Ok, I can twist up a string in the dark and serve that string in my sleep. But, does someone know the secret to keeping those cat whisker style silencers in place? I have fought with these things for more years than I care to remember. There has got to be a better way by now. Right?

I have tried so many different knots, tying materials, and styles of tying them that even Google has nothing new to offer. I do not need them to be adjustable. I do need them to stay in place with minimal string fraying.

I have tightened knots with pliers well past the pressure that I was comfortable with placing on the string. Sooner or later they have moved up or down the string.

I really do not want to put the silencers through the string. I use a 3 bundle string and would have to split one of the bundles in order to get it even. However, I have put some serving material through the string before and tied the silencers in place, though this is not as easy as it sounds.

So, anyone got any ideas? I know some of you just tie yours on and they never move. Lucky you. I just want to hear from anyone who knows how to really keep them in place.

I don't use them so no help here......

I use beaver hair and love it so quiet...

Cut mine 8", double it over and tie a real tight Granny knot where I want them on my string. Then trim off some excess. I can still move them up or down even though the knot is tight. I use the heavy duty rubber....since....whenever they came out.

I've been doing mine this way for a few years. Works good for me.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Z6WNxTLPJW0

I make and maintain trad gear for over half dozen family members. So, as I said, I have tried just tying them in. Some still move on their own. I have tried constrictor knots, series of overhand knots with a square knot, and various combinations. Most do stay put. But several do not. I know where they need to be for each bow/person. I just want them to stay there.

They're so heavy that the best way to keep them in place is the junk drawer. Mine never move and my bows are quieter by using wool and in this picture. Widow started with 4 and I thought 6 would be better - I was right. You're trying to get rid of oscillation.

I use a multi stranded thread,and wax the crap out of it. and the catwiskers smell bad so I use yarn. and insted of one set I tend to tie two smaller sets of yarn on a foot apart.

Get some Navajo wool string silencers, the best there is, period! At 3 rivers archery

I install by separating string, tying knot, and trimming if desired. They do't move and I have no problems.

No doubt wool has its advantages. They are not ideal in wet conditions or where brush is heavy.

I should mention that while the cat whiskers are heavier I do split them in halves and trim them. They quiet our bows extremely well without concern for moisture or various trips through the brush.

I just want them to stay put.

Someone suggested using the small cable ties. I tried it and it has worked since last January.

I use them all the time--no issues. I put a slip look of dental floss around the string and burn the end so it won't slip thru. I cut the whiskers about 2: long, lay them on the string put the loop to the middle and pull it tight. Then I tie about 6 or 8 half hitches in the middle, but the tag and burn it.

I'd pm Rick Barbee. I think he uses yarn, but I bet he would know the best wayto install rubber

Check out Ryan Sanpei's videos on youtube.

I love them and mine stay put and last as long as the bowstring. Here is what I do---separate the string and put them in place. I then serve about 3/4" below tight to the rubber bring the serving string over the rubber and start serving again for 3/4" It is the same thing coumpound shooters do when they serve in a peep. Good luck!

Should have read: slip knot.

Gee Whiz! Where's the edit button?

How about we just try it again?

I use them all the time--no issues. I put a slipknot of dental floss around the string and burn the end so it won't slip thru. I cut the whiskers about 2” long, lay them on the string put the loop to the middle and pull it tight. Then I tie about 6 or 8 half hitches in the middle, cut the tag and burn it.

Jim,

I actually have used dental floss in the same manner. It did perform better than most materials but still had more problems than I liked.

stickbow21,

I have seen Sanpei's video. I actually have tried that also though He uses 2 silencers at each end and they are cut smaller in length than mine. But, if you listen closely in his video, he mentions that he rarely has them move on him. The "rarely" is often when you have so many bows to maintain as I. Thankfully, my wife helps and the kids are getting there.

I don't like them and don't use them. It might be in my head but I swear I can smell an odor from them, and if I can smell 'em- critters can too.

But to answer at the question, the bowshops I've worked in, we always tied them on. It's not difficult to serve them on. They can be moved up and down the string and stay put after they're moved

Matt,

I know that is most people's experience. I still get some that just do not cooperate.

I just recently have started experimenting with serving under the silencers too. I'm sure some of you who a shoot a lot have noticed that the rubber legs can fray the bowstring in a few months. Now, I am thinking of serving under the silencer as some do but then using a tie on nock to keep the silencers in place. Thoughts?

If you hate em, try something else. There are quite a few options out there. I personally like wool and have never had an issue with them.

I've never had mine move what are you doing?

I cut mine real small compared to most folks...like 2" long and maybe 3/8" wide at the most and then trim them into a ball...don't need all that rubber floppy around not to mention the extra weight. Same with wool puffs trimmed up real small.

Put a drop of Barge Cement in that area or some CYA glue.

I've never needed to do that but it should solve your problem.

We have used wool, yarn etc. Overall, rubber is the best choice for us in the field. But, a day of shooting gets frustrating when you find that the silencers are moving on you.

