Left-handed recurve bows are hard to find. Most manufacture caters to the 90% of archers that are right-handed. As a left-handed archer myself, this has been the most frustrating detail of joining the sport. Rather than being able to choose from 50+ brands of recurve bows, my options had dropped to a handful of repeatable recurve bows.
As my son becomes old enough to start taking up the sport, we ran into the same issue but with youth recurve bows. It took us (me) a long time to find a high-quality, left-handed, youth recurve bow. Finally, I was able to narrow it down to only 5 bows that I was confident will work for him. These recurve bows are either made explicitly for youth archers or are recurve bows that are designed to be used by archers of all ages.
Below are the best recurve bows for youth, left-handed archers.
5 Best Left-Handed Youth Recurve Bows
Table could not be displayed.1. SAMICK Sage Takedown Youth Recurve Bow
The Samick Sage Takedown Recurve Bow is possibly one of the best-known recurve bows in the world. Almost any web search on recurve bows will feature this bow. It is a very affordable and versatile bow that is ideal as a first bow for someone starting out in archery.
The riser is made from laminated Dymond wood and hard maple wood. It is light and elegant, yet very durable. The ergonomically designed grip is available in left or right handed options. It is fitted with four pre-threaded brass bushings to accommodate fittings such as stabilizers or sights.
The interchangeable limbs are made with a maple wood core and are laminated with fiberglass on both sides for strength and increased resistance to bending. They come in a variety of draw weight options ranging from 25 pounds to 60 pounds.
At 62 inches bow length and a maximum recommended draw legth of 28 inches, the bow is perfect for starters or smaller users. With the range of draw weight options, however, this bow can grow with you.
Being a takedown bow, maintenance costs would be lower as only affected components would need to be repaired or replaced. It is also a lot easier to transport thanks to substantially lower dismantled length.
The limbs slide into durable metal pockets fixed to the riser. They’re held in place by metal limb bolts that can be tightened by hand. Changing the limbs requires no tools and can be done in minutes.
What we liked
- Easy to upgrade draw weight due to interchangeable limbs
- Compact and easy to carry when dismantled
- Interchangeable parts reduce maintenance cost
- Takedown and assemble by hand. No tools required.
- Pre-installed bushings for attachments
What we didn’t like
- The single 62” bow length limits optimal draw weight.
2. PSE Archery Snake Left-Handed Recurve Bow
This 60 inch PSE Archery Snake Recurve Bow is specifically designed for youth archers. With a total mass of just 3.2 pounds, users can practice for long periods without getting tired.
It’s made of a composite that is virtually indestructible so it will stand up to the demands and knocks of inexperienced users. It is a very simple one-piece design so there are no moving parts to be maintained or replaced.
The simple features and lack of draw weight affects the accuracy of this bow. At close range and with a bit of practice, groupings of a couple of inches can be achieved consistently. With a draw weight of only 25 pounds, however, performance suffers at ranges beyond 25 yards.
At the lower end of the price range, this is an ideal budget starter bow. It’s also affordable enough for more advanced users to have as a backup or as an occasional practice bow.
What we liked
- Indestructible composite material
- Simple one-piece bow.
- Ambidextrous with right and left arrow rests
- Lightweight
- Very accurate at close range
What we didn’t like
- Single draw weight may be outgrown very quickly.
3. SAS Spirit Jr 54” Youth Bow
The SAS Spirit Youth Bow is suitable for users up to about 5’4” in height. With draw weight options ranging from 12 pounds to 22 pounds, the bow is perfect for younger children.
Also, being a takedown bow, it can grow with a child for several years without costing all that much. It’s priced at the lower end of the scale and all the components can be purchased individually.
The riser is manufactured from laminated American and European hardwoods. The finish is a beautifully striated natural wood look. Don’t be fooled by the good looks though. This is a solid piece of craftsmanship.
The limbs are made of maple laminated with layers of fiberglass giving them increased resilience and stronger flexing resistance. Limbs are available in five draw weight options.
Limbs are attached to the riser with large limb bolts that can be fitted or removed by hand. No equipment is necessary to set up the bow. As with any bow, it is advisable to use a bow stringer when attaching the string.
The riser is equipped with several recessed brass bushings that are threaded and ready to accept various accessories such as sights, stabilizers, or a quiver.
What we liked
- Durable but attractive laminated wood design
- Available for both left and right-handed archers
- Lightweight and compact for very young users
- Very easy to assemble and takedown.
