Today’s archer has more choices for bows than ever before, from the technology-packed and blazing fast modern compounds by manufacturers like Hoyt and Bowtech to the simple and elegant recurve and longbows still made by hand in mom-and-pop shops around the US.

The task of picking a bow can seem daunting to say the least, especially for a beginner just stepping into the world of archery and bowhunting. But thankfully Sportsman’s Finest is here to help, and this guide will offer a starting look into the advantages and disadvantages of going modern or traditional with your first bow.

Recurve Vs Compound - The Basics

Recurve bowsfall under the definition of “traditional bows” often called “trad bows” or “stick bows” for short by aficionados of the sport.

Recurve bows typically have a stiff riser and flexible limbs that curve away from the archer nearing the tips, and as one could guess those curves are what gives the recurve bow its name.

The curves in the limbs allow the bow to store and release energy faster and more efficiently than if they were simply straight limbs. Typically recurve bows are sold and shot as a “barebow” meaning they do not have sights, stabilizers or mechanical arrow rests and the archer uses their fingers to pull and release the string instead of a mechanical release.

Recurve bows are available as solid one-piece models, or takedown bows that can be disassembled for travel or storage, often into 3 pieces, upper limb, lower limb, and riser. One-piece recurves are closer to bows of the old world, while takedown bows often offer more modern conveniences.

Modern recurve bows can be made from natural materials like hardwoods and bamboo (bamboo is often used as the core of high performance recurve limbs due to its resilience and ability to store and release energy well) or man-made materials such as aluminum, carbon, and fiberglass--and often bows are a blending of both man-made and natural components.

Compound bowsare recent in their design when compared to archery as a whole, only being developed during the 1960s and not gaining large scale popularity until the early 2000s.

Compound bows feature a set of cams and cables to create what is known as “let off.” Let off is a reduction of the compound bow’s draw weight when the bowstring is fully drawn into a firing position, meaning the string can be held for longer before fatigue sets in, while still delivering the same power. It accomplishes this when the cams “rollover” and transfer a percentage of the draw weight onto the cables, typically 75 to 90 percent of the max poundage.

Compound bows are almost entirely fabricated of man-made materials such as aluminum and carbon.

Pros & Cons of A Recurve Bow

Recurve bows are easily accessible to archery beginners, thanks to their lower starting price point and ease of use.

Probably the greatest advantage of starting with a recurve bow is that the draw length of the bow is fluid and does not require any tools for adjustment. This gives the beginner infinite possibilities on where to anchor the string at full draw and ensures the perfect fit for every archer.

Recurve bows typically are less expensive than compound bows as well. They are also quieter than compound bows, which can help when hunting or practicing in urban areas where noise is a concern.

Unstringing, disassembling, and reassembling a 3 piece recurve is fast and easy, only taking a few minutes to do--that’s a great advantage when traveling and gives the user the option to swap limbs on most 3 piece bows at their leisure.

They’re also easier to maintain than most compound bows, due to having fewer parts. And a recurve bow can easily be tuned for perfect arrow flight at home without the need for an expensive bow press or specialized tools.

The primary disadvantage of a recurve bow though is the strength required to draw and hold the bowstring back.

Without any cams and cables to help take up the load, the archer must hold the full weight of the limbs back and remain steady enough under that pressure to execute an accurate shot.

Also, recurve bows typically lack sights and must be aimed by either looking down the arrow shaft in a process called gap shooting, or they can be aimed “instinctively” which is much the same as throwing a baseball, the archer simply stares at the target and allows their hand-eye coordination to line up the shot. Either method requires many hours of practice to become proficient.

It should be remembered, however, that accuracy is directly linked to a bow’s draw weight, as well as how well an archer handles it. It’s therefore very vital, particularly for beginner archers, to never overestimate their capabilities, and to choose a draw weight that is able to match up to their body build and level of experience.

Archers who start with a recurve typically take longer to learn to shoot well, but once experienced find it much easier to switch to a compound bow. While archers starting with a compound bow usually find it much more difficult to switch to a recurve.

Pros & Cons of a Compound Bow

Compound bows are the modern cousin of the recurve and have become very popular in recent years for hunting, field, and target shooting.

Compound bows, in general, generate considerably more arrow speed than their recurve counterparts, thanks to the mechanical cam and pulley system they employ and space-age carbon fiber limbs. This speed is a considerable advantage when it comes to bowhunting allowing for further shots and less time for game animals to “jump the string” and dodge an incoming arrow.

Two main advantages stand out for starting with a compound bow, let off, and sights.

As discussed previously, let off allows an archer to use a more powerful bow since they only have to hold a small percentage of the maximum draw weight at full draw. So a compound bow marked at 60 pounds of draw will peak at 60 pounds during the draw stroke and then as the string continues onward the cams will roll over and distribute that weight to the cables, the bow will then lock in at the set draw length and the archer will have a holding weight of around 12 pounds.

