Takedown vs one piece

[dpowers311]

Ok I am new to traditional bows. What are some advantages and disadvantages of each?

Being able to fit a take down into a small case for easy transport.
Able to get new weight limbs.

What else is there.

Thanks
Dave

[LongStick64]

Depending on the bow, but takedowns have the advantage of
1. One riser and multiple limbs
2. Heavier Riser, more stability.
3. On my Morrison Cheyenne I can use one riser and switch between longbow limbs and recurve limbs.

One piece bows are generally lighter. May have more or a traditional look, especially with longbows. Unless you get a sleeve take down longbow, so it maintains the simple look.

Really depends on what is the advantage to you and what you want. Both still shoot as well as the other. There really is no advantage there. With the exception that most people consider a heavier riser to aid in shooting.

[Buckeye Trad Hunter]

A one piece also has the advantage of the whole bow works when drawn as compared to the takedown that only flexes (or works) the limbs.  Takedowns also have the advantage of being easier to travel with and you can buy a light weight bow since you are just starting out and invest in heavier limbs as you shoot like you said.

[woodchucker]

Personaly, I just like the light weight of a 1 piece bow. Also,I never "travel" to do any hunting,so I have no reason to take my bow apart.

All of the above are VERY good reasons for a t/d bow!!!!! I just don't have the need for one.

[Covey]

I prefer 3 piece TD 1. I like the look 2. I like the extra weight 3. I like the ability to put differant weight limbs and they don't have the hand shock of some lighter one piece bows.JMO!! Jason

[30coupe]

Each has its place. I have both. Most of the time I use my Kanati, but the Kota is also a great bow. If I get a chance to travel, I have no doubt the Kota will do the job.

[xtrema312]

I will just add that if you break a limb on a 3 pc TD you are not out a whole bow.

[myshootinstinks]

I prefer a one piece.  The TD feature is handy but I hunt near home, never travel, fly, etc so the TD feature is seldom utilized.

[tippit]

I only use my T/Ds when I fly to an out of state hunt.  For all my 3pc T/Ds feel stiff in the handle and my 2pc bowbolts feel more like a 1pc but not quite...Doc

[donw]

it's six to one, half a dozen to another...

as said...each has it's advantages/disadvantages...

i have and like both...

[myshootinstinks]

Some are of the opinion that stiffness, rigidity in the handle is a plus.  I think that may have been Jack Howard's thinking. I heard he put a metal rod inside the riser to add to stiffness. Not sure if thst's true.

[Steelhead]

If you buy just one bow the TD is gonna be way more versatile.For all the reasons listed above.Different weight limbs for different purposes.A heavy set maybe for larger game.A medium weight set for general use and or deer hunting more specifically.Maybe a very light set thats longer in length  for 3-D and or for just working on your form.Or for when you wanna shoot hundreds of arrows in a day and wanna avoid fatigue.Or maybe you have an injury and the light weight limbs come in handy then to allow you to keep shooting.

Some TDs allow you to have both longbow or Hybrid and recurve limbs like longstick mentioned with the Cheyenne by Mr Morrison.

With a TD you can often find another set of limbs second hand later and upgrade your rig at a reasonable price.As Extrema said if you break a limb with a TD at least you only need to aquire a new set of limbs and or hopefully you allready have a backup pair ready to go to solve the dilemma.

Hard to beat all those advantages in one bow.

You can also have another spare riser in a different length to make it even more versatile.Like a 14 inch riser and 16 in. or 14 in. and 18 inch etc.

A guy might want a 14 inch riser for a really short bow thats light in the hand and also want an 18 inch riser for a heavier mass weight riser that makes a longer bow to shoot for accuracy.

Match a couple risers and 2 or 3 sets of limbs and you got an incredibly versatile setup.

The packability is a great feature for some guys that need it.Whether its by horse,mountain bike,plane,kayak or you might have a small car and are going on a vacation and need to save all the space you can for all your stuff.  

I like one pieces alot.They are very nice looking and have a seamless aesthetic appearance and are generally lighter in the hand.I enjoy shooting them.

If I bought one bow though it would be a 3 piece TD.

[Rick P]

I was a member of the "I don't travel so why have a take down camp" Until I hunted in Michigan on a visit to my folks. I had to borrow a bow and it totally screwed my effective range, had to pass on a big 6 point that would have been meat with any of my bows, never again! Then I got to thinking about the hunting I do at home. It has always been a pain lugging a one piece up the mountain for sheep and goats, I often pack out to a base camp for caribou and I've yet to figure out a good way to carry a bow on a snowmobile a take down will cover all these bases. Heavier riser = less hand shock and more stability add in the versatility of having multiple limbs and I don't see a down side. Looking at a couple of take downs now and I have little doubt I'll have one in the collection before my March caribou hunt!

[amar911]

I have many bows including one, two and three piece models. I like all of them. The one piece is the simplest and lightest, but it is not the one to use for travel. The three piece is the most versatile and stable (due to its weight) and also packs into the shortest space, but it is heavier to carry around all day. The two piece is light and feels pretty much like a one piece, and it breaks down into a slim package that is about the same length as your arrows. I suggest either a two or three piece bow if you ever plan to travel to hunt for some of the reasons stated by Rick P along with other considerations. For quick assembly/disassembly nothing is faster than a two piece takedown. I can take apart a Bow Bolt in two seconds and put it back together in five seconds. Some of the other connections require about the same time. An ILF bow is pretty fast because you don't have to screw in the bolts on most of them, just slip the limbs in and string the bow. The limb bolts on most three piece bows take some time to put together, especially if you use the standard bolts that require an allen wrench. I would much rather be using a two piece if rapid disassembly and reassembly was required, plus you never have to search for a tool. If I were disassembling and reassembling my bow while actually out hunting, I would use the bolts that can be tightened and loosened by hand.

Allan

[Benny Nganabbarru]

A one-piece bow is easier to clean after hunting during a monsoonal downpour.

[Rob DiStefano]

t/d for air travel, else one piece.

unlike all three piece bows, for the very most part, two piece bows will feel much like a one piece.  

i find no difference at all between my two piece t/d mohawk and a one piece mohawk.  

as always, if ya can, try before you buy.

[IndianaBowman]

Yep, baggage fees are ridiculous!

[bear1336]

I like the T/D's I have been using the Bear T/D's for 3 years now and I like have the abilty of changing limbs with different weights and lenghts.

[Throop]

T/D

[cacciatore]

My friend this is a question of a beginner,pretty soon you will be addicted with many different bows to choose from.LOL