In-Depth Product Review: The Végh Hou Yi Bow
The Végh Hou Yi is a Chinese-inspired laminated recurve bow with a truly elegant look. This type of bow belongs to the family of Asiatic or Eastern bows, characterised by their sleek curves, impressive draw lengths, and versatility in both target shooting and historical reenactment. The finish is absolutely stunning, and I’m genuinely impressed by how minimalistic the design is—there’s so little material in the bow itself. It weighs only 435 grams!
According to Bogar Archery, the recommended draw length is 35″, though the bow can handle 36″. I can wholeheartedly agree with this claim. Although drawing to 36″ is no small feat, it feels as though this bow loves being drawn far. It’s like a high-performance car finally getting the chance to shift into the higher gears. Or rather, not quite a sports car—it’s more like an elegant Jaguar with a powerful engine. It cruises smoothly at lower speeds but can truly roar when the moment calls for it.
The bow comes packaged in a simple cardboard box, accompanied by a thin cloth cover and a string holder. It’s minimalistic, but that’s also reflected in the price—just €349 for a bow of this calibre is astonishingly good value.
Speaking of what’s included, I wasn’t particularly fond of the string that came with it. I prefer a string with more twists, but the included one is too short for that. So, I made my own string with 20 strands of 8125 material and added large string silencers made from hand-twisted Norwegian wool. Now, the bow shoots like an absolute dream.
The grip is straight and minimalist as well. Since I have relatively large hands, I would recommend wrapping the handle with something or crafting a leather grip for added comfort.
All in all, I tip my hat to this remarkable bow—it’s simply wonderful.
(On the pictures you can see that I’ve added a leather handle and string silencers)
Product Details
Explore the Features
- Bow Type: Wooden laminated bow
- Draw Weight: 20–55 lbs (measured at 28 inches of draw on the outside of the grip)
- String Length: 145 cm
- Brace Height: 17.5–20 cm
- Advised Draw Length: 35 inches
- Maximum Draw Length: 36 inches
- Materials Used: Primarily ash and bamboo
- Included Accessories: 652 Spectra string, canvas bow case, string holder
- Warranty: 1 year for bows under 59 lbs; 6 months for bows over 60 lbs
- Price: €349 (includes free shipping to Europe, USA, and Canada)
For more information, you can visit the Bogár Archery website.
Pros and Cons
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Pros
- Elegant design and craftsmanship: The bow has a sleek and minimalist look with an outstanding finish.
- Lightweight: Weighing only 400 grams, it’s incredibly light without sacrificing performance.
- Long draw capabilities: Handles a 36” draw length with ease, making it ideal for archers who need or prefer longer draws.
- Excellent value for money: Priced at just €349, it offers exceptional quality for a relatively low price.
- Responsive shooting experience: The bow feels dynamic and powerful, described as smooth at low effort but capable of impressive “roars” when pushed.
- Easily customisable: You noted that with a self-made string (20 strands of 8125 and wool silencers), the bow’s performance improved significantly.
- Minimalistic packaging: The simple box and cloth cover are functional and keep costs down.
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Cons
- Included string quality: The provided string lacks enough length for additional twists, which may disappoint archers who prefer more customisation.
- Grip comfort: The minimalist, straight grip may be uncomfortable for archers with larger hands unless modified with leather or wrapping for a more ergonomic hold.
- Basic accessories: While the included cloth case and string holder are fine, some archers might expect a more premium or padded case.
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