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Best Short Recurve Bows That Pack a Punch: Top 4 Models Reviewed

The bow was used for hunting animals around 60000 years ago. Gradually that evolved into a weapon for war. And you will find various types of bows nowadays according to the application and size. But, if you’re looking for the best short recurve bows for the money, you’ve come to the right place.

In this article, we’ll look at 4 top-notch short recurve bows on the market. Whether you are looking for a traditional or beginner-level bow, you will get an option here.

Are you in a hurry? Instead of reading in-depth reviews, let’s check out the bows and know why they are best.

"This is a Turkish handmade bow with perfect balance and good accuracy."

2. Best for Youth: Bear Bullseye X

"It has multiple sizes and draws weight to suit better for the youth according to age and height."

3. Best Traditional: TOPARCHERY 53-Inch Handmade

"This is a traditional recurve bow suitable for professionals who want better accuracy and maximum strength."

4. Best Beginner: D&Q Store Enxi 52-inch

"It comes with all the necessary kits to get started in archery and improve your skills."

In-Depth Reviews of The 4 Best Shortest Recurve Bows

Well, now go for the in-depth reviews to understand more about the bows and get better knowledge.

1. Best Handmade: AF Archery 48-Inch Turkish Short Recurve Bow

AF Archery Turkish Handmade Traditional Recurve Bow
Technical Specifications:
  • 48 inches bow length
  • 32-inch max draw length
  • 20 to 50 lb draw weight
  • 6 inches brace height
  • 0.88 pound of bow weight
  • Ambidextrous Bow
  • Made of bamboo and wood

Have you ever thought about a handmade bow that is short yet powerful enough to travel faster? You should consider getting this handmade Turkish bow that can sling with less effort. Usually, that is the reason for getting a short recurve bow. 

Let’s talk about this particular handmade short recurve now. The first thing that comes to mind is a lightweight bow, yet it has superb draw length. And that provides considerable speed hunting. Also, the bow length and string length play a part here.

However, the best part of this bow is indeed the build quality. Where machine produced bows often get minor flaws, this handmade recurve bow is representative of perfection. It is made of wood and bamboo. As a result, the bow is strong yet flexible enough to endure the pressure.

Also, this short bow is laminated with fiberglass to enhance its durability and beautification.

Moreover, you get a leather grip with a perfect balance bow and regular string. So, the overall build quality has no single issue at all. 

Now, you can think of user experience. Yes, that matters the most for a bow. As you know, this is a short-length bow that is perfect for regular use as well as use as a horse bow.

Because of the size, you get an advantage while riding a horse and hitting the target properly. It ensures smooth draw with fast arrow speed.

Things We Liked:

  • Perfect build quality as it is completely handmade
  • Wood and bamboo ensure the proper durability
  • A small size bow is good for horse archery and easy to handle
  • Perfect balance and good arrow-speed

Things We Didn't Like:

  • Strings could be better to ensure better accuracy and usability.
  • A little bit noisy

2. Best for Youth: Bear Bullseye X Recurve Bow

Bear Bullseye X Youth Recurve Bow
Technical Specifications:
  • Available in three sizes (48”,54”, 62”)
  • Made of Multi-laminate
  • 15lb, 24lb, and 26lb draw weight
  • 2.35 Pounds of Bow Weight
  • White/Brown Color
  • Available for 12-year-old children and above
  • 90 days of warranty

If you are considering getting a recurve bow for a younger one, what could be a better choice than this one? It is a recurve bow that is durable and perfect for starting archery.

Since this is for teenagers, it is lightweight, which makes sense. It is possible because of the material.

Instead of traditional materials, the Bear archery bullseye x  bow used laminate material to make it lightweight without losing its strength and durability.

Laminate is a composite material that imitates regular wooden materials and gives a similar outlook.

However, it is not suitable for professional hunting. Yet, when selecting it for teenagers, you get all the features you need in it. Also, this is a perfect recurve bow for short people.

It is not ideal to have a powerful draw weight for a beginner-level recurve bow. Therefore, it has a maximum of 26 pounds of draw weight which is available for the larger bow.

Since The Bear Bullseye is available in three sizes, you will get the perfect size for everyone. If your kid is 12 years old, you can take the smallest size to start the archery journey. And gradually increase the length, which will eventually increase the draw weight and accuracy.

