Enjoyed the review. I'm 65 and started archery about six months ago with a 30# Samick Journey (should receive 40# limbs any day now. My draw is around 29.5", and I have had no problem with stacking with the Journey. It seems the extra two inches really helps (that's what she said). So I recommend the Journey which -- as you already mentioned -- is a Sage but comes with limbs each 1" longer, making it a 64" bow. It just makes for a smoother drawing bow, no matter your draw, and is only a couple bucks more. Good shooting.
I am shooting this bow as the Cabelas Sabrehawk. It is the 40# pull weight. I have a Western Archery string. This is a very nice bow for backyard shooting.
Great review. I had my Sage for two years now , and I like it very much. Instead of byuing a new bow, I have buy new heavyer limbs.. Thanks for the review.
I bet you haven’t heard of graphite grease for bolt and screw threads. A bolt without lubricant will either be under tight or WAY over tight. Screws into wood need wax lubrication too. Shape edges need to be rounded by filing. You’re just beginning to put your bows together. Real buyers buy multiple bows of the same model. Thrifty people don’t know anything.
I'm shooting a Ragim Black Bear as beginner bow. It's really nice overall, it shoots smoothly, kinda gives "feedback" when you're shooting badly, and is very quiet. I've bought it at a bow store just over the Dutch-German border, Dakota-bogensport. (I'm kinds advertising right now haha) They really helped out picking the right starting gear. A con of the Black Bear is that it tends to stack a little as well, and maybe be a bit wobbly since it's a bit of a shorter bow. As well, it's a single part so you can't deassemble it (which is a bit unhandy sometimes, but meh) Nice video NU:)
I like how you retain your olympic bow form when shooting instinctive bow. Very nice. I see so many instinctive archers shooting with so screwed forms you can't see in any other type of bow shooters.
I got my first bow couple weeks ago. Its custom build wooden recurve 46/28"/60". And with my draw im thinkin 50 pounds on full draw. 29.5" And yeah. Its a bit heavy for starter bow i feel like. i had to get the bow cause the bow master was retiring and i wanted a bow that i can also hunt with. Also wanted a bow from this guy. Only heard positive feedback on his bows. In our country minium is 40pounds for hunting. And i was afraid Id out grow the bow quickly if id gone less pounds. This guy has over 30 years experience on making traditional bows, and hes like one of only maybe three guys in our country that makes bows.(Finland) For selling at least that i know of. This guy really seems to know hes stuff! Probably one of the best examples of wood craftmanship that iwe seen. Yesterday i shoot for 5 hours, only taking short breaks. I shoot in sets of 3 or 5 arrows.. Then i take a breather. I dont get joint pain or anything. Only in my back. And what i gather thats a good thing. Im a decent build guy and that. The bow doesnt feel like too hard to draw, but its hard to develop your form,when i can only hold full draw maybe 2 to 5 seconds. and after that i can hear arrows in my back quiver shizzlin as i get the trembles! HAHA. But anyway, now i feel like maybe it would be smart to get lighter recurve for practising and learning proper form. Currently im trying to do instinctive shooting and seein how that works for me. Great channel by the way! And sry bad english.
I got a $50 lb Samick Sage and at full draw I can hold for 30 seconds or so, but not without movement. When I first got it I thought " I'm over bowed and I'll never be able to draw this bow" but if you keep drawing the bow you get used to the weight and it soon starts to feel normal. I draw it every day as many times as possible. I'm waiting on a fast flight string that I ordered, then I'll shoot more, as I don't really trust the string that came with it, it looks separated and a little thin around the bow nocks!!
The few times I've ordered from 3rivers they did send me a catalog/brochure. I make my own bows (so-called "board bows"--Red Oak from the local home improvement store) but have been thinking of building a recurve. However, after looking at the costs involved in building vs buying, I've become more interested in the Sage. So this has been a good review for me. Would love to hear your thoughts on some of the other "entry-level" bows put out by Bear, PSE, etc.
red oak board bow build online peaked my interest and got me started shooting. I bought a bear montana and shot it a few months and got the sage as a gift. It shot better for me than the montana. it's really a good bow. needed a better string but those are relatively cheap.
@john Mullholand They are more or less the same bow. There are very minor differences between these bows, mostly in things like the exact shape of the grip.
