Can anyone tell me something about Duke Savora recurves? Have a opportuniy to buy one.

I believe that they were made back in the early 80's. They were not made for very long. Savora used to or maybe still does make broadheads.

My Dad's got a Savora Longbow. I believe that they are pretty rare.

I have never seen the recurve. My Dad's longbow is not so hot.

Could be good for a starter bow.

Do a search on SAVORA on this site. There is a previous string with the info you want. I have a savora recurve with 60 and 55# limbs. I really like the bow. It prefers 2219s at both weights. 2 groundhogs so far to it's credit this Spring.

I used to work for Duke in Woodinville, Washington. We sold 4 Savora bows:

A top-of-the-line takedown recurve (the Premier).

An economical takedown recurve (the Express).

A one-piece version of the Premier.

A one-piece longbow.

The Premier had curved limb butts that fit into curved limb pockets on the riser (similar to a Cascade or Chek-mate takedown). The Express limbs bolted flat onto the riser back (similar to a Morrison, Robertson, and many others). Both featured brown glass. The riser on the Premier was a rosewood-colored dymondwood. The Express was a less-dense, lighter-colored, laminated material. The Premier was one heck of a bow. I didn't really care for the Express by comparison.

I hope others will correct me if I am wrong, but I think most of Duke's bow-making equipment was sold to Northwest Archery when he died. I think the longbow became the basis for laminated "Pacific Yew" longbows.

I've seen quite a lot of minor variations on the Premier and Express. Duke and his bowyers were forever tinkering and made all sorts of things in limited numbers... too many to describe them all.

Give me a holler if you decide you don't want the bow. I'd like to have a Premier for sentimental reasons.

A non-archery friend was given a Savora TD in the "Express" version in near mint-condition. He passed it on to me.

It's a 64", 52#@28", and is a wonderful shooter. It also came with 3 other sets of limbs in varying weights and states of completion.

Any ideas on how/who to complete the other limb sets?

Hmmm... 64" is interesting. Most were 62 and Duke's personal bows (at least the ones I saw) were 60". Any chance you can post a picture?

Bill Stewart built many of Duke's bows. I understand he is deceased, but try http://www.w4wc.org/bill_stewart/home.htm.

I purchased a 56" Savora takedown in about 78-80? and it broke. It was replaced with a 62" Premier takedown 73# @ 28 and was my primary bow until a mt. bike accident injured a nerve in my left elbow and holding against the draw became impossible. Still have it. Shot 3 MT. elk and 7 or 8 deer with it. Shot a 525 grain wood at 212 fps which seemed to be near the top of the heap back then for speed. Best shooting bow I ever had the pleasure to shoot. I spent quit a bit of time on the phone speaking to Duke Savora. Seemed like quite an interesting character. I just took it out for the first time in years. I will take a couple of photos later and post them up.

Don't you think it might be a tad late to offer info for post that is 14 years old from someone that hasn't posted since 2005?

The original bow making facility, in Yakima, was composed of Duke, Dale Marcy, and Bill Stewart. They had only one employee that i remember, Chuck Jones. That triad did not last long. Too many ego's. They made some good bows.

I got a 62", 60# TD in trade 5-6 years ago... Sat for a long time in controlled storage. Pulled it out last week, put on new string, and drove tacks at 30 yds...

Definitely will be messing around with it more (even though I'm a longbow guy)

They are very nice, Duke use to have a shop in woodinville WA where I had a chance to shoot them. Was impressed. Savora did not make them I think Sturar did

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