2pc 3pc or does it matter?

[1hornhunter]

Looking to pick up a new longbow.  Wondering what the pros/cons to the 2pc or 3pc.  If 2pc, the bow bolt is available on the bow I want.  Your thoughts and imput would be appreciated.  
Thanks

[Skipmaster1]

I have a 2pc Super Shrew Classic Hunte with the bow bolt. I love it and would be hard pressed to buy another bow that wasn't a TD. In fact I have 2 more shrews that should be here in a few weeks, both with the bow bolt. It locks rock solid and feels just like a 1pc with the option to break it down for easy travel

[Stiks-n-Strings]

I have shot a few three pieces and don't really like the weight of them. If I was gonna buy a TD it would be a 2 piece. Personal preference for me.

Some guys love the three piece TD's. You need to shoot a few different bows and then decide which flavor you like. They are both good designs but like I said it is a matter of personal preference.

[Steelhead]

It might matter.

A 2 piece is gonna be lighter in the hand and assembling it is easier.Usually requiring no tools.You wont have to tinker with bolts,washers or allen wrenches.The 2 piece is elegant,streamlined and on many you cant even tell if its a T.D.The 2 piece is very light to carry and or pack in.

If you bust a limb on a 2 piece you need a whole new bow.2 piece longbows pack well and take up very little space.Bundled together in a 2 piece bowsock its a tight little package

If you like more mass weight in your bow the 3 piece is gonna have that.Some are pretty light though.Especially with some of the smaller risers available now.You can get different poundage limbs and different lengths so its more versatile than the 2 piece in those aspects.A Morrison Shawnee with Dakota limbs for instance has A,B,C,D, and E limbs and also 3 different riser lengths.

If you damage a limb you get new limbs.

I have used both alot.I think my favorite is a 2 piece with a steel sleeve and contoured grip.Thiers alot of good 2 PC. systems available.I do like the bowbolt.My bowbolt bows had all phenolic risers.Its very strong that way and adds a little bit of wieght.Something to consider with your bow if you go the bow bolt route.

[beendare]

Yeah,
I would also like to hear comments on some of those 2 piece designs. It appears some are steel on steel and others are wood swedged into some sort of casing- I'm assuming metal.

Do any of these flex at the joint?
Do the metal on metal ever rotate?

[Rob DiStefano]

• most 2pc longbows look like a 1pc, whereas a 3pc won't.
  
• as already mentioned, bust a 2pc limb and you need a new bow, bust a 3pc limb and you just get a new limb set
  
• 3pc is usually heavier than 2pc
  
• 3pc will break down to smaller pieces than a 2pc
  
• 3pc typically means bolts and pins
  
• 2pc can be a sleeve (oval metal or squared glass), bow bolt, latch, connexion hinge, and others - each are different in different ways
  
• 2pc sleeve connections are asymmetrical - one side will be much longer than the other
  
• 2pc connexion hinge renders symmetrical lengths
  
• some 2pc designs will not allow certain handle shapes - a metal sleeve 2pc is one
  
• some 2pc designs have bow holding weight limits
  
• haven't seen/felt flex at the handle/joint of any 2pc - sleeve, bow bolt, connexion hinge
  

[kadbow]

I like the looks and feel of a 2 pc.  I am currently down to two 2 pc longbows (Shrews) but have another on order.  They are the bow bolt.

[Bow man]

If you like the feel and looks  of a one Piece go with the two piece. We love the Bowbolt we are just to announce we are offering  Two Pc Takedowns using them

[ron w]

If you want your longbow to feel like a longbow, 2pc is the way go. If you need it to pack down smaller to travel and don't mind the extra weight you can do a 3pc. Enjoy your search.....

[BigJim]

A properly built two piece is a dream to handle because you will never know it is a two piece. A sleave system weather it is steel or fiberglass can be built to where the grip is shaped most anyway you would like. However, with the steel, there are limitations as to how small the grip can be and it does add a fair bit of weight to the grip (for some, the weight is not a negative).
The extra length of the top portion of the bow vs the lower portion (in a sleave two piece) is insignifcant and sledom if ever effects packing.

The bow bolt is very strong, but can be an issue in bows that don't utilize extra reinforcement in the riser such as glass or phenolic.

In a carbon fiber bow sleave td, there is virtually no limit to draw weight (all my personal bows are above 80lbs). I would refrain from making bows over 100lbs in to two piece but don't really know why it wouldn't work.

I have personally had a bow bolt bow explode (62lbs) while shooting it. It was built by another boyer and the riser was made entirely of maple. If the riser had reinforcement, I feel confident that the bow would have been fine.

Most of the two piece systems will work fine if properly installed by those who know there systems limitations. I feel that the carbon fiber sleave is much stronger than the 3 piece system.
BigJim