Whisker biscuit?

[lawdog]

I'm thinking about switching to a whisker biscuit. How do I determine what size to use?

Also, what are pros and cons of them and general thoughts on using them for hunting.

THANKS!

[DonBo]

Mostly I think Whisker Buiscuits are great for kids and begining archers, but there's a reason you won't see very many experienced archers using them.

There's too much fletch contact, they tend to be noisy, they slow the arrow, they wear with use, etc.

Personally, I'd look at a "full containment" drop-away rest. What kind? That's a whole Ford/Chevy thing. Plenty of nice ones out there, in all price ranges.

That being said, I know many who hunt with them and wouldn't change for the world.

[Scoot]

I think DonBo's response is spot on! For me, I want to minimize arrow contact with my rest and the basic premise of the WB is to maximize contact. I just struggle with the basic idea of it. WBs are pretty bomb proof- once their set up they're good to go and, they're pretty easy to set up. However, DonBo's comments about their limitations are exactly right.

They work for some and there are ardent supports of them, but I'm pretty sure you'll never see my bow with one on it.

[bowhunternw]

I had a hard time going away from one. Ended up with a qad hdx, which I like and always wanted to try just to see if it was more accurate. Didn't really make a whole lot of difference in accuracy. If money was no issue I would go with a drop away, just because of the less arrow contact and the vanes don't have to go through the brushes. However the bisquit is totally reliable. I think that they have different size holes in the center for different size arrows, mine was quite a bit bigger than my arrow and would have to say it didn't seem to matter. The softer vanes will get jacked up a little after shooting a lot.

[NELS-BELLS]

What DonBo said. I would also add that Whisker Bisquits are less forgiving then drop aways.

If your form has any flaws, like mine...you will want a drop away. If there is any twitch or movement when you pull that trigger, you will notice it on a whisker bisquit.

When I had my whisker bisquit, I would group 3 out of 4 arrows nice and tight and then one would be way off. I number all my arrows so I know it wasn't a bad arrow. I went to a drop away and that random bad shot problem went away.

In the heat of the moment with a nice deer in front of me, heart pounding, knees shaking...I don't want to take the chance of blowing the shot.

I'm much more confident with my drop away!

Nels

[MNHunter65]

I have used both a drop away and a whisker biscuit. I really saw no difference between the two and my groups didn't change at all. If you get a biscuit, make sure to get the one with the horizontal and vertical adjustments just for ease of tuning. Whisker biscuits are pretty foolproof.

Like the others have said, you have guys that love them and guys that would never consider them. Personally I like them for their simplicity and would consider them a great hunting rest.

[lawdog]

I kind of like DonBo's suggestion of a full containment drop away rather than a whisker biscuit. I always liked the idea of the containment, which was why I was thinking of them, but I was always leery of them too. So, DonBo, aside from the Ford Chevy thing which I totally get, what do you think are good options?

[Scoot]

I'm not DonBo, but I'll reply with my opinion/experience. I've shot a ton of drop away rests. I shot a Kaz-a-way for several years and loved it, but I saw a few guys have their springs break and I wanted no part of that. I'm currently shooting the QAD HDX Ultra and absolutely love it. It is perfectly quiet, pretty easy to set up, and has been completely problem free for me and a bunch of guys at the archery club I belong to. IMO the HDX isn't necessary and any of the Ultra rests are great, if you're looking to save some money.

[DonBo]

Yep, the QAD Ultra is nice. The NAP Apache is pretty new and looks to be a good one. Ripcord has a strong following. I shoot a Trophy Taker Smackdown and love it, I'm sure there's others out there.

Like I said, look 'em over and decide what looks best to you. It may come down to what your particular archery shop carries, each has a brand they push the most.

[DaveT]

Most importantly, shoot what feels good to you and you have confidence in. Whisker biscuits are fool proof and if you're treestand hunting whitetails and have shots inside 30 yards they are perfectly suited for that. If you're going out west or like to take 70 yard pokes find a good drop away.

[minky]

Good advice!

I went with a drop away and have never been happier.

