Black Widow PSA Vs. PTF Recurve Bow: A Detailed Comparison

Black Widow recurves have a reputation for top-tier craftsmanship, smooth shooting, and classic aesthetics. Among their most popular models, the PSA take-down recurve has been a crowd favourite for years, while the PTF one-piece recurve is less commonly sighted, and often underrated in my opinion. Each has its advantages, and many archers find themselves considering both for their collection.

If you’re debating between these two bows or plan to own both, this guide will help you understand their key differences and how to transition smoothly between them.

Black Widow PSA Take-Down Recurve Bow

Black Widow PSA Take Down Recurve Bows

Key Features:

• Three-piece take-down design

• Phenolic riser options for added weight

• Custom grip styles available

• Easily transportable and upgradable with different limb sets

The Black Widow PSA recurve bow is a classic take-down recurve designed for archers who want flexibility and adaptability. The ability to change limbs allows you to adjust draw weight or switch between hunting and target shooting setups without buying an entirely new bow.

One major advantage of the PSA is its heavier riser mass weight, especially when made with G10 or phenolic materials. The extra weight provides a more stable shooting experience with reduced hand shock and added forgiveness in aiming.

The take-down aspect also makes travel and storage easier. Whether you’re flying to a hunt or heading to a tournament, the compact breakdown size is a game-changer.

Black Widow PTF One-Piece Recurve Bow

Black Widow PTF Recurve - G10 Riser, Dark Bocote Limbs

Key Features:

• One-piece design provides an elegant, classic limb-to-riser integration

• Traditional wooden aesthetic with optional G10 riser for added mass weight

• Custom grip styles for personalized fit

• Lightweight and nimble feel

The Black Widow PTF offers a sleek, streamlined one-piece design, making it a favorite for archers who appreciate traditional craftsmanship. The lack of limb bolts and joints means a slightly smoother, more fluid energy transfer upon release.

A standard wooden PTF riser is lighter than a PSA, but ordering a PTF with a G10 riser can increase its mass weight to feel more like a PSA. This is a crucial customisation for those who own both and want similar balance and shot feel between them.

Alternatively, it is perfectly fine to order the PTF with a wood riser if you prefer a completely different feel in the hand compared to the PSA. However, it's worth noting that regularly interchanging between the two bows and shooting them both consistently may be more difficult due to the variance in mass weight and balance.

Speed Performance Comparison

While both the PSA and PTF recurves are engineered for optimal efficiency, some archers report that one-piece bows like the PTF may have a slight speed advantage due to the continuous limb-to-riser energy transfer. The lack of limb bolts and connection points can reduce energy loss, potentially increasing arrow speed by a small margin. However, this difference is often minimal and may not be noticeable in practical shooting scenarios.

For most archers, factors like draw weight, limb choice, and arrow setup will have a greater impact on speed than the bow design itself. If maximizing speed is a priority, tuning your arrow and limb selection will yield more noticeable results than choosing between these two models.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Feature	Black Widow PSA (Take-Down)	Black Widow PTF (One-Piece)
Design	Take-down, three-piece	One-piece, elegant classic design
Mass Weight	Heavier, especially with G10	Lighter (unless customised with G10)
Stability	More stable due to weight	Slightly more nimble
Hand Shock	Minimal	Minimal
Customization	Change limbs, grip options	Grip options, limited mass adjustment
Travel-Friendly	Yes, disassembles	No, full-length required
Aesthetic	Modern traditional	Classic traditional
Speed Potential	Slightly lower	Slightly higher due to energy transfer

Owning and Shooting Both Bows Interchangeably

For archers who want to own both the PSA and PTF, it’s important to consider whether you want to make them feel as similar as possible. Here are a few key tips:

1. Match Mass Weight as Closely as Possible

If your PSA is heavy due to G10 or phenolic material, order your PTF with a G10 riser to increase its mass weight, that is if you want a similar feel. This will make the transition between bows feel more natural.

2. Use the Same Grip Style

Black Widow offers different grip options. Choosing the same grip profile for both bows ensures consistent hand placement, reducing the adjustment period when switching between them.

3. Keep Brace Heights and Tuning Similar

Setting up both bows with a similar brace height, nocking point, and tiller will help maintain shooting consistency. Even though the overall designs differ, the limb geometries are the same for both models, so keeping these factors aligned makes transitions smoother.

4. Match Arrow Setups

It may seem obvious but using the same spine, point weight, and fletching will help both bows feel uniform in arrow flight and trajectory, assuming both bows are ordered in the same draw weight specs.

Which Bow Is Right for You?

If you prioritise versatility and modularity, the PSA take-down recurve is the better choice. It allows for travel convenience and the flexibility to upgrade limbs as your needs change.

If you prefer a traditional one-piece look and feel, the PTF recurve offers an elegant, smooth-shooting experience.

For archers who want both, ordering a heavier PTF riser and ensuring consistent tuning between the two will make switching back and forth effortless.

Final Thoughts

The Black Widow PSA and PTF recurves both offer exceptional performance, and neither is inherently better—it all comes down to your shooting style and personal preference.

If you’re considering adding both to your collection, taking steps to align their mass weight, grip, and tuning will ensure an enjoyable transition between them.

Whichever you choose, you’re getting a world-class traditional bow that will serve you well in the field or on the range. Visit the Black Widow Bows website for more information on these legendary custom bows!

If you're just getting started in traditional archery I would advise you to first try an entry level bow to find out what you like before committing to a high end custom bow like a Black Widow. Check out the article I wrote on the top entry level recurve bows to get you started on the right path.