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All about String Stop Dampers

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All about String Stop Dampers

One area we get alot of questions about is String Stop Dampers. 

Here is everything you need to know about them.

One area we get alot of questions about is String Stop Dampers. 
Since their invention as a retrofitted product in the early 2000's, string stoppers have become a staple on new bows from entry level to top of the line. 

How do they work?

String stops are a carbon rod sticking from the back of the bow, usually under the grip, with a rubber stopper on the end. As the string comes forward on the shot it impacts with the rubber stopper to dampen vibration. 

It's important to note that one of the misconceptions with the string stop is that it causes the arrow to leave the string at the same time every shot. This is false. The arrow leaves the string once the bow returns to brace height. If it leaves after that point then your nock fit is WAY too tight. 

Without the damper the string will oscillate after the shot. The string stopper slows down and eventually stops that excess vibration early. 
By doing this the bow can be quieter, it also stops too much string follow through which can, on some setups, cause excess arm contact. 

Are they needed?

So first up, one concern people have is does their bow NEED one. People worry if they are missing one the bow will be damaged. This isn't the case. Until quite recently many target bows came without them. Because they are a post shot vibration damper they don't cause any change in group size or arrow impact point whether you have one or not. 
If it does, then it's setup incorrectly. 

Many competition shooters remove theirs from their bows. This is to remove any chances that the string stop will cause problems by coming lose when it's not wanted. 
Personally, I always remove mine. Sometimes, if I get excess vibration I might reinstall it to help isolate the cause, however the preference is to remove them from competition bows. 

Where to place the stopper

At rest, the string stopper should be set so the rubber stop is NOT contacting the string. Ideally you should be able to fit a credit card between the stopper and string. You can even have a bigger gap. 
If you have it contacting it should be very light contact. 
If the stopper is distorting the string, or the string is distorting the stopper, then it's too much contacting. This will cause excess wear on both the string and the stopper, and can cause odd arrow flight and group changes at the target. 

Mine has come loose, what do I do?

Most string stops are a carbon rod, inserted into the riser and held in place with a grub screw. If yours is moving then that grub screw needs tightening. 

Mine touches the string, how do I adjust it?

Find the grub screw, loosen it (it will likely be an imperial Allen key) and then slide the string stop deeper into the riser. 

I can't get mine to not touch the string. What's going wrong?

In some cases the carbon rod may be a touch too long which prevents you setting it off the string. The solution is to shorten the rod with either a Dremel or an arrow saw. We're happy to top that for our customers.