Favorite longbow 2 piece breakdown system?

[stalkin4elk]

Three piece systems are ok and functional but I prefer the lines and simplicity (no hardware)of the two piece longbows. What is your preferred 2 piece system for ease of use,reliability,solid feel, and smooth lines.I DO plan on backpacking and horse packing a future breakdown longbow. Some of you probably have used several of the systems available. Thanks.

[mooseman76]

I haven't used them all, but I favor the locket socket system that Black Widow, Caribow and I'm sure a few others are using.  No metal parts to ding the bow up when apart, and no tools.  No hint of the bow being a takedown when assembled either...Mike

[Steelhead]

I like the locket socket style used by Widow,Big Jim,Cari-bow and the one Jack Harrison uses on his bows.For all the reasons you mentioned.Durability and longevity are another reason that I like this system.I also like the Great Northern jacknife alot.Thunderhorn makes an excellant 2 piece as well thats amazingly crafted and still gives you a nicely contoured grip.The sleeve style is nice and strong as well.I think I had all the other ones and these are my favorites overall.

[DGW]

The locket socket is my favorite also but if left togather to long have a hard time getting it back apart, I also have a longbow made by Mike Dunnaway here in Kansas that has the hinge Dick robertson sells and have had no problems with it and it is a great shooting longbow.

[Curveman]

sleeve! I don't like three piece recur...er "longbows" either!    :D

[maxwell]

Great Northern hinge system-  simply the best can't lose a limb
because they are hinged together, instint set up.

[Ben Maher]

I've had connexion hinge and sleeve...both work really well and are solid and dependable. looking to try the locket / socket on my new Widow longbow though!!!!

[Gerardo]

bow bolt anyone?

[fatman]

I have a bow bolt...it's a great system, but I don't think it lends itself well to higher draw weights.  My bow is 61@27 and we've had some problems with the bolt pulling out a little on the lower section.  I've also heard a number of guys having the bolt tear out through the riser on higher draw weights.  I talked to a number of bowyers who will NOT build a two-piece;  they claim that any system will shoot loose over time, or that some individual bows will have noise problems....

Do you guys that have the locket socket have experience with heavier draw weights?  I think Al Kidner's Widow may be of the heavier persuasion....

Good thread  

[Mike Bolin]

I have had the older sleeve style system on a Fox and the Robertson hinge on an older Widow LAG. I really liked the hinge system best of the two. Haven't tried the new Widow system, but everyone I know that has it is pleased with it. Mike

[David McLendon]

Locket Socket  for all the same reasons Mooseman76 said.

[arraflipper]

I have built quite a few 60# plus with never a complaint.  Before I bought the business from Jack Harrison he built a few in the 70# one has been to Africa numerous times with no problems.  I build each one and hand fit the brass sleeve to the stainless steel lower limb.  I bought the patent that Jack had, and make all of them myself.  If kept clean and lubricated they will last a very, very, long time.  

Jim Fisk

[Stan the bow man]

LOCKET SOCKET The simplest system i think.Works great.        

[Big Ed]

Locket Socket is in opinion the strongest out there.I am pretty sure that Denny Sturgis shoots one at heavy weights. Ed

[Greg in Delton MI]

Of all the systems that have been around the last twenty years the Great Northern Hinge, The Robertson Connexion, and the Sleeve have stood the test of time, all others have gone by the way side either because of expense to manufacture or because the bows broke in the end.

I don't know about the new locket socket, but the Bows my son and I have are Connexion Hinge and at higher wieghts we've never had a problem over 10 years or so.

JMHO,

[Greg in Delton MI]

That looks like a spin on the old sleeve, nice job BW!

[amar911]

I like the Bow Bolt very well. I have Bow Bolts in several Shrews and a Holm-Made Osprey and love them. They all shoot exactly like one piece bows when assembled. The Bow Bolt does have the metal bolt that sticks out when taken apart. It comes with a plastic cover for the male portion and a plastic insert for the female portion, but to prevent damage you do need to pad the bolt, which is not difficult -- no more so than most takedown bows. It is very quick and easy to take down or reassemble the bow. I like the Gazelle two piece longbow case from Safari Tuff to transport the bow by automobile or horse, and the internal, removable fleece sleeves in the Gazelle can be used for backpacking, but a case like those sold by 3 Rivers would be the ticket for commercial airline travel.

Allan

[David Sapp]

Another vote for the GN Jack Knife. Absolutely simple and utterly bombproof.

[Smallwood]

black widow locket socket-
they put something like 1500 pounds per square inch on the locket socket before it cracked!
Now that's serious r&d on their product!

The bow bolt is really good too.

[JimmyC]

I just started shooting a Great Northern Critter Gitter with the Jack Knife.  Man, what a great system!  Classic longbow lines and wonderful take down capability that has stood the test of time.

Jim