 64" bow which would be better for a longer draw. Had my Sage for many years and only sold it recently when I moved on to higher quality bows.

 

Falco bows are pretty decent as well.

 

Hey jersey boy. Yeah I was thinking more about the non sage, higher end for Samick recurves. I don't see much discussion about them. Maybe saying implying a high end bias wasn't fair. I guess the problem is that ilf bows are so popular, that's where conversations tend to go these days. I've owned quite a few ilfs but they always feel a little cold to me. Have had quite a few vintage and a couple custom wood bows as well, and am now kind of wondering if it's worth exploring the higher end Samick line or some of the Bearpaw or greatree offerings. Haven't seen much talk about them actually discussing how they shoot.

 

For the money you can't beat a sage for an entry level bow.also when you move up in their product line they make some really nice bows

 

I don't think there is a low cost bow bias on Tradtalk, though I see more discussion of low cost bows on ArcheryTalk. Later this summer, I have a plan to perform static and performance tests on entry level bows. I am working with a club that has a large teaching program.

 

The number one Trad take down around here is the Samick " Sage ". One can get to the dance in a BMW or KIA... I have seen the Sage as a " plain Jane " or one can doll them up with a simple rattle can. Target or hunting chores are accommodated by the Sage...

I like the Toelke bows however, the Sage will do a good job...

 

To add: is there just an inherent bias in the trad community against lower priced bows? How much more are you getting for your money, and what more specifically are you getting, buying a black widow, bob lee, etc?