If you’ve been following the traditional archery community lately, you’ve probably heard the buzz about Chinese-made Black Hunter recurve bows. These takedown recurves are supposedly performing like American-made bows that cost three to four times as much – all for under $100. Sounds too good to be true, right? I had the same skepticism, so I picked one up to put it through its paces. What I found genuinely surprised me.

A Budget Bow That Looks Premium

Right out of the box, this Black Hunter recurve impressed me with its build quality and aesthetics. This particular variant features stunning bamboo wood-colored limbs under clear fiberglass that pair beautifully with the brown wood laminations in the riser. Unlike the all-black versions you’ll often see, this one celebrates the natural beauty of traditional bow materials with a cohesive, organic look that screams quality.

At just $99 on Amazon, I wasn’t expecting this level of fit and finish – but here we are.

The Grip That Changes Everything

Let me be clear about something: the ergonomics of this Black Hunter riser handle are outstanding. The grip fits my hand perfectly and points naturally for me. That might sound like a small detail, but it makes a massive difference in shooting consistency and comfort.

The palm swell is just the right size, the rounded edges are comfortable, and the whole thing feels like an extension of your arm. I can shoot this bow for hours without hand fatigue – something I definitely can’t say about every traditional bow I’ve tested.

Specifications Worth Knowing

Here’s what you’re getting:

• Bow Length: 60 inches
• Riser Length: 15 inches
• Draw Weights Available: 20-60 lbs
• Draw Length: 28 inches (max 30 inches)
• Limb Construction: Bamboo core with clear fiberglass backing
• Brace Height: 7-8 inches (I prefer 7.5″)
• Weight: Approximately 2.2 lbs

The limbs use German laminate technology, combining bamboo and fiberglass to create the perfect balance of flexibility, durability, and speed. The takedown design means you can swap limbs to adjust draw weight or even switch between recurve and longbow limbs on the same riser.

One important note: Draw weights can vary a pound or two from what’s marked on the limbs. Mine was pretty close, but be aware this is common with these bows.

The String Upgrade That’s Worth It

The bow comes with an endless loop string that works fine to get you started. But I upgraded to a Shatterproof Archery D-97 Flemish Twist string, and the difference was significant.

The D-97 string gave the bow noticeably more speed – you can really feel the extra snap when you release. But what impressed me most was how much quieter it made the bow. The hand shock also decreased, creating an incredibly comfortable shooting experience.

Budget an extra $20-30 for this upgrade. It’s absolutely worth it.

How Does It Actually Shoot?

This is where the Black Hunter really shines.

The draw cycle is smooth and consistent with no stacking until you push past 29 inches. Hand shock is minimal, especially after the string upgrade. The bow is remarkably quiet with just a muted thump rather than a harsh twang.

But here’s what really impressed me: this bow is incredibly forgiving with arrow spine. I’ve tried several different arrow combinations, and it groups well with all of them. Arrows that theoretically shouldn’t tune together are hitting the same point of aim with tight groupings. For beginners still figuring out arrow selection, this forgiveness is huge.

At 20 yards, I’m getting very consistent groups. The bow is inherently accurate – when I do my part, the arrow goes exactly where I’m looking.

The Honest Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Incredible value at $99
• Beautiful bamboo limbs with clear glass and matching wood riser
• Exceptionally comfortable, ergonomic grip that points naturally
• Smooth draw with minimal hand shock
• Very forgiving of arrow spine variations
• Quiet shooting, especially with upgraded string
• Takedown design for customization and portability
• Excellent build quality for the price point

Cons:

• Draw weight can vary from marked weight
• Stock string should be upgraded for best performance
• No bow stringer included (need to buy separately)
• Quality can vary between manufacturers – buy from reputable sellers

Bottom Line: Is It Worth It?

Absolutely, yes.

At $99, this Black Hunter recurve bow delivers performance that rivals bows costing $400-500. It’s bringing quality traditional archery to people at a price point that simply wasn’t available before.

Is it perfect? No. You’ll want to budget for a bow stringer and a quality string upgrade. The draw weight might be slightly off. But these are minor inconveniences when you look at the complete package.

Whether you’re a beginner looking to get into traditional archery without breaking the bank, or an experienced shooter who wants a solid backup or travel bow, the Black Hunter delivers. This particular variant with the natural bamboo-colored limbs and brown wood riser is gorgeous, and that ergonomic grip makes it an absolute joy to shoot.

The archery community has spoken loudly on this one – when shooters say they’d pay four or five times the asking price, you know you’ve got something special.

PURCHASE LINKS: (paid links)
1. Black Hunter Recurve: https://amzn.to/4sfPypq
2. Shatterproof Archery D-97 Flemish Twist String: https://amzn.to/4qAQhA1

Watch the full video review above to see this bow in action and hear my complete thoughts on performance, accuracy, and whether it lives up to the hype.

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