one piece vs two piece bows

[E.AllenIII]

new to traditional bow hunting and am looking to get a bow.  After some minimal research was wondering if there were any major benefits to be had when looking at a one or two piece bow.  I am assuming traveling with a two piece bow is easier and a one piece bow is just stronger

[Overspined]

Traveling is easier, and you can pack two piece bows on your back if you would like, but I have had nothing but problems with multiple..multiple take down longbows from several makers. I have a Hill T/D now that is perfect, but still noiser than a one piece (just by a tiny bit).

So for the 5 or 6 T/D longbows of different makes I have owned, I would say that only 2 I would consider almost as good as a one piece. I will hopefully never order or buy another one!

The one I have is a T/D Hill with the sleeve I use for packing for elk.

From what I have seen, the connexion hinge is weaker when unstrung, but seems to be the best when strung and brace height is correct...The sleeve seems to be variable, some too loose, some too tight, some good. I prefer good to too tight.

[E.AllenIII]

Thanks overspined

[Cromm]

I have always used one piece bows because I wanted a bow that was ready to use without having to "fix it".
I have used a one piece WS Howard Hill bow for years and love that bow, was thinking about getting a two piece but the handle isn't the same so that put me off.
Went traveling last year with a ELB and lost the bow on the flight back.
So had a look around and found a Great Northern critter gitter with the jack knife handle and boy am I happy with that bow.
It folds over and into my Plains Indian style quiver with 15 arrows in there too and I am away.
I haven't found it to be noiser but maybe I was lucky.
Liked the maker so much that I got a GN Fireball as well with the jack knife hinge and that bow is a bit longer but still fits into the same style of quiver. I can take that bows out unfold them string them up and have an arrow in the air in 30 seconds without a worry.
Thanks for your time.

[Buckeye Trad Hunter]

I'm not a big fan of the 2 piece takedowns for the reasons that overspined listed.  I do however have some 3 piece takedowns which don't share the same problems but you can't get the same bow designs in a 3 piece as you can in a 1 or 2 piece.

Another thing that wasn't mentioned is with a one piece the whole bow "works" when shot as compared a takedown.  Ant kind of takedown system will inhibit that but some more than others.  Most people doesn't think it matters, but I've talked to some people who will never own a takedown bow for that reason.

[WESTBROOK]

I've only had 1 2 piece longbow. It did not work well for me. It was a 68" Hill style with a connection hinge. Everything was OK except when I released I would get a clap sound like to pieces of wood smacking together. I tried everything I could think of to quiet it, but everytime I thought I fixed it, it always came back. I attributed it to a 30" draw and the long limbs generating so much momentum that it actually opened/closed the hinge at the shot thus making the noise. If I short drew it, 29" or less it was OK, or a grossly heavy arrow.

The sad part is I shot that bow like no other, I could do no wrong with it but couldnt take that noise, I seriuously thought about screwing it tigether and making it a 1 piece.

The next one will be a sleeve T/D

Eric

[neargeezer]

I like takedown longbows and have had a number of them.

The sleeve system like Black Widow is using is a nice and solid option. I doesn't change the feel of the handle at all. I have a 30.5" draw and can't tell the differance between a one piece or takedown.

Great Northern's Jack Knife is probably the most simple and fool proof. The super tough hinge has no slop or play. Just fold it open, string it and your ready. Each half of the but ends that meet at the hinge are covered with leather. The two leather faces come together, thus no chance for added noise. The only slight negative for some is the "bump" the hinge makes on the back of the bow. With the hinge I have always felt the bow handle work in my hand just like a one piece Great Northern.

Just the way they work for me. Gook luck.

[paradocs]

I've got 2 Great Northern Bushbows of identical length and weight; a one piece and a Jackknife takedown.  The only difference is the small bump at the hinge of the takedown, and maybe an ounce or two of weight.  Shooting characteristics, tuneability, noise (or lack thereof) are the same.  If anything, I'm a bit more consistent with the Jackknife TD due to the bump serving as a mini locator.  In case you haven't guessed, the one piece is the back-up.

[joe ashton]

traveling is the main reason for a t/d bow.  Air lines charge for additional bags, up to $80.  When I flew to Sask last time I was charged the $ in USA then again in Edmonton.  Coming and going...... One road trip will pay for the price of a take down upgrade...

[stalkin4elk]

Planes,horse,backpack,atv travel as mentioned is where needed. Put it in a gun safe for storage if you choose. One piece is less expensive and slightly cleaner lines. I have the connexion on a Centaur that works quiet and flawlessly. My little finger did not like the joint for the first day but then my shooting improved when I found a tight torque grip is when my little finger said 'hello'. So that turned out to be a sort of form coach. I'd buy another because of the versatility preference over one piece.

[E.AllenIII]

What do you guys think about the dryad three piece takmedown system

[DannyBows]

I've had several types of 2pc Longbows, and I've been very happy with a Sleeve by Bama Bows, and Big Jim's Sleeve. Both are rock solid, and feel like a 1pc to me. The Bama is Dead Silent, being a straight-limbed bow, and the Big Jim is very quiet.
I had a McCullough with a Hinge that shot well. The only problem I had with it was it didn't work to keep it in a sock in one piece.

Big Jim's Sleeve:
 
 

Bama Bows Sleeve:
 
 

[Night Wing]

I really don't have a preference. I like both one piece and take down bows equally.

[Bowwild]

I presume  you are talking LB since you are comparing 1 pc vs. 2 pc?  SInce most recurve TDs are 3-piece?  I don't know a thing about LBs so I won't comment.

I will soon have my 2nd 1-piece recurve  but I have to say I prefer 3-piece recurves; a bit more weight in the bow, convenience when traveling, and the option to change just limbs or riser if different look or draw weight desired

[JRY309]

A two piece would make traveling easier if you were flying to a destination.If you are driving to your hunt place,maybe not worth it.I like and prefer a one piece bow,for me it's a personal choice.You just have to think if you need that in a bow.

[E.AllenIII]

I really appreciate all of your insight and especially the pictures.

[carpenter]

Great Northern bows,you can't go wrong!

[Dick in Seattle]

I like the Connexion.  I've made three of them now.  I've had several metal sleeve Hills and found I rarely took them apart.  They're very stiff to separate and kind of messy.  Other than a bit "fuller" grip on the Connexion, which doesn't bother me even with small hands, I don't notice any shooting difference.  The sleeve grip was also fuller.  I do leather pad the hinge joint rather than hard surfacing it.   The convenience is great.   I sewed a canvas roll up case that holds the two pieces plus a dozen arrows, my glove and brace.  Grab it, toss it in the back of our mini-car and head for the range.  Less than a minute setup or take down.

 

 

 

[Rob DiStefano]

if you search the powwow, there are lotsa threads about 1pc vs 2pc vs 3pc.

for the very most part, there is little to no difference in how a well made 2pc bow feels or shoots when compared to the same bow as a 1pc.  i don't care how they're joined, either - sleeve, hinge, bolt, whatever.

the bottom line is that a t/d bow makes fly-out hunting *SO* much easier/better.  other than that, there are no clear advantages to a 2pc bow.  with a 3pc bow, the other advantage is extra limb sets.

if you fly to get to hunts, or maybe just might sometime in the future, spend the extra dough and go 2pc.  you'll be glad you did.  

[BigJim]

The convienence of a nice two piece will far outweigh the expense. If done correctlly, the shooter will never know until it is unstrung. I have done some weight checks, and have determined that the carbon and fiberglass sleave adds less than a 1/2 oz to the weight of a bow with a relatively light riser and no weight to a bow with a heavy riser.

BigJim