Black Widow Bows: The Best Recurve Bows?

The Black Widow bows are a series of archery bows from the family of recurve bows. On this kind of bows, the limbs curve away from the archer when unstrung. Compared to the straight-limbed longbows, they store more energy and deliver a high to speed to the arrow more efficiently.

Black widow bows. Recurve bows. Traditional archery

Photo Courtesy of blackwidowbows.com

Why You Should Be Getting Yourself A Black Widow Bow

Black Widow bows are high performance premium traditional bow, perfect for the professional and serious archer. They are highly recommended and favored by archers and hunters worldwide. Let's see why.

Materials and Design

Black Widow enjoy a long-standing reputation in traditional bow manufacturing since 1957. The Black Widow bows are quite unique in design and complex to build. The handle alone is made of about thirty-seven glue lines, but this, of course, depends on the model. They require a rich investment in man hours to build. Precision is key here. The balance of the bow at the curvature is made uniform in weight so as to balance the bow with ease and not compromise on the draw. 

Performance

Black Widow manufactures high-performance traditional bows that shoot much harder and faster than bows made twenty or thirty years ago. The high quality of the woodwork and design allows for superior solidity and smoothness in shooting. Some models such as the PCH Take-Down and the PSR One-piece are extremely compact and short, which allows for great maneuverability during hunting.

Price

Different black widow bows come at different prices, and while some would consider them expensive, you get great incredible value for your investment. If you're serious about archery, especially field and 3D archery, consider investing in a Black Widow bow. We're sure you won't regret your choice as the quality of these recurve bows is undeniably the best you can find on today's market.

Best Black Widow Bows

There are many different types and models of Black Widow bows.  Listed below you'll find the most popular 2018 series of Black Widow recurves.

All bows are available in multiple finishes: Exotic, Graybark, Greenleaf, Autumn Oak and and Ironwood. Complete bow sets come with Flemish Twist DynaFLIGHT 97 string, bow stringer, spider string silencers, bow tip protector, calf hair shelf rest/ strike plate, nocking points, owner's manual and owner's manual companion DVD.

Click on each recurve series below to find out more about their features.

PMA/PSA Take-Down series

The new PMA and PSA series take-downs are CNC “precision crafted” with greater accuracy, detail and consistency than Black Widow have ever been able to achieve in the past. The black “phenolic” riser sections of the handle and limbs make a distinctive two-tone contrast; plus they are more impervious to moisture in the critical areas around the mounting pins and limb bolts. The extended shelf provides more protection for the hand and the outside edge of the shelf is relieved to make it easier to achieve good arrow flight off-the-shelf.

Are they good for me?

The PSA has a two inch shorter handle than the PMA series and is intended for the instinctive shooter that can utilize a shorter sight window than the PMA series. The shorter handle, in turn, allows for a comparatively longer working limb, making it possible to use a shorter overall bow length for greater maneuverability.

If smoothness and comfort are more important to you than maneuverability, then the PMA series may be your Black Widow of choice. The longer handle, with it’s long sight window, also permits the use of sights if that is your game.

  • Featured bow: PSA Complete Bow
Features summary

Dynaflex trapezois limbs

56", 58", 60" and 62". Black phenolic riser sections. Vertically stacked, tapered laminations reinforced with a red, woven glass center core. Faced with transparent fiberglass. Flemish-twist DynaFLIGHT 97 string.

