In the world of archery, finding the perfect balance of power, precision, and price can often feel like a quest for the holy grail.
Enter the Wolverine, an impressive recurve bow offering from Bear Archery that aims to strike that elusive balance.
With its 62″ takedown design and a draw weight of 29 lbs, the Wolverine beckons both the novices and the seasoned archers with its promise of stellar performance.
In this comprehensive review, we will delve into the intricacies of the Wolverine.
We'll explore its design and construction, ease of assembly, performance characteristics, and how it stacks up against the competition.
We'll also discuss its value for money, given its retail price of $121.50.
Our goal is to provide you with a complete picture of the Wolverine, enabling you to make an informed decision about whether this recurve bow deserves a place in your archery arsenal.
Join us on this journey as we unstring the mysteries of the Bear Archery Wolverine Recurve Bow.
Specifications
- Model Name: Wolverine
- Brand: Bear Archery
- Color: Multi
- Material: Aluminum
- Weight: 3 Pounds
- Hand Orientation: Available in Right and Left Hand Models
- Draw Weight: 29 lbs (Note: Amazon page mentions 50 lbs, which appears to be incorrect based on the official product page)
- Draw Length: 28 inches
- Dimensions: 62 x 3 x 6 inches
- Warranty: Limited Lifetime
- Manufacturer: Bear Archery
- Part Number: ARB26229R
- Style: Authentic
- Included Components: Bow
- Sport Type: Hunting.
The Wolverine comes with a 29lbs draw weight, making it suitable for beginners and intermediate archers.
The draw length is approximately 28 inches, which is a standard size for many adult archers.
Being a takedown bow, it can be disassembled for easy transportation and storage.
It is made of aluminum, ensuring durability and longevity.
One of the special features of the Wolverine is the inclusion of a sight, arrow rest, and stabilizer mounting holes on the riser.
These additions provide the user with options for customization and optimization of the bow to their preferences.
The package also includes a flipper-style arrow rest, a brass nock point, and a recurve stringer, providing a complete set-up for the archer right out of the box.
The Wolverine's design is authentic, reflecting the traditional style of recurve bows.
This makes it not only a practical choice for hunting and archery but also a visually appealing piece for enthusiasts of traditional archery.
The bow is also unisex and is available in both right and left-hand models, broadening its accessibility for various users.
Overall, the Bear Archery Wolverine Recurve Bow Takedown offers a combination of functionality, durability, and traditional aesthetics, making it a worthwhile investment for any archer.
My Personal Experience
As a hobby archer, I had always been intrigued by traditional bows.
There's something about the rustic charm and the hands-on experience of traditional archery that modern compound bows, with all their technological advancements, just can't replicate.
So when I had the opportunity to try out the Wolverine by Bear Archery, I was excited.
Right out of the box, the first thing that struck me about the Wolverine was its impressive aesthetics.
The aluminum construction gives it a robust yet sleek appearance, and the traditional design hearkens back to the roots of archery.
Assembling the Wolverine was surprisingly straightforward.
As a takedown bow, it comes in three pieces: the riser and the two limbs.
The process of putting these pieces together was quite intuitive and took me less than 15 minutes.
The included recurve stringer was a handy tool to safely string and unstring the bow.
I've found the draw weight of 29 lbs to be just right for my skill level.
It's forgiving for a beginner yet provides enough power for a reasonably distanced shot.
The draw length of 28 inches suits me comfortably, though it might be a bit long for younger or shorter archers.
One thing I particularly appreciate about the Wolverine is the provision for customization.
The riser features mounting holes for a sight, arrow rest, and stabilizer.
While the bow does come with a flipper-style arrow rest, the option to add more accessories gave me room to experiment and tailor the bow to my preferences.
I've taken the Wolverine out for a few hunting trips, and it has performed commendably.
The bow's compact size and takedown design make it easy to transport, and its aluminum construction ensures it can withstand the rigors of the outdoors.
The Wolverine, however, is not without its challenges.
It lacks the mechanical aids of a compound bow, which means I had to rely on my strength and skill more.
It took a bit of practice to get used to it, but that's also what makes traditional archery so rewarding.
In conclusion, my experience with the Wolverine has been largely positive.
It offers an excellent balance of price, performance, and aesthetics, making it a fantastic bow for anyone looking to delve into the world of traditional archery or for a youth looking to advance their skills.
Bear Archery's Wolverine has certainly earned its place in my archery collection.
Price and Value for Money
The Wolverine is priced at $121.50, placing it in the mid-range category of recurve bows.
When it comes to value for money, it's essential to consider not just the price tag, but what you're getting in return.
In the case of the Wolverine, its robust aluminum construction promises durability and longevity.
