Samick Sage Recurve Review: Is It Good for Hunting?

For years, I was drawn to traditional archery but was hesitant to take on a completely different style of bowhunting. That changed a few years back, when after hours and hours of online research, I pulled the trigger on a Samick Sage, an affordable recurve bow that consistently had great reviews among new traditional archers.

After purchasing the Sage and successfully killing my first deer with it that first fall, I quickly became hooked on traditional archery. Now, with a few years under my belt, I’m convinced that the Samick Sage is the perfect choice for beginners starting their traditional archery journey.

If you want a more in-depth look at the Sage, then read on! We’ll look at all the specs, the bow’s pros and cons, along with some tips to get the most out of your first recurve bow. 

Design and Craftsmanship

The Sage is a great looking bow that features a 62-inch length and a durable fiberglass-laminated, hard maple limbs and beautiful Olive Dymondwood and Hard Maple riser. This combination of materials gives it both a traditional look and feel, while also being incredibly sturdy. The metal limb pockets ensure a snug fit and a stable shooting platform, while the smooth finish provides a comfortable grip. In all aspects, the design and build quality of the Samick Sage are impressive, especially when considering its affordable price point.

Samick Sage Specifications

• Bow Length: 62 inches
• Riser Material: Olive Dymondwood and Hard Maple
• Limb Material: Hard maple with black fiberglass laminate
• Draw Weight Range: 25 lbs to 60 lbs (in 5 lbs increments)
• Brace Height: 7.25 – 8.25 inches
• Bow Weight: 3.4 lbs
• Hand Orientation: Available in both left and right-hand models

Ease of Use and Assembly

One of the factors that make the Samick Sage an ideal choice for beginners is its ease of use and assembly. The bow comes in a simple takedown design, which makes it perfect for easy transportation and storage. 

The limbs attach securely to the riser with bolts, and you can quickly put it together or take it apart without the need for any special tools. With the addition of an inexpensive stringer, stringing and unstringing the Sage is a breeze, reducing the risk of twisting the limbs and causing damage.

Draw Weight and Versatility

The Samick Sage offers a range of draw weights, starting from 25 lbs and going up to 60 lbs in 5 lbs increments. This means that as a beginner, you can start with a lower draw weight to learn the basics and gradually increase the weight as you gain strength and experience. 

I can’t stress enough the importance of not buying more bow than you can handle for your first traditional bow. Just because you can comfortably shoot a 60 or 70 lb compound bow doesn’t mean you can do the same with a recurve. 

Just to give you some perspective, I keep my Mathews VXR set on around 65 lbs, but my Samick Sage is just 40 lbs. And that was plenty when I first bought it. I’m now to the point where I can swap out the limbs for a heavier set.

The interchangeable limbs are not only convenient but also cost-effective since you won’t need to purchase an entirely new bow when you’re ready for a higher draw weight.

Accuracy and Consistency

When it comes to accuracy, the Samick Sage does not disappoint. As a beginner, I quickly found that this bow was consistent and forgiving, which allowed me to improve my shooting skills significantly. The well-balanced weight distribution, combined with the comfortable grip, made it easier for me to maintain proper form and shoot with confidence. Over the years, I have managed to hit targets at various distances with remarkable accuracy, further solidifying my belief in the Samick Sage’s capabilities.

Hunting Performance

While the Samick Sage may not be the fastest recurve bow on the market, its performance in hunting situations has been more than satisfactory. I’ve used this bow for hunting deer, and it has provided me with a good balance of power, accuracy, and stealth. The bow is quiet when shooting, and when paired with the appropriate arrow weight and broadheads, it can deliver effective and humane shots on game.

Pros and Cons

A Few Tips for Improvement

While the Sage is a great beginner recurve bow, there are a few simple additions you can make to the bow to make it even better.

1. Fast flight string: While the original Dacron 50 string that comes on the Sage is not a bad string, adding a good quality 58” Fast flight string will give your bow a little more speed and little less noise. Both of which will improve its utility for hunting.
2. String silencers: When I added my Fast flight string, I also ordered a pair of Beaver Balls to go with it. The tanned beaver hide string silencers just further improve the quietness of the bow.
3. Sealskin fur arrow rest: While the Sage comes with a plastic flipper rest, I opted to toss it in the trash and put sealskin fur on the riser shelf and sidewall so you can shoot right off the shelf. That keeps things simple and eliminates any potential arrow rest failure in the field.  

Final Thoughts

The Samick Sage recurve bow is an excellent option for beginners looking for their first hunting bow. Its affordability, design, ease of use, versatility, and performance make it a fantastic choice for those who want to learn and grow in the world of hunting with traditional archery. Three years in, and I’m not in any hurry to trade mine in for an “upgrade”!