I think the Samick / AK thread got a bit off track so I would like to know who amongst us are Samick owners?What model and your thoughts on them.?Tell us the good and bad points. OSR
Did not know I should be worrying about my Grayling Bears delaminating...I see more twisted limbs on cheap bows like the Sage than I do on my old Bears...wanna take a guess what a set of Sage limbs are worth when they leave the factory?
The Samik has some great offerings, but they also have their share of failures as does everyone else. I successfully sell the samik's myself. Great bow for the money but nobody is perfect.
Millions of old bows were built and there is no telling what conditions they have experienced as they gathered age and the dust blown off of them. To hear of a failure now and then is to be expected.
One thing the survivers made this far ,old or not .We just have to wait and see how Samicks hold up in 50 or so years.It can be disconcerting thinking your old clasic could let go at any moment.So far mine haven't let go yet.Fingers crossed. OSR
I've had Black Widow, Bob Lee, Palmer, Howard Hill....sold them all when I had some finger trouble and needed to drop 10 lbs in draw weight. Bought a Samick Devastator and love it. Does it have the fit and finish of the Bob Lee, no but it's close. Does it have the speed of the widow, no but it's close. Is it as smooth as the Palmer, mmmmaybe but it's 12 lbs lighter so hard to compare. I draw just shy of 32" and it's plenty smooth.
You know what wasn't close. The price.
Don't get me wrong, if price wasn't an option I'd be on the phone with Bob Lee tonight but until then I have 3 kids and a Samick that shoot's as good as any of them. Maybe even a little quieter. Definitely quieter than the Widow.
I have a Samick Red Stag T/D. I paid around $190 for it, and really enjoy it. The string grooves had some sharp edges that I relieved with some 220 grit sandpaper. Other than that, I have had no problems. Killed this small spike with it this past fall .
The answer is I do not care what the limbs cost because I have no intention of ever owning a Sage...I shoot quality used bows that cost about the same money as a Sage...I may one day own a Samick bow as Samick makes some great bows, just not going to play around with their cheapies
My granddaughter owns a 30# Sage and I own two pairs of BF Extreme ILF limbs. The best limbs I've ever owned. The Sage is a good bow for her at 12 years of age.
mikieg, I don' think too many Devastators are sold. Most people would by a used custom rather than a new Devastator for about the same money. I would. But my long draw put me to looking for a bow 40@28 so that it would be low 50s for me. There's not much of a used market for that. I'll get some pics of it tonight. It is a very pretty bow.
Have a Red Stag longbow, very good bow. A Sage for the wife. A Verna longbow, OK but not as good as red stag to me. Have a few sets of samick limbs. No problems with any, and very good for the money.
I wonder how many bow failures, limb twist, there were back in the day of no mass communication? You had less expensive bows back then Shakesphere, some Pearsons, the ones sold by Sears; did they get the bad rap that Samick gets by some on here just because they were cheaper? Impression I get many feel Bear never had any issues from what they have seen. From what "I have seen" Samick doesnt' have any issues, other than what someone writes on here about. As some on here have written, ALL manufactures whether Custom or Factory made, have failures. The more you make the greater the opportunity to see it happen. I suspect though, percentage wise, Custom and Factory made run about the same for failure. You have a 1000 people shooting one brand of bow and only 15-20 shooting another which do you think you have the greater chance of seeing one fail? DANNY
I have a volcano and a stingray both very good bows. Have been tempted to try a Verna after watching Ranger-B video. I have noticed from posts that when manufacturing defects arise the bows are replaced by the dealers.
Some folks obviously think the more they pay for something, the better its got to be. I'm very satisfied with my Samick Red Stag T/D. Not even looking for another bow, other than maybe some day a Black Bear warf if I can ever find a lefty riser. :)
I have a samick sage 35# 62" and it shoots great! It's a takedown bow, and very customizable. I like it because it shoots like a dream, and it packs a mighty punch for a 35er. The only thing that would upset some people is that the default string is pretty loud, but that doesn't bother me. Hope I helped!! -RedFeather
I own two Sage bows. One I bought used for under $100 on eBay. They are great bows and because of price I don't hesitate to take sand paper to them and make them what I want them to be. I shot one at Traditional world championships last year, and no one made any negative comments on what I was shooting, and I placed mid pack in my class. I sanded that riser down, and took a file to any sharp edges and re-sealed it.
Bob, I used an acrylic spray paint from Lowes. I then used a candle and ran it briefly through the flames and made soot marks on the paint. Then 3 coats of satin polyurethane with light steel wool rubs in between.
Different strokes for different folks...Some people wouldn't dream of paying 139.00 for a decent serviceable bow. But would pay 1000.00 for one with a "custom" moniker. And the only real difference is the finish.