In comparison a recurve bow marked 60 pounds will require all 60 pounds of tension at max draw and will not impart any more energy when shot than its compound counterpart.

Let off allows an archer more time to aim, more stability at full draw and more time to wait for an animal to move into position for a shot. Youth and women shooters who want to hunt will also benefit greatly from the extra power a compound bow can generate even at lower draw weights.

In addition to let off, when a compound bow is drawn, the limbs are pulled in toward each other, so that they are facing one another horizontally, unlike a recurve bow where the limbs flex in the direction of the string. This slight difference minimizes the recoil and vibration felt by the shooter when the arrow is released which is perfect for beginners, as the initial recoil and vibration may be quite startling in inexperienced hands.

The second main appeal of a compound bow is the use of sights.

Modern bows are typically equipped with a multi-pin front sight and a peep-sight spliced into the string by the shooter’s eye. The shooter lines up the front sight through the peep sight for repeatable accuracy similar to the sights on a firearm. Multi-pin sights let the shooter sight in three to seven pins for an array of distances. This gives the shooter exact impact points and takes the guesswork out of shooting at range.

Additionally features such as stabilizers and dampers will drastically steady the bow at full draw and soak up vibration during the shot, making shooting more comfortable, particularly on the bow-hand and shoulder.

The compound bow does have some drawbacks though. They are generally heavier than recurve bows and more fragile, they’re more expensive and require a trip to the local archery pro shop to get setup. They are also anatomically fit to one person, from the draw length to the peep sight height everything has to be set exactly to work with a particular facial and bodily structure. So unless it’s identical twins, it’s nearly impossible for two people to share the same bow.

After the initial setup, some adjustments can be made at home but often require a bow press, which is an expensive investment that takes a while to learn to use--so further trips to the pro shop are likely in order.

Best For Beginners

A recurve bow is typically what young beginning archers are taught to use due to the simplistic design and infinite possibilities for draw length.

Recurve bows are also less expensive, easier to maintain, tune, and transport. They are also quiet, lightweight, and robust. A recurve bow provides a lot more feedback for the archer, meaning flaws in form and technique will be easier to find and correct.

A compound bow affords all the benefits of modern technology and materials, allowing for unmatched speed, accuracy, and power.

They are infinitely customizable and compatible with the plethora of accessories to further aid in stability, consistency, and shootability. They open up the opportunity for nearly everyone to try bowhunting, thanks to cams and cables that help support the weight of the string.

The best way to find which is right for you is to head over to your local pro archery shop, take a few lessons, try a couple of different bows, and see which style inspires you.

Ultimately the bow you enjoy shooting the most is the perfect bow for you.

Archery is a sport that exercises the body and mind equally and can provide hours of enjoyment in the field, on the hunt, at the range or in your own backyard. Rather you choose to go fully modern or fully traditional in your bow choice, it's a great activity for the whole family, a group of friends, or just as a way to relax after work.

Conclusion

As a beginner, the overwhelming market of bow must be really scary for you. There are a lot of brands to choose from and a lot of bows with a lot of features. In such a market, it’s crucial to know the kind of bow that’ll suit you.

Here are some tips that could be helpful for you:

• Get a recurve bow if you’re starting out and just want to do some target practice. No point in buying a compound bow here.
• Get a compound bow if hunting is your priority. Although a recurve bow is best for a beginner, it is not best for hunting, so get a compound bow and learn. It might be difficult at first but it’ll be worth it.
• Don’t go with brands but go with the price to performance ratio. See what you can get for a certain price and buy the appropriate one.
• If you can then, shoot the bow for a minute or so before buying it, buy what feels natural to you.
• As there are limitless designs, you can go with any color combination you want.
• The final thing to remember is to make sure you have all the information about the bow you’re buying beforehand. Read some reviews and decide if it is worth it.

So, with all of this information in mind, which type of bow is the right choice? That depends on what you want out of your archery experience. Beginners who are just trying out the sport might be better going with a recurve (in fact, most archery ranges allow shooters to rent a bow, which means you don’t have to drop the money on the bow if you’re not interested), as they are cheaper and easier to use. Recurves are also good for muscle training; some of the best ways to get fit come in the form of recreation, and consistently shooting will get you those ripped arms and shoulders.

On the other hand, experienced shooters and hunters, or people who know they’ll be in the hobby for a while, might do best with a compound bow.

Compound bows offer the shooter a long life with adaptability, and someone using a compound bow won’t tire out as fast, especially if he or she is untrained in shooting. Compounds are also a great choice for the shooter who wants to excel at both archery and bowhunting, as a compound’s adaptability can be worked to fit a shooting range setting as well as the deep woods.

While these bow types are very different, as well as hold different strengths and weaknesses, both are great for getting into the sport of archery. It doesn’t matter whether you favor the raw power of a classic recurve or the adaptable technology of a compound; with either one, you’ll be hitting targets and bagging bucks in no time.

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We at Sportsman’s Finest would love to help you begin or further your archery adventures. Stop on by and see us sometime!