@john Mullholand we used to have Boy Scouts in Australia. They used to prevent bush fires by clearing the woods of dead wood. Now. The city parks are covered in over vegetation. The humans have created their future disaster. I don’t feel sorry for either side of the arguments. Not only did they destroy the scouts, they destroyed everything including my whole life. There’s no helping humans from the destruction of planet earth.
It doesn't help much with this hyped up 'Samick Craze' when RU-vid keeps recommending yours and several other Samick videos EVERY blimmin day... So far I still haven't used mine for over a month, since it seems to be impossible to buy left hand magnetic SF arrow rests in black in the UK. I am not sticking the cheap plastic ones on :oP
Thank YOU, NUSensei !!! I was wondering if you had reviewed the Samic "Sage". I have heard of the Samic "Red Stag (or Red Deer) yet I did not see that model on the website....I didn't search by "Brand" though. Anyway, I Love your vid's!!!
I have the samick sage journey I just need to make some time to shoot at my deer target because I didn't buy the kit just the bow and gear separate I may order some field tips so I can use the archery range out at the resevior and sending brochures in the outdoor industry is very common one came with my hunting backpack and I have to put my new string on my bow when I strung it up for the first time successfully the sheathing at one loop got cut by accident so its coming apart so I have the new string already since the string that comes stock is not rated at the poundages that I want to shoot at eventually.
Should be a lot of fun to shoot - you are taller and it's a shorter bow, yet you got a high enough poundage that it should feel good. You may not be able to get a full draw, but most of the way there. a taller bow would just feel a little 'smoother' since you are a taller person.
Sorry missed response, late reply. As others have commented, working your way up in poundage can be easier, but with enough practice 55 isn't terribly hard. Starting with 70 would be a bad idea. Hope shooting is going well!
I am looking to buy the samick sage and want to buy the 45#.But with the stacking and my draw length being 29 I'm worried it would not work for me.I wondered should I try to build up strength so it will be easier or go with a lighter draw weight.
I was taught the Olympic style with re-curve in the sense that I bring the string directly to my lips and have a 3 under hold. However, I have been wanting to experiment more with "Instinctive shooting" I recently found a video on bring the draw and nock to literally your eye. Is there any merit to this or is a more efficient way in transitioning styles. ( P.s just a recreational shooter, with a sage)
i had a samik sage recurve but really i dont understand what the fuzz is all about...i didnt like it at all...the pull was stiff and didnt have a very nice flow in it. i basicly changed it to a wild mountain silveretta one piece recurve and man it really was miles apart to shoot with it...never been more satisfied with a bow than now
I have a Sammick Sage and I wish I had gotten a lower poundage but I bought it from a guy on Craigslist for $80 so beggars cant be choosers I suppose lol when I get up some more expendable income I wanna get some lower poundage limbs because 45 pounds is way too high for me even with my shorter draw length
Could you recommend me some arrows that fit me? I'm using the Sage, my draw measure 28" and im using 30# limbs. Im having a hard time picking arrows with decent reveiws.
I have to say though. this bow is not a beginner bow. a beginner bow would be a compound usually a shop can set them up and have them perfect for around 200-300. recurve and long bows are harder to setup because they have to be tuned a certain way or simply won't work like they could. especially with take downs everytime you unstring it expect to take the time to re tune the string. every time I take down my bear my nock is always off now I don't take it down anymore I hang it and leave a string lock on it. a beginner may not notice the difference that much. but the consistency wont be there. I personally think the best beginner bow is a compound or a non takedown bow. a take down bow is like a sniper scope every time it goes in the case it has to be re adjusted when installed. it's more of a beginner bow for a novice compound bow shooter. I wouldn't direct any nooby to a takedown. I just wish I would've bought this before dropping 400+ on my bear. haha but i just got this bow as kind of contingency for work I did. I'll be comparing my bear to it and see if it is just hype or it does perform.
I disagree. Recurves are simpler to use, easier to teach and the fundamentals transfer to compound. Compounds must be personalised in order to be used, and numerous problems are masked by improper setup. There's a reason why most clubs and ranges teach their beginners with standard takedown recurves. At most, the Genesis bow is used, but mostly because one size fits all. Take down bows also do not lose their tune when being disassembled. Maybe the string might get untwisted, but this is literally the only thing that changes. This is not enough for me to say that takedown bows are inappropriate for newbies. I argue that they are perfect because they are simple and modular, making it right for clubs and learners alike.
