Samick Sage Takedown Recurve Bow 62"

Brand: Samick Sports

The Sage is the bow most beginners end up holding first, and there are reasons beyond the price. It measures 62 inches, the riser is glued up from hard maple and darker laminate wood, and the limbs are maple with fiberglass facing. Draw weights go from 25 to 60 pounds in 5 pound steps, and each limb sits on a single bolt, so a light set can be traded for a heavier one later instead of buying a second bow. Brass bushings for a plunger, sight and stabilizer come drilled in, which almost nothing else in this price bracket offers.

Suits an adult of average build with a draw up to roughly 29 inches; anyone longer should look at the 64 inch versions. Tips are reinforced for fast strings, so a string upgrade is safe. Quality control is the weak spot: finish blemishes and slightly off limb alignment show up often enough that the string track deserves a look before the first shot.