Keshes Takedown Recurve Bow Review

You've probably heard of the Samick Sage, but you're less likely to have heard of the Keshes recurve bow. Yet the two bows actually come from the same factory and share similar features and craftsmanship. In fact, after using this recurve, we decided the bow rivaled the Sage in quality and deserved a full review of the Keshes takedown recurve bow.

There is a lot I like about this bow, but there are also some drawbacks.

Let's take a look and see who can benefit from this bow and who should keep looking for a bow that is better suited to their needs.

What's Included in the Package?

The Keshes Bow has a wooden riser separate from its two fiberglass limbs. It also comes with the necessary 14-strand Dacron bowstring.

Additionally, the package includes several useful accessories, including:

• Stick-on arrow rest
• Bowstringer tool
• Adjustable bow sight
• Two nocking points

The riser was also designed with pre-installed bushings so you can install further accessories such as advanced arrow rests and a quiver.

Assembling the Keshes Recurve Bow

Assembling the Keshes Bow is easy because the takedown doesn't require any tools like an Allen wrench. All you have to do is slide the limbs into the two limb pockets and secure them by tightening the knobs.

With the bow itself assembled, you can string it, which we recommend doing with the provided bowstringer tool. Otherwise, you risk damaging the bow or hurting yourself. Using a bowstringer tool is simple, but you should review the process before diving in.

After you have the bow strung, you can attach the included accessories. Match the arrow rest's circular cutout to the bushing for an arrow rest, then stick it on firmly. Screw the bow sight into the appropriate bushing and then adjust it as needed. 

To install the nocking points, shoot the bow a few times and note where you usually nock the arrow. This should be angled slightly up from the rest. Then nock the arrow again and pinch the points onto the bowstring above and below the arrow nock.

From there, I like to use the walk back tuning method for getting my arrows to fly correctly.

Here is a sort video that shows how easy this bow is to assemble.

Features/Specifications

Draw Weight

The Keshes takedown bow has a range of possible draw weights from 15 to 60 pounds. These are available in five-pound increments, so you can get the bow with everything from minimal power for new archers to penetrative power for big game. 

Draw Length

The Keshes bow has a draw length of 29 inches. While it's best to get it precisely measured at an archery shop, you can estimate your draw length by dividing your height in inches by 2.5. This would make this bow ideal for archers about six feet tall with a margin of a couple of inches on either side.

Archers much taller than this will have trouble shooting accurately. For tall archers, we recommend the Southwest Archery Spyder XL.

Archers much shorter can still use the bow, but they won't get the full power out of the draw weight. 

RELATED: Recurve Bow Buying Guide

Pros and Cons of the Keshes Recurve Bow

What We Like

Quality Design

The Bow has a high-quality design owing to its manufacture in the same facility that produces the renowned Samick Sage. As a result of this craftsmanship, it's durable and consistently precise over long periods of time. This makes it good for both beginners and experts because it's reliable and meets similar standards to that of the Sage.

Wide Range of Draw Weights

With draw weights ranging from 15 to 60 pounds, the Keshes takedown bow has the right amount of power for just about anyone. Beginners can get a low draw weight that they can hold drawn while working on their form. Experts and serious hunters can get enough power to produce serious speed and penetrate big game.

Plus, the takedown design means you can always change out the limbs for those of a different draw weight. Have one for target shooting and another for hunting. Or work your way up as you improve your skills. 

Convenient Takedown

Takedown bows are convenient in general because you can easily store and transport them when you're not using them and keep the limbs safe. The Keshes takedown design is especially convenient, though, because you don't need a tool to secure or remove the limbs. Just twist the knobs.

Left-Handed Option 

We were happy to find that Keshes makes this bow in both right and left handed versions. Unfortunately for left-handers, this can sometimes be hard to find, but you need the appropriately handed bow to maximize your accuracy and minimize the risk of painful wrist slap.

RELATED: Do I Need A Right Or Left Handed Bow

Accurate

Likely due to the quality design similar to that of the Samick Sage, the Keshes bow is particularly accurate, even over relatively long ranges when using powerful draw weight. This is because the shot is consistent and the limbs maintain their tension over time. Plus, vibration is minimal, although you will want string silencers for hunting.

What We Don't Like

Limb Tips Not Reinforced

The bow comes with a Dacron bowstring. This material is fine enough, but it still loses its tension faster than the best bow strings such as FastFlight and bowstrings with a Flemish twist. Unfortunately, you cannot use these types of strings with the Keshes bow because its limb tips aren't reinforced. The more advanced strings could damage the limbs.

