There are few tools that lend themselves to wilderness survival better than the bow and arrow. They are an ideal hunting tool and can also be used for self defense if necessary, but how do you know what the best recurve bow is for you?
Here’s the deal:
Learning to hunt small game in the wilderness can mean the difference between life or death if in a survival situation. If stealth is of priority utilizing a bow for hunting is much more desirable than a firearm.
Of course it is important to find the best bow set up for you. In this post we will deliver the best recurve bows for survival and point you in the right direction.
Bottom Line Up Front (BLUF) – We have decided that the Samick Sage Recurve Takedown Bow is the best choice for survival recurve bows. It is a solid entry or intermediate level bow, is easy to handle, and comes in several different draw weight options.
What is a Recurve Bow?
The recurve bow is one that has the limbs curving away from the shooter. These curves put more tension on the string which increases the speed of the bow as well and velocity of the arrow. Recurve bows are used in the Olympics and by other archers for competitive events.
The stability and accuracy of recurve bows make them ideal for beginners and great for hunting. A lot of recurve bows sold today are called takedown bows because they can be broken down into three pieces for easy transport. The pieces that they are broken into are the riser (the piece that you hold) and the upper and lower limbs.
How to Figure Out the Right Size Recurve Bow?
Because recurve bows come in different sizes it is important to understand what size is right for you. The ideal length of the bow is to figure out your draw length then add 40 inches. Most recurves for adults come in the range of 62″-69″.
The main considerations you will want to take into account are the draw weight and your specific draw length. How do you find your draw length? Take a look at the video below or check out a good article about it here.
So What Makes a Good Survival Recurve Bow?
Since we are discussing the best recurve bows for survival situations we will be wanting a takedown recurve bow. These bows can be disassembled and carried in our bug out bag pretty easily which makes them ideal.
Since a survival situation would mean that we are using the bow for hunting game we need the bow to have enough power to kill something. A draw weight of 30-35 pounds would probably be sufficient to take down small animals such as rabbits, turkey, or squirrels. For deer or elk you need a draw weight of at least 40 pounds.
The only downside is that not all beginners can handle a heavy draw weight like 40 pounds. You usually want to start lighter and work your way up, but you can increase your draw weight rapidly with experience. The great thing about a recurve is that if you buy a lower draw weight and decide you are ready to move up you would only have to purchase new limbs versus a whole new bow.
| Product | Draw Weights | Length | Limb Construction | Image |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Samick Sage Takedown Recurve | 25-60 pounds | 62 inches | Hard maple with fiberglass |  |
| Spyder Takedown Recurve Bow | 20-60 pounds | 62 inches | Combination of 4 natural woods |   |
| SAS Explorer Takedown Recurve Bow | 22-34 pounds | 66 inches | Fiberglass and maple |   |
| SAS Courage Takedown Recurve Bow | 35-60 pounds | 60 inches | Wood with fiberglass face |   |
| SinoArt 66" Takedown Recurve Bow | 20-36 pounds | 66 inches | Fiberglass laminated maple |   |
Samick Sage Takedown Recurve Bow
The Samick Sage takedown recurve is a fantastic starter or intermediate bow. It is well made and comes in both right hand and left hand configurations. The limbs are constructed of hard maple and black fiberglass and will provide years of use.
You can easily purchase and swap out the limbs if you start with a lower draw weight and decide to move up in the future without purchasing a whole new bow. The recommended max draw for this bow is 29 inches so those with a longer draw length should check out the Samick Journey. This is a quality bow and is perfect for hunting, recreation, or survival.
Pros: Can be fitted with optional setups and accessories such as a sight ring or the Samick Sage Hunting Kit. You can easily purchase limbs separately to allow you to change draw weights.
Cons: Fairly plain appearance. Not flashy at all. Since you would be using this for survival, that shouldn’t be much of a detractor.
Spyder Takedown Recurve Bow
The Spyder Takedown Recurve Bow is designed by the same engineer team responsible for the Samick Sage. It is beautifully crafted of 4 different woods and feels great in the hands. It really is a nice bow to look at.
Right out of the box it is really accurate and only requires a little bit of tuning to be shooting tight target groupings in no time. The Spyder is available with different draw weight limbs from 20 to 60 pounds. It is an outstanding choice for the beginner or intermediate archer alike.
Pros: Compact, accurate, and lightweight. Can be fitted with accessories such as sights, quivers, and even a bow fishing reel. It also comes with a stringer tool.
Cons: It is a bit noisy off the shelf, but you can rectify this situation with a set of string silencers.
SAS Explorer Takedown Recurve Bow
The Explorer is constructed with a metal riser for added durability. It is easy to assemble and shoots very well right out of the box with minimal tuning necessary. It is available in draw strengths ranging from 22 pounds to 34 pounds. Due to the limited limb strengths this bow is more suited for going after small game but it is very powerful for its overall weight of just under 2 pounds.
The fiberglass limbs made of maple laminations along with the aluminum riser add to the strength and durability of this bow. The bow comes with pre-drilled holes for adding accessories such as a sight, stabilizer, or arrow rest. This bow is recommended for a maximum shooter height of 6 feet so this is the perfect option for shorter users.
Pros: Compact, lightweight, and durable. Easy to set up and shoot right out of the box.
Cons: It can be a bit noisy to shoot. A set of string silencers will solve the issue.
SAS Courage Hunting Takedown Bow
The SAS Courage is beautifully crafted with wood limbs with fiberglass face and a wood riser. Designed specifically for hunting it comes in weight draw options from 35 pounds to 60 pounds. It’s use as a hunting bow makes this one a great choice for the survivalist.
SAS stands behind their product with a limited manufacturer warranty for 3 years. It’s compact size at 60″ makes it ideal for climbing through brush without taking every bush with you. The Courage’s high strength, excellent quality, and ease of use make this bow a top choice for survivalists and outdoor enthusiasts alike.
Pros: Compact and high strength. Comfortable riser.
Cons: Some string vibration that causes it to be a bit noisy when using
SinoArt 66″ Metal Riser Takedown Recurve Bow
The SinoArt 66″ takedown bow is well designed and is very comfortable to shoot with. The rounded edges of the riser allow you to use the bow extensively without your hand becoming uncomfortable.
The Package comes with everything you need to get shooting except the arrows and target. It comes packaged with string, stringer, sight, arrow rest, etc. For the price you can’t go wrong and it looks fantastic in the blue fiberglass finish.
- Pros:
- Affordable entry level bow
- Comes with all the initial accessories you need.
- Riser is comfortable to grip in your hand
- Cons:
- Finger tabs too thin
- Plastic sight
Conclusion
Whether you are someone that just enjoys some target shooting or you are an outdoor enthusiast or survivalist, a recurve bow is a great option to add to your gear. Recurve bows are lightweight and can be disassembled to make them incredibly portable.
Survival in the wilderness or an emergency bug out scenario requires you to have a way to hunt for food and a recurve bow is a great choice for that. It is also important to consider a bow for your survival gear due to the low noise output required when shooting and hunting. The last thing you want to do if you are bugging out is to draw a lot of attention to yourself and shooting a firearm will do it.