Handle

16 inches. Deflex design. Pre-stressed, multiple layers of laminations, reinforced with pre-stressed multiple layers of red black and white fiberglass. Full 4 inch sight window cut 3/16 of an inch past center. Extended radiused shelf. Black Widow spider medallion inlay. Brass inserts for Black Widow side-mount quivers, sight or stabilizer available at no additional charge

Brace height

8 1/4 to 9 inches (from string to throat of grip)

Mass weight

3 pounds for 58" bow

Finish

Sealed and protected in nonreflective “Frost” (matte) clear marine epoxy. All inserts and bushings are solid brass

PCH Take-Down series

The new PCH series take-downs were conceived in the shadows of the PMA and the PSA to meet a growing desire for a compact, handier and more maneuverable weapon for close quarter shooting from ground blinds, brush or tree stands. The Precision Compact Hunter has the same deep-deflex design as its cousins but with a shorter riser allowing for a generous working limb.  This provides you with a short, compact bow with less finger pinch and a smoother draw than most other bows of the same limb length. Whether contorting to get a shot from a ground blind, twisting to take that big buck that slipped in behind your tree stand or chasing after elk on horseback in the high country of the Rocky Mountains, this Widow gives you the best of both worlds: short and sweet! 

Are they good for me?

The PCH has a two inch shorter handle than the PSA series and a four inch shorter than the PMA for even greater maneuverability. Bows of this series are also lighter and have a comparably longer brace height for increased shootability and comfort.

  • Featured bow: PCH Complete Bow
Features summary

Dynaflex trapezois limbs

54", 56", 58" and 60". Black phenolic riser sections. Vertically stacked, tapered laminations reinforced with a red, woven glass center core. Faced with transparent fiberglass. Flemish-twist DynaFLIGHT 97 string.

Handle

14 inches. Deflex design. Pre-stressed, multiple layers of laminations, reinforced with pre-stressed multiple layers of red black and white fiberglass. Full 3  inch sight window cut 1/8 of an inch past center. Extended radiused shelf. Black Widow spider medallion inlay. Brass inserts for Black Widow side-mount quivers, sight or stabilizer available at no additional charge 

Brace height

8 to 8 3/4 inches (from string to throat of grip)

Mass weight

 Slightly less than 3 pounds for 58" bow

Finish

Sealed and protected in nonreflective “Frost” (matte) clear marine epoxy. All inserts and bushings are solid brass

PTF One-Piece series

This graceful, one-piece bow is reminiscent of the original model TF Black Widow bow of the late 1950’s that launched the Black Widow legend that lives on today. It is a slim, trim, one-piece version of the PSA take-down with exactly the same limb design and geometry. The PTF, like all Black Widows, has a radiused shelf which makes it great for the instinctive shooter who prefers shooting off the shelf. 

Are they good for me?

The PTF series is basically a one-piece version of the PSA and is favored by bowhunters due to its simplicity and light weight.

  • Featured bow: PTF One-Piece Bow
Features summary

Dynaflex trapezois limbs

56", 58", 60" and 62". Vertically stacked, tapered laminations reinforced with a red, woven glass center core. Faced with transparent fiberglass. Flemish-twist DynaFLIGHT 97 string

Riser

Deflex design. Pre-stressed, multiple layers of laminations, reinforced with pre-stressed multiple layers of red and black fiberglass. Full 3 1/2 inch sight window cut 3/16 of an inch past center. Radiused shelf. Black Widow spider medallion inlay. Brass inserts for Black Widow side-mount quivers or sight available at no additional charge

Brace height

8 1/4 to 9 inches (from string to throat of grip)

Mass weight

2 1/4 pounds for 58" bow

Finish

Sealed and protected in nonreflective “Frost” (matte) clear marine epoxy. All inserts and bushings are solid brass

Which Black Widow Bow model should I choose?

The answer to this question really depends on what you are going to use your bow for. Hunting, target/3-D, recreation, etc. The PMA series is the “old naildriver” and is considered the best choice by tournament shooters. So, if you're someone who likes to take longer shots you might want to take look at the PMA. The PSA is similar to the PMA, but designed to meet the needs of the "instinctive" shooters that require a shorter hunting bow without using sights. The PSA is a good choice for most bowhunters, and the PSF is simply a one-piece, lighter version of the PSA.

Looking for something more entry-level?

Check out the Tigershark Take-down recurve bow by SAS, a top-selling affordable entry-level recurve bow set.

