Recurve bows are amazingly versatile contraptions and the best options for beginners, but they’re not the quietest. However, that is not at all a deal breaker if you know how to silence a recurve bow with some simple fixes. Additionally, nowadays we have some of the best and quietest bows on offer so you have plenty of choices to get started.
Looking for a quick answer? In short, the best most quiet recurve bows on the market are the highly rated Samick Sage Takedown Recurve Bow and Tongtu Archery Takedown Recurve Bow. These are the quietest bows on the market in 2024 and will make your archery experience seamless and fun.
How To Silence A Recurve Bow
Recurve Bow Silencers
There are a variety of recurve bow silencing accessories available to choose from. String silencers work by reducing the vibrations as you shoot and are highly effective in reducing loud recurve bow noises.
One of the best options on the market is the I-Sport Otter Dampener Bow String Silencer. This lightweight, long lasting otter string silencer works on all kinds of bows and is adaptable for use in any weather.
They are super easy to install and are very effective in reducing twangs when shooting.
They are also very economical and can be made to fit a variety of bows. All in all, this is one of the best recurve bow silencing accessories out there.
Another great silencer is the Huntingdoor Archery String Silencer. Made of premium lightweight otter hide, this silencer effectively reduces the vibration of the bowstring and ensures shooting accuracy.
It also protects the bow string from sliding, damaging or wearing out. These are highly recommended by archers for being reasonably priced and well functioning.
Get a Quiet Recurve Bow
If you’re shopping for a quiet recurve bow, you’re in the right place. It can be challenging for anyone to make sense of the multitude of options even if you know what you are looking for.
The top rated quiet recurve bow is the Samick Sage Takedown Recurve Bow. This ergonomically designed bow is made of lightweight maple wood and available in both left and right handed options.
It comes pre-installed with threaded brass bushings for various attachments and upgrades, such as brass plunger, stabilizer, sight, quiver, and bow fishing reel.
Extremely versatile and quiet thanks to its interchangeable limbs, this bow is also user friendly, sturdy and durable. Quiet, long lasting and top performing, this bow is suitable for beginners as well as professionals.
Another excellent choice in quiet recurve bows is the Tongtu Archery Takedown Recurve Bow.
This is a right handed takedown bow, which means that the riser will be held in your left hand, and the string is pulled with the right hand to determine the arrow with your right eye for a perfect aim.
It comes with everything you need to get started immediately and is extremely quiet to operate.
Made of bamboo and fiberglass, this is a tough, speedy and powerful tool for all levels of users. Additionally, it’s easy to disassemble for storage and very convenient to carry.
Finally, the KESHES Takedown Hunting Recurve Bow and Arrow is a solid choice if you’re looking for a quiet recurve bow with a draw weight between 15-60lb that is suitable for both right and left handed individuals.
This bow is lightweight, can withstand high and low poundage, and is also beautiful and extremely comfortable to hold.
With its takedown feature, you can purchase limb set replacements separately to increase or decrease the weight as desired. It’s also upgradeable and includes all the required accessories to get you started.
It’s deceptively light but solidly built and operates quietly even without string silencers. All in all, this is a joy to shoot and provides great value for money.
Recurve Bow Limb Dampeners
Limbsavers are designed to decrease the noise and vibration that the limbs and riser experience throughout the duration of normal shot cycles. They increase a bow’s stealth-like qualities and decrease pain and fatigue that shooters experience.
One of the most used and recommended recurve bow limb dampeners is the LimbSaver Recurve Dampener for Recurve Bows.
The LimbSaver Recurve dampener is ideal for both recurve bows as well as youth solid limb compound bows.
This low-profile limb dampener provides excellent vibration and noise control that’s vital for stealth and accuracy. Made from LimbSaver’s proprietary NAVCOM technology (Noise and Vibration Control Material), it’s designed to function over a wide band frequency range of 20 Hz – 20,000 Hz.
This frequency dampening greatly reduces vibration caused from your limbs as well as unwanted noise, giving you a noticeably smoother and quieter shot.
Engineered and hand-made in the USA, LimbSaver products are widely used by outdoor enthusiasts, military, law enforcement, and more.
Bow Maintenance
Bows can become noisy over time, so one of the best ways to ensure that your bow remains in peak condition and produces minimum noise is by ensuring it is well maintained.
Sometimes strings can become squeaky over time so cleaning and waxing them can help to reduce the noise levels of your bow. You may also need to replace them if required.
Additionally, you need to ensure that all the screws are tightened and your bow is well tuned. Finally, limb vibrations can be minimized by placing some cotton pieces into the limb risers.
Are Recurve Bows Quiet?
A common misconception about recurve bows is that they are very noisy compared to longbows, but that is not always the case.
Recurve bows can be quiet if you ensure you buy the right kind. Some models do produce loud twangs and noises but this also depends on the poundage, the type of arrows being used and the condition of the bow itself.
The models listed above operate very smoothly and quietly so you can be sure that unnecessary noise will not ruin your experience and enjoyment. Read also: best quietest compound bow 2024 and best quiet crossbow on the market
Why Is My Recurve Bow So Loud?
There could be many reasons for recurve bow noise.
The strings are usually the main culprit as they can become worn out and loose over time. This causes them to reverberate and become noisy when you pull them back to take a shot.
Another reason why you could be experiencing unusually loud sounds during shooting is if the screws or other small parts on your bow are loose. It can be somewhat time consuming to locate the source of the noise and you may have to detach certain parts to ensure there are no loose bits, but it will save you effort and money in the long run to fix or replace your bow.
You also have to use the right length of string on your bow as strings that are too long or too short can be problematic. Incorrect string lengths can be uncomfortable to shoot, cause noise and also cause wear and tear to your bow in the long run.
At times, one of the strings in the bowstring can come loose and cause loud vibrations in the bow, or the tiller can be out of balance, causing noisy shocks and vibrations when you shoot.
Finally, your bow may be functioning just fine but you may be using the wrong type of arrow to shoot with. Most bows are designed to ideally shoot a given weight range of arrows. If your arrow is too light, you may have to use extra strength and power to shoot it, causing strain on your bow and producing loud noises as a result.
Final Words About How To Silence A Recurve Bow
By learning how to silence a recurve bow, you can enjoy a comfortable and thrilling shooting experience without any issues. The best and quietest recurve bows in 2024 include the Samick Sage Takedown Recurve Bow and Tongtu Archery Takedown Recurve Bow, but there are also many recurve bow string silencers and other silencing accessories you can use to enhance your overall experience. Happy shooting!
Dave Pearson is a Canadian musician, sound editor, and audiophile. He is also the founder and owner of the website SoundProofGeek. On SoundProofGeek, Pearson offers advice and resources on audio equipment, including how to assess and improve audio quality, how to troubleshoot and repair audio equipment, and how to improve the music listening experience.
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