Trad Gang

Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: threeunder on April 10, 2014, 05:30:00 PM

Title: Tell me about feather rests
Post by: threeunder on April 10, 2014, 05:30:00 PM
What advantages do they offer as opposed to shooting off the shelf?  Are they mostly for use with bows that do not have a rediused shelf?
Title: Re: Tell me about feather rests
Post by: macbow on April 10, 2014, 08:28:00 PM
They definitely add some forgiveness to your release if not perfect.
They are sort of a cross between shooting off the shelf and a raised rest and side plae etc.

I tried one last year after shooting off Velcro for years. Don't plan to shoot without one again.

I got mine from TRAP. On here. Great quality.
Title: Re: Tell me about feather rests
Post by: Fletcher on April 11, 2014, 10:58:00 AM
My experience with them is pretty much the same as Mac's.  Most of my longbows don't have much shelf to start with but I really like them on a recurve.

They really help with a flat shelf, but work well on a moderately radiused shelf as well.
Title: Re: Tell me about feather rests
Post by: damascusdave on April 11, 2014, 08:59:00 PM
Feather rests can be expensive but worth it...I paid about 2500 bucks for the four I have...of course they did come with 1960 Kodiaks attached

DDave
Title: Re: Tell me about feather rests
Post by: macbow on April 11, 2014, 09:08:00 PM
:laughing:
Title: Re: Tell me about feather rests
Post by: Drewster on April 11, 2014, 10:06:00 PM
I have come to really like them on some bows.  Recently got a vintage recurve and had a bit of trouble tuning it.  Finally added a feather rest and WOW, amazing how much it helped the bow.
I've also restored several vintage bows that had them originally and they shoot really well.
I get mine from TRAP too.  Excellent quality.
Try one.  You may become addicted :-)
Title: Re: Tell me about feather rests
Post by: Charlie Lamb on April 11, 2014, 10:48:00 PM
Probably the most underrated and overlooked arrow rest in the business. Deceptively rugged as well.
Title: Re: Tell me about feather rests
Post by: damascusdave on April 12, 2014, 10:18:00 AM
People often ask how long they will last...three of my four 1960 Kodiaks have the original ones, one of which is pretty worn but still works well...the other bow has one of Trap's on it and it certainly appears to be even more durable than the originals

DDave
Title: Re: Tell me about feather rests
Post by: BaldingEagle on April 12, 2014, 10:51:00 AM
I have had one of Trap's on a Border recurve for the last four years and it looks almost new.  Really smooth on the recurve.  I am going to try one on one of my longbows.  If it works as well on the longbow as it does on the recurve, the feather rest will be the only one I use.
Title: Re: Tell me about feather rests
Post by: Firstlight on April 12, 2014, 11:23:00 AM
I have one  on a Gamemaster Jet.  After 10 years of shooting the bow (on and off) I replaced it last year.

I like the feather rest and I think it's more forgiving.

If you are at all thinking about trying one I'd suggest doing so.

I think you will like the results.  If not, it's a simple fix...
Title: Re: Tell me about feather rests
Post by: Dan Jones on April 12, 2014, 08:28:00 PM
Does anyone have contact information for Trap?  I'm interested in purchasing a feather rest.  Thanks.
Title: Re: Tell me about feather rests
Post by: Mojostick on April 12, 2014, 09:04:00 PM
Noisy if dead calm and deer within 15 yards.
Title: Re: Tell me about feather rests
Post by: NC BowBender on April 12, 2014, 11:44:00 PM
Are the turkey feather rests sold on 3 River's site still made by Trap?
Title: Re: Tell me about feather rests
Post by: TRAP on April 13, 2014, 08:13:00 AM
QuoteOriginally posted by Mojostick:
Noisy if dead calm and deer within 15 yards.
I don't find them noisy at all
Title: Re: Tell me about feather rests
Post by: TRAP on April 13, 2014, 08:15:00 AM
QuoteOriginally posted by NC BowBender:
Are the turkey feather rests sold on 3 River's site still made by Trap?
I sell rests to 3Rivers, Bear Archery, The Footed Shaft, The Nocking Point, Big Jims, Shaw's Archery, and Raptor Archery.
Title: Re: Tell me about feather rests
Post by: jt85 on April 13, 2014, 01:06:00 PM
I think after reading some of your comments I will be trying one on my bow.
Title: Re: Tell me about feather rests
Post by: dougedwards on April 13, 2014, 01:17:00 PM
Not sure of the actual function of a feather rest or its advantage.  Does anyone have a picture of one?

