So you’re in the market for a recurve bow, and you’ve come across the Southwest Archery Tigershark Takedown Recurve Bow. Heard great things and unsure of its worth? You’re in the right place!
In this complete overview, we’ll examine the bow’s design, performance, and included accessories’ quality.
By the end, you’ll have a thorough understanding of what makes the Tigershark a fantastic choice for both beginners and experienced archers alike.
Quick Review
| Category | |
| Design and Aesthetics | Beautiful wood colors and sleek design |
| Limb Quality and Performance | Durable, smooth draw, adaptable draw weight |
| Included Accessories | Arrow rest, Dacron string, threaded inserts |
| Vibration and Tuning | Tuning nock and brace height reduces vibration |
| Grip Comfort and Sweaty Palms | Comfortable grip, solutions available for sweaty palms |
| Pros | Stunning design, lightweight, exceptional limb quality, threaded inserts, great value |
| Cons | Quality of included accessories, initial vibration, slippery grip when sweaty |
| Tips | Upgrade string and stringer, tune your bow, wrap grip, maintain your bow, practice regularly |
| Price | Check Price on Amazon |
Also read:
- Southwest Archery Spyder Review: The Perfect Entry-Level Recurve Bow?
- Southwest Archery Spyder vs Tigershark: Which One Reigns Supreme?
Design and Aesthetics
As soon as you lay your eyes on the Southwest Archery Tigershark Takedown Recurve Bow (link to Amazon), you’ll be captivated by its impressive design and aesthetics. This bow combines style and function, pleasing archery enthusiasts at any skill level.
The standout feature of the Tigershark’s design is the beautifully crafted riser, with its rich wood colors and eye-catching patterns. The combination of various wood layers creates a unique and visually appealing effect, setting the Tigershark apart from other recurve bows in its class.
Beyond the wood colors, the Tigershark’s sleek coloration adds an air of sophistication and style to the bow. The dark, polished finish complements the wood grain, creating a harmonious and striking visual contrast. This modern and refined design ensures that the Tigershark will not only perform well but will also look fantastic while doing so.
Limb Quality and Performance
The Southwest Archery Tigershark Takedown Recurve Bow truly excels in the quality and performance of its limbs, ensuring that archers of all skill levels can enjoy a satisfying shooting experience. This exceptional craftsmanship is evident in the bow’s durability, smoothness, and adaptability to various draw weights.
When it comes to the construction of the Tigershark’s limbs, users have consistently praised their durability and resilience. These well-made limbs are designed to withstand the occasional bump or scrape without compromising their performance. Even with prolonged use and weathering, the limbs stay sturdy and dependable, thanks to the high-quality materials used in the manufacturing process.
The Tigershark’s limbs offer a smooth and consistent draw, making it a pleasure to shoot. The draw weight stacks evenly throughout the draw length, ensuring a comfortable and controlled shooting experience.
One of the most appealing aspects of the Tigershark is its adaptability to a range of draw weights. Whether a beginner needing a low draw weight or an experienced archer wanting more power and precision, the Tigershark’s versatility suits archers at any stage.
Included Accessories
When you purchase the Tigershark, you’ll find that it comes with a few included accessories. These extras might not be the best, but they’re a good start for beginners and people wanting to personalize their bow. Just keep in mind their limitations and think about upgrading for better performance.
Arrow Rest: Functional but Prone to Wear
One of the included accessories with the Tigershark is the arrow rest. Some users have reported that it tends to wear out after only about 100 shots, which might be a concern for avid archers.
You’re not getting the fanciest accessories with this bow, so upgrading the arrow rest could be a smart move for a better experience.
Dacron String: Decent Quality with Potential for Improvement
The Tigershark comes with a Dacron string that fits well on the limbs and offers decent quality for casual use. However, upgrading to a better string is advised for improved performance and maximum bow potential.
By investing in a better string, you’ll likely experience a noticeable improvement in your shooting accuracy and overall experience.
Threaded Inserts: Versatility and Customization at Your Fingertips
The Tigershark stands out because it has threaded inserts, letting you add cool stuff like a quiver, stabilizer, or plunger button. Users have found these inserts to be well-made and reliable, ensuring that your added accessories remain securely in place.
