Most every archer has tried one type of bowtip protector or another in their lifetime. I for one have never liked the darn things hanging on the lower limb of my longbow. You've got the ones that SAUNDERS put out, that fit recurves quite well, and then you have the gum rubber ones that ALLEN marketed that would fit most any type of traditional bowtip, including a few walking sticks for little old men and ladies. Then someone came up with a small suede leather lace up one, that alot of traditional archers really liked best. In the past I have sold all of the above and even made my own version of the suede leather type, that worked real good.But, to be honest with you, I don't really care for any of them, cause I prefer to keep my limb tips light, for faster speed. It is possible that it could throw one's bow tips out of balance with one another in a staggering travel as the limbs move forward upon the release of an arrow.This can be proven with a slow motion camera, as I have done in the past, when I was searching for the truth. The purpose of a bowstring protector is simple. It holds the lower loop of the bowstring in the bow nocks and at the same time protects the lower tip of the bow, if an archer is accustomed to resting their tip on the ground. It also works to keep the string in place, not allowing it to become unadjusted if it were to come off while removing the bow from a bow sock or case. To eliminate the use of them and acheive most of what a bowtip protector is reported to do. All one has to do is use a small piece of unwaxed dental floss and reduce the size of the lower loop to the point that it will not slip off. This won't protect the tip from the ground, but it will be more benificial as per the other reasons already covered.Also if an archer follows my privious suggestions on the installing of an extra nocking point. When the time comes that your main nocking point comes loose, you can take you knife and slit the dental floss threads that are reducing the size of the lower loop and in a matter of minutes you can turn the string around and be back in business in no timeflat.Hope this will give you'all something to think about, as the choice is yours. I just don't like the darn things hanging on my lower limb, I like to keep it light and clean.Jerry Hill
Jerry,I personally don't like them either.
I have tried a few and always ended up taking them back off.
I don't use my bow for a walking stick so I really don't need one.
Hate em !!
In 50 years of carrying sticks, I've never seen the need for one.
I hate them also.
dont have a use for them...enjoy your posts very much.
Guess I'll be different. I use them on all my bows, not because I use my bows as walking sticks but, because sometimes when I'm stalking, I'll kneel down and I stand my bow up beside me. In some of the thick brush we have here in Oregon, I'd just as soon my lower limb tip didn't get all ate up. Just my personal preference though. They don't hinder my bow in any way shape or form.
Jerry, I love your posts. Been learning quite a few things that I didn't know since you started posting! Thanks for keeping the brain motor spinning. :thumbsup:
Don't like em. On my PSA it seems to make my bow louder....doesnt do anything to my Bear longbow but then again the nocks on that thing are huge and a tip protector wont make a difference in wt. I put them on transport, etc. but take them off as soon as I am actively shooting or hunting.
I actually like them on my Longbows! I make my own lace up leather version, works well as I'm pretty rough on my bows! Plus I also like the looks of a nice leather lace up protector! I've shot my bows with em and without em and never notice any difference!
I really like the idea of the extra nocking point! Sweet idea!
I use the rubber slip on ones, have them on all my bows. Protects the limb tips, doesnt affect performance,looks dont mean as much as protecting my hunting equipment.
I don't like em. Used one of the rubber-like ones and it left a sticky residue ont he lower limb tip -- removed and cleaned it yesterday. I bought one of the little leather ones and didn't even put it on the bow. I baby my equipment, I won't even lay the bow arrow quiver side down.
I shot the round with the guy who won the Tannehill shoot down here in Bama and i saw he had a rubber tip protector on his Widow.
It sure didnt seem to affect his shooting at all but i still dont care for them.
I just dont like them because they are always sliding off my limb.
Maybe i just dont have any clue how to put one on the right way.
Using the rubber one for years on the lower limb tip. Like the protection they offer.
If the extra mass changes the timing of the limbs isn't that tuned out when tuning your arrows with nock point adjustment or adjusting tiller if you can?
I have the rubber ones on all my recurves, put them on and never worry about them, only take them off to change strings. I like the protection when I lean my bow up or am kneeling and have the tip on the ground.
I use the light suede ones from 3 rivers on all my bows as well. I also like the protection they offer when you need to lean your bow against something or when I'm stalking through some thick brush. As far as affecting preformance, I've never noticed any adverse effects. I don't see how they could make a noticeable difference.
I hate'em,but,i use them to keep from scratching up the finish on the lower tip.
If you use the rubber ones and you are out in the rain, make sure you take them off at the end of the day.