NUSensei actually from the club here the guy actually said they use recurves and long bows because they pay like 50 for them and rent them and they don't have to be personalized. in fact he said he'd recommend people would buy their kids compounds and have them set by him or a archery shop.
Ondra Lukács if the silencer is closer to the nocking point it will slow the string more but it will be quieter. if you put the silencer towards the limb it will be faster but not as quiet.
That's not very comforting since mine came with a twisted limb from the factory (which I had to straighten). If that's the only criteria for voiding the warranty, it's not worth the paper it's written on.
NUSensei can you help me on specs for a 10 year old. I am taking your advise on the Polaris, however i am trying to fond the correct size and also availability. I asked for a 20-62 #=18 but was offered due to stock a 22-64 #=18. Does a size 22-64 exist as i only saw 20 or 24 riser size. Also do you think a 22-64 @ 18# be ok for a 10 year old.
It should be OK. 18# is the standard weight we use for adults, so depending the 10yo's arm span and strength, it can either be just right or a bit too heavy.
Correct me if I'm wrong. But it looks like your limbs were not even screwed in all the way. My limbs sit perfectly parallel in the channel, yours are sticking out at an angle.
Benny Russell depends on how strong you are. I'm thirteen and am shooting a 30 pound long bow. I will be shooting 35 pounds soon because 30 seems a little light right now
Sensei: Great video on the Samick Sage, thanks for sharing your experience. One question.... at the end of the video you said "Is this the best beginner bow? No." I am an absolute beginner, 62 years old, 6'-0" tall, 200#, very fit. I am an experienced spearfisherman, which is much like archery. I don't start things lightly, so I am confident I will grow in the sport and practice frequently. I'd like to stay within $500-$600 for a complete starting kit. What would be your top recommendation for riser and limbs?
Humans use self ego to educate themselves. He’s going to be doing interior design videos and landscape garden ideas videos , how to do woodworking vids, etc... plan your life. Do some day dreaming. Predict the future. Etc... you can do it!
Thanks for the review, this was my first bow, just got it a little over a week ago. Your videos have been super helpful to me as a new Archer just starting out. Thanks for all the time and effort!
He kinda "reviewed" them several times... since he said its IMPOSSIBLE for any arrow to have a spine that is worth using on so many different draw weights. They are "tuned" for high draw weights, but their quality is not very high, so then you are at risk of the arrow just snaping or even blowing up. He doesnt recommend them im afraid.
Ohh my T^T Nu got a Samick Sage infection. Errr this feels weird, too weird. Okay Okay, jokes aside. I am actually thinking about getting a "backyard fun bow" for my self aswell, on the side of my olympic recurve. Might happen some day. But still, i did not expekt this from you Nusensei. Keep up the good work! (More about my archery below.) About my own progress in archery, I am actually doing nice groupings on 20 yards. Todays record was 29 points into a 20 yard standard target. Still waiting for my very first 12 arrow stack shipment and coach wanted me to try hes personal aluminium arrows, they where bit too stiff but they flew pretty well in the end. My coach is really kind to others, but bechause im the only young guy in the range, he allways keeps the pressure on me to get highest possible performance. But still keeps being hes helpful self, when my head starts to steam with bad groupings ^^ Thats all for today. Thank you again, to guide me into archery before joining to a club. -Immo (ChronosFIN)
I really enjoy your reviews first of all. You always cover all aspects of the product. In fact, you just sold me on southwest archery's "scorpion longbow" & now I have a tough decision!
Man thank you so much for these videos. I am a beginner and went for this bow. Got 45 draw weight which I am a little now anxious about but it looks great and I can’t wait to use it.
Lol I have many more firearms then I do bows and honestly I love archery for the affordability of it. I attended a local auction last week and picked up a Hoyt USA MT sport with zr200 limbs and the cam and a half system, mint condition; for $40. Also got a PSE Nova 4 for $20, and brand new in box Barska Colorado series 12x50 binoculars for $17. Compare the cost of going to the range and putting 1-200 rounds of medium/high caliber rifle rounds down, to buying arrows and going out to shoot them (more then once hopefully). I love my guns to death and nothing beats the smell of that powder and the feel of the recoil. But there's just something cheeky about having an extremely nice bow setup just for myself at Jay's, ready to go target shoot or hunt; for under $120 total.