Really looking for the best way to hold these things in place

Are they making them of different material than they once were? I just used an overhand knot and they never moved. I pulled it as tight as I could..holding close to the string. Never experienced them moving on their own.

X2 for cable ties ( zip ties, small ones)

George,

We used to just use the overhand knot though we didn't care for the bulkiness of them like that. Most would stay. But again, some would just managed to start moving.

I got so frustrated once that I pulled one apart tying an overhand knot. lol It likely would have still moved on me.

I think some guys put a dab of nail polish on the knot on the string. But really, so many choices you don't need to be hating em.

You are like 1 out a 1000 that have an issue, has to be more to the story.

Mike,

I appreciate your math and blind loyalty to the product. But, can you offer something constructive? Perhaps, I can answer any questions you might have?

BTW, I have six bows shooting about 50 arrows a day at least 5 days a week. Weekends usually result in a lot more shooting. So, if this were just me, I doubt the silencers would be as annoying. As it is though, I would like something a little more dependable.

No blind loyalty and I did post something constructive above.(did you read it?) I use both endless loop strings and Flemish strings and they never move. I use CW and wool on mine.

Just the problem you are posting is strange...you've looked at all the vids on how to install them but yet they still move on you and has anybody else posted they have they same issue?

Put a drop of glue on them...they can't move then.

Simple solution.

"I appreciate your math and blind loyalty to the product. "

LOL!

Mike, you posted nothing constructive and I did not ask for to hear from all those who have had problems with them. I think we still can find them though since a simple search reveals others with the same complaint and many others.

Now, I will consider your one constructive suggestion of glue though I am not sure that the glue on the string is a good idea.

Wooly Whispers.

I put mine on the string longways and serve over the whiskers for about 10 wraps and tie like you would a serving knot. I don"t have a picture I can post. Hope this helps. Bryan

"Mike, you posted nothing constructive"

Really?

" Put a drop of Barge Cement in that area or some CYA glue.

I've never needed to do that but it should solve your problem.

Once again did you actually read it?

X2 for the drop of glue. Mine are also pretty short...I cut one in half and tie on with either dental floss or serving, with a few knots...similar to a tie on knock point. After trimming, I dab on a bit of fletch-tite. Never had em move.

Mike, You know that you posted nothing of value in your first post to which I was referring to. Also, You claim that they never moved on you yet you use CW/wool???

Get over yourself. I am only interested in those with something to offer not just a need to feel like they have something to say. You and I are done "talking" now.

I really have a desire to see whether anyone had a more dependable means of installing these silencers. I will not be responding to you.

The most "constructive" advice I can give you is to quit using them and switch to yarn. Way less tendency to slide around and they work just as well.

"Mike, You know that you posted nothing of value in your first post to which I was referring to. Also, You claim that they never moved on you yet you use CW/wool???

Get over yourself. I am only interested in those with something to offer not just a need to feel like they have something to say. You and I are done "talking" now."

WOW! yes we are are.

For cat whiskers I have always used SMALL cable wraps, with NO problems to date.

I wrap mine around the string and use 3 constrictor knots and they never move. Works great for me.

I use them,wool yarns puffs,whoolie wisps,just depends on what I want at the time.I tie them on tight and I'll use some form of high strength string like D97,450+ or Ultra Cam.I have broken Dacron trying to tie them on,just not strong enough.I don't like to use the small zip ties.There are some good video's on youtube that may help.It's hard to tie them on tight enough just by tying the knots with just your fingers.I make the tie on string long enough to put little loops in the end that I can put in a dowel to pull the knot really tight.I can still move it up and down the string.Bt it won't move on it's own just by shooting.

Yes, I have had good luck with just a constrictor knot followed up with a few simple overhand knots on alternating sides of the string and finishing with a square knot.

I appreciate the ideas. Again, it isn't just everyone falling off. But, with maintaining family equipment and some others, it would be nice if the creep issue that I occasionally see with whiskers could be resolved.

I have thought about the glue before but hesitate because I often find myself replacing a silencers etc. In fact, I just stepped away to replace a serving for someone.

For now though, I guess I will just stick with my current way on installing them which is running my tying material through the string and then using the constrictor knot with overhands.

I've used a small whip stitch like you finish a serving with. Lots of compound guys use it for tying in peep's. Thin dia serving, 3 or 4 wraps and then 4 to 5 wraps for the whip.

Dont like them. I use wool. Just my 0.02

I have mine installed when I have the string made. I am starting to believe it is the string material and the way it is made that causes more or less noise. I do not think a whole lot about wool or fur, to much stuff, to busy.

I've tried just about every kind of string silencer out there and IMO nothing beats cat whiskers when it comes to silencing. I use string serving to tie mine on. I cut them about 4 1/2", fold them in half and use a clothes pin to hold them on the string while I tie them. I put lots of string wax on my serving, then tie a half knot on the top then tie one on the bottom. I repeat this about 3 times making sure to pull the serving very tight, then I finish of with a full knot, cut and burn the ends. Never had one come off yet. These have been on for over five years and I shoot alot.

