String Silencers

[highPlains]

I'm partial to cat whiskers because they'll always be quiet no matter the conditions. Although I like the looks of beaver balls a lot more.

I trim my cat whiskers to be smaller, like this, so that they don't effect speed (not that I'm good enough to shoot the difference from the few feet per second that they cost me anyways).

[Bjorn]

There is a lot more to making your bow quiet than string silencing material. I have found that when everything else is wrong cat whiskers will help the most to make your bow quiet. They are easy to slide up and down to get the perfect spot, plus you can trim to size etc.
When everything else is perfect-brace height, nock height, nock tightness, arrow weight, string type and number of strands etc. it takes very little to get your set up quiet as that proverbial mouse. A little fur, yarn or rubber-they all work equally well at that point.

[WestTnMan]

How are you tying the cat whiskers on? I have a hard time tolding them and trying to tie  them in. I can't get a tight knot and hold them so they end up too loose half the time.

[TheFatboy]

Currently looking at a pair of silencers made of musk ox wool. 6 times as expensive as cat whiskers. Not that the price matters, but, has anyone tried these?

That article in TBM was a little limited--didn't discuss many of the options out there. For my money, I see little difference between the Hushpuppies, wooly whiskers and musk ox silencers. They all do a great job if placed in the 'sweet spot' on the string. Trial and error will reveal to each what that is. I always start 12" from the loops on either end and move them at 1/2" intervals toward the center serving until the sound is deadened. The various fur strip silencers also work well, but they're harder to move when tuning.

[tj69]

Excalibur Buzz Busters. Made out of fleece.
Light,easy to use, makes the bow very quiet and doesn´t absorb moisture. I would add a picture, but I dont know how to do.

[MAT]

Yeah I read in TBM how catwiskers killed speed and though something was amiss. I have a chrono and never saw a loss of speed using trimmed rubber catwiskers tied on with serving thread.  Would have been nice to see a picture of them mounted on the string as tested as that would have answered a few questions.

[Yellow Dog]

Had a Widow PLV that no matter what I did I couldn't get it quiet, that was until I slapped a set of rubber Cat Whiskers on it. The way I saw it was so what if I lost a foot or two in speed, it didn't sound like a .22 every time I shot it. It was a good trade off as far as I was concerned.

[Jason R. Wesbrock]

I've been using rubber cat whiskers exclusively for a long time. I like them because they're cheap, easy, weatherproof, don't pick up burrs, and they work. If they cost me 3-4 fps I really don't see that as an issue at all. If that 3-4 fps makes the difference between getting an animal or not, I just flat out didn't do my job anyway.

[bentpole]

Always used cat whiskers but string leeches work great too. If they can quiet one of those" vertical crossbows" they can quiet any Trad Bow. Easy to install too. Unstring bow,  pick a spot, open your string up, insert and restring your bow.

[champ38]

Bentpole, Ive had problems with my FF stings cutting the string leeches in half, some even after 20 -30 shots. They do a good job, and dont hurt speed, while they last...what am I doing wrong ? I install them the same way you do and have tried different brands/types. But all have been cut in a relativly short time. I shoot a 60# TC with an 8 strand, 8125. I love the string Im shooting so really dont want to change it.

[frank bullitt]

Champ38, How many twists do you have in your string? No experience with leeches, but would guess if a string is twisted alot, could be cutting in half.  Rap a rubberband around your finger real tight, get the picture?          

 You may try tying on the outside with dental floss or a very small wire tie. Good shootin, Steve

[Bill Turner]

I have Hush Puppies on several of my bows and have always been happy with their performance. I"ve also used Cat Whiskers and Wooly Whispers with some success. If I'm buying, I'm probably buying Hush Puppies to help the CEO and CFO get to college. They are both born and bred TradGangers.      

[BillW]

I like the Musk Ox but I recentlt bought some Buffalo silencers (I guess Buff hair) I may try them out.

Anyone else ever try these??

Bill

[TheFatboy]

My new musk ox silencers are really awesome. Practically no sound at all, not to mention reduced shock and vibration.

[TSP]

Whiskers.

[SOS]

A $5 skein of Merino wool from Wallyworld makes a boat load of silencers.  Last 6 jumpy Georgia deer haven't moved until the arrow hit from my home made longbow.  Current set has 2 seasons, a lot of backyard shooting and several 3D shoots on them and still look good.

I can't beat that value.