II've 6 bows - one compound, one one-piece recurve (since 1974) , 3 take-down recurves (two of which have interchangeable limbs and risers) and a longbow. One of the take-downs is a Samick Sage, and I totally agree with NuSensei - it's value for the money is spot on. Even my girlfriend shoots a Samick Sage. Your comprehensive review echoes how we feel about the Sage. Thank you
The Samick Sage has one obvious significant flaw. The screw in / stick on arrow rest is significantly out of allignment from the centre of the string-line. No matter what you do, your arrows will always fly to the left. You may want to mill out a few mm of the riser to help accommodate for the screw in or stick on arrow rest, however you may be comparimising the strength of the riser. If you want to use high poundage limbs, the riser may snap in half? Very poor design. Anybody know how to get around this problem, without resourting to shooting off the shelf ??
I like the humour here. But I didn't like what other bows in the price range offered, so took the plunge, and purchased 2 x Samick Tigersharks, which are bascally generation 3 Samick Sage. In Australia, I paid $540 delivered for a 29#, and 45# bows. They each came with two Dacron pre-waxed strings, and plastic Cartel arrow rest, which I'll quickly throw away for a pro rest. Very happy with their finish, and build quality, although they do only come with flush allen key limb bolts, so I'll be sure to get the Sage raised finger bolts so I don't run into problems with losing the allen key. I'm yet to silence these bows, as the string, and limbs resonate a fair bit. The ususal numbering grafiti is visable on the limb edges, but all that I'll cover up with limb skins to rid of the aweful satin black finish, which has a cheap appeal, but cheap appearace doesn't seem to detract from actual performance. Yes, these are my first bows, which I found the best price on Amazon, US. Only one seller had this good sale price that actually sent to Australia, and they can't be purchased in Australia either. They were around the same price as the Sage in Australia too. I could't find the Spyder in Australia either, only much lower quality take down recurve bows. I found Archery supply prices swing wildly from store to store, and all my Archery things I'm purchasing all over the country. Australian retail is rediculous.
I am 67 and started with a 35lb Samick Sage about 18 months ago. After 6mths I moved up to 45lbs to shoot arrows flatter from 30m to 50ms. I use Linkboy 30in 500spine carbon arrows with 5in turkeys feathers. I am 170cms tall and 72kgs. I love my Samick bow and recommend to all my friends. I notice that the few detractors of these bows seem to have drums to beat that do not reflect objective reviewing of the Samicks. The joy of using my Samick is appreciated by my friends who use recurves with sights and compound bow users.
I friggin' love my Sage. I use a whisker biscuit (as vanes ricochet off the bear rest), brown yarn home-made string sound dampers (super cheap-yet-effective option), and a set of 30# limbs, and 55# limbs. I start my session with 30# limbs at 15m, and about 30 minutes in, I switch to the 55# limbs, and start moving back the target to 30m, 40m, 50m, and if the wind is low, back to 75m. When I shoot, people often remark how quiet it is (almost totally silent), as well as how fast the arrows go down range. It's my second bow. My first was an old fiberglass 45# hunting bow from the 1970s that my dad got before I was even born. I got used to 45# early on in life (was using it around 9-10-years-old), and I wanted something with more punch, and the Sage was perfect for this, as I can put lighter limbs on at the start of a session, or I can do it to let less experienced or weaker friends use it as well. The Samick also motivated me to learn how to make my own bows so that I could make quality, but inexpensive bows for my friends and family, as I don't particularly like sharing my bow during a session. It really is a fantastic entry level bow, and like a KA-BAR knife, I use it as the gold standard when comparing bows. If it's not at least as good as the Samick, I won't even consider the bow, and if it's better quality, then I'll feel confident in my purchase.
The only way to make something known, is to endlessly talk about it. You do things over and over and over. That’s life. Aren’t you sick of breathing by now? Why do you keep doing it? Thinking is a tiny part of your brain. The vast majority is subconscious. You need to stop day dreaming and do most things with the subconscious part. Over thinking leads to heart attack and stopping of breathing patterns.