As a takedown bow, it offers convenience in transportation and storage, saving you from potential additional costs related to carrying and maintaining a one-piece bow.
The inclusion of a flipper-style arrow rest, a brass nock point, and a recurve stringer in the package also adds value, providing you with a complete set-up to start shooting right away.
The provision for customization with sight, arrow rest, and stabilizer mounting holes gives you room to grow with the bow.
You can add accessories as your skill level advances, extending the bow's usability and saving you from having to upgrade to a more advanced bow too soon.
From a user perspective, the experience the Wolverine provides is also a significant part of its value.
The authentic traditional design, the draw weight, and length suitable for beginners and intermediate archers, and the right-hand and left-hand models availability all contribute to making the Wolverine an enjoyable and versatile bow to shoot.
When all these factors are considered, the Wolverine offers a solid value for its price.
It's a worthy investment for those interested in traditional archery, looking for a reliable and customizable bow without breaking the bank.
It's particularly valuable for youths, providing an excellent platform to learn and grow in the sport.
What are people saying?
The Bear Archery Wolverine Recurve Bow has received positive reviews from users, commending its performance, feel, and versatility.
Here are some key points from users' testimonials:
One Amazon customer, who is 6'3 and has a 31″ draw, was initially skeptical about using a bow as small as the Wolverine.
However, after shooting about 50 arrows, he found the Wolverine to be the best feeling bow he's tried, even compared to longer ones.
Despite its smaller size, he experienced no issues pulling it back to full draw and aiming.
He strongly recommends the Wolverine for anyone looking to shoot recurve and whose goal isn't Olympic-style target shooting.
Megan was delighted with the Wolverine right from unboxing.
She described the thrill of drawing back the bow as feeling like a combination of Robin Hood and Hawkeye.
Megan was impressed with the power the bow delivered, comparing it to a first-round punch from Mike Tyson in his prime.
She recommends the Wolverine and would buy it again.
These testimonials highlight the Wolverine's appealing characteristics, its suitability for different body types, and the enjoyable experience it provides.
The power it delivers has been praised, indicating that it packs quite a punch for its size.
Overall, the reviews attest to the Wolverine's value and its potential to offer a satisfying archery experience.
The Drawbacks
No product is without its flaws, and the Wolverine is no exception.
However, the drawbacks are relatively minor and do not severely impact the overall performance of the bow.
One drawback I've noticed with the Wolverine is that the flipper-style arrow rest that comes with the bow is a bit flimsy.
During a practice session, I had an arrow fall off the rest just as I was about to release.
It was a little frustrating, but I quickly learned to be more cautious when positioning the arrow.
An upgrade to a more robust arrow rest could be a worthwhile investment if this becomes a recurring issue.
Another potential issue for some users could be the draw length of 28 inches.
While it suits me just fine, it might be a bit long for shorter or younger archers.
It's always essential to ensure that the bow's draw length matches your own for a comfortable shooting experience.
Lastly, as a traditional recurve bow, the Wolverine lacks the mechanical aids that a compound bow provides.
It requires more strength and skill to shoot effectively.
However, this is more of a characteristic of traditional archery than a drawback of the Wolverine itself.
Despite these minor drawbacks, the Wolverine remains a commendable bow.
Its advantages far outweigh its disadvantages, making it a worthwhile choice for anyone looking to delve into traditional archery.
Should You Buy? Concluding the Review
After exploring the features, benefits, and minor drawbacks of the Bear Archery Wolverine Recurve Bow, the question remains: should you buy it?
The Wolverine offers a robust aluminum construction that promises durability and longevity.
Its takedown design allows for convenient transportation and storage.
It comes with a set of accessories to provide a complete setup right out of the box, and the riser features mounting holes for further customization.
The traditional design, combined with a forgiving draw weight and length, makes the Wolverine a suitable choice for beginners and intermediate archers alike.
The few minor drawbacks, such as the flimsy arrow rest and the potential mismatch of draw length for shorter or younger archers, do not significantly impact the overall positive experience of using this bow.
Moreover, these issues can be addressed with minor adjustments or accessories.
The testimonials from users underline the Wolverine's superior feel, power, and versatility, further attesting to its quality and performance.
It's also worth noting the value for money the Wolverine provides, offering a balance of quality and affordability.
In conclusion, the Bear Archery Wolverine Recurve Bow is more than just a youth bow—it's a reliable, powerful, and aesthetically pleasing piece of equipment that offers a rewarding experience of traditional archery.
Whether you're a beginner looking to delve into archery or an intermediate archer wanting to enhance your skills, the Wolverine is a solid choice that you're likely to enjoy and appreciate.
So, should you buy the Wolverine? Based on its features, user testimonials, and the value it offers, the answer is a resounding yes.
Happy shooting!
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