Water can get trapped into them and it takes a long time for them to dry out.
I used to run the rubber ones on all my bows.I gave them up,I see no need for me to use them anymore.
not for me!
Bows are tools for me so I use them and at times in the thick of things they can get banged up as they are very much not on my mind during a stalk. At over a grand each replacement cost for the current two favored hunting tools I also hate the damage I can do so I use the light thin rubber ones made for longbows. I am positive I will never be a good enough shot to notice any impact to my accuracy whcih is a good thing because we also have a lot of rocks in AZ and WY!!
I am using the rubber type sold by BW,I never noticed any change of performances,but i am open to debate.By the way Jerry I love your posts.
I hate em. The leather ones have made my bows louder. I have used a few small rubber tips that I took off of equipment I use for work. They shipped as protection and worked great for small bow tips. I cut a hole in the bottom so water would drain. The rubber ones are the only ones I have liked. Ymmv.
As always Jerry, I like your posts and enjoy your sharing of ideas. I do however, have to say that I use them on all of my bows. Wouldn't be caught without one.
I use the dull colored rubber ones, cutting off about 1/3 of the length before installing them. Simply for tip protection, not to retain the string.
I've seen some folks put them on the top tip as well. They claim that if you lean the bow against a tree, it is less likely to slide and fall over. As for me , my bow is always in my hand.
I use them on all my bows. They have saved the tips many times from contacting different surfaces. I have used the tip several times on muddy hillside by accident as I started to slip and fall. I use to string my bows with the method of putting the lower tip against your foot one hand on the riser handle and pushing the string up the upper limb as flex it with the other hand. The tips took a beating because I would go through a tip protector in a couple years. I have used the bow stringers the last 10 years but just like the tip protectors anyway. The big plus I like is you don't have to worry about the string shifting out of the grooves on the lower limb while stringing the bow
I use the thin black ones on the upper and lower tips of my black widow recurve.
I use my bow as a monopod when glassing and rest my binos on the upper limb and it sits on the ground.
No additional noise and the chrono sees no difference in performance.
It is a question best directed to a bowyer but am I alone in thinking that the extra weight added to the very tip of one limb very definitely has the potential to affect performance?
I have the rubber slip on ones on all my bows. It protects the tip and doesn't affect accuracy.
To all that answered this topic. Thank you all for your input, there are differant strokes for differant folks and I respect you all. Remember archery people are some of the best people you will ever meet. Archery is the king of sports.Jerry Hill...................
I had never thought of it affecting accuracy. I have one on mine cause that is the way I bought it and really like it holding the string on for me and I do stand mine up on rocks when hunting sometimes. I'll have to try it without but I don't think I'm a good enough shot yet to notice a difference.
I have never used one and have never been in a situation where I thought I should of had one. Kind of wondered sometimes if I was missing something though.
Thanks Jerry.
I only make point of using a small rubber one when Iam hunting in Rocky Areas. Generally, I have no need for one, and just rest the tip on my foot, rather than the ground. -- All this said, I don't think they can do ya any harm, and definitly provide reasonable protection and peace of mind for a buck or two.
Thanks for your thoughts...
I've only had them on two Widow recurves that I got, used; and they were on there.
They were fine.
If I decide to unstring a longbow for some reason; I just wrap a rubber band around 'till tight.
I use the rubber slip on one for my 66" longbow when hunting, seems im always putting that bottom tip in the dirt or hitting it on the platform of my treestand. It came off as soon as season was over though. I think it saved my lower limb tip from alot of abuse.
Hate 'em on Longbows, recurve lower limb ok.. :wavey:
I've had em on all my bows so far but I'm thinking of quitting. I don't see the real need. I took the one off my recurve and it's fine. I find that on my shorter recurve, I don't rest it on the ground as much as my longbow. So I'm thinking that I'll leave em off my curves and put em on my LB's. Just a thought...
I use the light rubber ones on both recurves and longbow. I look at them as a necesity just to keep the tips from nicking up or getting dirt in the string loop on the bottom. I like them keeping the string secured also. To each their own...
Bridog
I use the rubber ones on all my bows.
I'm always leaning my bow against something or using it to steady my binoculars.
I think they save my lower limb from getting all nicked up and don't think they hinder performance...I'll always use them.
I like them on my longbows because I use my bow as a rest when glassing or to help stand back up after squatting down to look at sign, etc. I really don't think there's enough weight there to make a difference in performance you would notice at hunting distances. I love em'!
I use the rubber slip-ons. Too light for me to notice any difference and I like what they do.
