I know there are a lot of variables but overall what do you guys think?? Bill
I just deleted my post....I saw the question wrong and have no experience with 3 piece longbows...sorry
I may be wrong on this, but once you bolt it together, they are all one piece.
The design will have more to do with forgiving than how many pcs it is. JMHO
I have one of each and both are very accurate.
Some find a heavier riser to be more stable/forgiving. A 3 piece bow will usually have a little more mass at the riser than a one piece.
All that said i prefer a one piece.
Add mass weight to your 1 pcs, and your accuracey will increase....
What few lonbows I've owned(5).The Habu 3 peice is the easiest bow I've owned to shoot accurately w/.
Just my view on this subject, I think it all depends on one's ability to hold the bow arm steady, though I don't have a problem with this, I think it is a problem that some may have and not know it. I have notice that with carbon in the limbs a heavier bow is easier to hold steady, like I said just my take on it.
No difference for me.
2x njloco others. Although I have no experience with 3 or 2 piece longbows, my one piece is definitely a challenge and I find it is all in the bow arm. Sometimes after lots and lots of shooting I get a wiggle (collapse) in my shoulder or a muscle spasm somewhere else. but usually I find that very subtle pressure points on the grip with fingers (torque) or the heel of my hand will cause lateral deflection that I never see on my heavier TD recurve. If I keep the pressure centered on the crotch of my thumb and forefinger, I'm just fine. More weight is more stable and that's the problem with one-piece bows, but if you shoot both, you'll really see the advantage when you got to heavier one. The lighter one is more fun to shoot though.
BTW, shooting my longbow has made me much, much more accurate with my recurve.
I have both . The 3 pc has some mass to it and is very stable. But myself I prefere a 1 pc as long as it handles well.
Regardless of design (one, two, or three piece), I find the longer lengths to be more forgiving. I agree that a little more mass in the riser helps as well.
Jerry
Really impossible to answer given the variables possible. Usually a 3 piece will be a heavier bow that should help in stability but for me it's all in the limbs, they do the work.
I cannot tell the difference in stability between the two types. I can see a more pronounced difference in draw smoothness due to changes in length though.