One piece bows

[Wudstix]

I have a MTD recurve that I traded for, but have not shot, yet.  It's physically pretty heavy.  All my other bows are one piece.  3 of 6 bows I own will never be made again. (Big River, MOAB)  I've shot TD bows, several pass around bows and liked them fine.  Some real beauties.  Just never dropped the hammer on a TD.  60" seems to be my favorite length.  Not to long and pretty stable.  Like the light weight feel of a one piece.  Do have a 58" Bear Grizzly that I need to get to know, and a 62" Kota longbow I picked up on the TradGang auction that needs some woods time.  Right now I'm rocking my Big River recurve.  Would like to here some pro's and con's of different bow lengths relative to recurve and/or longbow. 
 

[Gen273]

I am strange in that I prefer short bows. Usually, 54-58 inches is what I like.

[BAK]

My preferences are purpose driven.   Hunting from a blind, short bows, 54" or so.  Tree stand, I like 58 or 60 inch.  For 3d I go with 64 or 66 inch.   

[Wudstix]

Thanks.  Personally, 60" works for me in many situations.  I will probably use the Kota Badlands 62" for spot-n-stalk hog hunting.  Thanks, Mark Viehweg for offering it up.
 

[durp]

While I have had bows from 58 inch and up...take downs and one piece...longbows and recurve I much prefer a fairly small handled 62 inch longbow...they just seem to do what I need them to do when and where I need it to 

[dnovo]

While I have a number of recurves I never shoot them. I’m a longbow guy. Most of mine are 64” with a 66” and a 70” in there. 64” is my favorite length and I use it for everything.  My personal opinion is that anything less than 64” is not a longbow.

[frassettor]

The majority of my longbows are 66”, although I do have a couple 64”.
I prefer longer bows only because It’s what I’m accustomed to and don’t plan on changing. I don’t notice the length. I used to a own shorter bow, but found out that I wasn’t as accurate with it

[Wudstix]

Good input.  I lean towards 60-62" myself.  62" is a semi D-shape.  Had a 62" Thunderstick III that was in the back seat of my pick-up when the door was forced open.  Once heard G Fred say that most of the hybrid longbows were really straight limbed recurves.  I mentioned that to him at PBS banquet, he said "amazing how something you say comes back to you".
 

[Wudstix]

I think that 60-62" bows are a little smoother drawing with the 65# plus bows I like to shoot.  The 58" Grizzly will probably be my 3-D bow this year to get used to her.  Need a couple strings, the one that came with it was put on backward, so I am a bit suspect!!!
 

[PrimitivePete]

I used to think 60" was it for me, that is until I went 62" and 64". For me there is a noticeable difference in how I perceive the weight of the bow at the longer length. 55lbs at 60 vs 55lbs at 64 is like I'm shooting heavier at the 60" than I am at 64".

[Doug S]

  As long as you can get away with for your hunts. 

[Wudstix]

I used to think 60" was it for me, that is until I went 62" and 64". For me there is a noticeable difference in how I perceive the weight of the bow at the longer length. 55lbs at 60 vs 55lbs at 64 is like I'm shooting heavier at the 60" than I am at 64".

Pete;
I find this as well.  My Kota a 62" draws as easily as my Big River at 60", with several more pounds.  I still like the 60" longbows and recurve for tighter spots.
 

[Bowguy67]

I typically stay in the 60-62” range. I’ve got a bow in 52” and I’ve shot them closer to 70. I have no use for the longer bows. To me they do nothing better except get caught up in brush and make shooting more difficult while hunting.
I like straight grip longbows though this year leaned more to recurves for sentimental reasons. All my bows 64” and over are gone. Just wasn’t using them.
I should add I’m also a guy likes one piece better. They’re lighter, imo shoot better, they feel alive and look better. Take downs do offer practical advantages.

[Sam McMichael]

All of my ASL's and most of my R/D bows are 68" long. My ELB is 71" long. Also, they are all one piece bows. I like the smoothness of draw that a longer bow gives, even if it may not be performing to maximum efficiency due to my short draw. I have looked at take downs, and liked them, but never had the extra money to buy one.

[Wudstix]

A 68-71" bow would be taller than me!!!
 

[GCook]

To me there is something more graceful in the lines of a one piece, or two piece that looks like a one piece, bow.  Not all of them of course. some just look like a stick with a thicker middle.  But some, like a Mountan Monark or my Primal Tech long bow just look like they are part of a picture regardless of the woods or scratches or . . .
Then you have the other end the the Black Widow bows that shoot so smooth and consistent yet, other than the PSR and PL just look like clubs wth limbs.
Some, like a Primal Tech 3 piece, at least try to do something about the disproportionally large mass of wood that looks like it is at odds with the slim limbs but not all do or can I imagine.
Some bowyers have a something a little more that challenges them to push the boundaries and take what is just a tool and turn it into a piece of craftsmanship.
Still, regardless, I've never seen a 3 piece bow that could rival the lines of a well built one or two piece.  Even the uglier ones like Bear bows.

[Steelhead]

If I m gonna have one bow in a recurve or a hybrid longbow its gonna be 60 or 62 inches.Thats if I am limited to one bow or 2.Just an all around good length for me.I draw about 28.5 inches.Lengths could change if you have a short draw or long draw as far as all around versatility and a good fit.

In an ASL style longbow I would go longer.

[Wudstix]

I guess much of my preference for 60"ish bows is that I have been hunting Texas brush for the last 30 years and that is a length that can go most of the spots I end up in.  It does well in elevated stands, or on the ground.  Plus, fits into a kayak well for a trip to the dark corners that no one else wants to visit.
 

[Steelhead]

Yaa Michael.

Just a great all around length for most hunters.

[A Lex]

I only have three bows, but all are Blackwidow PL's, all 66", and all takedowns that look like a one-piece bow.

I'm very content with them, and cannot really see any need to change. They are 55@28, 65@28 and 75@28. They'll do pretty much all I can envisage with any archery or bowhunting needs.

They all draw really smooth to me and I've hunted in some pretty tight cover with them and really wasn't worried by their length. I think subconsciously I just know the bow is reasonably long, and hunt accordingly.

Each to their own, as these are my only my thoughts. But everybody is right here of course, because what works for you is right for you.

Although I certainly like my Widow 2 piece longbows (that look like a one piece)

Best
Lex