Nothing wrong with that, to each his own, but no sense in denying the truth.
When the sage came out it got all sorts of good reviews, so i figured heck for 139.00 how could i go wrong? So i bought one,55# put a FF string on it.. shot it a little, not bad, heck good in fact.
But it ended up just hanging around not being used like a lot of bows here. (i do have my favorites)
Then i decided heck, may as well kill something with the sage. And i did.. Worked fine, as good as my customs? heck dead is dead isn't it?
Fairly fast, quiet, good price, truthfully what's not to like?
does it hurt my self image? (boy if we are really honest, maybe that's the ugly truth )... But I don't really care about such things, so i can be honest enough to admit it's a pretty decent bow, not finished as good as a custom , but then for 139.00 well....what can you say? think i'll go shoot mine.
And to continue my last post...I did do just that, just came back in the house. COLD!! targets frozen. But heck yea the sage shoots good .
I wouldn't mind dressing it up a bit, round those square edges, some snake skins.
Curious has anyone replaced those ugly (at least i think so) limb bolts with the flatter allen head type? I never take my limbs off, and if i wanted to i could always put the knobs back on. I'm assuming its a standard limb bolt? I don't have any others here at this time to try on it.
My biggest fear with Samick is they will start jacking up the pices on their bows as Martin did competing with custom bow makers using facier more expensive woods. When they had the Howatt Hunter with the tan Action Wood handle back in the mid 80's you could get them for about $100-$120 mail order through Bowhunter Discount Warehouse which made it within reason (even then) for a Newbie just getting started into Traditional Archery. When they quit making them they were almost as expensive as some custom bowyers takedowns. There was nothing for the beginner, who couldn't go to shoots, to get at a resonable price on a used bow. Not everybody can find a buy in Garage Sales or knows what to look for on the Internet. Then Samick came along making a quality inexpensive bow for those who didn't have alot of money or those that didn't want to spend a lot to see if Traditional Archery was for them. Samick has been the biggest Boom to Traditonal Archery in the last 15-20 years. I can tell you that when the Samick Exsecutives came to Denton some years ago, with Lancaster Archery, they COULDN'T beleive so many people just shot bows, JUST for the sheer shooting pleasure of shooting them. They were truely impressed. All they knew were the serious competition shooters, because in Korea archery is a VERY serious sport. I have been impressed with their bows, that is why I own two, along with my customs, and Martins. DANNY
My first hunting bow was a Samick Woodsman, at the time it was top-of-the-line. And a bargain. Forgiving, versatile bow, though not real fast with 45# limbs, drew only about 42. One had a little twist in it I took out with a little heat. I later ordered 55# limbs from LAS, and they were dimensionally off and didn't remotely fit. They got me free replacements from Samick.
I've seen the Sage everyone loves- the grip is not right for me, and the finish is what you'd expect from a $130 bow. I had a Pinnacle, though, and it was a nice performing, but plain, bow. But I've heard stories of both having risers fail.
On the other hand, I've had vintage bows delaminate or have the glass lift up. Somebody reminded me about getting one- you never know how long it's been in somebodies attic or garage, subject to extreme temperatures.
The Sage is a nice bow but comparing to a $1,000 custom is a stretch and a long stretch at that. Woods used, limb pockets, plastic pocket sides, limb butt design, finish. Nowhere close.
I'm wondering if Shade MT hit on a point? Does it hurt my self image? Wow now you got me to thinking. Are we paying a lot of money for a name? I don't own a Samick, & in all truthfullness, I'm pretty taken with Bear bows right now. Nostalgia?????? Probably that's what I started with.
I've been looking at the Samicks in the 3 Rivers catalog & they seem to offer a lot of quality for the money. Hmmm Thanks for the thread that has gotten us to thinking.
I have a Samick Sage take down 50#, Love it and even though I am starting my first home made bow since I was a kid I'll probably never part with my Samick.
I bought my Sage because it was cheap but I really love it. I have a 30" draw so I tried putting the longer Journey limbs on it and that made it even better. I've never owned a longbow but I'd like to try one for awhile so I'm considering buying one of the Samick models.
I agree my draw is 29.5", I have the 50# Sage limbs and 50# Journey limbs. I felt the Journey limbs preformed better for my draw. Soother and "seemed" faster or at least the arrow flew straighter. Not that out of the Sage limbs I had bad arrow flight, it is just the flight seemed better off of the same riser. DANNY
I ordered a samick journey while I'm waiting on my custom 64" legends recurve to be built. For $120 this is a nice bow! Just a rugged and solid performing bow. I've owned a few customs but haven't shot nearly the bows a lot of ppl have but the samick journey/sage are fine shooters.