The threaded inserts offer a high level of versatility and customization options for archers, allowing you to tailor your bow to your unique preferences and requirements.
Vibration and Tuning
When you first begin using the Tigershark, you may notice some vibration that can feel jarring on your elbow and wrist. While this may be a concern initially, don’t fret! By properly tuning your nock and brace height, you can effectively reduce this vibration and enhance your overall shooting experience.
To optimize the performance of your Tigershark, it’s essential to pay attention to the tuning process. Adjusting your nock and brace height can help minimize any vibration you may feel during shooting. This makes your archery experience smoother and can even help your shots be more accurate and consistent.
If you’re not sure how to tune a bow, just ask someone for help! Head to a nearby archery shop, and the pros there will show you the ropes. They can help you make the necessary adjustments and provide valuable advice to ensure your Tigershark is performing at its best.
Grip Comfort and Sweaty Palms
The Tigershark’s grip is designed with comfort and ease of use in mind. Its smooth surface feels pleasant in your hand, allowing for an enjoyable shooting experience. However, one issue that may arise is the potential for sweaty palms to make the grip slippery and uncomfortably warm during extended use.
If you find that sweaty palms are causing difficulties with maintaining a secure grip on the Tigershark, there are several solutions you can explore.
Wrapping the handle with a towel or a comfortable material like suede leather can provide a more stable grip while also adding a touch of style to your bow. These wraps can help to absorb sweat, reduce slipperiness, and maintain a comfortable temperature for your hand during shooting sessions.
In addition to handle wraps, you may also consider other grip-enhancing products available on the market, such as grip tape or adhesive grip pads. These choices can help you grip better and keep sweaty hands from messing up your shot.
Remember, personalizing and customizing your bow to suit your needs can significantly enhance your comfort and overall satisfaction with the Tigershark Takedown Recurve Bow.
Pros and Cons
To help you get a clear picture of the Southwest Archery Tigershark Takedown Recurve Bow, let’s take a look at some pros and cons:
Pros:
- Stunning design and aesthetics
- Lightweight and comfortable riser
- Exceptional limb quality and performance
- Threaded inserts for accessory attachment
- Great value for the price
Cons:
- Included arrow rest and string may not be the best quality
- Some initial vibration before tuning
- Grip can become slippery when sweaty
Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Tigershark
To ensure that you have the best possible experience with your Southwest Archery Tigershark Takedown Recurve Bow, here are a few tips and tricks to keep in mind:
- Invest in a quality string and stringer: While the included string is decent, upgrading to a higher-quality option will improve your overall shooting experience. Additionally, the included bowstringer may not be the safest choice, so consider investing in a better one for added safety.
- Properly tune your bow: Minimize vibration and improve performance by properly tuning your nock and brace height. Not sure how to do this? Just ask a pro at your nearby archery store for some help!
- Wrap the grip for added comfort: If you find the grip becoming slippery when your palms get sweaty, consider wrapping it with a comfortable material like suede leather or using a towel to improve your grip.
- Regularly maintain your bow: To ensure your Tigershark lasts for many years, be sure to clean and maintain it regularly. This includes inspecting the limbs, strings, and other components for signs of wear and addressing any issues promptly.
- Practice, practice, practice: Just like any sport, the more you shoot with your Tigershark, the better you get, and the more you’ll love its performance and worth.
Conclusion
In summary, the Southwest Archery Tigershark Takedown Recurve Bow is an excellent choice for those looking for a high-quality, visually appealing recurve bow at a reasonable price. The design, performance, and value make it suitable for beginners and skilled archers alike.
While there are some minor drawbacks, such as the quality of the included accessories and initial vibration, these can be easily addressed with a few upgrades and proper tuning.
If you’re considering the Tigershark as your first recurve bow or as an upgrade from your current setup, you can be confident that it will deliver an enjoyable and satisfying shooting experience.
With its appealing design, efficient performance, and flexibility, this bow will amaze and last a lifetime with suitable upkeep.