Best Rest & Strikeplate?

[Fisher Cat]

What is your favorite material for rests and strikeplates?  I've always preferred "Bear hair" rests and either leather or sealskin strikeplates.  Would a firmer rest be more accurate?  Any input is appreciated. - John

[gutpile580]

I have used a couple different material.I find that the rug rest and plate from hunterniche.com they make custom bows to work the best for me...

[Dan in KS]

I have tried lots over the years; leather, seal skin, bear hair, and a host of commercial brands.  I have settled in on self adhesive velcro.  The "industrial strength" velcro does as well as any, is easy to apply, and is the most cost effective stuff I have found.

DB

[Brett Wilmore]

Dan, I presume you mean the "loop" side and not the "hook" side?  And have you observed whether it stays on in the rain?  My only beef with Bear hair rests is they come loose in the rain and then you're truly shooting off the shelf.  I do like the leather strikeplates, and I like the Bear rests as long as they stay dry.

I've been using cut-down 1" "heavy duty felt pads" from Ace Hardware on my rest--they really stick great even in the rain--but you have to shave them down to about half-height with a razor.

~Brett

[xtrema312]

Velcro and calf hair.

[Gray Buffalo]

Calf hair on leather.

[Fisher Cat]

Brett, The adhesive came off the last Bear Hair rest material I bought before I even installed it (looked like it was just double-sided tape).  In the future, I'll remove the "tape" and use Barge cement to attatch them.

Gray Buffalo, I suppose calf hair leather would be thinner than sealskin, which might matter (one way or the other) when used for strikeplates.  Does anyone know where you can buy some?  - John

[BD]

I have tried a bunch and nothing has done better for me than the velcro

[KentuckyTJ]

Yep, the thicker industrial velcro is fantastic. Unless it is too thick for a side plate and messes up your center shot and spine then you may have to go thinner velcro.

[saumensch]

Velcro is great and ive used it for a some time. Ordered some and will try beaver hair rests as soon as they get here.

[Kenneth]

I prefer beaver tail for the strike plate but on the shelf I have noticed it to be a little loud while drawing with some arrows (depending on finish) so I use velcro for the shelf.

[jess stuart]

I also have had great results with the velcro.  Had problems with the hair rest not sticking well also.

[Butchie]

Sealskin for the shelf & calf hair for the strike.  May have to go to all calf skin on the next one though with sealskin unavailable.  :(

[snag]

Another vote for the velcro. I get it at the local sewing supplies store. It holds up really well, will come off without too much trouble when you need to replace it, and it's inexpensive.

[mahantango]

Anybody tried the poor man's Bear Hair? Peel the fuzzy skin off a 1/4" or 3/8" knap paint roller and apply with Barge or double-sided tape. Warning: some come off easy and some come off mean. The beige ones from Ace hardware peel off like skinning a warm rabbit.

[LimBender]

Bear hair (the product name) is only about $5.  Does anyone actually use real bear hair?     I have used it without too many problems.  You just have to cut it to shape and use a spot of glue on the back side to keep it from coming up, but no real complaints and is quiet.

[WRV]

Velcro

[Ladams]

Zebra skin will never wear out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
sometimes its a little thick but it wears for litterally years..

[bowgy]

velcro unless I need something thicker or thinner for a particular bow.

[wihill]

My favorite is still Seal skin.  When my small square is finally gone, I'm not sure what I'll move on to.

For general knock around, hard to beat that felt they put on furniture sliders.