The best recurve in the world is the one you've got in your hands when you need it.

For the most part,I have to agree with the others about performance. Same holds true for quality and workmanship among the top bowyers. The market is too competitive. If the workmanship and quality aren't there, the guy isn't going to be able to demand premium prices. If he does, he won't be in business long. If his work isn't even up to factory standards, which are also pretty high, he better keep his day job.

Some recurves I'd love to have, in no particular order,are: anything by Blacktail or Dale Dye, the Rio Bravo 'B' by Great PLains, Black Widow PMA (I could care less that a lot of it iscut outon CNC machines, it's still a great bow), ChekMate Hunter II, Bob Lee Hunter.... but at the top of my all time wish list is a '69 Bear Custom Kodiak TD.

Far from being a complete list, those arejust the ones that come to mind right now.