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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: Etter on March 01, 2015, 05:15:00 PM

Title: Silencers, I have an opinion
Post by: Etter on March 01, 2015, 05:15:00 PM
Here it is.  There is nothing that comes even close to silencing a bow as yarn puffs do.  I have tried beaver and otter fur, rubber whiskers, black widow silencers, etc etc and don't think any work much at all by comparison.  Yarn puffs are big and probably slow the string a very negligible amount and might give you a shower in the rain but these seem like an even tradeoff for how well they work.  Plus I like the way they look.   :D  

What are you using?
Title: Re: Silencers, I have an opinion
Post by: mec lineman on March 01, 2015, 05:19:00 PM
I am sold on Hush Puppies, I don't use catwhiskers anymore. If I lived in Washington or Oregon I might need the waterproof whiskers. But my bows all like wool and yarn.
Title: Re: Silencers, I have an opinion
Post by: Sixby on March 01, 2015, 05:19:00 PM
I kind of like a bow that doesn't need silencers ./ Then I can use a little beaver ball and look cool. Oh and miss the showers.    :goldtooth:

God bless, Steve
Title: Re: Silencers, I have an opinion
Post by: Bowwild on March 01, 2015, 07:06:00 PM
I also like the Hush Puppies best. A little more trouble putting them on but they work.
Title: Re: Silencers, I have an opinion
Post by: britt on March 01, 2015, 07:14:00 PM
My bows love my home made yarn silencers.
Title: Re: Silencers, I have an opinion
Post by: huskyarcher on March 01, 2015, 07:50:00 PM
I like the beaver fur. They probably dont do as well as something like yarn but i love how they look!
Title: Re: Silencers, I have an opinion
Post by: karrow on March 01, 2015, 07:52:00 PM
yarn or rubber cat whiskers
Title: Re: Silencers, I have an opinion
Post by: Butch Speer on March 01, 2015, 07:52:00 PM
I use cat whiskers & wool yarn.

Etter, you know what the say about opinions!   :bigsmyl:
Title: Re: Silencers, I have an opinion
Post by: dbd870 on March 01, 2015, 08:12:00 PM
I've had good luck with yarn as well
Title: Re: Silencers, I have an opinion
Post by: JDow3 on March 01, 2015, 08:37:00 PM
I really like the beaver balls. My sbd is pretty dang quiet as is. In fact, I cut one beaver ball in half instead of using two to make them smaller. I like the way it looks and it does quiet the string a bit.
Title: Re: Silencers, I have an opinion
Post by: **DONOTDELETE** on March 01, 2015, 08:58:00 PM
Rubber Cat Whiskers....
Title: Re: Silencers, I have an opinion
Post by: BAK on March 01, 2015, 09:08:00 PM
Have been making my own out of yarn for years.  They work very well.
Title: Re: Silencers, I have an opinion
Post by: awbowman on March 01, 2015, 09:32:00 PM
Rubber cat whiskers for me
Title: Re: Silencers, I have an opinion
Post by: LB_hntr on March 01, 2015, 09:35:00 PM
I use both yarn and cat whiskers mixed together at the same time.

Work great!
Title: Re: Silencers, I have an opinion
Post by: Sky-Dogg on March 01, 2015, 09:36:00 PM
I hunt in Florida--swamps and rain.  Rubber cat whiskers are waterproof, silence well, and last forever.  Brian
Title: Re: Silencers, I have an opinion
Post by: tree dancer on March 01, 2015, 10:43:00 PM
I like  Two Tracks wool silencers.
George
Title: Re: Silencers, I have an opinion
Post by: Bill Kissner on March 01, 2015, 10:31:00 PM
QuoteOriginally posted by Etter:
Here it is.  There is nothing that comes even close to silencing a bow as yarn puffs do.  I have tried beaver and otter fur, rubber whiskers, black widow silencers, etc etc and don't think any work much at all by comparison.  Yarn puffs are big and probably slow the string a very negligible amount and might give you a shower in the rain but these seem like an even tradeoff for how well they work.  Plus I like the way they look.    :D    

What are you using?
X2. This is my opinion also.
Title: Re: Silencers, I have an opinion
Post by: Nala on March 01, 2015, 10:34:00 PM
I don't like parting the string to stuff that big wad of yarn into place.

