I'm a longbow guy...but would like to have one piece recurve that was actually a take down.
I really don't know what all is out there and what bowyers offer what take down systems, or what's new in the take down systems for a 2 piece. I am familiar with the hinge. BW connection and bow bolt, but don't know what's new....not interested in the old 'sleeve' type connection.
I'm looking for a 60 in probably, about 56#28 and would like wide limbs to show off the veneers.
So, what's out there guys?
Terry,if I were to get one,I'd want Big Jim's sleeve system.It isn't noticeable and has to be the lightest system out there.I've handled a bow with the bow bolt but didn't like the amount of weight that it added to what should be a very light bow.
Terry,
Check out Cari-bow and the tuktu EX.
From what I hear it is a rocket ship and a shooter..
I haven't yet had the pleasure of shooting one, but have heard great things and have shot other Cari-bows that were excellent.
Great Northern Ghost with the Jackknife take-down. Very solid. Only potential downside is the little hump on the back side of the handle. I actually like it as the hump helped as a grip locator. It fit nicely between my middle and 4th finger. The other thing I like about this take-down style is when you un-brace your bow, the bow does not break down on it's own. The joint of the take-down is not loose. It's not hard to bend it open and break down the bow, but you do have to use some force to bend it. It breaks down very nicely ready to stuff in your pack.
Good luck with your search.
I shot the Tuktu that Abe was passing around on here. My wife proclaimed him a marketing genius; I liked it so much I ordered a two piece featherhorn longbow shortly after.
I know others use a similar sleeve/ mortise and tennon type joint (Bama, Big Jim). I cannot speak to those bowyers but I can tell you that the Cari-bow I test drove was rock solid when assembled and the grip design was among the best I have ever shot. The bow was naturally pointing and repeatable.
I should be getting my featherhorn soon. I know Keith Zimmerman and Danny Rowan have owned a number of Cari-Bow's as well. It is a solid design and beyond that Abe just builds a gorgeous bow! I cant see you being disappointed with it.
For a two piece recurve my top choices would be, in no particular order (save that the Toelke is the quietest, 'sweetest' bow to me, though the others are a bit faster):
Cari-bow Tuktu EX
Toelke Chinook
WhippenStick Inferno
Java Man Assyrian* almost forgot!
The four of these are ace
Caribow makes a very nice one
Macassar ebony riser and walnut burl
(http://i758.photobucket.com/albums/xx225/hybridbowhunter/a878ceab-69ad-4d8c-839c-d049fde37884_zpse1aa9537.jpg) (http://s758.photobucket.com/user/hybridbowhunter/media/a878ceab-69ad-4d8c-839c-d049fde37884_zpse1aa9537.jpg.html)
(http://i758.photobucket.com/albums/xx225/hybridbowhunter/imagejpg3_zps7320e464.jpg) (http://s758.photobucket.com/user/hybridbowhunter/media/imagejpg3_zps7320e464.jpg.html)
(http://i758.photobucket.com/albums/xx225/hybridbowhunter/imagejpg7_zpsfbc74a09.jpg) (http://s758.photobucket.com/user/hybridbowhunter/media/imagejpg7_zpsfbc74a09.jpg.html)
And this bow can do the job supposed to be done :D
(http://i758.photobucket.com/albums/xx225/hybridbowhunter/imagejpg1_zpse87f79f8.jpg) (http://s758.photobucket.com/user/hybridbowhunter/media/imagejpg1_zpse87f79f8.jpg.html)
Laurent ....what model is that?
Thanks.
Terry
This is the Tuktu EX from Abe Pener (Caribow from Canada)
Bow Is 62" but he makes it 58" and 60" as well.
Mine Is 60# at my draw length
I find it very easy to shoot, really performing and easy to switch from modern heavy R/D longbow.
More pics
(http://i758.photobucket.com/albums/xx225/hybridbowhunter/imagejpg1_zps20f1cb5b.jpg) (http://s758.photobucket.com/user/hybridbowhunter/media/imagejpg1_zps20f1cb5b.jpg.html)
(http://i758.photobucket.com/albums/xx225/hybridbowhunter/imagejpg5_zps2cf0ace0.jpg) (http://s758.photobucket.com/user/hybridbowhunter/media/imagejpg5_zps2cf0ace0.jpg.html)
My Tuktu is a one piece - but if his two piece shoots like this one - its a great bow and one I wouldn't hesitate to recommend. The handle/grip is one of the best I have held and it shoots where I look. I think the limbs are wide enough to show any veneer well and Abe just knows how to match woods.