Excellent commentary on the Samick. Here in the USA, I picked one up at Gander Mountain, and their service shop handled all the install of arrow rest, nock wrap, and what not. 3 Rivers, and Gander Mountain are my two Go-To places for archery now. Thanks for sharing this with us all!
Just not this one. There are way nicer and its worth saving your cash for tje really sweet one besides I'm assuming you already have everything else. Right now I'm saving up for a custom leather quiver this guy at the Renaissance Fair makes and they are oh my God fucking gorgeous and it will match my bow perfectly
Hi Sensei. I have ordered Samick Sage in 30# as beginner on Amazon,but I'm not sure what kind of arrows I need to order additional.Need advise Sensei.Thanks
I'm a trad shooter, love my Samick Sage, been great for me as I've progressed to be able to pick up the higher pound limbs over time too, glad you had a good time with it! XD
I shoot barebow and have always preferred draw weights in the 40-45# range as well: high enough to have decent distance but not so high they are difficult to draw repeatedly. My bow is an almost ancient Ben Pearson Spectre that has a weight of 45#. I'm really glad you took the time to talk about the glove and other accessories. I've been looking at getting a glove and it was helpful.
+renaissanceexodus I love BP bows I had a renegade 50lb bow shot it for 2 months then a catastrophic delamination of the top limb at full draw ended its usefulness. I got it on flea-bay cheap. wish I still had it.
anthony miller I like mine a lot too. Older bows have a totally different feel to them. You can sometimes find them at amazingly cheap prices at yard sales or online. I've always heard delamination is caused by heat stress, so it probably wasn't stored properly by the previous owner. Which I guess isn't really surprising considering how old the BP recurves are. I think they changed to only making compound bows in the late 70's.
I got my grandson a samick sage takedown for Christmas and it came without a manual. I told him to take it to an archery shop to get it strung the first time. I didn't get a manual so I got the brace height online. ( he lives about 900 miles from me so I can't give him direct instructions Is there anything else that I should tell him. His uncle will teach him to use it.
Most bows don't have manuals. Their function and assembly is so simple that they're more or less ready to shoot out of the box, with only a few small things that you need to do (and a pro shop is not needed). As far as need-to-know things, definitely get some instruction from someone with knowledge on how to use a bow.
It's been my primary bow for like eight years (admittedly only shot extensively for five of those years). I don't see a reason to get another recurve bow for traditional off the shelf shooting. It just works. It shoots, it's reliable, it's got a nice grip, it has nearly no hand shock, and the velocity is fine.
Very well done. I'm probably going to get a 25# Sage (or a Samick Phantom). It first, I was thinking 25# for too light, but now I think it is just what I need. I realized that even though I shoot 45-48# Elite compound bows, they have 80 % let off - way less than 25#. Bobby
NuSensei, I know this is an old video but fyi I've been shooting my $130USD 45# Sage since 2015 and she has been my go-to bow since. I shoot split finger off of the shelf and make my own Flemish twist B50 strings which makes for a real smooth and quiet bow. I shoot tourneys, 3D, hunting and fun target flinging and am still happy and think she shoots as well as a more expensive bow. Accuracy is as accurate as the archers' eye!
i got the Sage @ 40lb DW - I've a 27-28" draw. it is a stiff bow. not so much I struggle with it, but definitely feel it. I also have a 40lb Bearpaw Blackfoot longbow/flatbow (all one piece), I find that SO much easier to draw, compared to the Sage, it feels like i'm drawing only 20-30lbs (i'm not. I checked the draw weight & at my 27-28", it's 40lb or slightly over). I thoroughly enjoy shooting both. i'm looking to pick up a Mandarin Duck Blackhunter bow next. probably 40lb, unsure to go recurve or longbow, probably leaning slightly toward long with an option to get recurve limbs also at a later date.