Anyone tried tying them on like cat whiskers?

I used to make my own too, but went to cat whiskers.  I've also read that a monkey tails also work great.

Nalajr
Title: Re: Silencers, I have an opinion
Post by: Bill Kissner on March 01, 2015, 10:26:00 PM
QuoteOriginally posted by Etter:
Here it is.  There is nothing that comes even close to silencing a bow as yarn puffs do.  I have tried beaver and otter fur, rubber whiskers, black widow silencers, etc etc and don't think any work much at all by comparison.  Yarn puffs are big and probably slow the string a very negligible amount and might give you a shower in the rain but these seem like an even tradeoff for how well they work.  Plus I like the way they look.    :D    

What are you using?
X2. This is my opinion also.
Title: Re: Silencers, I have an opinion
Post by: Bill Kissner on March 01, 2015, 10:27:00 PM
QuoteOriginally posted by Etter:
Here it is.  There is nothing that comes even close to silencing a bow as yarn puffs do.  I have tried beaver and otter fur, rubber whiskers, black widow silencers, etc etc and don't think any work much at all by comparison.  Yarn puffs are big and probably slow the string a very negligible amount and might give you a shower in the rain but these seem like an even tradeoff for how well they work.  Plus I like the way they look.    :D    

What are you using?
X2. This is my opinion also.
Title: Re: Silencers, I have an opinion
Post by: M60gunner on March 01, 2015, 10:48:00 PM
Since using SBD a strings I use the rubber cat wiskers he puts on string. I have used yarn and beaver balls and both work well. I just think less is better looking.
Title: Re: Silencers, I have an opinion
Post by: agross1 on March 01, 2015, 10:35:00 PM
String scallops from Two Tracks are all I use now.
Title: Re: Silencers, I have an opinion
Post by: Nala on March 01, 2015, 09:46:00 PM
I don't like parting the string to stuff that big wad of yarn into place.

Anyone tried tying them on like cat whiskers?

I used to make my own too, but went to cat whiskers.  I've also read that a monkey tails also work great.

Nalajr
Title: Re: Silencers, I have an opinion
Post by: Nala on March 01, 2015, 10:44:00 PM
I don't like parting the string to stuff that big wad of yarn into place.

Anyone tried tying them on like cat whiskers?

I used to make my own too, but went to cat whiskers.  I've also read that a monkey tails also work great.

Nalajr
Title: Re: Silencers, I have an opinion
Post by: tree dancer on March 01, 2015, 10:46:00 PM
I like Two Tracks wool silencers.
George
Title: Re: Silencers, I have an opinion
Post by: Bill Kissner on March 01, 2015, 10:21:00 PM
QuoteOriginally posted by Etter:
Here it is.  There is nothing that comes even close to silencing a bow as yarn puffs do.  I have tried beaver and otter fur, rubber whiskers, black widow silencers, etc etc and don't think any work much at all by comparison.  Yarn puffs are big and probably slow the string a very negligible amount and might give you a shower in the rain but these seem like an even tradeoff for how well they work.  Plus I like the way they look.    :D  
What are you using?
X2 This is my opinion also.
Title: Re: Silencers, I have an opinion
Post by: Nala on March 01, 2015, 09:49:00 PM
I don't like parting the string to stuff that big wad of yarn into place.

Anyone tried tying them on like cat whiskers?

I used to make my own too, but went to cat whiskers.  I've also read that a monkey tails also work great.

