What's the allure of a take-down bow?

[Str8Arrow]

Just curious, why these seem to be so popular. I'm guessing that overall they're heavier and they are certainly more expensive. I can see how a person who takes their bow on a plane frequently, might like to  have a small package, but how many people fit that description?

I know that some want multiple limb options, but I've never quite understood that one either. It would seem to me that instinctive shooters would want one draw weight only - so as to not confuse what's been ingrained in their brains. Do any of you actually find multiple draw weights an advantage, and does it hurt your accuracy?

I guess the real reason for the questions is to assure myself that I'm not missing out on something.

[Jeremy]

I just bought a TD for ease of traveling.  I prefer a 64" longbow and that's not exactly easy to fit in my small car or behind my buddy's truck seat.

As far as multiple draw weights... some people like target archery and have low # limbs for competition and higher # for hunting.  Me... I'll just stick to one bow at a time for the reason you gave above!

[Doug S]

The first reason I have one is #1 the weight issue. I think the more the weight the steadier, at least that's what I like. #2 is the takedown for the plane rides and long car trips. I can put in in a very small bag instead of a bow case or long tube.I take a second takedown of the same weight instead of a 2nd pair of limbs. In case something happened to the riser. #3 it doesn't hurt me in any way, even a little, to have a take down.

[Kip]

I have a Bob Lee with three sets of limbs my go to limbs are 58" recurve 56@28" and 51@28".I use 2016s for the lighter limbs and 2018s for the heaver limbs early season heavy and lighter when colder more clothes they both shoot with the same trajectory with either set of limbs.I also have a set of 62" longbow limbs to play around with.I am also looking for a set of 45-49 @ 28"58-60" recurve if I find some.I enjoy my takedowns but do have some one piece bows my older ones about 30 years old I also use,but my go-to is my Bob Lee.Kip

[Bjorn]

In many cases they can be great eye candy, choices of different limb lengths, and power and even LB or RC on the same riser. The riser plays the biggest role as to accuracy and pointability, so getting a riser you really feel comfortable with is important. The actual weight can vary-light or heavy depending on size, wood and bowyer. Limbs are easy to sell and buy. Get one you--might like it. Depending on the bowyer and options, prices are surprisingly close to one piece bows if you are used to paying 800-1000 or more.

[ChuckC]

Mainly...so you can break it down for travel.  I prefer a one piece.
ChuckC

[Ian johnson]

I just got a takedown for travel reasons, and if I move up in draw weight, I can just buy a new set of limbs rather than a whole new bow

[bowdude]

I bought a takedown as I want to break it down as small as my arrows.  Then I can haul it on my motorcycle to 3D shoots during the summer.

[Frank V]

My reason is that 3 summers ago My Wife & I attended NALS in Idaho. That summer we traveled 3000 miles in our Camry with a 64" one piece longbow in a case I'd made out of 4" PVC pipe. There was no way to convienetly carry that bow in the Camry. Every time we'd open the back door the bow would try to fall out & we'd have to catch it. I bought a 64" sleeved takedown longbow from Ron & Debbie King (Fox Archery) on Sat. evening after the shoot. Every since travel has been lot's easier. I have yet to fly with my bow, but I'll bet it'd much easier with a takedown. These are just my reasons. Frank

[OconeeDan]

Or, suppose that next year, you decide you need a heavier draw or lighter draw bow.  No need to buy a whole new bow.
Or...what if you slammed a limb in a truck door?
Dan

[hunt it]

I'm left handed and my son is right handed. We both have Morrison Shawnees, this allows us to interchange limbs on both bows. I have two risers and sets of limbs, both recurve and longbow limbs. The added weight of the three piece seems to shoot better in my case. As for travelling, I would onlt brealdown bows for commercial flights. Anytime I've flown in bush plane, I leave them in one piece. As my son gets older he will utilize my heavey limbs and I'll use his lighter limbs.This way he won't end up with a whole collection of left handed stuff that is no good to him. And last but not least we love the Shawnee and how it shoots.

[Ed Purvis]

The only time I take mine down is for my annual week-long backpack camp hunt.  The hike in is over pretty rough terrain and brush, with lots of chances to fall and break the bow.  I carry my arrows in a section of PVC pipe on this trip.  The option to buy extra limbs also appeals to me.

[SOS]

Mine is good for travel.  I actually have taken it with me on business trips in a large suitcase just to shoot bows with friends after work.  I can guarantee you it is waaayyy more fun that sitting in a hotel.  I'm probably on the road about 6-8 times a year - don't always take it, though.  Steve

[Bill Turner]

Air travel to Alaska, Canada etc. forced me to purchase my first take down. Backpacking in rough terrain and horseback travel will also make you appreciate the various TD models. I seldom break one of my bows down unless I'm doing one of the above. Personally I do not like the look of the 3 piece TD longbow. My TD longbows are two piece. I doubt if I will ever buy another longbow that is not a take down model.  

[The Ursus]

Gotta have two pieces otherwise it wont fit in my pack and gets all tangled up in devil's club and alder on my way up to chase them white alpine trolls.

[juneaulongbow]

Hiking up 2,000-3,000 ft for a day of deer hunting, I break it down and strap it to a backpack..   Up the mountain, down the mountain, in the boat, in the bush plane.  It just makes sense.

[flatbowMB]

Up until now I've always had 1 piece longbows, but have often come across situations where transporting the full length to be extremely inconvenient.  I like longbows as lightweight as possible and with a minimal riser mass (without sacrificing handle rigidity), so with my last longbow order I stewed over whether to stay with a one piece or go with a 2 piece takedown.  I checked out other 2 piece TDs from the same bowyer and found no discernable difference in mass or shooting characteristics from the 1 piece, so I decided on the 2 piece.

As for 3 piece takedowns that I've tried, I've found the total bow mass far more than I care for, but for others, that is exactly what they like about them.  For me, if ever one day I get a hankering for a real heavy bow, I'd get something with wheels   .

Having said that, I can see the practical aspect of being able to replace limb sets without having to replace the whole bow as long as the limbs alone are considerably less pricey than the whole bow.

One other the I like about the 2 piece system that I ordered is that it requires no tools.  Given my remarkable ability to BOTH lose and forget small tools, and the strong correlation between their importance and the speed at which I lose them, this is an extremely important feature for me.

[Barney]

It's alot easier to pack a takedown on a horse or anywhere else for that matter. I couldn't imagine packing 2, 1 pc recurves 8 or 10 miles back in on a horse. Easier to have a takedown with a couple sets of limbs.

[Roadkill]

travel and extra mass weight in riser

[NDTerminator]

Ease of transport while travelling, easily replaced limbs if they break or are damaged, extra limbs at different weights/lengths for versatility...