The Samick Sage bow is by far our favorite pick for anyone on a budget. Whenever a beginner archer asks us for a recommendation that won’t cost much more than a meal at a fine restaurant, we immediately point towards the Sage. Read on to learn what you’ll get for this cheap price.
The Samick Sage is a takedown recurve. This means the limbs can be quickly unscrewed and detached from the riser (the handle).
This has a few advantages: For one, it makes the bow more compact and therefore easier to transport and store. It also allows you to change the draw weight of the bow without having to buy a brand new one (you just have to exchange the limbs for a pair with a higher draw).
The screws are very durable and tight enough to minimize vibration during the shot, while still requiring no more than your hand to unscrew.
This is great because you won’t need to carry any special tools or keys with you to the field.
Samick Sage Durability
Over the years this recurve bow was successfully used to harvest hog, deer, and even elk and we’ve never felt that it noticeably lagged behind its more expensive cousins.
There is a bit more noise and vibration than with more expensive ($300+) models, particularly more so than the one-piece recurves. However the difference is not big enough to make any noticeable impact in a hunting scenario, especially if you keep your shots to within around 35 yards.
Just to be on the safe side, so you don’t scare away your dinner, I’d recommend getting some string whisker silencers like these found at Amazon to quiet things down a little bit.
As with any recurve, accuracy will largely depend on the skill of the shooter. You can, however, rest assured that the Sage won’t fail you during the aim and release phases, and that your arrows will fly true if you take good care of your weapon (replacing the string when it wears down, avoid dry firing, and un-stringing the bow after each use to avoid undue stress on the limbs).
Moreover, for those who like a little extra speed, you’ll be able to attach the FastFlight™ string to the Sage, as the bow has reinforced limb tips that are well equipped to handle the extra stresses imposed by the string.
Particularly noteworthy is the quality of the cut and finish on the riser (handle). I’ve seen multiple beginners handle this bow, and almost each time they would make a comment about the unexpectedly comfortable grip it provided them with.
This may not sound like much, but when every inch and fiber of your being is focused on properly landing your arrow on-target, the last thing you want is even the slightest discomfort or ill feeling in the palm of your hand – makes a world of a difference to your accuracy.
Last I checked, the Samick Sage is available in draw weights ranging from 25 pounds all the way up to 55 lbs. If you plan on hunting deer or smaller game, you’re going to need a minimum of 35# of draw weight, and preferably 40# if you plan on taking shots from over 25 yards.
If you’ve got your eyes set on larger game (elk for instance), I’d recommend a minimum of 45 lbs regardless of your range.
It’s worth noting that an adult beginner will have no difficulties handling a 35#, but a 45# or even 40# draw could prove a bit problematic.
As such, I always recommend that beginners start out with a 35 pounder, focusing mostly on deer and smaller critters.
Once you feel comfortable holding the drawn bow for prolonged periods of time, you can exchange the limbs for heavier ones, or simply make the plunge and purchase a new, higher quality bow.
Overall, this is an excellent bow that should not be overlooked by the budget archer, or someone looking to dabble in recurve to see if it’s something they might be into. The lower cost of entry is a huge plus, and the Samick Sage is a quality, budge-priced bow.
It just so happens that Amazon has them in stock as of this writing for a good price.
Who Should Skip The Samick Sage?
This bow is suitable for archers of all levels, particularly beginners – although there is no reason a veteran hunter shouldn’t love it as well. Only reason to skip this recurve is if you have more money to spare.
Alternative To The Samick Sage:
A very close second in the “budget” category, is this Keshes Takedown found on Amazon. Both are very good bows for the money and your choice between the two should be determined by your budget and visual preferences.
If you need more information, read our guide on how to pick a recurve bow, next.