Big Jim Thunderchild

[bagada]

im considering ahead of time the thunderchild bow for the following reasons.
-easy takedown with no tools
-short and good for travel(main reason)
-light weight(I use ultralight backpacking gear)
-I like that it looks like a one piece. I don't like the 3 piece look
I will be carrying this bow in a backpack for months at a time while traveling/hiking. I just want to know if there are any other similar bows i need to check out before I pull the trigger on a Thunderchild. Any other "no tool" takedowns? Any 2 piece recurves? Thanks

[Tyler C. Moore]

Check out the short  Toelke bows. Or any bow (shrew, Javaman, black widows) with take down sleeves or bow bolts.

I love the TC and toelkes

[drewsbow]

I have a two piece and love it for travel , you won't go wrong with BigJim

[huntingarcher]

BigJim TC would be my choice.

[fnshtr]

I have a one-piece Javaman Elkheart that is only 54". I bought it used to see what such a small, short how would be like. I love it!!

I would like the bow bolt system as it would add a little mass and would make a 54" model take up only about 27"! My arrows are longer!

Several good choices out there. Toelke Pika, Big Jim TC, and the Elkheart to name a few.

Good luck!

[tomsm44]

Haven't owned any of the ones mentioned personally, but I had a chance to shoot a Thunderchild this summer.  Fit and finish was as good as any bow I've ever held.  And I've held a few $1200-$1700 bows.  It shot beautifully as well.  

Having said that, what's your draw length?  I saw where a bowyer posted some pictures on here once of short recurves vs short longbows where he demonstrated how the recurve of the same length has a better string angle and therefore less finger pinch.  A takedown short recurve, like the Java Man Helms Deep might be worth a look if you have a longer DL.

Don't think you could go wrong with a Big Jim bow though.

[Biathlonman]

Treadway Black Swamp needs to be on the list too.

[RC]

I would very much recommend the TC. You won`t find many guys better to deal with than Big Jim. I am shooting a Buffalo he made and it is very sweet.
  The Thunderchild is not only a functioning tool of death but is also a work of art.RC

[elkken]

Thunder child is a fine bow ....

[bagada]

would my 31 inch draw work with the 58 inch TC?

[Ky longbow]

Bagada, I believe it would. I personally own a 58" TC and have never had an issue with my longer draw. I'm currently looking into getting another one at a 56" takedown myself. One of my favorite bows and Big Jim's service is top notch.

[Longtoke]

I have heard the TC is a dream for long armed archers.

[Car54]

Send BigJim a email or call...he has a 32" draw.

[tomsm44]

Originally posted by RC:
I would very much recommend the TC. You won`t find many guys better to deal with than Big Jim. I am shooting a Buffalo he made and it is very sweet.
  The Thunderchild is not only a functioning tool of death but is also a work of art.RC

"Functioning tool of death........work of art."

That's the best description of what a trad bow should be that I've ever heard.

[Stump73]

Best is to contact BigJim and ask him which length would best fit your draw.
I would go with what he says.

[Frenchymanny]

I have a couple of them TCs

After a few years I still love them as the first day

F-Manny

[drewsbow]

Bagada : That's what I draw plus and yes it works great

[Terry Green]

Lots of bows to chose from that are great....won't go wrong with a Big  Jim....I have one....1st shot at big game = dead hog.

[Flatshooter]

Owned and shot most of the t/d hybrids and BigJim's T/C is at the top of my list for workmanship, durability and speed. Also a great guy to do business with!

[V I Archer]

Never shot a thunderchild, I'm sure they are a great bow though.  I own Cari-Bow.  Same sort of takedown design.  I too wanted a tooless takedown for backpack hunting for goats, caribou and sheep.  

Abe makes a very nice static recurve called the Tuktu which is worth a look.