QuoteOriginally posted by koger:
I use the rubber slip on ones, have them on all my bows. Protects the limb tips, doesnt affect performance,looks dont mean as much as protecting my hunting equipment.
Same here.
I love'em on both ends. Keeps bow from slipping from either end when leaning on tree or wall.
I use them on all my longbows.
I use rubber tip protectors on both ends of my longbows that are long enough to ride a very short distance up the string. They seem to quiet the bow. I take them off after hunting in wet conditions to dry them out or if I have been hunting in silty sand or very fine sand since these materials are small enough to get into the tip protector and can be quite abrasive.
I use the small plastic one's from Kustom King. I haven't weighed one but doubt they would hardly register. As far as performance... I think that is kinda like splitting hair's! When I pay alot of money "which is hard to come by in this current economy" for a bow I plan to use it but also try to take care of it. JMHO!! Jason
I use them for the protection they offer to my limb tip. I haven't noticed any noise difference, and I am not a good enough shot to notice any accuracy difference. Just something I never think about. Food food for thought.
I put them on all my bows, and my wife's, and my kid's, and my grandkids......
The few that i do have takes a body builder to get them to fit tight.
Can someone tell me which brand slips on a little easier and will stay on tight.
Thanks
I either get ones from 3 Rivers, or use the end off a baby pacifier. The pacifier is my favorite. :thumbsup:
One thought about tip protecters is any of them no matter what type tip protecter it is will collect moisture on a wet day(water runs down hill).Once you finish hunting and or shooting for the day its a good idea to remove your tip protecter and make sure its dry inside.Any of the rubber type are the worse of all for collecting moisture bd
I've actually put a layer of epoxy on my tips just to protect them.
Don't care for them.
I've tried them all, and sold them about as fast as I bought them.
Love em! :thumbsup:
This would have made a great "poll" thread, interesting to see all the varying opinions....I happen to love 'em!
I have used them never had any problems with them.
Just got my first. When I sit in ground blinds I rest my lower tip on the ground. I got them to protect them from the moisture in the soil. Good tip on the moisture getting trapped on rainy days.
Well I use them even if I don't have any deep profound emotional attachment or repulsion to them :D
They're an inexpensive insurance policy :thumbsup:
Have them on all my Bow's " Protection"!!!!
Never used them. I see why they could be nice but I hate to cover the wood.
I use the rubber one's, haven't had any problems.
Ive always made my own rubber tip protectors,i use the same rubber dip that is used on alot of tool handles (mostly plier handle).The stuff i use is called plastic coat,you can buy it at walmart ,in a few different colors,just dip the tip in and let it dry for a little while and then repeat a few times. I dip mine 3-4 times on each end,been doing this for 20 years,its always worked good for me.
Love 'em!
I use one on the bottom limb only ,I always put that end on the ground to lean the bow.
I like them here in the rocky ground of the west. I didn't use one on an old bow I had and the bottom limb tip was all scratched and gouged.
I use the rubber ones on my widows but none on my longbws
I never thought of one throwing the limbs out of balance. I use a rubber one as I don't like to wear down my bottom limb tip.
George
The rubber ones from 3R work great - use em on all my longbows. I like to cut them quite short so at full draw the string is not touching the rubber. Never had a problem with them coming off even if cut short. I like leaning on my bow when waiting for the others to shoot on the 3D course.
Use the rubber ones on bottom limb of longbow. Does not effect my accuracy at all and can rest it on the ground without worrying about scratching up the tip on all the rocky terrain I hunt in.
I put a rubber one on a Bear Kodiak, back in the late 1950's while in school, left it on except to change a string. It was on when the lower limb delaminated. Since I bought it from Glenn St. Charles, I took it back. Bear gave me a replacement bow, and Glenn told me not to use one, unless I was willing to take it off and put on when going out to shoot. He said, they can hold moisture and dirt which can cause problems. Never used one again.
I like the dental floss idea and have used it to make the loop smaller, especially useful on longbows with small nocks.
I've been using the black rubber tip protectors since 95' on black widows, blacktails, 21st century, dwyer and saluki and I've never noticed any degradation in either performance or accuracy. For what these bows cost I prefer to keep them as nice as possible so I'll keep using them on my bows.
I use em' one one of my bow,but not the other one.
I don't hate or love them,or anything much else for that matter,,,but I am a bit odd like that..
I've had friends of mine that say they effect the tuning of the bow. I use them cause I hunt from stands and they chew the bow up.
I think they are great. I am a little rough on my bows and I think they are a necessity for me.