Doug
Title: Re: Tell me about feather rests
Post by: NC BowBender on April 13, 2014, 02:42:00 PM
I just ordered mine from Big Jims.

Here's a pic...


  (http://i516.photobucket.com/albums/u322/0710point/1230760484-1.jpg)
Title: Re: Tell me about feather rests
Post by: dougedwards on April 13, 2014, 02:59:00 PM
That looks very cool.  I think I can determine its function. Provides less friction because of less surface contacting the arrow and raises nock point which might be of some advantage for three under shooters.

Doug
Title: Re: Tell me about feather rests
Post by: Keefer on April 13, 2014, 04:27:00 PM
I got two for my Howatts from 3 Rivers which are Traps..Best feather rest I ever saw ...Trap makes them with just a slight slant to keep the arrow against the shelf plate from what I see ...Makes the arrow stay put.I have a 59 Bear K special with the original feather rest which looks like Traps..
Title: Re: Tell me about feather rests
Post by: Bowitis on April 13, 2014, 04:51:00 PM
I use Trap's feather rest, I have seen no disadvantage only benefits.
Title: Re: Tell me about feather rests
Post by: Tradtical Commando on April 13, 2014, 06:36:00 PM
Can you use them with a longbow?
Title: Re: Tell me about feather rests
Post by: Mike Shaw on April 13, 2014, 08:00:00 PM
I have Trap's feather rests on all my bows. I killed a deer at 3 yrds. calm and no noise at all. The one on my hunting bow is many years old  :)  killed 10 deer and 3 hogs and it is still going strong. IMO the best rest on the market!
Title: Re: Tell me about feather rests
Post by: rwbowman on April 14, 2014, 04:12:00 PM
I'm curious now as to how they hold up to an arrow constantly on the shelf. When huntig I like to keep an arrow on the string and ready to go. Currently, I'm using a leather rest that does not give under the continuous pressure of an arrow on the shelf.
Title: Re: Tell me about feather rests
Post by: wooddamon1 on April 14, 2014, 04:35:00 PM
I've used a couple from rmsgear on flat shelved bows and loved how forgiving they were. I like pretty heavy arrows and they didn't scrunch 'em down.
Title: Re: Tell me about feather rests
Post by: 4runr on April 14, 2014, 06:01:00 PM
rwbowman, I've been using the same "Trap's Feather Rest" on a 59 Grizzly for about 5 years. Always have an arrow nocked when hunting, shoot hundreds of arrows each year. The rest still looks like new and still the same height as new.

Maybe Trap could sell me more if they weren't so dang good!!   :bigsmyl:
Title: Re: Tell me about feather rests
Post by: Bjorn on April 14, 2014, 06:09:00 PM
Here's one on a Fedora-love them!
 (http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q291/bjornweb/DSCN0455.jpg) (http://s139.photobucket.com/user/bjornweb/media/DSCN0455.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Tell me about feather rests
Post by: last arrow on April 14, 2014, 06:58:00 PM
my questions are do you do anything to waterproof the rests, and how do they perform in dampness.  How high are look to be about 3/8's of inch, is that correct.
Title: Re: Tell me about feather rests
Post by: TRAP on April 14, 2014, 07:55:00 PM
That's one of the originals Bjorn. Wow, they've changed a good bit.