Nalajr
Title: Re: Silencers, I have an opinion
Post by: Bill Kissner on March 01, 2015, 10:21:00 PM
QuoteOriginally posted by Etter:
Here it is.  There is nothing that comes even close to silencing a bow as yarn puffs do.  I have tried beaver and otter fur, rubber whiskers, black widow silencers, etc etc and don't think any work much at all by comparison.  Yarn puffs are big and probably slow the string a very negligible amount and might give you a shower in the rain but these seem like an even tradeoff for how well they work.  Plus I like the way they look.    :D  
What are you using?
X2 This is my opinion also.
Title: Re: Silencers, I have an opinion
Post by: agross1 on March 01, 2015, 10:35:00 PM
String scallops from Two Tracks are all I use now.
Title: Re: Silencers, I have an opinion
Post by: agross1 on March 01, 2015, 10:33:00 PM
String scallops from Two Tracks are all I use now.
Title: Re: Silencers, I have an opinion
Post by: tree dancer on March 01, 2015, 10:41:00 PM
I like  Two Tracks wool silencers.
George
Title: Re: Silencers, I have an opinion
Post by: Nala on March 01, 2015, 11:45:00 PM
GOD...aggravating stuff.

The forum wouldn't take my post and just sat there telling me it was "trying to connect".  It never did successfully post my comment.  I tried 2 or 3 different ways all with the same results, none of them worked.
Now I come here and find that there is my response posted....4 times!!

JEEZ.

Nalajr
Title: Re: Silencers, I have an opinion
Post by: Bill Kissner on March 01, 2015, 10:24:00 PM
QuoteOriginally posted by Etter:
Here it is.  There is nothing that comes even close to silencing a bow as yarn puffs do.  I have tried beaver and otter fur, rubber whiskers, black widow silencers, etc etc and don't think any work much at all by comparison.  Yarn puffs are big and probably slow the string a very negligible amount and might give you a shower in the rain but these seem like an even tradeoff for how well they work.  Plus I like the way they look.    :D    

What are you using?
X2. This is my opinion also.
Title: Re: Silencers, I have an opinion
Post by: Nala on March 01, 2015, 09:54:00 PM
I don't like parting the string to stuff that big wad of yarn into place.

Anyone tried tying them on like cat whiskers?

I used to make my own too, but went to cat whiskers.  I've also read that a monkey tails also work great.

Nalajr
Title: Re: Silencers, I have an opinion
Post by: Trond on March 02, 2015, 06:44:00 AM
Yarn puffs here. Not that I really need them... First of all, my bow is very silent without them and second -stumps don't scare that easy  :D
Title: Re: Silencers, I have an opinion
Post by: Keefer on March 02, 2015, 07:04:00 AM
Yarn Puffs and wrap the loops works for me !
Title: Re: Silencers, I have an opinion
Post by: Echo62 on March 02, 2015, 07:13:00 AM
Rubber Cat Whiskers.
Title: Re: Silencers, I have an opinion
Post by: njloco on March 02, 2015, 07:51:00 AM
I thought this subject was already put too bed, the final findings as I recall were cat whiskers ? I remember there was some scientifically done comparison using sound measuring instruments, and the cat whiskers won hands down, if installed correctly, but I am old and my memory ain't what it used to be, so take this with a grain of salt.
Title: Re: Silencers, I have an opinion
Post by: Trond on March 02, 2015, 08:17:00 AM
I know what I wrote wasn't very helpful. but I wonder if there is even possible to find ONE silencer that is the best on any type of bow? Length, speed, poundage, longbow, recurve, material and so on. Seems to me there are too many variables to consider here to say that one silencer fits all. But I'm on very thin ice here...
Title: Re: Silencers, I have an opinion
Post by: LBR on March 02, 2015, 10:13:00 AM
In my experience, how and where they are installed makes as much or more difference than the material used.

That said, I haven't found a bow yet I couldn't get very quiet with cat whiskers.  Add the other benefits (no scent, no water, no burrs, long lasting, cheap) and they are hard to beat, for me anyway.
Title: Re: Silencers, I have an opinion
Post by: KSdan on March 02, 2015, 01:42:00 PM
Love the looks and product.  Tried them.  BUT- puffs become a quick mess here in the midwest (areas I hunt).  FAR too many burr, sticktites, etc.  Puffs are only second to fleece clothes- what a nightmare. Short catwhiskers are best here.  

Dan in KS
Title: Re: Silencers, I have an opinion
Post by: reddogge on March 02, 2015, 02:52:00 PM
QuoteOriginally posted by Nala:
GOD...aggravating stuff.

The forum wouldn't take my post and just sat there telling me it was "trying to connect".  It never did successfully post my comment.  I tried 2 or 3 different ways all with the same results, none of them worked.
Now I come here and find that there is my response posted....4 times!!