Everything you need to know about the Black Widow Bow

Black Widow is a Missouri company that has been making quality and stylish recurve bows for quite a long time. The company makes some of the most artistic recurve bows ever. They are so aesthetic that some hunters put them on display when not in use. In addition to being artistic, the bows are often well-made and powerful.

When you use a bow made by Black Widow, you will certainly know it is a Black Widow bow. This is because the bows made by the company are unique and powerful. When you shoot them, you will feel a power and smoothness that is intensely exciting. There are anecdotal stories of individuals rushing to buy their own Black Widow bows after shooting one at an archery event or a group hunting event. That’s just how good the bows are.

Like many bow manufacturers, this company makes several stock bows. These ones can be bought directly on the company’s website or at retailers. In addition to these stock bows, Black Widow is known to make custom bows. To get a custom bow from this company, all you have to do is to visit the company’s official website and order one. The site will assist you to customize your bow so that the final piece perfectly suits your needs.

One more thing that is very important to note about this company is the fact that Black Widow bows are handmade. Not many bow manufacturers make their bows by hand. In fact, most of them order most parts of their bows from places such as China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. Unlike these manufacturers, Black Widow employs Americans who hand-craft the company’s bows in Missouri. So when you buy Black Widow bows, you are putting money directly into the pockets of American workers.

The history of the Black Widow Bow company

Most of the time, when we want to buy something from a business we know nothing about, we try to find out its history. The history of a business can tell you whether to trust the business or not. Well, in the case of Black Widow, they have an amazing history. The company has been making extremely high-quality bows since time immemorial.

The company was founded in 1957. Back when it was founded, the company was known as Wilson Brothers Bows. It was called Wilson Brothers Bows because it was founded by the Wilson brothers who were famous champion archers. The company was bought by Ken Beck, a renowned master bowyer, in 1982. Ken Beck sold it to three co-workers at the company in 2004. It was around 2004 that the company’s name also changed to its current name – Black Widow Bows. Despite changing ownership several times, the company has over the years continued to build unbelievably good quality recurve bows.

Unlike other bow equipment manufacturers, Black Widow does not make many different types of bows. The company only makes two type – recurve bows and longbows. The traditional bows it makes are considered to be among the best on the market. Whatever needs you have as a hunter, a survivalist, or an archer, you will certainly find a Black Widow longbow or recurve bow that will be perfect for you.

What makes Black Widow bows unique?

Performance

There are several things that stand out about Black Widow bows. The thing that stands out the most about the bows is their performance. Whatever Black Widow bow you buy, you should get ready to get your mind blown away. The reason why is that they shoot hard and fast. Black Widow bows are likely among the top 10 fastest recurve bows on the market.

The performance of Black Widow bows is kind of expected considering some of them cost about a thousand bucks a unit. Imagine paying hundreds of dollars for a bow and its performance does not match that price. That would disappointing, right? Well, you do not have to worry about the performance Black Widow bows because they are designed to perform like magic. They are powerful, silent, and have no hand shock.

Aesthetic

One of the things you will quickly note about Black Widow bows is their aesthetic. The bows are very easy on the eyes. In fact, when you see a Black Widow bow you will quickly know it is a Black Widow bow by its appearance. The bows have a unique appearance because most of them are built using exotic woods. The most common exotic woods utilized to make Black Widow bows are Bocote, Tiger Myrtle, and Honduras Rosewood.

So if you see a bow with an exotic wood riser, there is a good chance that it is a Black Widow. In addition to Black Widow bows with exotic woods, there are even more aesthetic Black Widow bows that you can buy. These are the ones that feature custom covers such as snakeskin overlays, laser-engraved bamboo overlays, and spliced veneers overlays. Moreover, most Black Widow bows come with unique grips that make look even more amazing.

