Hey guys,
I am trying to decide if I can shoot off the shelf with a new Super Kodiak or if it would be better to put on a weather rest. I like the idea of the shelf but would i have to modify the shelf and side plate? I have done alot of research and I see a LOT of people use elevated rests, but I also see a LOT prefer the shelf. The guys that shoot off the shelf seem to put something under the bear hair and under the side plate to create a smaller contact point. I am using the bow for hunting and target practice for hunting. What is going to give me the best arrow flight and easiest for learning? Also if you have pics of your modified shelf/side plate can I see them? Thanks guys.
The bow is a new Super K 45# @ 28 and 60".
Unless you are interested in shooting 3d that specifies off the shelve, my vote is put a bear weather rest or simar on there and never look back.
I personally shoot off the shelve but that's strictly because of the tournements and the classes I prefer to shoot.
On my non Tournement bow I have a rest
I use a feather rest on most of my bows.
So...all those guys modifying the shelf are in effect making an elevated rest...
Think about this. No bow has ever or will ever shoot BETTER off the shelf than with a simple evelated rest. It's simple physics. And I am not saying bows can't shoot great off the shelf. But, the less contact you have between the bow and the arrow, the better off you are.
In the end it is your decision and YOU should be the judge of what works better for you. All you will be out is $3 to try it.
I just returned from an older bowyer that said the arrow only takes one bend against the bow then it is off the bow for the rest of its journey. If you have someone listen or you do it yourself , you will hear how quiet the bow is when you have a proper release and the arrow only bends once. If it rattles you need to work that out in your form. The elevated rest will allow you to tune with a button or what ever. Off the shelf is finding the right arrow.
Sounds like to a suffering from some paralysis by analysis which is common in the age of the internet...the bow is going to come set up to shoot off the shelf, and presumably is tillered for the arrow pass at that height...when you find yourself unable to meet your accuracy goals that way consider a change...I shoot off a Bear Weatherest, original featherrests, a flipper/plunger, and a lot of different shelf configurations...they all work fine if I do my part
DDave
That should read "you are..."...too early to be typing I guess
DDave
Something else you can do to raise your arrow bit and still shoot off the shelf is to cut a 1/2" long ,5/16th wood shaft in half and slip it under the shelf rug. (flat side down of course)
This is how my Kodiak Hunter is set up.
Second the feather rest, best of both worlds
Feather rest - looks cool too
It is your call but I have two Bear SK's set up with brush rests. Way back when 1973 I wanted to shoot vanes cause my feathers went south when I got caught in the rain hunting. An " old guy" told me about that rest. In all these years only rest I put on my recurves. A few years ago I read where some famous bowhunter was cutting the bottom of his Weatherrest to get it closer to the shelf. That works as well for me.
Arrows are easier to tune as well, no false reading if arrows are bouncing off the shelf. The stick on's are reasonable enough you can get a few extra for " just in case" situations.
I don't shoot a Bear but I get better flight from a rest. Not as traditional but I like the better flight. I fought tail hop and feather wear for a long time before going to a rest.
My release is not the best but not I can get really good bare shaft flight and even better with fletched arrows
I shoot a brush rest made from toothbrush bristles or my latest creation is from the bristles from a shop brush. I got to looking at the arrowrest that Jack Harrison builds into his longbows, making them out of monofiliamant line pulled thru at an angle. This got me thinking about the bristles on the shop brush. I cut the end off, cut one out, sanded it down to the angle I wanted and Viola, brush rest. This is bar none the best arrowrest I have found for bowhunting. I am shooting vanes with no issues. Kinda traditional to make your own equipment...
The brush got chopped
(http://i1139.photobucket.com/albums/n559/jeffbschulz/Mobile%20Uploads/20150426_173916_zps4we2oph2.jpg) (http://s1139.photobucket.com/user/jeffbschulz/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20150426_173916_zps4we2oph2.jpg.html)
And the result...
(http://i1139.photobucket.com/albums/n559/jeffbschulz/Mobile%20Uploads/20150507_070544_zpsrntkzl0m.jpg) (http://s1139.photobucket.com/user/jeffbschulz/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20150507_070544_zpsrntkzl0m.jpg.html)
Do what YOU want. I agree, though. Rests provide better flight if your (and my) form is not perfect.
PM sent
That looks good Jeff.
About how long are the bristles on the finished product?
I love shooting my two Bear SKs right off the shelf as well as my Bear TD. Doesn't get any simpler than that, I get great arrow flight, and no falling off the rest at the wrong time, etc. Dare I say that Fred didn't shoot an elevated rest? :rolleyes: I had a weather rest for a while but went back to the plain old rug and side plate. I really prefer having the arrow as close to my hand as possible.