The Price Tag for a Starter Kit

Shopping for the tools for a new hobby or a sport like archery is an investment that needs careful consideration for costs and use. We all get attracted to the fancy material wealth out there but only some of us can afford that luxury at all. However that doesn’t mean that we can’t afford to take up archery. A typical Olympic bow and arrows plus all the accessories like quivers, armguards and sights run up to around £1200. That is a good price to pay for a gold medal at the Olympics or the world championship competitions but the average person wouldn’t and shouldn’t have to pay that much upfront for all those basic essentials. When I took up archery and looked for my own bow and arrow I went in search of a decent beginner’s model. To that end I set a target of spending no more than £300, which is just about the same as a typical home computer. Was there such a reasonably priced bow and arrow out there? Well as it turns out there was.

Of all the bow makers out there they have a range of starter bows that cost around £57 – £220. That is the cost of a recurve bow in it’s bare bow form, which consists of the riser, limbs and string. I bought a metal SF Forged Plus riser, SF Axiom Plus limbs and a dacron string for £210. It was good value for money for a beginner and I had enough left over to buy all the basic essentials for the rest of the bow, which included arrows, armguard, tab, sight, quiver, plunger button and bow stringer. Overall spending just under £300. I took my gear out for a test after I got it and it worked like a dream. The standard of a beginner’s bow is just as good as any bow out there on the market, even an Olympic bow. It might be considerably cheap but it was not about the money, and if you forget about the price tag then you can make it as a top championship archer. Later as I progress I then went onto upgrade it with even more features. I tried out using a sling and a second hand stabiliser rod to see if that would improve my performance and I found out that the other things that I was missing from my bow could improve my performance. From my experience with that it’s a good idea to start out with something second hand before buying it in an elaborate shiny new condition. It’s the same pattern you go through with your first car. You buy a second hand set of wheels for your freedom when you’re a teenager and then when you’ve got more money when you are older you buy a flashy new motor with all the additional fancy features. Now that I have more money I am already saving up for more additional features for my bow. Including a new backpack, upgraded stabiliser, more arrows, possibly a new quiver and a new bow sight. However there is no rush to spend and replace the parts when they are already efficient for my accuracy and shooting technique.

Compound bows are also cost effective for beginners too. A typical beginner’s compound bow costs in the range of £150 - £450. Unlike recurve bows, compounds are built as a one piece system where you buy it with the cams and string. I don’t own a compound bow myself but I am planning on buying one for a bit of casual shooting and to appreciate and experience the diversity in the different ways in which people practice archery and the different types of bow out there. Like recurves these compounds are just as good as beginners models for budding champions. They can deliver a great amount of accuracy and precision for your full potential at a fraction of the price. The best thing to remember is start with a reasonably priced kit before you start buying all those fancy gadgets like stabilisers, micro adjusting sights, posh quivers and high market bows. When you go shopping always be sure to ask the store staff for advice and recommendations. Many of them are archers themselves with years of experience and in some cases they are champions in the field as well. I have been to a number of archery shops and the staff really know what you need to achieve the goal of what your expectations are from being your own archer. These people are friendly and well informed and can provide you with a decent service. In my experience they will even take their time with you and they tune the bows and equipment for you like professional mechanics and personal shoppers.

One thing that you should understand in choosing your equipment is making sure that it works for you based on your physical dimensions and strength. Don’t try for a heavy bow that you can’t pull properly and make sure it fits your bow length and draw length. Like Harry Potter where the wand chooses the wizard, the bow chooses the archer. It must be a bow that you are comfortable with as well as in your price range.

Legend Archery already have some fine top quality accessories at a reasonable price for any beginner or advanced archer. They are not priced out of the market and can carry all your equipment reliably in a safe and secure manner. What’s even greater about these quivers, backpacks, armguards and slings is that they have a good combination of colours that suit you. I have an Eagle-I quiver in blue and red and it was good value for money. What’s even more great about the Legend Archery range is their range of exquisite backpacks that carry your gear in style at a reasonable price. I remember the first time I caught my eye on the Streamline GB backpack. At the time I was caught up in post-Olympic fever when the 2012 Games inspired a generation and I wanted to be one of Team GB. This backpack was so mesmerising and had an effect on me like I had a calling card to earn to show off to people that I had been inspired by London 2012 and Britain’s Olympic heroes. Legend Archery’s backpacks are the delightful eye-candy that any beginner to archery should invest in to show off their passion. And it doesn’t even break the bank!