I have a Samick Sage in 35 and 40# and a Journey in 45# I don't doubt there are better bows but these are great shooters. I also like the Sage riser because it fits my hand perfectly.
reddogge wrote: "The Sage is a nice bow but comparing to a $1,000 custom is a stretch and a long stretch at that. Woods used, limb pockets, plastic pocket sides, limb butt design, finish. Nowhere close. But they shoot nice."
I can't disagree with that. I've felt, without proof, that they shoot slower than one should expect for any particular draw weight. But, the interesting thing for me is that a person can hunt any game with the darn things, and spend only $ 140.00 .... and not be at a disadvantage.
I've shot skeet with inexpensive guns, and, over the long run, they will beat you up and lower your score. But the same doesn't seem to hold with the Sage versus an expensive bow.
I bought a Sage and it was a great bow. A little loud in the limb pockets so I added moleskin. Bought it cause I couldn't believe $129 could be worth a dime but wow! I did sell it but I think I'll buy a Red Stag as a back up and fishing rig even though it's worthy of the woods by far. I'd like to kill a deer with it just to prove a point. Samick should be praised for invigorating trad and getting new archers in the game. All that being said; I picked up a 1955-6 Bear Griz, 62", 45#, original leather grip in phenonomenal shape on EBay for $85. It's a shooter! Now, for a bow to live that long in God knows where and still shoot like a dream after 58 years to me is quintessential! Now killing an animal with that bow will be indescribable I think.
Bows like the sage are fine bows. very serviceable. I don't think, or( i doubt) they are necessarily cheaper made as far as the gluing laminating process, that process is pretty limited, and rather straightforward. So i have doubts that they delaminate any more than any other bow.
Bows like the sage do not have near the time in the finishing process, use a cheaper limb bolt, bezel and no locator pin, which is made possible by using a metal limb guide, limb pocket deal.
They arte an assembly line mass produced bow which is not a bad thing.
As far as materials? Hard maple limb core, which frankly as a limb material has been used for decades, and is one of the most bullet proof core woods though rather plain. Riser i'm guessing is actionwood which while it makes some purist snort in disgust, it is rather strong, makes a decent riser, and is far cheaper than exotics.
That being said......
I could trace out the limbs and riser of a sage...glue up the lams,with the same taper, same limb configuration, same riser shape..use some flat grain red elm under clear glass, add a locator pin, rather than the metal limb pocket, finish it better, and slap a 800.00 price tag on it, and we'd swarm all over it.
And all it would be would be a glorified sage...And that folks, is the truth.
Well far more positive things are being said than negative things. Possibably a bit better than entry level .They apear to be a bow for the masses. OSR
The Sage is simply an embarrassing bow to shoot. In by that I mean that some folks will take a real shot to the ego when launching arrows from them. And the reason for that is they will actually do what expensive, exotic, fancy-wood, 'custom' take down bows will. Hitting the target with consistency should be the most important requisite for the archer in choosing the bow, not name recognition and vanity. At a $140 if the grip isn't quite right then your more likely to take a rasp to it than you would a fancy shmancy Black Widow for instance. There is nothing wrong per se with expensive bows, but I just don't see the benefits to using one. Others do, however, and that's just fine too.
Osr144, I for one don't happen to believe the term "entry level" as it pertains to archery. Apparently the old axiom, "you get what you pay for", needs revisited.
What determines the term entry level?..price alone?
Hard to believe it's 38 years since i first picked up a recurve and started bowhunting. I would think i'm past the "entry level" stage. And i own a sage.
Risers are the same for what I have seen, limb length is what separates the two. I bought mine as the Sage and then bought the Journey Limbs. I will have to admit that the newer risers or at least the ones I have handled recently have a more contoured grip not as blocky as the one that I have. DANNY
Yeah I hear where you are comming from .To be more precise its a good bow to start archery with and is capable of shooting as good if not better than some customs.Experienced archers would feel right at home with one as well.I will ditch the(ENTRY) level term.They are just honest good shooting well priced bows .Anyway I got a lot of good replies from this so (all is good) I am kinda thinkin Bear paws could be OK too but cost a little bit more. OSR
I trying like crazy to find a USED Samick Stingray... I can't seem to find one anywhere! I know a lot of people bought them, but it doesn't seem that anyone wants to part with one.
That tells me that the people who have them want to hold onto them. You typically don't do that with junk. Obviously it has something going for it... I would just like to see for myself what it is.
40# Polaris and 45# Sage. Durable, never worry about letting someone try a quiver full of arrows. If the bow gets damaged or lost, I can replace it.
I don't let anyone try my Pacific Yew longbow since bowyer Steve Abbot died.