"After years of fighting with them, I now split one cat whisker lengthwise. Next, I double it over and place it against the string about 1/4 of the strings length away from the string loop. Finally, I simply use floss or serving thread in a cinch knot. I do run the tying material through the string but not the whisker.

The result is a nice clean silencer without any bulky knots. Plus, the "mini" whisker version works well without adding any unnecessary weight. "

Sound familiar?

I basically swithed over to almost all Cat wiskers cut in half and tied in tite and they will puff out and not move. Mike W is spot on. I'll try to get some pictures together. I'll try to post some what they look like as soon as I can. Clean and color mathed and silent as can be. These look as good as the string and my strings are really nice where I get them from Sue Shaw in Pa. not making strings.

Kirk, I do have a method that may have already been mentioned, but I'm not sure so here it is, I know that You said that You don't want to separate the string, Why is that? does it affect the string performance, if so, I'll have to try something different, anyhow, I separate the string as evenly as possibly, fold the whisker length wise get it through twist back down as tight as I can, repeat @ opposite end, then I string the bow, and get My wife, son, or anyone around to hold the bow. While they are holding it, I take the dental floss and make numerous figure 8"s, or x's around the whisker/string, and finish off with simple over hand knots, then just a dab of super glue, right on the knot, and I have never ever even had them move a tiny bit. Kirk, they just DON'T move, but if You don't want to split the string, I understand. Good luck Buddy, Brian...

Have been useing small zip ties for years never had one move..

They are easy to use, and work great...and have for many years. It's not like they were invented yesterday. Someone posting above was right. There has got to be more to this story.

Kirk, you're not alone. I also had trouble with them moving occasionally when I used them.

I started using a 3 knot system.

Just 3 small knots of your preference, and tied securely.

1 - standard knot at center of silencer.

2 - knot tied securely to string above & tight against the silencer

3 - knot tied securely to string below & tight against the silencer

They never moved again after I started doing this.

Hope it helps.

Rick

P.S.

Do not use CA glue where it comes in contact with the string itself. The glue will immediately soak into the fibers and create a hard spot in the string. That hard spot WILL eventually break. It's not a matter of if it will break. Just when it will break.

Using a little glue on the knots is fine. Just take extra care to keep it off the string.

Rick

I make wool yarn puffs, which are the best at quieting a bow, and I put them between my two bundles. I would not know how to twist up a three bundle string, and don't know why its needed ? Enlighten me !

I too like cat whiskers and they do move. The way I minimized the movement was tie 1/2 of the bundle you intend to use on one way with an overhand knot, then tie the other 1/2 of the bundle but switching the direction of the knot, I then pressed them together tightly with the overhand knots on opposite sides of the string, this will allow them to "nest" together. By using 1/2 allows it to be tied tighter, when tying a large bundle there is to much cushion and they loosen faster.

As I am typing this I thought of another option. before tying the overhand knot, put a piece of serving under the knot (not around the string) on top of the bow string, then tie the over hand knot, then tie the serving around the overhand knot securing it with a square not so it will not come undone.

I like cat whiskers because they don't hold a lot of water and I like the look.

One cat whisker cut in half and tied in with dental floss right in the middle works fine. They stay in place but can be moved if you need to move them. A drop of CA glue won't hurt the string a bit. I have strings on bows with thousands of shots and several years old that I've used CA glue to help tie in a nock or set silencers. No problem.

Cat whiskers weigh a lot less than multiple wool silencers and don't hold scent. Animals aren't bothered by artificial scents as much as human scent and once you get your bows dialed in you won't need all of that wool on your string.

Thanks Rick,

Glad to hear from someone with so much experience and knowledge. Even better to know that there isn't "more to the story" and you had the same experience.

I was very hesitant to use glue on the string and am now glad that I haven't. I have used the 3 knot system that your diagram shows with excellent results and will likely go with it exclusively from now on.

Thanks again

I've always used them and have more problems trying to move them for adjustment than having them move on their own.

I use dental floss..it is thin enough and strong enough to where I can pull it tight enough so that it kinda bites into the rubber.

I wrap the whiskers around string then start with a few half hitches. Then get a good strong wrap with the dental floss and finish off with a knot I don't know the name of. I cut about a 4" long pc. of dental floss, fold it back making a loop, lay it over the dental floss wrap on whiskers and run 6 wraps around it towards the loop end then run the tag end of dental floss wrap through the loop and pull the two tag ends of the loop (I use needle nose for this) which will pull the main wrap tag end through the six wraps..pull tight.

Never had a problem with slippage. You need to use a proper knit and cinch it down and you shouldn't have a problem. Check you tube, some good vids on how to tie them on.

I use Dacron from old strings with a double loop constrictor knot tied as tight as I can get it finish the knot with a few square knots burn the tag ends.

You could rub the area of the string that you are going to tie the whisker onto with rosin like for violins and fiddles. It will give the rubber cat whisker something to grip besides a waxy string.

I'm lazy and get Pierre at SBD to install mine when I order a new string. If it holds on a 6 strand 'Ultra' it should be good for anything. He'd probably share their methodology. They slide with effort to optimize location but don't move after that!

If you have already registered, please

sign in now

For new registrations

Click Here