Recurve Bows
Recurve Bows — The Bow Most Archers Start With and Many Never Leave
Ask any archery club what bow they'd recommend to a newcomer and the answer is almost always the same: a takedown recurve. It's not because recurves are a stepping stone to something better. It's because for a huge number of archers, a well-set-up recurve is simply the best tool for the job — at the range, in competition, and everywhere in between.
The recurve bow is also the only bow style shot at the Olympic Games, which tells you something about its ceiling. It rewards proper technique, responds well to tuning, and scales with you as your shooting improves.
What makes a recurve different
The recurved limb tips — which curve away from the archer when the bow is unstrung — store and release energy more efficiently than a straight limb. That means more speed and more power relative to draw weight, without adding complexity to the bow itself. The design is elegant in the way that things tend to be when they've been refined over a very long time.
A takedown recurve breaks down into three parts: the riser and two limbs. That makes it easy to transport, easy to store, and — crucially — easy to upgrade. When you outgrow your limbs, you replace the limbs. When you want a better riser, you swap the riser. You don't need a new bow every time your shooting develops.
Who recurve bows suit
Recurve bows are the natural choice for anyone joining a club or taking formal lessons — most beginner courses are built around them. They're also the go-to for target archers at every level, from first-timers shooting at 18 metres indoors to field archers and competitive shooters working at much longer distances.
They're not the fastest bow available, and they're not designed for the kind of mechanical advantage a compound offers. But if your focus is on developing solid technique and genuinely understanding how to shoot, there's no better platform. The recurve doesn't hide poor form the way a compound can — which means the archers who put the time in on a recurve tend to become better shooters overall.
Draw weights for beginners typically start between 20 and 30 lbs. That's enough to shoot comfortably, build proper muscle memory, and enjoy the sport without developing bad habits from fighting a bow that's too heavy.
Buy recurve bows at Buy Archery
We stock recurve bows from EK Archery — reliable, well-built options suited to beginners getting started and more experienced archers looking for a dependable everyday bow. Free UK shipping applies on orders over £100.
Browse the full range below and find the right recurve for where you are with your shooting.