I have been using Thirdhand Archery products for a couple years now and honestly their products literally changed the way I hunt in some very simple and inexpensive ways. I don't know about you but I haul enough crap into the woods with me each time I hunt. I am sure as hell not looking to add to the already long list of things I tote with me each time I hunt, so when I found out a couple years ago that I could get a Thirdhand Archery, "Universal Treestand Bowholder" and leave my bow rope and screw in tree mounted bow holder at home, I was ecstatic!

One of my least favorite things to do is wind/un-wind, fool with knots, have my bow rope get tangled on everything inside my pack, etc. I HATE BOW ROPES! But, I digress.

I started using Thirdhand Archery's Bowholder and put my bow on the side of my climber and climb with it attached. I don't personally notice the extra weight on the stand as I am climbing. After using it literally countless times now, I can't imagine that the bow would actually slip out of the holder. In fact I can Guaran-damn-tee you if there was the slightest hint of danger of having my bow come off the bowholder, I wouldn't risk my $1800 bow.

Having said all that, I switched to a Mathews Halon 6 this year and the limbs are super wide compared to any other bow I have ever used. I am not sure of the difference in width between the Halon and my Nitrum Turbo, but it is substantial. In fact, my Halon's limb went right to the very edge of the Thirdhand Bowholder. I have found myself looking at my precious bow quizzically several times and pondering the width of the holder vs the width of my bow briefly on the way up/down to or from my climbing height. It's if I am smart enough to do whatever engineering math is needed to work out some crazy equation in my head which is absurd since I am literally about as smart as a talkin' monkey.

I suppose The folk's over at Thirdhand must have looked at their wide limb bow(s) quizzically a time or two also because they have a new and improved, "S-Hook", for their wildly successful Universal Treestand Bowholders. The new S-hook is basically the same thing as before except that it is noticeably longer with a slight bend on the end of it (Think of cutting a fish hook off half way through the loop of the hook). The new design literally hugs my ridiculously expensive bow, cradling it lovingly against my treestand. All this makes me a happy hunter.

Like the old S-Hook, The new comes covered in a very grippy rubber type of covering that not only grips extremely well but also helps protect your bows finish. The new S-Hook fits easily in the original mounting bracket and swapping the S-Hooks out is a breeze. I literally swapped them out 25 feet up with one hand while holding my bow in the other hand. the whole procedure took less than two minutes.

Thirdhand Archery sells the new S-Hooks for just $10 alone or $20 for the whole assembly which includes the mounting bracket. $20 to free up valuable space in my pack, eliminate the need for the dreaded bow rope and pain in the butt associated with that thing is a bargain at twice what they are charging.

I will include some pics. The first two are the old style S-Hook and the rest of the pics are the new wider version which I was told would be the only S-Hooks used by Thirdhand Archery from now on. If you buy directly from Thirdhand you will receive the new version but if you buy from an outside supplier you may get one of the older versions as they will need to sell their stock on hand. There was nothing wrong with the older version but the newer version sure does provide better peace of mind.

The last picture shows my stand the way that I use it. You can see how much I rely on Thirdhand Archery's products. The straps that you see running from the platform to the top section are the Stabilizer straps that Thirdhand makes. I promise you these straps have literally saved people's lives and I will not climb without them any more than I would climb without a harness. The footrest you see is great in that it eliminates foot and leg fatigue by raising your feet up away from the platform and comes off in seconds to double as a deer drag!

Sorry this is so long winded and I appreciate you staying till the end.


In a market that is very fluid and constantly changing it is great to see that Thirdhand is evolving with what is current and new. Great that they are staying ahead of the curve.

My only issue is that the screws on the bottom of the holder can rip clothes when taking climber of your shoulder.. or putting on your back.. drives me nuts. I suppose I could just file them down..
* the hunting hoist ( retractable pull rope ) is awesome as well. Not a 3rd hand product but next to the bow holder and stabilizer straps, it's the best item I've purchased.

I rather Stick to my rope and screw in hanger. I don't trust the hook. It may not have ever let you down but I know my screw in hanger isn't going anywhere and once I set up a stand my bow rope stays on it until I move it. My hanger stays in the tree as well so no extra room being taken up in pack either.

Screw in hangar and Doyle's hunting hoist for me

Agree on ropes suck

I use the third hand bow holder also. Very nice. They have a video on their site that shows how you use it to hold your bow while climbing. The bow will not fall out. It does come with long screws. I just cut them and filed them down.