i am working on making my recurve as quiet as possible. getting ready to install the sting silencers now that i have the string shot in good. the bow is basically tuned with just some minor adjustments to make after putting on the silencers.
first off what have you found to be the absolute best for making the string quiet? i have only used the rubber cat whiskers up to this point but after shooting "Miss Hope" last month i am thinking about putting some beaver balls on. if i use the beaver balls what's the best way to install them? i have searched the site and can't locate any threads on putting them on.
If you are shooting a dacron string, string leeches work great. Not real "trad looking" but very effective. I have had problems with my D-97 strings cutting the leeches however.
The "puff balls" or similar products work well and are very lightweight. Personally I like 2 small ones on top and bottom(separated by a couple inches) as opposed to one larger one on top and bottom.
Mark
I've tried pretty much everything out there, from fur through wool to rubber. To press, the best I've found is the Wooly Whispers. I buy 2 sets & snug 2 up together (basically making one BIG one) placed 9" from my end loops, then trim 'em down to a neat ball. It seems to work better for me than anything else I've tried.
Rob, two items that will make it as quiet as can be, Bow Hush and Hush puppies. I wrap the ends of the string with the Hush and put the puppies at the 1/4 marks on the string,ie measure the string from where it touches on one limb to where it touches on the other and divide that measurement by 4,if 56" divided by 4 would be 14" so would put the puppie at 14" down from where the string touches on the top and bottom limbs.I cut the Puppie in half length wise and use half on each end of the string. You can use the entire puppy on each side but I prefer just half.Just seperate the string bundles and put the puppy between them,string the bow and trim the ends. They come with instructions. That is my recommendation.Here is what they look like.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v75/comanche/DSCN0242.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v75/comanche/DSCN0241.jpg)
Danny
I agree with Danny, I am kinda partial to the Bow Hush and Hush Puppies. You may have to play around with the location of the Pups though.
mink fur works good just one thin strip to make one at one end and another at the other end. or ya can use roo fur i have some of that and that works good as well. i only make mine 2" long. :thumbsup: :archer:
One thing I have learned is what works well on one bow may not be as effeciant on another,In other words I couldnt find anything quieter then rubber whiskers on my shawnee.But they had to be placed in the proper spot.I think you can get the same results from numerous silencers if place properly and located on the bow properly. :)
I use otter fur, or beaver. But like Mark noted above, I use two sets on top and bottom with a small space between them. Work well for me.
I doubled up on the Bow Hush, raised my nock point and got my Black Widow TFV quiet as a mouse. :) Ten grains of arrow weight per pound of draw weight helps alot too. Don't forget those Cat Whiskers.
... mike ...
I agree with the bow hush and hush puppies. A nice, heavy arrow helps alot also.
Pale face I want to know the same thing. How do you attach the beaver fur strips? Do you tie them on or wrap them through the strings?
Rob & Danny do you guys tie the wooly's or pups to the string or just put them in between the string?
Separate the string, put one end, about 1/4", then wrap in the direction of the twist. Put the other end in like the initial one then tighten the ball. Shooting will fluff it somewhat. I usually use beaver or mink and put them half way between the string loop and the serving ends.
Works for me anyway.
Rob, I'm with you. Those silencers on Hope were the bee's knees. I think Tippit, or JC could help in this matter. I think they were wool, and if I can find them, I'll never use another type of silencer again.
As far as installation goes, I believe they were just tucked in the string on one end, wrapped tight, and tucked in again.
I'll be on the edge of my seat to find out what they are.
PaleFace,
I make my own. The first thing I do is wrap the last 8 inches with marino wool, like I was serving it. Then I cut 32 strands of the same wool, about 1.5 inches each. Bundle them in 16 strand bundles. Just bunch the bundle up and put the center of the bundle in the appropriate spot on the limb. As stated above, about 1/4 of the way down each limb.
Quiets the bow down a ton! And you have done it yourself.
Thanks guys I just installed my beaver balls. Hey! I just realized I was a poet and just didn't know it.
Rob, No, no tying necessary. once you have them in place, with bow strung "Pluck" the string a few times to Puff them out,I normally pluck some and go shoot some arrows. They will stay put. Just make sure the string is waxed well.Onec puffed you can move them up or down as needed for tuning for quiet, Just push them one way or the other.
Danny
Hope and Faith have Hush Puppies.
Its been amaizing at how many people have asked about those 'silencers' on Hope and Faith since we started their travels two years ago.
www.bowhush.com (http://www.bowhush.com)
I think if we were doing scientific testing on bow noise, we would find that rubber cat wiskers are the most efficient. I have them on My Lil Favorite right now.
That said, I LOVE the way fur looks (beaver, mink,whatever)...and I have never had a bow that wouldn't quiet down with it.
I decide where to place the silencers by dividing the string into "1/3's".
Rob,
I love the beaver balls :eek: (did I just write that?) I just open the strands of the string and slide one end in, wrap tight and close, and thread the other end in.
Adam
QUITE interesting how QUIET you are making it.
Ray you caught that mistake i see. wait, what mistake?
how quiet you ask, well i would like it so QUIET that i don't know when it looses an arrow.
Terry when i shot Hope the first time i was amazed at how silent she was. i am sure the hush puppies were a big part of the reason. if i can get my bow half that quiet i will be a happy camper.
Yeah Roger, I use to use fur, they looked good and worked well....but they always looked like a drowned rat when it rained, and the leather soaked up too much water....and that's what prompted me to start experimenting with wool which lead to the Hush Puppies.
Just a couple of short plucks and the water frees itself, and no leather to hold the weight of the water.
I need to try some Hush Puppies....