Last arrow, to answer your question about dampness, they hold up better than your arrow fletching unless you go to great lengths to keep your fletching dry especially if you are using feathers from domestic birds.  Wild turkey feathers are pretty durable and I only use good quality fresh primaries for the rests.  The size is approx 1 1/8" x 3/8" x 3/8".

DD
Title: Re: Tell me about feather rests
Post by: Gator1 on April 14, 2014, 07:59:00 PM
Is there a correct orientation to mount these?..

These are well made...
Title: Re: Tell me about feather rests
Post by: postman on April 14, 2014, 11:26:00 PM
Got one on my A&H Longbow, want never shoot without one again. Don't know why they keep calling it a rest, more like a feathered shelf to me.
Title: Re: Tell me about feather rests
Post by: TRAP on April 15, 2014, 12:34:00 AM
QuoteOriginally posted by Gator1:
Is there a correct orientation to mount these?..

These are well made...
They come in RH or LH Mitch, and are mounted tight to the strike plate with quills pointing away from the shooter. Even though the rest is between 1/4" and 3/8" tall, I advise people to set their nock only about an 1/8" higher than they would if they were shooting off of a piece of Velcro on the same bow.  Some people mount them in the center of the riser, but I slide them back as far as I can to get the high point of the rest closer to being over the deepest part of the grip.

I find one of the coolest things about a feather rest is they are much less abrasive to arrow fletching than Velcro or rug rests. The fraying of fletching is minimal.  With the price of custom arrows, might as well try to make them last a while.

DD
Title: Re: Tell me about feather rests
Post by: Terry Banitt on April 15, 2014, 10:43:00 AM
I have feather rest in stock, both right and left hand.  Thanks Terry
Title: Re: Tell me about feather rests
Post by: Cyclic-Rivers on April 15, 2014, 06:28:00 PM
I love Traps rest. I have 2 on 2 of my bows and have 2 for back up if ever needed.
Title: Re: Tell me about feather rests
Post by: AngelDeVille on April 30, 2014, 11:27:00 AM
I just got a bow that needs a feather rest.

I'm planning on gluing directly to the shelf.

Does anyone have a pic of how the arrow sits in relation to the side plate?

If I'm understanding correctly,

1. Quills pointed in the direction of arrow flight

Now the questions.

1. a. Should the feathers be ground so they sit straight?
b. If tilted should they be tilted toward the plate?
c. If they should be tilted, at what degree.

2. How close to the side plate should I mount them?

3. What is the preferred side plate material?

Thanks!
Title: Re: Tell me about feather rests
Post by: TRAP on May 01, 2014, 01:50:00 PM
QuoteOriginally posted by postman:
Got one on my A&H Longbow, want never shoot without one again. Don't know why they keep calling it a rest, more like a feathered shelf to me.
They've been called a feather rest since Bear Archery introduced them in 1959.  I see why you'd call them a feathered shelf though.

DD
Title: Re: Tell me about feather rests
Post by: Sage Custom on November 14, 2014, 02:23:00 PM
I've been shooting since the early 1960's. I'm one of those guys who likes to fiddle with different ideas to improve accuracy. That being said, I've never shot with a feather arrow rest till yesterday. I shoot every day, a lot.

Can't say in all my years of shooting I've ever found anything that improved my group size so fast. Had a group of 4 arrows with shafts touching each other and 1 flyer 1 1/4" away from 21 yards. All would be in bullseye.

No way of knowing how durable it is but if it wears out, I'll buy another. Wouldn't you?
Title: Re: Tell me about feather rests
Post by: sheepdogreno on November 14, 2014, 08:46:00 PM
Maybe I'm just not familiar with these but if I shoot with a cant will the shaft fall off the rest? Or is the feather rest right next to the riser? Going to try on of these on the samick
Title: Re: Tell me about feather rests
Post by: Scott Barr on November 14, 2014, 09:11:00 PM
Sheepdogreno,

Actually the feather rest Trap makes is slanted toward the riser wall so it helps hold the arrow in place. As others said, very forgiving.  Look cool. Hold up well in weather. And fletching lasts longer. What not to like?  Scott