I have been experimenting with arrow shelf material and was wondering if there is any thoughts on the subject . I have shot off a Bear rug rest for about 50 yrs but think that there might something better out there . I have just got some beaver tail to try and I am using buck skin with saddle soap now . The buck skin is shooting very good and is silent with the saddle soap on it , don't know how durable it will be and I guess that moisture would be a problem . So any suggestions ?

The fuzzy side of Velcro (the heavy duty stuff) has become a standard and what I prefer above all others. Weather proof, readily available and with enough cushion for forgiveness.

There's some seal skin available in the classifieds. Best thing out there IMO. What Charlie said also but I haven't used it. Only going by what others have said.

I've always used the rug rest too, either Bear or similiar but one of my Wallace bows came with just a thin leather plate and rest.  So far it's held up great and I like it alot.  I'm sure when I replace it I'll go back to the rug rest but part of that is just something I've grown accustomed too as well as having a dozen or so in my archery box.

My favorite is seal fur and a leather riser plate.  I use bits or thinned and shaped popsicle stick to pad out the riser; and make a "hump" in the shelf if it isn't rounded.

   

 

Thanks for the input , don't want to get stuck with the old ways of doing things when there might a better way . I am going to try and get some seal skin .

I used Velcro this year with some wood arrows I made and got picked off from the ground on a couple occasions.  I am also in search of a better way.  What is the shelf material that's on the Morrison risers?  It looks all fuzzy and warm.  

Sorry, I don't mean to hijack your thread.  Thought it was sorta related.

medic77 no worries , I am hoping for different ideas so you might be helping . I think the pic is seal skin .

I got lots of seals around me and quite a few get shot (not by me) but getting their skin is another thing altogether.

Been using seal skin for years.Its excellant,but doesnt last as long as velcro.Then when you couldnt get seal skin anymore,I realized this.Seal skin looks great though,especially when you find a nice spotted piece.Also used river otter.Its good too.

I love ray skin. Very thin, weatherproof and lasts very long. And I like the looks.

QuoteOriginally posted by Charlie Lamb:
The fuzzy side of Velcro (the heavy duty stuff) has become a standard and what I prefer above all others. Weather proof, readily available and with enough cushion for forgiveness.

sealskin for me

Seal skin wears fairly quick in my opinion.  velcro is better, but wears also.

I have begun using the furniture leg pads that you can get at the hardware for the shelf and I use velcro, calf hair, or leather for the side plate.  You can use the small round pads and cut them in half or buy the bigger sections and cut to whatever shape you like.  The material is about 1/4 inch thick and helps with fletching clearance.  It is very durable but is is also easy to carry a replacement in your pack.

I do the velcro thing...cheap, great adhesive, durable, quiet and easily available.

Another vote for velcro.

V...E...L...C...R...O...!!!

I have seal skin, and on another bow its just straight leather from an undyed belt material I bought.

I really dislike the Bear Hair rests, since they seem to fray at the edges and wear down rather quickly.  I use Martin's rug rests now and they are phenomenal.  Thousands of arrows and they look like new still, no fibers coming off, no fraying.

Plus they're dirt cheap, a little over a buck per, straight from Martin, and their customer service is great.

I don't like their leather sideplates though.  Too soft, have had fletchings tear into them if the arrow nock was twisted a little.