Longer Draw Length

The Keshes Bow has a draw length of 29 inches, which is a bit longer than the 28 inches you'll normally find. This is actually a big plus for archers taller than six feet, but it means the majority of people, including men more than a couple of inches under six feet, most women, and certainly children will not be able to fully use the bow's power.

Keshes Recurve Bow Quality 

Riser

The Keshes bow's riser is made of wood and tough and durable thanks to its expert craftsmanship. It has the potential to outlive the limbs and see you through numerous seasons.

Limbs

The lamination on the limbs is well-done, but the material is not as top-notch as you might find on some other takedown recurve bows. Luckily, it's not much of a concern since you can simply slip on some new limbs if they begin to lose tension.

Grip

The grip on the Keshes bow is very comfortable. More importantly, it's intuitive if you're new to archery. You don't have to think much when you grab the riser. Your hand just slides into place.

String

The 14-strand Dacron bowstring is of average quality. It's certainly enough to get started, though if you get the bow with a draw weight in the range of 50-60 pounds, you may want to get a string with more strands. Unfortunately, you cannot upgrade the string material since the bow doesn't have reinforced limb tips.

Is the Keshes Recurve Bow Good for Beginners?

The Keshes Recurve Bow is an excellent recurve bow for beginners because it's easy to use while having a large range of draw weights. Beginners can start with manageable power and work their way up, the well-crafted riser seeing them through the honing of their skills.

Is the Keshes Recurve Bow Good for Kids?

The Keshes Bow is not an ideal bow for young children, though it is our top choice for teenagers if their arms are long enough to use most of the 29 inches of draw length. Young archers can learn quickly with the bow since it has a range of draw weights and is particularly stable and accurate.

RELATED: Best Youth Recurve Bow

Is the Keshes Recurve Bow Good for Hunting?

The Keshes Recurve Bow is great for bow hunting as long as you get it with a high enough draw weight. If you want to hunt whitetail deer or bigger game like elk, moose or bear, you'll need at least 35 or 40 pounds of draw weight depending on your local regulations.

With enough power, the bow is accurate over relatively long distances. It also has minimal vibration, so it's quiet, and includes bushings for attaching advanced arrow rests and sights.

The Keshes Recurve Bow vs the Samick Sage

The Keshes Recurve Bow and the Samick Sage are both solid options for beginners and intermediate archers and bowhunters, especially since they come from the same factory. While the Keshes bow is a bit more affordable and particularly user-friendly, the Samick Sage is more durable and features a more refined shot.

The Keshes Recurve Bow vs the Bear Grizzly

The Keshes Recurve Bow is a more affordable takedown model for those who are new to archery or intermediate archers who are still mastering their shot and finding exactly what they want to do in the archery world. Meanwhile, the Bear Grizzly is a premium bow that, though still suitable for beginners, is aimed at those looking to invest in an advanced hunting bow.

The Keshes Recurve Bow vs the SAS Courage

The Keshes Recurve Bow and the SAS Courage are both good bows and budget options for beginner and intermediate archers, but they have a few key differences. Most importantly, the Courage has the higher available draw weight of 65 pounds, which you might want if you plan to hunt big game like elk or moose. 

On the flipside, the Keshes bow goes down to 15 pounds of draw weight on the low end versus 29 pounds for the Courage. This makes the Keshes model better for absolute beginners and young archers.

The Keshes Recurve Bow vs the Topoint Endeavor Recurve Bow

Our favorite bow for Olympic target archery, the Topoint Endeavor takedown recurve bow  is designed for a different target market than the Keshes Takedown Recurve Bow, which is better for getting into bowhunting or starting hobby archery. The Topoint model has a lightweight aluminum design more suitable for competitive shooting while the Keshes model is traditional wood great for the outdoors.

The Keshes Recurve Bow vs the PSE Razorback

The Keshes Recurve Bow is the better choice for bowhunting applications since it goes up to 60 pounds of draw weight whereas the PSE Razorback only goes up to 35 pounds. Instead, choose the Razorback if you're interested in target shooting.

Wrapping Up the Review

We were excited to find the Keshes Takedown Recurve Bow, an affordable alternative to the Samick Sage, made in the same factory with the same high quality. We recommend it for beginners and intermediate archers looking for power and accuracy with a convenient takedown design.