Any downside to antler limb bolts?

[GMMAT]

I'm having the antler tips added to my new bow's limbs.  So, I thought I'd maybe get antler limb bolts.

Any downside?  I assume they're only for aesthetics (which is fine).

I've contacted sticshooter about some of his, on referral from my bowyer.

Thanks....and if you have ics of yours (don't go to too much trouble), I'd like to see them.

Jeff

[Downeast]

I've got them on my Widow so I don't need tools to assemble at camp.  Don't see a downside.

[amar911]

Jeff,

Frank and Shell make great limb bolts and are wonderful people to deal with. I have two sets they made for me. Aesthetics is the primary reason to get the bolts. A less significant reason is that no allen wrench is required. There is probably a minor weight difference but not enough to even think about. The main disadvantage is having something else sticking out to snag on items like brush or loose clothing. That is generally not a significant concern either. The nice part is that you can change back and forth any time you need to between the antler bolts and the standard bolts. The antler bolts definitely add a great deal to the looks and go well with antler limb tips.

Allan

[KentuckyTJ]

Jeff, I haven't found anything that would be considered a minus. I have had my bow tump over and if not for them I would have some good character marks on my limb butts or riser. The only thing is if you get them you will always have to use them. The threaded bolts are epoxied into your riser and stick up through the limbs. Making it impossible if you ever just wanted to put regular beveled bolts in them.

I think they are a good accent when having the limb tips as you are.

 

 

[Tim Fishell]

TJ, did you order your Silvertip with them from Dave?  Are there just treaded studs epoxied into the riser with a heli-coil in the anter burr?  The ones that Sticshooter makes has the bolt epoxied into the antler burr so you can switch between your standard bolts and the antler ones.  

As has been said I have them on my takedowns more for looks but they do serve a function.  It is nice to be able to but your bow together without any tools.  I have never found anything negative about them.

[GMMAT]

Question (and thanks for the replies, guys):

Do I need to go ahead and order these and send them to my bowyer (Kevin @ RER) so that he knows what I'll be using?  Or, is that step unnecessary?

Jeff

[Tim Fishell]

Nope you shouldn't need to send them to the bowyer.  Just make sure you get the bolts make with the same thread size and pitch as the heli-coil he puts in the riser.  I have been told there are some odd ball out there.  Most of them are 5/16-18 though I believe.

[Whip]

Jeff,  Frank will know exactly what you need for the RER  

[Kip]

The only down side in the palmettoes I hunt and other trashy areas they would hang up in vines sticking out as they do.They sure look good though.Kip

[elkbreath]

I've found no downside, I've owned to with them and several without.  I much prefer having them on my bows.  

heres my newest;  bought used from another stellar member oh the gang (BSBD).  

 

[Russ Clagett]

No downside at all....Frank and Shell are great people, really great, and the limb bolts are gonna make you not want to put the bow down...ever.

[O.L. Adcock]

Yep, They hang up on every limb and vine!...O.L.

[owlbait]

I have 4 sets from Frank and Shell. The Zipper bows take a different size. There is a lot they can do to customize them too.

[KentuckyTJ]

Originally posted by Tim Fishell:
TJ, did you order your Silvertip with them from Dave?  Are there just treaded studs epoxied into the riser with a heli-coil in the anter burr?  The ones that Sticshooter makes has the bolt epoxied into the antler burr so you can switch between your standard bolts and the antler ones.  

As has been said I have them on my takedowns more for looks but they do serve a function.  It is nice to be able to but your bow together without any tools.  I have never found anything negative about them.

Tim, the bolts on this one are fixed to the riser and the burrs have the threads in them which I don't like. Not sure if Dave does them all this way or not. I got the bow second hand. Jeff If you do get them don't do it the way mine is make sure the threaded posts are in the antler burrs and not the riser.

They do catch on stuff in the woods which is a head ache sometimes, but if you like them that's a small issue.

[MCNSC]

They wont hang up on anything, if you put them on a Black Widow    Plus you can look at them all the time.  I made my own, of course they are not in the same class as those by Stickshooter. Takes a lot of talent to do what he does.
Mike

[northener]

Couple of questions.


Is the area of contact on the antler burr the same as the beveled washers?

Do they scar the limbs as they tighten down?

I agree they look nice but have those concerns.

[Bird Dog]

I hunt in Florida and as some of the others have said, they catch on everything.

[KentuckyTJ]

Jeff, the ones on my silvertip are large and the area they contact is slightly larger than the regular beveled bolts. They are polished down and match the limb flush when tightened so they do not scratch the limbs. I could see though if you ordered some second hand if they didn't screw on flush they may scratch.

[sticshooter]

Wow been making these for 6 years and never had anyone tell me they hang up? Maybe if there really big... I mean huge? I hunt with them on my Bunny bow and never had them hang up. but then I am not crawling on the ground.  

[snag]

The only downside that I have found is......they look so darned good on my bow I had to get 2 more sets for my other bows!  Love them Sticshooter.