Is the American Semi-Longbow (ASL) a legend or a thing from the past. I like the ASL, it is light, easy to carry and shoot. It may not be the quickest stick on your rack, but it probably has taken more game than any other through the years. The last ASL I sold almost broke a $100 and it isn't going to get cheaper when the price of gas goes down.
The AFL (American Flat Longbow) will be around forever.
The convenience of a multi part bow is a major boon for airline travel. Other than that, I'd rather have a 1pc longbow.
SO ... given the odd chance I'd need to fly out with a longbow, I've opted for the only 3pc longbow I know of that when stuck together looks like a 1pc longbow, and when broken down it will take up lots less room than a 2pc longbow, the Bigfoot Flatliner, my new #1 ...
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My first Trad bow was a Jeffrey's 3 piece takedown recurve. I don't think I ever took it apart. My next was a Treadway 63" longbow. All my other bows are selfbows or backed bows, all one piece. They all fit in my car.
I love 1 piece bows but with my pickup truck and me going to hunts right from work i cannot find a better way to stow a longbow behind me seat than a 2pc....i used to travel on a motorcycle so same advantage but other than legit real world personal convenience i see no point in paying extra for a T/D
I am a one piece Longbow guy I do have a 3 piece by I don't see myself flying anytime soon, I have hauled my one piece Longbows from Ca to TX up to Alaska and back.
One other advantage is when you sell it, it is easier and cheaper to ship it! And I have sold a few.
Hopefully done with that nonsense now. I am enjoying my current stable of bows.
As much as I like a 1 piece bow it was sure easier to pack a 3 piece bow in the car for traveling across country. I have one of those deep arrow boxes I modified to carry the bow, a dozen arrows, arm guard, glove, pocket quiver, stringer. Even my floppy hat. I believe it will also fit my 2 piece TD Wes Wallace LB. I do remember traveling across country years ago with my Bear SK on a gun rack I put in our SUV. Probably not the best of ideas come to think about it. It was in a bow sock but still visible.
I was really only interested in a 3pc for airline travel, but it is nice to know that in a well packed car it's less of a hassle with a T/D than dealing with a 5-1/2ft 1pc longbow. :)
I've got several 2 pc bows. One is the connection hinge and I've had it for years. But then I have 2 newer bows that are the socket 2 pc system. Great bows and you can't tell it's a takedown. They come in really handy in the truck on those long drives for hunting trips.
I like 1 piece longbows the best. I travel with a 2 piece longbow that's otherwise identical to my 1-piece bow. To me this handles like a bow done "right" in use but allows for convenient travel and is kind of the best of both worlds. I've never bonded with and kept around a 3-piece bow of any configuration, but I understand the appeal.
Quote from: Gdpolk on May 06, 2026, 05:55:19 PMI like 1 piece longbows the best. I travel with a 2 piece longbow that's otherwise identical to my 1-piece bow. To me this handles like a bow done "right" in use but allows for convenient travel and is kind of the best of both worlds. I've never bonded with and kept around a 3-piece bow of any configuration, but I understand the appeal.
I never like the looks of a 3pc longbow ... but the Flatliner sure do look like a 1pc!
Quote from: Rob DiStefano on May 06, 2026, 06:43:29 PMQuote from: Gdpolk on May 06, 2026, 05:55:19 PMI like 1 piece longbows the best. I travel with a 2 piece longbow that's otherwise identical to my 1-piece bow. To me this handles like a bow done "right" in use but allows for convenient travel and is kind of the best of both worlds. I've never bonded with and kept around a 3-piece bow of any configuration, but I understand the appeal.
I never like the looks of a 3pc longbow ... but the Flatliner sure do look like a 1pc!
Yep. It's pretty. My 2-piece bow has a socket locket design that hides the joint under some beavertail. You can't tell it's a 2 piece bow in hand or visually when it is together but it allowed me to build out a Pelican hard case for travel in one of the squatty AR type rifle cases. It is pretty handy to be able to pile junk on top, strap it to a roof rack, throw it in a canoe, or go through TSA with a backup revolver and not worry a bit about it. It's also handy to be able to open the case and SEE that all of the essentials are there and not left at home or camp.
Quote from: Gdpolk on May 06, 2026, 10:03:45 PMQuote from: Rob DiStefano on May 06, 2026, 06:43:29 PMQuote from: Gdpolk on May 06, 2026, 05:55:19 PMI like 1 piece longbows the best. I travel with a 2 piece longbow that's otherwise identical to my 1-piece bow. To me this handles like a bow done "right" in use but allows for convenient travel and is kind of the best of both worlds. I've never bonded with and kept around a 3-piece bow of any configuration, but I understand the appeal.
I never like the looks of a 3pc longbow ... but the Flatliner sure do look like a 1pc!
Yep. It's pretty. My 2-piece bow has a socket locket design that hides the joint under some beavertail. You can't tell it's a 2 piece bow in hand or visually when it is together but it allowed me to build out a Pelican hard case for travel in one of the squatty AR type rifle cases. It is pretty handy to be able to pile junk on top, strap it to a roof rack, throw it in a canoe, or go through TSA with a backup revolver and not worry a bit about it. It's also handy to be able to open the case and SEE that all of the essentials are there and not left at home or camp.