JEEZ.

Nalajr
7 times. That must be a record.
Title: Re: Silencers, I have an opinion
Post by: LBR on March 02, 2015, 02:53:00 PM
Should have mentioned I am in the process of trying the Two Tracks felted wool silencers.  Love the look of them.
Title: Re: Silencers, I have an opinion
Post by: bulldog18 on March 02, 2015, 04:02:00 PM
I have used yarn puffs and they worked. Always liked the look and results from beaver or otter hair. This last time I used string scallops from Two Tracks and they have been great too.
Title: Re: Silencers, I have an opinion
Post by: el chupa nibre on March 02, 2015, 07:40:00 PM
Piling in on the Two Tracks wool silencers. Love them!
Title: Re: Silencers, I have an opinion
Post by: Bill Turner on March 02, 2015, 07:51:00 PM
Hard to beat "Hushpuppies". Besides that the CEO and CFO are growing up and need the money for college.   :campfire:
Title: Re: Silencers, I have an opinion
Post by: Terry Lightle on March 02, 2015, 08:31:00 PM
Wool here
Title: Re: Silencers, I have an opinion
Post by: awbowman on March 02, 2015, 08:35:00 PM
I use rubber cat whiskers.  It's wet here in/near our swamps and bottomland hardwoods.  Always crossing some water it seems.

Everybody comments on the quietness of my Super D
Title: Re: Silencers, I have an opinion
Post by: Pheonixarcher on March 03, 2015, 03:49:00 AM
I prefer bow hush and hush puppies myself. I also like the string scallops from Two Tracks. The rubber whiskers work great, but I'm not a big fan of the appearance. Where burrs are a big problem, that would be my choice. For backyard and stumping the scallops are great because they add virtually no weight to the sting, and are great for tuning purposes because of their easy installation and removal. But 95% of my hunting strings are set up with Terry's wool puffs and loop wraps. Personally, I have found them to be the quitest on all my bows. I also prefer the 'heterodyning' method of location that puts the top silencer at the 1/4 mark and the bottom at the 1/3 mark.
Title: Re: Silencers, I have an opinion
Post by: Rachel Mary Green on March 03, 2015, 07:36:00 AM
THANK YOU!  Anytime there is a run on our silencers, there is usually a thread on silencers here on TradGang.  My sister and I once again thank you all for years of support!!!

    :notworthy:        :notworthy:        :notworthy:
Title: Re: Silencers, I have an opinion
Post by: on March 03, 2015, 09:51:00 AM
I make my own puffs from Fisherman's Wool. One skein of wool lasts a loooooooooooong time!

Bisch
Title: Re: Silencers, I have an opinion
Post by: bisket on March 03, 2015, 10:37:00 AM
Two Tracks Wool String Scallops are the best I have used.  The more they get shot the better they get as the wool "frizzes up a tad".  Great customer service also.

Here is the video Chuck has on them.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DplvUgZuchk
Title: Re: Silencers, I have an opinion
Post by: slowbowjoe on March 03, 2015, 04:37:00 PM
I find different bow and string setups decide which silencers work best. If a particular setup shoots best with a lot of silencer, I prefer using two small ones on each limb to a large ball of anything.
Title: Re: Silencers, I have an opinion
Post by: yeager on March 03, 2015, 04:45:00 PM
I use either home made wool or cat whiskers.
Title: Re: Silencers, I have an opinion
Post by: Bladepeek on March 03, 2015, 05:02:00 PM
With all that beauty and talent in one house, Terry must feel a little smothered at times.

Terry, no wonder you're so proud of those girls.
Title: Re: Silencers, I have an opinion
Post by: Stump73 on March 03, 2015, 11:48:00 PM
Wool yarn. I trimmine down to smaller silencer puffs. Im just not fond of the look of big yarn puffs.
Title: Re: Silencers, I have an opinion
Post by: TSP on March 04, 2015, 04:52:00 PM
It's not about the silencer material as much as it is the initial bow tuning, shooter's release and (after the first two) silencer placement.  Get these three right and you can use almost any silencer material and it'll work pretty well.