As I stuck the bottom tip of my beautiful Thunderhorn into the ground and leaned it against the tree the other day to loop my lift rope onto it I thought..."I've gotta get a tip protector on this thing." I've had leather ones and the rubber slip on's. What's your favorite and why. Pics or links would be good.
The rubber jobbies seem to last longer for me than the leather ones. The leather ones do look cool, though.
I use the black rubber ones, haven't worn one out yet. I've also used the slim rubber ones that come in different shades of brown for slimmer tips. I agree that the leather ones look the coolest, though.
Just did a search. Sorry should have done that first. I'm good thanks.
(http://images.imagelinky.com/1355257354.JPG) (http://images.imagelinky.com/1355257354.JPG)
Longbows I've just always used these, they are cheap and don't fall off
tried them all leather and rubber the black rubber ones work best for me
I like the Saunders tip protector best. It has allows the string to move freely.
I never use any.....
Stick some industrial grade velcro over the tip Just enough to cover the end but not the sides I have also used duct tape and wrapped it around the side just below the string nocks and left a bout 1/4 to 1/2 inch hanging over then twist that to form a little tail. Both work great. A pice of adhesive backed rubber may be better yet....
I've used both the rubber and leather and I use the leather just because they are more traditional looking. I can't say which lasts longer from experience although the rubber probably does but for 3.00 I'm not worried about it and I keep an extra one for each of my bows just in case.
Black rubber on recurves and leather on longbows.
When I need tip protection I just use pieces of an old leather moccasin. Maybe I'll pick up a commercial grade tip next year.
TJ,
I used some self gripping black tape that I cut into 1/2" x 1/2" strips and strech around the tips top and bottom. They weigh less than 10 grains total and last quite a while of abuse before re-taping. The tape provides a form fit and dosnt look bulky and dosnt slow the bow down that I can tell.
A friend on mine used the rubber one on his black widow for years with out unstringing the bow but when he went to replace the string the tip overlay caome off and was told that the rubber ones hold in moisture and thats waht caused the failure, I have always used leather and it works for me just fine.
Baby bottle nipples.
tanned doe nipples
Black rubber ones :thumbsup:
Bill
Finger stalls of rubber/dishwashing gloves.
Like Tom P suggests, be careful with rubber tip protectors. Moisture that can't escape can easily do more damage to the tip than leaning the bow on the ground. If you are going to use tip protectors be sure to unstring the bow and let them dry out if they get wet.
I like the rubber slide ones because the ones that go through the string make it a little tougher to twist your string up for brace height
The baby bottles work great, as long as your tips are not to pointed..at least for me.
I use the rubber ones as well. Never seen a reason to change to anything else.
I use the black rubber jobs and they work well. I have tried the leather and I do agree they look great but they made my bow louder. Has anyone else noticed this?
mine seemed to get quieter if anything, might be the type of leather one too. I think their are a few types out there. Might also depend on the bow or type of bow, mine are all recurves.
QuoteOriginally posted by Car54:
The baby bottles work great, as long as your tips are not to pointed..at least for me.
X2...went to the rubber. Not very traditional looking but will probably last forever.
I use the rubber but saw on here once where someone posted a homemade variety they made from the pinky finger of a leather work glove.
AS been said. Rubber keeps moisture in just as well as it keeps it out. Making your own leather protectors is an easy job.
I use the rubber also, but cut them down considerably. I cut them to about 1/2" and they stay on fine.
Nipple from a pacifier.
The design provides excellent protection, dureable,conforms both nicely and secure to the recess of the string notch. While secure, the binky nipple is easily installed and remove.
Have used numerous limb protector commercial versions in the past. None, in my experience, have matched nor surpassed a nipple from a simple binky.
Same as rraming on longbows. Use these Saunders protecters on recurves.
(http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e173/Yellowdog3822/P1080584.jpg)
Rubber ones for me. I always put a couple of holes in the bottom to allow any moisture to get out.
I like the clear baby bottle nipples as well. I just cut the tip off. I like the fact that if I have a nice tip(antler or whatever) You can still see them also. Almost looks like there is nothing on them. BILL
use the rubber ones but I punch 3 small holes in it ...1 at the bottom and 1 on face side of bow and back side of bow..to have holes to allow moisture to escape and the holes are 1/8" in diameter so I would never have any issues with my tip overlay like a friend did years ago before I started using the rubber..I have also dipped in rubber 1/4" long on tip with great results as well
I made my own tip protector from leather bought from Hobbylobby. It's kinda loose and tends to slip after two or three shots so I constantly have to re-adjust the protector every other shot. Kind of a pain in the butt, but it's better than ruining my tip.
TJ,
I have plastic and leather. However, I don't put them on any of my bows. I'm more afraid of the moisture I can't see doing damage.
It sounds like you may be dealing with highly portable stand situations (climbers, just hung hang-ons)? I'm sure like I do you hang a haul line in your already hung stands and when the end loop is over the limb tip the bow is off the ground.
I don't use climbers very often (once every 4-5 years) but if I were to use one I might put a glove finger over the limb tip and let it pinch under the string until I've hauled the bow into to the tree. I used to do this with firearms to keep the muzzle protected as I hauled the gun, butt first into the stand.
Yes, Roy, if I hunt an existing stand more than once I have a line that I tie up and can hang the bow off the ground. But I like to hang and hunt right then most the time. I think your first time in an area is the best one to surprise the big boy. Hanging a stand and leaving to come back another day I believe just gives the mature deer a leg up on the hunter as when they come through after you are gone they possibly smell you have been there and avoid the area for some time.
Then there are other times I lean my bow up when not at a stand. I hunt some ground blinds also and am always leaning them up.
My Widow PSA is noticably quieter without a tip protector; doesn't seem to matter with my other bows. Stopped using them anyway; never worn a tip out by not using one.
Wow I'm amazed at all the "rubber" responses. Out here hunting in the Rockies. There are lost of .....well...... ROCKS... I learned real fast that the tips always seem to be hitting rocks so I started making and using leather ones. I make them small so that they snug the tip well. Each bow has a specific tip so I have to make a bunch. But they are indispensable during the season. I keep them off the rest of the year.
Surgecal tubing
I never use them.
Tip protectors can store moisture and delaminate the tips.
With the expressed concerns about moisture collecting in the rubber variety, it seems to me that the leather ones would soak up and hold moisture for a longer time before you could get them dried out. I would not want a wet leather tip protector on my bow for long. When I use them, I prefer the narrow rubber ones--that's for longbows.