I've now tried all of the various riser mounted arrow holders/keepers sold by many of our sponsors.  ...unfortunately I get the same results from all of them.  If I try to draw the string, they pull the arrow off the string.  They don't let go?!?!  What am I doing wrong?  My impression was that they were supposed to "release" the arrow when you start to draw?  Right now they are creating much more liability to me than they are benefit.  Anyone have any experiences with them working properly and actually releasing on draw that can give me some pointers?

A few pointers...

If you're shooting 3u, which is my assumption due to it pulling off the string, when you feel the opportunity for a shot coming up, pinch the arrow and pull every so slightly and it will release.  I always release mine BEFORE my draw starts.  I, too, shoot 3 under and NEVER have any type of problem.

Best arrow holder I've found by far is a toothpick or matchstick with a rubber band.    In theory it should come off when you draw, but I always take mine off.  If things are happening fast I just flick it off and let it fall.  They are cheap to replace.    

I shoot 3 under as well. I use two types of commercial arrow holders, Kwikee and a Sta-Jack.

I pre-release the arrow as I'm getting ready for the shot because the device doesn't always release without disrupting my draw.

I've never tried that toothpick idea. Looks good though and lots here swear by em.

Whip, thank for the great pictures, worth a 1000 words.....

Might have to try the toothpick idea...

Make sure that you have installed it correctly. If you put it on the back instead of the belly, it will pull the arrow off every time. Don't ask me how I know-Hap

Pretty simple solution to pre-release the arrow. I use Kwik Locs myself.

They are on correctly - I do shoot 3-under as Daniel mentioned above.  It's not even close - pulls the arrow off the string instantly.  Hate to have to trip them, but I'll try that.  I shoot carbons, so I would have thought they'd not need trimming.  I'll keep tinkering - thanks for the responses so far.

QuoteOriginally posted by reddogge:
Pretty simple solution to pre-release the arrow. I use Kwik Locs myself.

Some may see it that way - I just prefer that a product do what it's advertised to do I guess.  My question is has anyone had success in these products actually working as advertised and if so, what'd they do to achieve that.  

I have Kwik Locs on as well, and it does indeed hold the arrow, but it most certainly does not release the arrow as stated.  In the heat of the moment of readying for a shot, having that pull my arrow off the string would be a really poor way to miss an opportunity.

QuoteOriginally posted by J. Cook:
 

QuoteOriginally posted by reddogge:
Pretty simple solution to pre-release the arrow. I use Kwik Locs myself.

Some may see it that way - I just prefer that a product do what it's advertised to do I guess.  My question is has anyone had success in these products actually working as advertised and if so, what'd they do to achieve that.  

I have Kwik Locs on as well, and it does indeed hold the arrow, but it most certainly does not release the arrow as stated.  In the heat of the moment of readying for a shot, having that pull my arrow off the string would be a really poor way to miss an opportunity. [/b]

it will definitely release the arrow.  I have used them for a few years now.  When I was shooting split, it came off everytime during my draw cycle.  Since I have began shooting 3 under, all that has changed is I grab the nock and draw my bow back appoximately 1" and my arrow comes out.  I'm sure you could try to widen the throat a little to reduce the gripping power of it, but i've never had that problem.

I use the kwik lok. Never had one fail to release

Open it up a little with a rattail file

A little story. Last week I hunted 3 days from a climber and in fiddling around with stuff in the tree I had the arrow release out of the Kwik-Loc twice but the GT nock kept the arrow on the string preventing those annoying falls to the ground. The arrow was swinging around pretty good I may add.

Jonathan, the Kwik-Loc is a good product but you probably need to be a little proactive and pre-release the arrow with your thumb and forefinger before the shot. Or grab the shaft and push it back a hair. It only takes a nano second to do that. That and use a tighter nock. I don't have that problem since I shoot split finger and my pre-release takes a second before the draw.

I have been using a kwik loc also for years now and never had an issue,I trim the opening to hold my size arrow just enough to hold it on the shelf but releases at the very beginning of the draw,but that is split fingers.

I have been using a kwik loc also for years now and never had an issue,I trim the opening to hold my size arrow just enough to hold it on the shelf but releases at the very beginning of the draw,but that is split fingers.

I use the toothpick/stick trick.  I had a guy show me a bow that had a kwik loc on a bow that sat in the sun for a while.  When he removed the kwik loc, it showed how the sun faded around it.  Looked like an action figure.  No kwik loc for me.

I have had a Kwik Lock on every one of my bows for as long as I can remember. I have pre released most times and I'm sure I haven't when a shot opportunity suddenly appeared.

I use split finger so pinching the nock is a natural thing. I can't see how reaming out the gripper would be of help.

I have actually caught crap for using this "gadget" on my stickbows.  

I've had at least 3 different ones that I know of and I've never had a problem with any of them but then again I shoot split finger so there

Kwik-locs and Sta-Jacs are my favorites.

Sometimes they require a little shaving with a razor blade where the two points come together to fit the arrow "just right"

I shoot split finger and it's pretty simple to squeeze the arrow nock with my index and middle finger to pre release the arrow.

In the "moment of truth" I don't trust any gadgets to perform "as advertised".

At that point the arrow holding gadget has done its job flawlessly and kept arrow on the rest and prevented it from rattling around and falling to the ground long enough.