IMHO if you're a beginner, you're better off buying a cheap bow for starters, although the ones that come in the fiddle +case + bow package deals for £60 are pushing it a bit. A cheap bow is fine for a beginner, but limiting for the experienced player (although my 1st bow, which came with the violin, got me to grade 6!). Spending money on a bow has saved me from changing my instrument - I still play the (fairly) cheap fiddle I learned on and have managed to avoid upgrading by putting on a decent set of strings and buying a more expensive bow (about £125). I am lucky enough to live near two very good violin shops who will leave you alone to experiment and pick one that is suitable for your playing style - it really is a personal thing - it's like choosing a fountain pen or a set of darts.

Sarah x