• Share

EK Archery

EK Archery Crossbows and Compound Bows in South Africa

EK Archery Research is a German brand covering everything from an entry pistol crossbow to a 225lb recurve hunting crossbow, and it sits a clear step above the budget end on build and consistency. The range is unusually broad on draw weight, which makes it possible to start here and stay here as you progress. NeonSales carries 22 EK Archery products, from R490 for a Cobra pistol crossbow up to R10,652 for a Siege 300.

What EK Archery products does NeonSales stock?

  • Pistol crossbows: Cobra at 80lb
  • Recurve crossbows: R9 at 90lb and 150lb, Adder 130lb with aluminium red dot, Desert Hawk 225lb in camo
  • Compound crossbows: Jag 2 Pro 175lb, Blade Plus 345 175lb, Siege 300 150lb, Hex 210lb
  • Compound bows: Protex 40-55lb, Rex quad limb in 15-55lb and 20-65lb, Throst 70lb quad limb, Chaser 65lb twin limb
  • Spares: CR-400 and CR-070B shooting strings, Guillotine M and Accelerator cable sets
  • Bolts: VD-119A replacement bolts in 10 packs

Recurve or compound crossbow?

Type How it works Trade-off
Recurve Simple limbs, string runs directly Easier to maintain and restring yourself, wider and heavier for the same power
Compound Cams and cables multiply force More power in a narrower package, cable replacement usually needs a press

Draw weight, and what you actually need

Higher is not automatically better. An 80lb pistol crossbow is a plinking tool and pleasant to shoot repeatedly. Something in the 130lb to 175lb band covers serious target work and most hunting applications. The 210lb and 225lb models deliver considerable energy and demand a cocking aid to load safely and evenly, which is a real consideration if you plan to shoot a long session rather than a few shots.

Strings and cables are consumables

This gets overlooked until something breaks in the field. Crossbow strings wear and should be replaced when frayed, and EK stocks the CR-400 and CR-070B alongside Guillotine M and Accelerator cable sets. Buying a spare string with the crossbow is sensible, particularly on the higher poundage models where a failure under load is both expensive and unpleasant.

Common questions

Which bolts fit? Bolt length is dictated by the crossbow, not by preference. Check the length specified for your model before ordering, since a bolt that is too short is dangerous as well as inaccurate.

What is a quad limb bow? A compound bow using four limbs rather than two, which spreads the load and generally reduces vibration. The Rex and Throst both use this design.

Do the crossbows come with a scope? Some do, such as the Adder supplied with an aluminium red dot. Check the individual listing rather than assuming, since sighting arrangements vary across the range.

Left hand options? The Protex compound bow is stocked in a left hand version. Most crossbows are ambidextrous by design.

Related: Arrows and Accessories · Blowguns · Accessories