I've had a gaggle of Mohawk Sparrowhawk 2pc (Robertson Connexion at the handle), Great bows, love 'em too! The 3pc Flatliner is just more compact.
I've got one of the Mohawks with the connection hinge. Great bow except it's getting too heavy for me now with some shoulder problems. But I have 2 Wild Horse creek Destiny longbows with the locket socket and it's my favorite system. I do have a Horne 3 pc longbow that is a great bow but I am not a 3 pc guy. I prefer the look of a good one pc longbow. Actually I should say I had a Horne longbow since my youngest son appropriated it a few years back and I only see it when we go to a shoot.
I guess it's all what you become accustomed to. Since I shoot 3 piece bows almost exclusively, they feel right to me. I've gotten rid of almost all of my 1 piece bows over the years. All were good bows, like the ones I'm offering on St Jude's this year; just not bows that I would shoot very often. I do travel to either hunt or shoot in a tournament several times a year, and nothing beats breaking down a 3 piece bow and stuffing in the bottom of my duffle bag.
I'd go with a 3 piece over a 2 piece just from a practicality standpoint. A 3 piece bow will pack up much smaller than a 2 piece, which is more convenient for storage, travel, etc. Also, if you break a limb or something on a 3 piece bow, you could always buy a new set of limbs or even a new limb. If you have a 2 piece that breaks, then you're pretty much out of luck unless you have half of a bow built which I don't know how many bowyers would be willing to do.
From a pracitcality stand point.
The 3 piece bow does have some advantages.You can buy multiple sets of limbs in different lengths and different poundages.Get a new set of limbs of one delaminates or is badly twisted.The footprint is smaller length wise when packed up.
At this state of my trad shooting and hunting game it's about being able to get limbs that match my needs. That said my only longbow at the moment in a 1 piece--I like and will keep shooting for a good long while. I'd like a classic one piece American flatbow design again but I'm more likely to buy longbow ILF limbs to fit a 15 inch riser. A riser that fits my me and flexibility of limb choice wins out.
I prefer the look of a 3-piece... not all of them, but the best looking 1-piece never looks as good to me as the 3-pieces that I like. For functionality... I carry a bow on a 4 wheeler (ATV), dirt bike (moto), fat tire bicycle, e-bike, raft, canoe, riverboat, and bush plane... so I would never buy a 1-piece bow for my own use. I like a 2-piece no-tools TD because they go back together so quick. I can put my 66" widow TD in my back quiver with a bunch of small game arrows, jump on my dirt bike, and head for the trails and the hills in a flash. That's a satisfying few hours of fun for me.
I can't remember the last time I took apart a 3 pc bow.
I've always preferred take downs for traveling and hunting in general. I liked more of the quiver options on a take down. I never liked the slide on quivers or a back quiver for hunting. Not to say I don't like one piece bows because I have owned several of them and a few are some of my favorites just for the fun of shooting.
I finally got over my buying,selling and trading bows. I now have one last one piece longbow, a Fred Anderson. A three piece Caribow Silverfox longbow , a Caribow 3 piece recurve and a 3 piece Border Black Douglas recurve.
Love my 2-piece asl with bow bolt.
I bought some of those hangers that go on the back of your truck head rest to hang your bow from while you drive. Pretty handy option for traveling.
If I ever get another bow, it will likely be a black widow PA.
I prefer shooting 1 piece bows, but the the advantage of traveling with a takedown.
I've had locket/socket, sleeve type, and I borrowed a connection hinge type bow from a friend.
I think I liked Black Widow Sleeved PLX the best.
I prefer 1 pc longbows for hunting. The simplicity, light weight in the hand and quiet shot. But I hunt out my back door and have never had to travel with a bow. I do have some 3 pc bows and use them in the off season when I am using lighter draw weight and carbon arrows. I am able to change limbs and gradually increase weight while working on form and accuracy. Recently I acquired a longbow and recurve with bow bolt system. These are very clever and super solid. They did require the use of phenolic risers. The weight is noticeable but I have actually come to appreciate the added mass for stability. If I had to travel with a bow these would be ideal I believe. The real beauty of the 3 pc. is multiple limb options with the same riser and grip.
I prefer 3 piece recurves, although I rarely take them apart. But it's nice to know that I can if needed.
I have 4 1 piece recurves, and enjoy shooting them, but I just shoot better with the heavier riser of a 3 piece.
From a bowyers perspective, 3 pc TD bows are 95% of my orders, and have been for many years. I only build one design in a 1 pc now, even though I offered all of my different designs in a one piece years ago. But getting 2 orders a year for a one piece bow doesn't cut it. If you miss draw weigh5 on a on3 pc bow, you have to build another bow, then spend a lot of time trying to find a home for that one.
I finally gave up offering one piece recurves an$ hybrid long bows, and the only ones I still custom build is my Flatliner long bow, and the Stealth longbows. Those are still in demand, and I can easily sell bows I've missed draw weight on.
Kirk
I'm not sure what 'cost vs convenience' means, but....
I prefer a 1 piece bow by far. 2 piece 2nd, and finally 3 piece.
For the record, I think Kirk's Flatliner is a stroke of genius. A 3 piece bow that looks like a 1 piece. Maybe I'll get lucky enough to shoot Rob's one day. :campfire:
I know not one of the choices, but I would rather have a 2 piece longbow as first choice, then a one piece.