[ZachD]

I have one on my hunting bow.. I like to walk around the woods so I like that it keeps my arrow in place. My friend always sad that I will hate it once it gets cold out because it will make a lot of noise but I have not had a problem with that.

[nbadger23]

Most importantly, shoot what feels good to you and you have confidence in. Whisker biscuits are fool proof and if you're treestand hunting whitetails and have shots inside 30 yards they are perfectly suited for that. If you're going out west or like to take 70 yard pokes find a good drop away.

I think DaveT's advise is spot on. I love the Whisker Biscuit that I have but all of my shots are 25 yards or under. Fit the rest to your shooting environment and ability.

[Bear55]

I shoot a QAD now because everyone raved about them but I don't see a noticeable difference in my groups from the old WB days. There is certainly some contact there and some minor stuff to worry about but really if you can shoot good I would totally recommend a WB to anyone. Especially if its only for hunting, it is kind of the perfect hunting rest.

Also I do worry about the drop aways rests from time to time, in cold weather they can freeze up and any time there are moving parts there is a chance they can fail.

[rkhinrichs]

i like my QAD HDX. lifetime warranty

[mainbutter]

WBs are simple, and when it comes to hunting I definitely subscribe to the KISS method. I've got one on a 50lb limb micro adrenaline with a cheap 4 pin sight. I wouldn't call myself a good shot when I see guys drilling targets at 60 and 70 yards, but I'd never heistate to put my 30 yard pin behind the shoulder on a quartering away deer, and that's all I need myself and my bow to do.

[jjack]

I shoot a drop away and thats all ill shoot!

[lawdog]

I have been doing some looking at the rests you guys all mentioned. I am not sure I like the idea of the string tied to something to make the rest work. Has this been a problem at all? I don't have the newest fanciest bow with the parallel limbs and I'm not even sure it would work...

[DonBo]

I have been doing some looking at the rests you guys all mentioned. I am not sure I like the idea of the string tied to something to make the rest work. Has this been a problem at all? I don't have the newest fanciest bow with the parallel limbs and I'm not even sure it would work...

Nope, don't need parallel limbs, there's thousands of them out there (millions probably) all with little to no issues. Hey, if you're not that comfortable with the fancy new stuff, go ahead and put on a whisker buscuit. As several have already stated, if you'll only be shooting typical whitetail distances, it'll work just fine for you.

No matter which route you choose, just be sure to have it installed by a reputable archery pro shop, to make sure it is set up properly.

[MUSKY18]

I started off with a WB and really liked it. Being new to shooting when I started, it gave me confidence that I never had to worry about my arrow on the rest. I hunted for 3 years with it, but was unhappy with the groupings that I was shooting. Not saying it was the WB fault, but I felt the need to change. I also bought a newer, faster bow than my first bow and wanted to maximize its performance. I switched to a QAD HD and immediately noticed that my groups were a lot tighter at all ranges. With my WB, I wouldn't have dreamed of shooting much more than 35 yards. With my QAD, I am now shooting 50 yards with consistency and although I don't know if I would ever shoot at a deer standing that far out, I know that if I wanted/had to, I could pull the shot off.

[B-man715]

A couple years ago after reading a thread just like this, I finally took the trusty biscuit off.

I've always been a KISS guy and stepped out of my comfort zone.

I had a Ripcord Code Red put on, because it came highly recommened and was "fool-proof".

Well, after about my 20th shot, I was drawing back and my arrow lifted off the V and fell off the rest onto my arm. This happened on level ground while wearing a tee shirt......... I took the rest off and returned it to the archery shop and promptly had my biscuit back on. Not a chance in hell that I was going to trust my entire season on that rest.

I'm far from a kid or novice, and know that there are better drop aways with full containment. But when my season comes down to one shot, I need to have full confidence in my equipment.

The less moving parts the better. I've had everything mechanical fail (broadheads, rest, slider sight, and even derailed my string while letting down) (caught some fabric between the cam and string) I don't even use a peep anymore because of twisted strings or broken rubber in the eye.

Call me old school, but now I shoot fixed broadheads, through a fixed rest, aimed with fixed pins If my release ever fails, I'll start shooting fingers LOL

Works every time