Whisker biscuit RMEF article Chuck Adams comment

[Johnb317]

Got the latest RMEF magazine yesterday!  There is an article written by Chuck Adams talking about the history and types of arrow rests.  Made mention of Whisker biscuits being only accurate for close shots and beginner/intermediate archers.
I disagree and feel rather insulted!  I shoot blazer fletching and have had no problems with them being worn out (I shoot a lot in the backyard), and shoot consistent groupings that I don't think would improve by more than an inch at 50 yards if I went to a drop-away.    I like the Whisker biscuit as it's simple, full arrow capture, no moving parts to fail.

Chuck obviously has a bias...
What are your thoughts?

[THunt]

Never have used one.  I use a drop away and they are a bit of a pain to get all set up correctly.

[pianoman9701]

Johnb, I would say that if you're shooting that well using a biscuit, you should write to Chuck. I think that a drop away rest has probably the least effect on a shaft leaving the bow, but that doesn't mean no other rest is good, especially if your experience shows the biscuit to work well at long range.

Chuck is an awesome archer with a great history of big game kills. He has opinions that don't match mine, but he's by far a much more successful bowhunter than I.

[Button Nubbs]

My groups tightened up a lot when I went from wb to a fall away. How do you know you'll only get an inch? Have you tried it or is it a guess?

[TommyH]

    I use a drop away, never had a biscuit so i cant say much about them except that even in thier own pics advertising them you can see the vains being bent/pushed. If your comfortable with what you got and it works for ya up to your outer limits then stick with what your confident with. ----

[JPhelps]

In my opinion you need to spin an arrow with a fixed blade broadhead.  That requires helical or offset fletching.  I would be concerned with sending these vanes through a WB.  There is no way to guarantee that the interaction between the whiskers and vanes is identical shot to shot.

How do you know it wont increase your groups?  I would want to back up my claim before I called someone out.  I can't comment to the accuracy of a WB because I have always shot a trophy taker fall away.

[D-Rock425]

I think chuck is right.  If you go to big archery shoots there is a reason the top shooters are not using whisker biscuits. 

[TommyH]

In my opinion you need to spin an arrow with a fixed blade broadhead.  That requires helical or offset fletching.  I would be concerned with sending these vanes through a WB. There is no way to guarantee that the interaction between the whiskers and vanes is identical shot to shot.

How do you know it wont increase your groups?  I would want to back up my claim before I called someone out.  I can't comment to the accuracy of a WB because I have always shot a trophy taker fall away.

  We practice shooting all year trying to get it all right, shot after shot after shot needs to be just the same as when you were practicing.

[pianoman9701]

If Johnb is shooting groups within 1" of bullseye at 50 yds, I'd say he should continue doing what he's doing. I don't believe this is a right or wrong, black and white issue.

[TommyH]

If Johnb is shooting groups within 1" of bullseye at 50 yds, I'd say he should continue doing what he's doing. I don't believe this is a right or wrong, black and white issue.

I dont think he said he was shooting 1 inch groups at 50 yards, if he was i wouldnt change anything!!

[PolarBear]

Chuck is right!  I wouldn't have one on any of my bows and after thousands of shots with my Trophy Taker in weather from 100 degrees down to -11, in rain, snow and everything in between, have never had a failure.  My cousin use to use a wisker biscuit (the same one who was satisfied that his bow was sighted good enough if he could get 3 shots in a paper plate at 30 yards) had his freeze up and botched a shot on a nice bull.

[Mike450r]

WB is fine for a hunting bow and if you like and shoot decent with it don't worry about it.  You wouldn't want one on a competition target bow but for hunting it's just fine.

[JLS]

I used to use one.  I use Ripcord now, and yes I do believe it is more accurate than the WB. 

If it works for you use it.  If you're offended by Chuck dissing on your rest, write him a letter if you feel the need.

Why in the world you feel insulted?

[MIKEXRAY]

I had a whisker on my bow for two years and never achieved the accuracy / consistency I wanted,  my form & shooting habits were the most likely culprit . I went to a drop away and was way out shooting my last two years on the first day. I found the drop away a lot more forgiving. If someone asked my opinion I would agree with Chucks statement,  I would call it a short range hunting setup.  I can't believe how much I messed with my bow with the whisker for those two years, wished I would of known & got the drop away sooner.   Mike 

[Johnb317]

Reading all the above makes me wonder if I should try a drop away...
I've read a lot of Chuck's stuff and felt his description of Whisker Biscuits was fairly dismissive, as if he had to mention them, but would rather have not. 
When I first started bowhunting the rest I used was a little plastic flipper (20 + years ago), and when starting up again the guys who got me back into bow hunting used the WB. 
For myself I would be hard pressed to take a shot  at an animal beyond 50 yards... (they move, and that's my personal choice). 

I apreciatte all your comments, and if I do send a letter to Chuck I will temper it accordingly.

btw - my wife thinks I spend too much time reading this forum....