- Very compact when taken down makes transporting so much easier.
What we didn’t like
- No accessories included, although readily available at an additional charge.
4. KESHES Archery Recurve Bow and Arrow Set
The Keshes Archery set is really a beginner’s kit. Firstly, the set contains the bow and all the basic accessories required for someone to enter the world of archery. At an overall length of 44 inches and a draw length of 22 to 24 inches, it is recommended for users as young as 10 years old.
Assembling and taking down the bow couldn’t be easier. The limbs simply plug into the riser and the string hooks easily over the ends of the bow. The riser is suitable for both left and right handed users.
This set is very keenly priced but it most certainly is not just a toy. With a draw weight of 16 to 20 pounds, this bow packs quite a punch for its size. With limbs available in black or vibrant red, blue, or green, the bow is as easy on the eye as it is on the pocket.
In the event of any manufacturing fault or quality issues, the purchase of the bow set is fully refundable under the manufacturer’s 100% satisfaction guaranteed policy. All in all a great way to introduce the youth to archery.
What we liked
- Great price. Very good value for money.
- Kit has all equipment and accessories necessary to shoot.
- Easy plug and play assembly
- Ambidextrous riser design
- Money-back guarantee
What we didn’t like
- Nothing. If you’re not delighted, you can get your money back
5. KESHES Takedown Hunting Recurve Bow and Arrow
Sometimes bows are so beautiful that you think they look too good to be used. The Keshes Takedown Recurve Bow is one of those bows. It’s a symphony of rich woodgrain laminate layers in varying shades of brown.
And it is as well made as it looks. The riser is made of laminated layers of hardwood. The edges are rounded and with the ergonomically designed grip, it is very comfortable to use. The riser is available in left-hand or right-hand options.
The limbs are made from wood and laminated with fiberglass on both sides. This design improves the resistance to bending and yet it also reduces the risk of breaking while under stress. In other words, the limbs can absorb more energy with less risk of damage.
The assembled and strung length of the bow is 62 inches. With limbs available in draw weights from 15 lbs. to 60 lbs. this is a very versatile bow and suitable for a wide range of users. It’s also suitable for all applications and particularly hunting.
Being a takedown bow, it’s easy to store and carry. It is easily assembled and taken down manually. No tools are required for assembly although a bow stringer is highly recommended for fitting the string. Uniquely, the bow is sold with a bow stringer included.
What we liked
- Good looks and smooth finish on the riser.
- Wide range of limbs available.
- Pre-installed brass bushings for attaching accessories
- Supplied with bow stringer and sight
- Money back guarantee
What we didn’t like
- The arrow rest is a cheap stick-on piece of plastic.
Picking the Best Recurve Bow for a Left-Handed Young Archer
Here are the things you need to look out for when choosing a left-handed recurve bow for youth archers.
Draw Weight
Picking the right draw weight for the youth recurve bow is almost as important as choosing the right recurve bow itself. If the draw weight is too high, they won’t be able to learn the basics of recurve bow archer. If the draw weight is too light, they won’t build the basic muscles need to have a stable shot.
It’s better to underestimate rather than overestimate when it comes to draw weight. Most youth and teens need between 15lb to 30lb depending on age, gender, and build. The rule of thumb I use is your child’s age times two. Then get the draw weight closest to that number. So if you are 12 years old, you should get a bow with a draw weight of 24 lbs. The closest recurve bow draw weight would be 25 lbs.
Design/Versatility
Design is another key detail of choosing a recurve bow. Design is not just the aesthetics, it also depends on what you plan on using the recurve bow for. Do you plan on taking it hunting or are you just going to use it target shooting in the backyard.
What you plan on using the recurve bow for will help you decide which recurve bow to purchase. For example from this list, the Samick Sage and KESHES recurve bows are more designed for hunting use. They are quieter and more accurate. You can use these recurve bows for target practice also. On the other hand, the PSE and SAS recurve bows are made for only target practice.
Price
Price is obviously an important detail when choosing any recurve bow. Recurve bows in general are fairly affordable, they should not cost you more than $150. If you’d like the recurve bow to last a handful of years, you may want to invest in the more professional recurve bows listed above like the Samick Sage Recurve Bow.
Archery is my hobby & I usually hunt and play on weekends and after work. It’s a passion since I was very young and I love writing about it as well to continuously learn more and share the love of archery with others!
