How I silence a bow string.

[Apex Predator]

Here is a simple, quick tutorial on how to use wool yarn to silence a bow string.

Here is a view of my materials.  Note the fancy jigs I built, and the yarn purchased from Michaels Arts and Crafts.

 

 

First thing is clamping your jigs to the bench to apply slight tension to your string.  

 

 

Next step is to separate the bundles for inserting your puff balls.  Your hands will be full in a moment, so do it now.  I use an antler tine for this and anything else handle for the opposite side after the bundles are split.  Sharp objects are not good here!

 

Take a few turns around your fingers, or I've heard a credit card works quite well.  Insert in your string, and pull your spreaders out.  I like to trim around 3/4" on each side.

 

 

 

[Apex Predator]

Now for the contact area on recurves.  This is my favorite part.  Seperate with your antler tine, and wrap with slight tension.  You don't want it served on too tight or it will be less effective.

 

When you get to the loop just run it through and start wrapping back to where you started in the opposite direction.  At the end I run it through from the opposite side and trim to about 1/4" on each side.

 

 

After stringing your bow just pluck the string a few times and it will take shape.  These work awesome!

 

[Nakohe]

Hey, great how to do it example. Thanks.

[Glenn Carl]

Very nice. Thanks for sharing

[Jedimaster]

AHA!  Much easier seeing than reading alone.  Thanks for taking the time for the how-to.

[snag]

I have gone to this as well Apex. Good pics. Yes it does work well!

[BMN]

Nicely done!

[Dustin Waters]

what happens when you unstring your bow?  I am assuming that once you have shot the bow a few times the yarn is basically fused into the string through a bunch of tangles and what not?

[tukudu]

Nice presentation. Now if someone can do one which shows how to get the cat whisker style done in a tight round ball we will have this silencing act down. Someone out there has to have that process down!

[Bjorn]

Good job-Thanks!

[Apex Predator]

I unstring them, and even store them in plastic bags without any trouble.  I handle them a little more gently though with the custom touches.  I guess some serving would make them a little more durable off the bow, but I have never needed to.

[JoeM]

Thanks for sharing I have a new bow coming this week, think I'll give this a try.  Joe

[beaver#1]

thanks for sharing , i thinki will try it out on my recurve when i get home

[Holm-Made]

Nicely done.  Thanks,  Chad

[upatree]

2 new strings on order right now and will be giving your tutorial a try.  THANKS, Corey

[StickBowManMI]

Great tutorial! I think that I will give this a try.
Thanks

[JEFF B]

what with me living in the land of sheep i got heaps of wool for that sort of thing. i have been using that since adam was a boy. LOL!!! good stuff man.

[crookedwoody]

otter fur silencers work very good on longbows.just start them below your loop and wrap them down and tuck it back in.and use the wool puffs as above.you wont have any noise.

[ozy clint]

cool. how does it perform when it's wet? do you have much trouble with grass seeds etc?

[crookedwoody]

they hold up better than other fur.even the wool puffs hold up really good.in the fall the little deggers lice [burrs] stick in them.but they stick to everything.