Just bought a samick sage, 45lb bow, and im very impressed with it, im a first time bow shooter, i have shot other items, like air rifles and slingshots, and i can safely say i have taken to shooting bow and arrows Im also happy to say, that in watching your videos, i have successfully tied nock points onto my bow, and my shots seem very consistent Im also hitting the target straight away, what you would call "on paper" in the air rifle Industry, thanks to watchinf your channel about shooting techniques Im glad i opted for the 45lb bow, rather than a 20lb bow, because i knew i had a lot of back and shoulder strength, and although my measured draw length is 26.5 inches, im bringing the string back to where its needed against my lip/tooth, so im happy, and i can hold the string drawn for quite some time I think if i had picked a lower draw weight, for me personally, i would have become bored after some time, again, not everyone is me, not everyone is you, everyone is individual with their strength and techniques I will carry on watching your channel to further assist my techniques At the moment im shooting at about 12 feet away from the target, i will move back as and when i can, and feel comfortable doing so Im shooting in my garage at rhe moment, and would have to take the target outside into the back yard to shoot further, but the weather is not so nice here in the uk at the moment Thank you for your channel, keep ip the good work
Thanks, NuSensei- after months of window-shopping, and being a bit of a hipster and trying to find a good first bow that WASN'T a Samick Sage, your review convinced me, and I just ordered a Samick Journey after all. From 3 Rivers, no less. Thank you for decisively ending the agony. Also, your vids are brilliant and funny and supply me with more useful archery info in ten minutes than I've found in hours of sneaky workplace Google-surfing. I really appreciate your work.
Thanks NUsensei for sharing your video and your thoughts on the Samick Sage with the 62" set-up. I think you mentioned it but the Samick Journey sits at a 64" set-up. Where the Samick Polaris can be had with a 66" set-up. It would be interesting to see how these bows vary with the longer limbs - with the same poundage on the limbs.This may not work with your 27 inch draw but I would expect that those who have longer draw-lengths may see a benefit; like experiencing a lesser chance of a stack-up on the limbs at full-draw. Your thoughts on this would be interesting.
I have a 27 inch draw and shoot with 35 pound limbs. it's a pretty great bow and very quiet when you have silencers. the grip isn't as comfortable as my brothers 1965 bear grizzly in 45 pounds, (also not as smooth) but that's nothing really to complain about.
How 30$ from 3 arrows is a sale? Nowbody sayd that. But i would buy arrows that are known brand and then you in future can buy those same arrows. I use carbon arrows that are 8€/ arrow. So i have only that model/brand. When you find arrow that fit, stay on it.
This bow is similar to my Greatree Advantage. Another takedown recurve in the same price range and I find it to be really nice shooting bow, 60 inches and 43 lbs at my draw length. the sage is a nice bow but like you said there's many nice bows similar in cost. I normally shoot a 30 pound Polaris for target shooting and working on form, the sage and the Greatree advantage are great for beginner hunting "trad bows" being that the legal draw weight here in the state of connecticut and many others in the USA is 40#. Nice video, keep them coming.
So, what do you think is the best target bow for beginners? And the best beginner compound bow? Well, I bought the Sage. I'm quite happy with it, and my friend likes it a lot too and wants to buy her own. Only now it seems to be out of production and replaced by a newer models?
This Samick sage bow is pretty dam good, I bought the 62” by 50lb draw, 50lb being good for large game hunting, solid feeling bow, great to be able to take down to length of limbs for storage and travel, this is a serious bow for the price, onece your nocked up and beaver balled your ready to go get that meat, or even just target practice wherever, but it is a great bow, with predrilled holes for extra sight, quiver, counter balance whatever you wish to add just make sure you get your hole sizes and where they are right when your looking for the add ones, I just use shelf felt, and a bead nock, with beaver balls, and good to go, well worth the money for a bow this good
Great video! Very informative! Im considering getting the samick sage and I have a few questions. I currently use a genesis compound bow and the bow has a plastic arrow rest that I like very much, do you think that the genesis arrow rest will work with the sage? The next question is that can you use aluminum arrows instead of carbon I already use aluminum arrows and I know that using the arrows that I currently own will save me money. Thank you for taking your time for making this video and reading my comment.
Great video! Very informative! Im considering getting the samick sage and I have a few questions. I currently use a genesis compound bow and the bow has a plastic arrow rest that I like very much, do you think that the genesis arrow rest will work with the sage? The next question is that can you use aluminum arrows instead of carbon I already use aluminum arrows and I know that using the arrows that I currently own will save me money. Thank you for taking your time for making this video and reading my comment.
