Tip Protectors

[Jim Wright]

There is currently and somewhat regularly a post here concerning tip protectors. Since bows are tillered with the small consistent tips that the bowyer crafts, is there not a potential for problems when one tip is covered with a rubber or leather protector? I have noticed while shooting around them that many are certainly noisy. I was wondering if a bowyer might offer some insight here.

[Orion]

Tip protectors don't add to the noise a bow makes or noticeably affect performance. That being said, I don't use them.  Just another thing to get dirty, fall off, etc.  Water and dirt can collect in them and abrade the string, affect the finish. I don't use my bow as a walking stick and see no need for them. Your mileage may differ.

[Jim Wright]

With all due respect, tip protectors can definitely make a bow noisy. As an example I put a leather one on an older model Toelke "SL" t.d. recurve that was quiet as a mouse and it immediately became quite noisy. Before removing it I put it on off a couple of times with identical results. I am not the only shooter I know that has experienced the same thing.

[Robertfishes]

I use this one, I take it off when I get home after rains..no noise with this one.   http://www.3riversarchery.com/Recurve+%26+Longbow+Bow+Tip+Protector_i4029_baseitem.html

[Stump73]

2x what Robert said. I mainly use it to lean my up against a tree or something, also to keep the tip out the mud and such.

[Mudd]

Leather doesn't hold in much moisture and dries fairly quickly.

The leather ones are worth it to me so I can set my bow on it's bottom tip without worrying if I might scrape some finish off and allow moisture to seep up between the lams.

Any small break in the finish and osmosis with do it's thing.

God bless,Mudd

[Jim Wright]

Robert, the one I used was the leather recurve tip protector on the same page as the one you use. It may have been the exception but it definitely made my quiet bow loud and as I said earlier I have seen the same thing happen with other bows. I am still curious as to what a bowyer might have to say.

[VA Bowbender]

If a tip protector is used it has to be very tight/form fitting. It will be noisy otherwise.

[dink]

had the leather ones on my predator made it def.loud.put on both tips thinking that would balance the problem.No change.i do have the same leather tip protectors on my silverfox and seams no noise there

[Mudd]

Here is one I made about an hr ago.

 

 

 

Thanks for looking.

God bless,Mudd

[Bladepeek]

So Mudd, do you experience any additional noise, with that being the only change?

[Mudd]

Originally posted by Bladepeek:
So Mudd, do you experience any additional noise, with that being the only change?

Absolutely no change in decibels whatsoever.

However it did make me miss the pull tab ring every time I shot it....lol J/K

Nothing changed at all except me... I shot it inside after just coming in from finishing up mowing my yard. (94 degrees and 80 plus humidity) The news says it feels like 104... I concur!

God bless,Mudd

[Bladepeek]

Thanks. Think it may be time for me to make one. I have an r/d longbow with REALLY pointy tips. Beautiful, but I'm scared I'm going to mess up that lower one.

[Jon Stewart]

Mudd, I have made 30 of those in the last few days.  Also made matching string keepers.  Plan on taking them to an event and sell them along with other home made items.

[Mudd]

Tom Kidwell wrote this:

If you are like me, and you hunt in unforgiving, rocky country, a bow tip protector of some sort can really save your tips from getting dinged up.  
It's a simple project that can get a person started in leatherworking.

First, trace a pattern out on paper.....

Next, cut your pattern out, doubling it to include both sides of the tip.....

Now mark the hole for the bowstring to pass through.....

Using the pattern you have just created, carefully cut the leather....

Using a stitching marker, press hard, and mark the stitching.....

Using an awl, carefully punch each hole in the leather.....

If you wish to dye your leather, now is the time to do so.....

Now, you are ready to stitch it up.  Here, I'm using curved stitching needles and artificial sinew.....

__________________________________________________

I wasn't nearly as accurate/detailed about how I made mine but used the basic principles and took a lot of shortcuts...lol That's just me... My pop always said "There's no point in being ignorant if you don't show it.

God bless,Mudd

[VA Bowbender]

Here's a couple,I made.

 
 
 
 

[Bear Heart]

I use the ones robertfishes posted a link to.

[Fanto]

leather can be noisy if its not tight

rubber/ plastic ones are usually very snug and quiet