I'm particular about my self bows too. I only have a 24 1/4" draw length so I have to be careful not to let tall people draw them back and leave "memory" in the limbs. All five of my self bows have been handmade by Leatherwallers and came to me through trades. Thank you craftsmen.
samick has starting to get a big following i think they are good bows, its a shame no co here in the states want to make a reasonably priced bow anymore, i dont think my sage can be beat for the money. over the years ived owned many difernt brands from widow down, and other than my sage i only shoot the bowsi build anymore
I shot a Samick Olympic recurve for many years in competition. Still have it but had to switch to L/H and never got a lefty riser. Can 't shoot sights left-handed anyway being right eye dominant! But.....it was definitely NOT a "cheap" Samick!
Someone asked what the difference was between the Samick Sage and the Journey. Answer, just the limbs. Both have the same 19" riser. Journey is AMO 64". Sage is AMO 62". Journey limbs are 1" longer /each. They are interchangeable on the Sage/Journey riser, as well as the 19" or 23" Samick Polaris riser (and Polaris limbs fit on the Sage/Journey riser).
Link from Twig Archery. https://vimeo.com/57500076
I have a 30 lb Samick Journey, nice shooter . Wife has a 62" Polaris with 24 lb limbs-and likes it.
Just got the Samick Sage 55#. I was impressed to say the least after opening an shooting...
As for the price it is cheap bow to some, BUT for shooting an appearance my hats off to Samick! Will it last 50 years, I want be around to see or care but for today. I know what it does an quite well for the money $$$...
I bought a Samick "Nighthawk" TD recurve, 60", 35@28 for my family members, friends etc. to shoot, just to give them a taste of traditional archery. I was surprised when the bow arrived. The look and feel of the riser was outstanding. The finish was excellent and the bow shoots very well at my 28" draw. You often read about the cheaper models offered by Samick but this "Nighthawk" at $300 from Lancaster Archery is money well spent for the hunter on a budget.
Bought a Samick (bamboo) Raider 5 years ago at LAS. Never heard of Samick before. 60 inch 50 pound longbow. Quiet, fast, light and very accurate. It's a keeper.
Samick Little Fox is a well made bow for kids or ladies that are starting out. They come in 48, 54, 58. Well made little bow. We bought them for our archery class that we teach at church. A long with GT lightning arrows. They are tough little bows and haven't had any problems with them except for the strings ,3rd year using them. Strings serving unravel need to be replaced. Kids can be rough on bows. But these have held up very well. Liked them so well when my wife said she would like to start shooting bought her one and set it up for her. Lancaster sells them for $109.00
Bought a Stingray for my daughter. Cannot find a more accurate bow for $220 in my opinion. I was quite upset because i shot it better than my Widow. LOL
Thanks Northerner. Just what I was looking for. Also, as others have suggested, I'm gonna take a rasp to those square corners and refinish. Then I wont have to bear the social stigma of shooting an inexpensive (didn't say cheap) bow.
I have a Sage, great shooter. I had a take down Red stag with a set of 40# and a set of 50# limbs. The Red Stag was a great bow and I'm sorry I let it go.
I have a Samick Journey 45#, and a Samick Phoenix II 40#. The Journey got me back into traditional, but I have them for sale on this site. Have to thin the herd.
I have a samick journey with 30# and 40# limbs and I also have a spyder xlwith 40# limbs, not much difference between the two other than the riser on the spyder is not as blocky and fits my hand better. All the limbs are interchangeable, Also the limb bolts on the spyder are flush which I liked better,so I purchased an extra set of bolts and put them on the journey. I have no ego to speak of so if one of my buddies gets snarky about my cheap junk I just grin and let my arrows do the talking.
Samick Sage is a decent bow - works better with elevated rest instead shooting of the flat shelf. My ‘94 Mamba with Dacron string is 3fps faster than SS with FF string shooting same 470gr arrows from #55@28” . It’s a tool that will get it done, no more no less.
I was able get my hands on a used Samick Equus 50@28 and it is a fine shooter. There are more stable bows out there but the quality is top notch and it is fun to shoot.
i have 2 Samick sage bows 1 35 lb the other40 lbs.shoot 20yd winter league with the 35 pounder .and 3d with the 40 pounder.they are very good bows , and have many options built into them vintage bows do not have.I own some of the best vintage bows that were ever produced, the sage is on par with most of them with more options.bought the last on line new for 105.00. quiet a bow for the money.
I just got a Samick Discovery ILF bow in the mail a couple weeks ago. 17 in. machined aluminum riser with radiused shelf and plunger hole. Long carbon and wood limbs matte black finish for a 62 in. bow. It shoots great. It's arrival coincided with the opening of trout season so I haven't gotten it as quiet as I would like yet. Maybe I'm too used to my longbows being almost silent. I saved some money ordering it from England but had a 7 week wait account it was a special order for them. The bow was much cheaper than a Titan or Satori riser.
