HuntingNet.com Forums - View Single Post - Whisker Biscuit problem?

02-12-2004 | 10:41 PM

#71

Len in Maryland

Joined: Feb 2003

Posts: 1,385

Likes: 0

From: Baltimore Maryland USA

RE: Whisker Biscuit problem?

I kept away from this issue because it is a 'NO WIN' situation. Someone did, however, ask for my opinion on this rest. While I don't really recommend it generally, I do sell and install it for my customers. I also offer the service of checking their tune. The number who don't have the WB tuned properly, but think their bow is tuned properly, is phenomenal. Can it be tuned correctly and work well? Yes. Can you get a 'false' sense of tune? Yes. Do I see a lot of fletching damage from the WB? Yes.

Shooting high scores with field tips by any 'paid' professional archer who has the time and experience to finely tune a bow/arrow system deserves respect; but, it doesn't in any way represent what the average hunter will experience. It's not that it will not work at any yardage; it's whether or not the average hunter will achieve the best results that should be a standard for hunting animals. I have tried it and it will work. One of the problems is that it will continue to apparently 'work' when the bow is really out of tune. This will result in that 'false sense of tune' that I've discussed many times. This 'false sense of tune' will result in other problems.

Some have mentioned that it is like "shooting off the shelf". This is absolutely true. However, most recurve bows shoot off the shelf all the time. It does, for example, take quite a while for most trad archers to find the right combination of bow/arrow to achieve good hunting results. It does, in fact, "go against all other principles of arrow rest design". For a PROPER tune, it is just as difficult to tune a WB as with any other rest. The difference is that the extrusion process of the WB may well give you a 'false tune' while the other rests will give you a better indication of what is REAL.

WB's are so popular among today's hunters because of the arrow captivation characteristic and the fact that many don't realize that they really don't have a good tune when using it. Regretfully, a good tune can only be recognized when a bad tune is pointed out. Arrows falling off the rests have become much more of an issue in the past 10+ years. The hard back walls, harder draw cycles, high let-off, and short valleys all have lead to this problem. I designed a really neat arrow hold-down that just about eliminated this problem with prong rests. I didn't push the design because of the advent of drop-away and captivation rests.

We first saw the problems of tuning and false tune when we used to sell another captivation rest called the Stalkmaster. We could make it work very well until the one-cam nock travel problem became overbearing. When we told the manufacturer that he should change the design to allow for 'arrow dynamics', he ignored us. Guess what, he now wishes he had listened. After all, he had a captive rest with a QS long before the WB.

For most, the WB does affect fletching. It's been documented by many here and on other forums. We do a lot of refletching and, although it is not strictly a WB problem, the WB is a culprit. The softer bristles may help in this matter; but, many have 'trimmed' their biscuits as a temporary solution. With the new 'softer' whiskers, a problem that may appear is the possiblity of the arrow getting pushed between the bristles easier. This will only happen in rare instances, but it is possible.

Many Dealers/archery shops/mass merchants push the WB because it is 'easy to tune'.

Since some don't care about the tune they're giving their customers, it's an 'easy way out'. There is an apparent tune that the customer sees and that is apparently sufficient. WOW, will I get blasted on this one by the good Dealers. Problem is, there are constant posts about how few GOOD Dealers we have in this country. The GOOD ones will know who they are and understand this statement; but, the others will surely be very vocal towards me.

While I don't agree with c903 on many things, I must reiterate some of what he posted:

Quote:

-I believe the design of the rest is counter to what is necessary for best arrow
performance.
-That the installation, adjustment, and tuning are (obviously) not as simple as some claim.
-I would not easily recommend the "WB" to be used by someone that does not have a
thorough grasp of tuning a bow, all accessories, form, and troubleshooting.
-I definitely would not (personally) use the rest.
-Regardless of all the pro arguments, in no way can the capability and performance of
the "WB" be considered to be on the same level as certain other hunting rests.

However, if a shooter know all sides of the story, can set the rest up and obtain reasonable accuracy under certain conditions, and is comfortable with a "middle of the road" piece of equipment, that is the person's personal choice.

What many don't realize is misleading statements by new archers such as "trimmed and tuned in about 30 minuits. I have not had to adjust it since I put it on." This new archer may not realize that any bow is a dynamic piece of equipment. Strings/cables stretch, tolerances change, serving moves, etc. The 'false sense of tune' is something that the unknowing might have and never realize. When it is stated that "I swithed from a prong style rest because I was having to spend too much time tunning it It seems like I was adjusting it about once every week or two.", doesn't this indicate that things are changing and/or this person really doesn't know how to tune a bow???? Did the WB REALLY fix the problem or cover it up?????????? Do you think a novice can tune with one rest in 30 minutes and take weeks to never achieve good results with another rest??????? This is the type of situation that I find unacceptable. Did this person suddenly find the tuning expertise needed or stumble onto a 'bandaid' fix???????? This hunter is probably going into the woods with equipment that is questionable.[

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Quote:

This rest is the best archery product to come along in years and if they can't see that they can all go piss up a rope!

Now that is classic!

Anyway, I see the WB as an asset and a liability. It all depends on your perspective. At first I was adamant about its capability because of my experience with other captive rests like the Stalkmaster. I know the benefits appear to outweigh the negatives; but, you should try to understand the negatives so that you can better put the advantages to good use. Whatever you choose to use, just make sure it is tuned to the nth degree and that you check that tune periodically via several methods. Good hunting to all.

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