If I was shopping for a new take down long bow - I would go with a Thunderhorn 3 piece (if you could talk Dwayne into building another one).... Its the bow that always seems to wind up in my travel case.
I love my Toelke Chinook 2 pc T/D with the bow bolt system. Plenty fast for me and QUUUUIIIIIEEEEET! And a 2-4 week lead time never hurts either. :)
Dan and Jared do a fantastic job and have some extremely nice veneers available. :thumbsup:
I had the opportunity to shoot a Widow PSR 2 pc. and I am now saving my pennies for one. Same grip as my PL's so no issue at all in transitioning from one to the other. I "think" it is basically the same type of take down system that Big Jim and Abe Penner use.
I like the Toelke Chinook.It comes in 58".
The GN Ghost is very nice and comes in 60".It can be made with the broomhandle grip or locator.
It wont break down into as small a package since it folds together and the curves point away from eachother.
I had a Whippenstick 2 PC Inferno and it was a very fast bow with a smooth draw.Its a 62 inch bow and I dont know if he's still making it.It does have the steel/brass sleeve TD.
I think I would also seriously consider the Javaman Assyrian.Bow bolt and 60 inches.
Widows 60" PSR is nice with the locket/socket.Kinda pricey.Very tough bow
I have had alot of 50s style recurves.
The one I think that is superb and can do it all is a 62" inch Fox breed.I have had 2 of these in 2 PC T.D.Its only gonna be 1 inch longer than a 60 inch longbow.
I think it would meet any criteria someone would want in a 2 PC recurve in performance.
The Breed does have some features that dont meet your criteria.It has a narrow deep cored limb.I do like that though personally.The limb dampens out very quick and is hard to twist and is very quiet.The breed limb is very aesthetically pleasing to the eye.The riser is very nice as well with long tapering fadeouts.very handsome bow.
He does use the brass steel sleeve.Mine is the small one.Its an excellant and strong connexion with no slop.He contours the grip into a locator type on mine with bondo I believe.Nice grip.The brass steel sleeve adds some mass weight right under the hand.I like that.The bow has little to no handshock with this additional weight.Stitched leather grip done with care.
I have other bows with brass steel sleeve from other high end bowyers and the function,fit,finish was excellant.I would not rule this system out completly.
The locket socket,GN hinge,bow bolt are all mostly very good in my experience.
Terry you really ought to take a look at a Robertson Wolfer...Dick has a great video on the website...I am sure you would also be as happy with a 2 piece Tuktu EX as I am with my one piece...and Abe's bow prices are in Canadian dollars meaning quite a savings for you
DDave
Here are a few we have done Terry.
(http://i905.photobucket.com/albums/ac260/Stjoeriverbows/KosetowneywithTbird001_zps9a3f0075.jpg) (http://s905.photobucket.com/user/Stjoeriverbows/media/KosetowneywithTbird001_zps9a3f0075.jpg.html) (http://i905.photobucket.com/albums/ac260/Stjoeriverbows/PBSyinyang_zps519c0275.jpg) (http://s905.photobucket.com/user/Stjoeriverbows/media/PBSyinyang_zps519c0275.jpg.html) (http://i905.photobucket.com/albums/ac260/Stjoeriverbows/62LBGowinsmyrtlelimbs.jpg) (http://s905.photobucket.com/user/Stjoeriverbows/media/62LBGowinsmyrtlelimbs.jpg.html) (http://i905.photobucket.com/albums/ac260/Stjoeriverbows/56R2pctakedowngrayelm51lb.jpg) (http://s905.photobucket.com/user/Stjoeriverbows/media/56R2pctakedowngrayelm51lb.jpg.html) (http://i905.photobucket.com/albums/ac260/Stjoeriverbows/JoellaBates62LB.jpg) (http://s905.photobucket.com/user/Stjoeriverbows/media/JoellaBates62LB.jpg.html) (http://i905.photobucket.com/albums/ac260/Stjoeriverbows/58RTakedownGreyElm51lblimb.jpg) (http://s905.photobucket.com/user/Stjoeriverbows/media/58RTakedownGreyElm51lblimb.jpg.html)
I will second the Wolfer by Dick Robertson.....it is the best drawing short bow I have ever shot to be honest. Only had mine a couple weeks but liking it after shooting only longbows for past couple years.
(http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL285/1460516/24045051/411187745.jpg)
(http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL285/1460516/24045051/411187747.jpg)
(http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL285/1460516/24045051/411187744.jpg)
Toelke Chinook is my favorite. I'd like to try a couple of the others mentioned but I'm really happy with my Chinooks.
