Installing String Silencers | Placement and Installation Guide

Key Takeaways

• Where to put string silencers on a bow depends on the type, make, and model of bow. Proper installation also depends on the type of string silencer. 
• For modern compound bows, silencers are typically placed 3 to 4 inches away from the top and bottom cams.
• For traditional recurve bows, silencers are typically placed ¼ to ⅓ of the way down the string from both limb tips.
• To install cat whiskers (rubber strips), mark their positions on the string, fold the silencer in half, tie the center tightly with serving thread, and melt the thread ends.
• When installing string silencers made from fur, unstring your recurve bow, split the string’s strands into two equal halves, slide a half-inch of one end of the silencer into the center, spiral-wrap it around the string, and tuck the remaining ends.
• To install slip-on or push-in rubber dampeners, relax the string, separate the string’s strands into two equal halves, slide the silencer directly between the two halves so they rest on both sides of the silencer’s grooves, and re-tension the string.
• To install speed nocks, check the bow manufacturer’s placement recommendation, use nocking pliers to clamp the speed nocks to the string, and secure them in place with heat-shrink tubing.

How do bow string silencers work? Installing string silencers reduces vibrations so you can shoot quietly. 

How to install bow string silencers and where to put string silencers on a bow depends on the type of bow you own and the type of silencers you’re using. 

Here’s how and where to put string silencers on both a compound bow or recurve bow.

Determine Which Type of Silencer You Have

There are four different types of silencers, each requiring a different approach.

• Cat whiskers are rubber strips that expand into balls. 
• Fur silencers are typically made from otter or beaver pelts and are used for traditional bows. 
• Rubber slip-on / push-in dampeners use the compound bow’s tension to stay in place.
• Speed nocks are small brass weights that reduce string oscillation, resulting in dampened noise and vibration and increased arrow speed. 

Choose the Right Location

When installing string silencers, it’s very important that you place them in the right locations on the bow string. We strongly recommend checking your manufacturer’s recommendations for optimal placement. Here are ideal starting points:

• Compound Bow: Place the silencer 3 to 4 inches away from the top and bottom cams.
• Recurve Bow: Place the silencers ¼ to ⅓ of the way down the string from both limb tips.

How to Install Bow String Silencers: Cat Whiskers

1. Gather Your Supplies

• Piece of serving material
• Marker
• Scissors
• Lighter

2. Measure and Mark the Bow String

Before installing string silencers, it’s very important to measure the bow string to ensure that the silencers are positioned symmetrically. For example, for compound bow strings, you would make sure they’re both exactly 3 or 4 inches from each cam. Mark both points of the string.

3. Fold the Silencer in Place

Fold the rubber strip in half. Place the middle of the silencer on the mark you made on the bow string.

4. Tie the Silencer to the String

Take your piece of serving material and tie it over the center of the silencer to secure it tightly to the string. Use a constrictor or double overhand knot, and tie it as tight as possible.

5. Trim and Burn the Ends

After installing the string silencers, trim the ends of the serving material, leaving around ⅛ of an inch. Carefully use a lighter to burn and seal the ends.

How to Install Bow String Silencers: Fur

1. Unstring Your Bow 

Use a bow stringer to unstring your traditional bow.

2. Separate the String’s Strands

Remember where to put string silencers on a recurve bow (typically ¼ to ⅓ of the way down the string from both limb tips). Separate the bow string’s strands into two equal halves.

3. Insert the Fur

Insert the first half-inch or so of the fur silencer between the split string.

4. Spiral-Wrap the Fur

Installing string silencers made from fur requires a spiral wrap that should end up looking like a candy cane or barber pole. Allow the string to close back together, and then spiral-wrap the fur around the outside of the bow string.

5. Tuck to Secure

After spiral-wrapping the fur, separate the string into two halves again. Tuck the end of the fur through the split strands.

6. Restring the Bow

The tension from restringing the bow will lock the fur silencers in place.

How to Install Bow String Silencers: Slip-On / Push-In 

1. Remove Tension

Installing string silencers with a push-in or slip-on style requires that the string has no tension. 

Some string-mounted dampeners require the bow string to be relaxed before installation. Use a bow stringer when removing a recurve string. For a compound bow, follow the bow and dampener manufacturers’ instructions and use only a compatible bow press. Archers without bow press experience should have the work completed by a qualified bow technician.

2. Split the String

Split the bow string into two equal halves in the locations where the dampeners will be installed.

3. Insert the Silencer

These types of silencers have grooves running down the center. Align the silencer so half of the bow string strands sit on one side and the other half sits on the other.

4. Re-Tension the String

The tension will hold the silencers securely in place.

How to Install Speed Nocks

1. Relax the Bow String

Remove the string or use a bow press.

2. Mark the String

When installing string silencers made from brass, such as speed nocks, proper positioning is especially important. 

Mark the string. 0.5 to 1 inch from the cams is typically where to put speed nock string silencers on a bow. However, if you’re not sure where to put string silencers on a compound bow, check the manufacturer’s recommendations.

3. Clamp the Speed Nocks in Place

Use nocking pliers to clamp the speed nock to the string’s serving. 

4. Add More Speed Nocks

Add additional speed nocks tightly against the first one to create a grouped weight. A typical configuration has 3 to 5 speed nocks on each side of the string.

5. Apply Heat-Shrink Tubing

After installing the string silencers, cover them with heat-shrink tubing. Carefully use a lighter to heat the tubing and secure it over the speed nocks.

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