So, this small recurve bow is the perfect starting kit for your teenage kids and small people.

Things We Liked:

  • Available in three sizes, so easy to fit according to the age and size of your kid
  • Less power makes it safe for the learning period
  • Easy to handle for its lightweight
  • Balanced bow for getting maximum accuracy

Things We Didn't Like:

  • Not powerful enough for professionals
  • Not suitable for bow hunting

3. Best Traditional: TOPARCHERY 53-Inch Handmade Recurve Bow

TOPARCHERY 53-Inch Handmade Traditional Recurve Bow
Technical Specifications:
  • 53 inches of body length
  • 28 inches of draw length
  • Both Left and Right handed
  • Made of wood and fiberglass
  • 30 to 50 pounds of draw weight
  • 1.93 Lbs of bow weight
  • 7.08 inches of Brace height

If you want a combination of power and style, there is no alternative to a traditional design recurve bow in the market. When you need a short recurve bow for hunting, you deserve to get this handmade bow as a suggestion.

As you can guess, it is made of wood. However, to enhance the durability and cope with the modern bow, it has fiberglass with it. This bow is enough for hunting and archery, whether for men or women.

The bow body length is 53 inches, stretching up to 28 inches to create the proper power. Yet, it is not a suitable option for heavyweight people with more than 200 pounds of strength. And it has a maximum draw weight of 50 pounds.

Moreover, it has superb usability for its lightweight and super handy build quality. It feels good to hold this bow with your left hand and draw an arrow with your right hand. And the accuracy is better than most of the machine-made bows available on the market now.

Also, the size makes it perfect for use while riding a horse.

Things We Liked:

  • Traditional style handmade bows never compromise the quality
  • Reasonable size for both male and female
  • Wood and fiberglass made the bow body durable and long-lasting
  • The bow riser has leather for a comfortable grip.

Things We Didn't Like:

  • It can max draw 200 pounds, so not suitable for stronger people
  • The grip might be a little bit troublesome while shooting

4. Best Beginner: D&Q Store Enxi 52-inch Recurve Bow

D&Q Store Enxi 52-inch Recurve Bow
Technical Specifications:
  • 52” of bow length
  • 30 to 50 pounds draw strength
  • Made of fiberglass, aluminum
  • Comes with all the accessories
  • Metal bow riser

When you are stepping into archery, you can not master professional equipment. So, you need to start with something simple to improve your skill. And this is the perfect beginner takedown recurve bow for you.

Although archery is one of the oldest weapons, it is not easy to perform better on it without proper practice. So, this beginner bow will help you prepare for professional archery with all the necessary kits to get started. 

This 52-inch bow is the perfect size for adults to feel comfortable on the hand. 

While traditional bows come with one piece, they have two limbs of 21.5 inches each. Therefore, it is easy to carry in a backpack. But, that raises a question, is it hard to assemble? Usually, you will need less than five minutes to assemble all the parts and prepare for archery. 

Moreover, it is made of aluminum and fiberglass, making it lightweight. As a result, it is easy to handle for beginners. And the bow riser is made of metal with a lot of functions. You will get a bow sight, arrow rest, bow stabilizer, and more. These tools will make your archery easier.

Things We Liked:

  • Comes with all the necessary kits which help a beginner to get started
  • Affordable price for stepping into the archery
  • Fiberglass material makes it lightweight and durable
  • Super comfortable grip to ensure better accuracy

Things We Didn't Like:

  • Less draw power which is not suitable for professionals

Significant FAQs

It will be helpful for you to know the answers to the popular questions regarding this topic.

What is the shortest recurve bow?

The 44-inch bow length is the shortest recurve bow currently available in the market.

What is the best length for a recurve bow?

When you get a recurve bow, ensure its draw length is half its body length.

Can you hunt with a 35 lb recurve bow?

35lb power is enough for hunting. However, you may not be able to hunt larger animals with it.

What is a good draw weight for a recurve beginner?

30 to 35 pounds of the draw is ideal for beginner recurve.

Our Verdict

That was all about the best short recurve bows. Whether you are a beginner or professional, you will be able to find the perfect bow for you.

Always choose the bow according to your skill level and area of use. If you like the traditional bows, the AF acrchery Turkish bow is perfect.

However, all of these bows mentioned above are the best choice for individual criteria.

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