I think you mean Big Jim and Abe Penner use the same as Blackwidow. I know the Blackwidow is rock solid and it is so secure you should wax it so you can get it apart easier and they have instructions on how to do it to make it easier. I love there 2peice setup. Widow
Also a fan of the Toelke Chinook. Though mine is a one piece. If Dan made bows with the t/d system BW/Caribow/Big Jim use I'd be in heaven. 2 piece Chinook and 2 piece Pika and I'd be set...Mike
I believe he asked about takedown/2-piece longbows guys, not recurves.
Well, I take that back, the title says recurve, but he refers to longbow in his intial paragraph.
Either way, a Toelke bow with the bow bolt would be my choice. Although their longbows have pretty narrow limbs.
Weird, title says recurves?
Sorry, I see you mentioned that.
Terry the Centaur 2 pc take-down is a SLICK looking system!.....give that one a good look for sure!
http://www.centaurarchery.com/takedown.htm
QuoteOriginally posted by LookMomNoSights:
Terry the Centaur 2 pc take-down is a SLICK looking system!.....give that one a good look for sure!
I believe Terry said he is looking for a 2 pc t/d recurve. Centaur has no such offering that I am aware of.
Thanks guys, ...and yes, I goofed that up...typed in longbow instead of recurve in the body of my post....my bad.
I owned a Super Shrew 2 pc. TD recurve with a dovetail takedown design in the handle...it was definitely different. Solid as a one piece when it was strung, but it always made me nervous. Nothing holding the two pieces together except the force of the bow when it was strung. Always made me nervous to hit it the wrong way or pull on the wrong side while stringing, and I always had to worry about chipping the dovetail.
I'd be a lot more comfortable shooting a bow bolt.
Another vote for Cari-bow, slick take down design and sweet shooters. Had to have one after playing with the pass around Abe sent out so generously.
Please excuse the ugly quiver, took it off a turkey bow to use last deer season.
(http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/MrDwood/DSCN3760_zpsd29ec230.jpg) (http://s1121.photobucket.com/user/MrDwood/media/DSCN3760_zpsd29ec230.jpg.html)
(http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/MrDwood/DSCN3758_zpsef7d5c31.jpg) (http://s1121.photobucket.com/user/MrDwood/media/DSCN3758_zpsef7d5c31.jpg.html)
(http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/MrDwood/DSCN3764_zpsev86wtd9.jpg) (http://s1121.photobucket.com/user/MrDwood/media/DSCN3764_zpsev86wtd9.jpg.html)
My comments only apply to me, my preferences, and the bow I shoot:
The grip has to be nearly a perfect fit, as it is my connection to the bow. My bow has to be relatively powerful and quick on the shot. I prefer a leather or skin grip for its tactile feel. If possible, I want it to look absolutely like a one-piece weapon. I want really great wood, but not something that looks too over-baked. The intangible part is that my bow has to shoot naturally and accurately with no struggle. If the bowyer is a friend and PBS member, the ingredients are all there.
I shoot a Cari-bow Tuktu Ex takedown and it fulfills every one of those desirable traits.
All the bows mentioned are top Notch.
My vote is for toelke chinook with the bow bolt. Added weight is just right.
Black Widow PSR
I've got 5 bows with the bow bolt system. 3 long bows and 2 recurve. The first one ,long bow, the bolt turned loose and bower would not fix it, it had an all wood riser. All the other are some form of composit material. The recurces are Dan Toelke ,Chinook 58"and a SS that is 62". I mostly hunt out of pop up and the Chinook is great to handle In the blind. SS is the most stable bow in my hand that I have and love to spot and stalks also shoot 3D.
The two piece Wolfer worked as advertised...made hiking out from hunting area very easy especially after I shot my bear early one day and hiked out 4 miles to contact guide.
Bow bolt design is just as tight and solid as day received....best feel I have tried in a two piece design. Not tried setup BigJim uses but have tried the connexion and others.
(http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL285/1460516/24043253/411415065.jpg)
(http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL285/1460516/24043253/411415113.jpg)
Terry, I really like Centaurs take down system and a finer shooter you won't find. Solid!
http://www.centaurarchery.com/takedown.htm
I've not had good luck with bolt bows. In my opinion they are not nearly as strong and solid as the locket/socket system used in BW"s PLX and PSR, Abe's Carabow and BigJim's Desert Bighorn and t/d longbows. Just my opinion.
All the bows mentioned are top Notch.
My votes would be...
Toelke Chinook 2pc
Java Man Assyrian 2pc
Caribow Tuktu EX 2pc
Toelke SS 2pc if you want a longer bow