Handle-back attached limbs

Black Widow bows come with handle-back attached limbs. These limbs improve shooting and accuracy. They do this in two ways. First, they position the grip in front of the limbs. This has several effects including reduced grip torque and reduced string angle. These two effects make the bow easier to shoot. Second, the handle-back attached limbs can be length-adjusted. In other words, you can adjust them to perfectly fit your draw length. This also makes the bow easy to shoot and significantly improves shooting experience.

Speed and durability

Black Widow bows are known for their speed and durability. The speed of course is due to their recurve design. The design helps focus the draw and pushes arrows further. On average, the most popular Black Widow bows have an average speed of 300 FPS. This is very impressive. In fact, they are just as fast as the best recurve crossbows on the market. The only difference is that they are much more fun to use.

 In terms of durability, Black Widow bows are extremely durable. They are known to be among the most durable recurve bows. This is despite the fact that they are built using exotic woods that many people expect to be weak. The fact that they are built with exotic woods does not really matter. This is because the woods used are tough and they are built in such a way that they can handle rough use.

Alternative Black Widow bows

You now know everything important about one of the most famous manufacturers of recurve bows in America – Black Widow Bows. At this stage, if for some reason you do not really like Black Widow recurve bows, you may be wondering if alternatives exist. The short answer is that they do. There are many Black Widow recurve bow alternatives that are just as powerful and as effective as Black Widow bows. They may not be as good-looking as Black Widow bows but they are certainly high-performance recurve bows perfect for hunting. Check out the two examples below.

AF Archery Handmade Traditional Recurve Bow

This bow is quite like Black Widow bows in terms of performance and accuracy. It draws smoothly, silently, and quickly. You do not have to be particularly strong to draw and shoot this recurve bow.

The best thing about this bow is that it is one of the lightest recurve bows of the market. The fact that it is light and easy to draw makes it perfect especially for young people. Of course, adults will also enjoy using this bow because of its immense power.

In terms of durability, this bow is up there with other bows. It is extremely durable because it features strategically placed carbon plates for increased durability. 

Black Widow bows are known to be quite aesthetic. The styling on this bow is also aesthetic. In fact, it is aggressive and just the kind of thing most hunters would love to see.

AFarchery Turkish Bow Black Widow Bow Alternative

Samick Sage Ready 2 Shoot Package Recurve Bow

If you are a beginner looking for a recurve bow, you should strongly consider this bow. Why? This bow is one of the cheapest high-quality recurve bows on the market. In fact, compared to popular Black Widow bows, this bow is cheaper by a factor of five. So if you like Black Widow bows but you are put off by their price, you should consider getting this Samick Sage bow.

The most exciting thing about this bow is the fact that it performs quite nicely despite being a relatively cheap bow. It is easy to draw and shoot and it is also fairly accurate.

The second most exciting thing about this recurve shooting machine is that it comes with all the accessories you need. You do not need to buy anything else when you get this bow. All the necessary accessories are included in its package.

Find out more about this bow and the above AF Archery bow by checking out our post on the best recurve bows.

Samick sage takedown recurve bow alternative black widow bow

More useful recurve bow articles

Still haven't found what you're looking for? No need to worry! Take a look at some of the most popular recurve bows articles below. 

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5 thoughts on “Black Widow Bows: The Best Recurve Bows?”

  1. I’m totally going traditional and instinctive shooting and always loved the black widow bow! I’m going to purchase one soon just trying to figure out what I want!!

    Reply
  2. I have a White Black Widow i shot for years with good results. Im thinking they are no longer in production since I’v not seen any listed. I’m in the process of selling off me equipment and wondering if you might give me an idea what it would be worth, I have a 30 and 35# limbs and still in near new condition. Thanks in advance.

    Reply
  3. I have a white recurve bow. It is in good condition
    Someone is wanting to buy it. I have no idea what to price it at. We are no longer able to shoot. We think your bows are the best

    Reply
    • Hey Sue!

      Cool that you own a Hoyt bow
      You should have a look at eBay and compare your bow to others, that’s the best way to determine how much your bow is worth. Good luck!

      Reply

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