Ins and outs of takedown bows

[Hooverfb]

So been looking at getting a takedown bow to practice with for next year's season. Would be nice to have it store in a compact manner. Do these stay pretty consistent or do the limbs warp/twist quicker than normal? Best ones to look at as far as quality per $?

[Draco]

You should ask this on the trad part of the forum and you will get plenty of answers. With that said, they have been making take downs since the sixties and they have all been great that I know of. My first was a Wing CII that I bought around 1970 and the man I sold it to many years ago still uses it as his #1 bow.

[Thumper]

Draco, Wing CII was my 1st takedown recurve too, bought it from Jack Suggs who owned Mallard Taxidermy in Bellaire Tx. in 1972. Hunted with it for 19 years. I still have it, even had Palmer make me an extra set of limbs for it.

If you're wanting compact carry and storage a TD Recurve is the way to go. They're consistent and the will not warp, just make sure you use a bow stringer and keep the same brace height.

Keep'em sharp!

[76aggie]

Hoover, most of my bows are takedowns. I have found no difference at all between one piece and three piece bows twisting or warping. I keep all of mine on a bow rack inside and have never experienced any twisting or warping of any kind. One big advantage of three piece or takedown bows is that when you are travelling, just pack it in your suitcase. You can get a Samick Sage for less than $150.00. It is really a shooter. On the other end you can get a custom takedown for north of a Grand or even more. Just depends on your taste.

[Hooverfb]

Thanks guys, that's encouraging. I'll ask further kn the trad forum.

[SwampRabbit]

Funny thing about takedowns... if you really get into traditional... and you want to be good at traditional archery... then you will shoot it alot... like every day or every other day... and you will find yourself not ever taking it down into parts.

That being said, I like to have the option. My primary bow is a takedown and I only ever take it down to wipe any moisture out of the pockets if it gets wet. When I travel, I keep it together and put it in the back seat, etc. I do have a travel case for it, and will likely take it down and put it in the hard case when I go on an elk hunt next year.

Later on... if you decide not to shoot it, then you could also take it down and store it away in a more compact manner as well.

Samick sage is a good starter bow that you could use for a lifetime. I still have mine and I have one I am contemplating keeping at the lease (broken down) so that I always have a bow out there.

[SaltwaterSlick]

Good info above... been shooting trad gear for over 30 years, but with life getting in the way, I got me a wheelie bow back about 2005 or so... I have several. My buddy Rick Erdmann who is at West Houston Archery used to build the most awesome take down recurves I ever shot. I'd never get rid of them. The key to keep a recurve in top notch condition is taking care of it... NEVER lean it in the corner strung or unstrung. And NEVER leave it in a hot vehicle strung or unstrung... Those 2 things have destroyed more recurves than about anything I can think of... I like the take down style too, but like posted above, I seldom took mine apart. When I traveled (like a long out of state trip), I'd take 'em down and stow them in their cases. I haven't been a trad shooter for several years now, but most of my recurves are together, unstrung sitting in a horizontal bow rack now.

Trad archery is WAY more fun too. You'll find yourself doing a lot of stump shooting and such that we just don't do with a wheelie bow. Good luck with it and enjoy!

[Hooverfb]

Hmm I'm right by west Houston archery, think used to was the operative word in thst sentence though. I go there often though didn't look to see if they had takedowns last time.

[White Falcon]

Samick Sage for less than $150.00, Lancaster Archery.

[Dry Bones]

I'll agree with the Samick situation. They are good shooters and fairly cheap. Might skirt around a few forums and see if anyone is selling anything cheap before the season starts too. My only takedown currently is a Bear Hunter Takedown. Non typical of the Bear Archery takedowns, as it has bolts not latches, but still shoots very nice. Picked it up for about 150.00 I believe. So deals are out there, just spend a little time looking for them.