Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Around the Campfire => Topic started by: JesseBeaux on March 29, 2018, 11:28:48 pm

Title: String slap - Self bow
Post by: JesseBeaux on March 29, 2018, 11:28:48 pm
Hey guys,

Finished up my first self bow which is a 66" 45# Osage and I love it! I determined my brace height by fistmele (6") and I can play with it some to tune the bow. However, no matter what, im getting some string slap. Never had a bow with this low of brace height and I've never dealt with string slap so any suggestions? Or is that just part of the self bow world?
Title: Re: String slap - Self bow
Post by: High-Desert on March 30, 2018, 12:25:30 am
Are you using B50? Every bow I made slapped my wrist until I switched to fastflight. I don't even wear a wrist guard anymore.
Title: Re: String slap - Self bow
Post by: JesseBeaux on March 30, 2018, 02:39:43 am
Yes using b 50. Don't have tip overlays so can't do fast flight.
Title: Re: String slap - Self bow
Post by: chamookman on March 30, 2018, 02:43:04 am
How do You grip the Bow Jesse ? Bob
Title: Re: String slap - Self bow
Post by: PEARL DRUMS on March 30, 2018, 06:25:08 am
6" is low, bump it up another 1/2".
Title: Re: String slap - Self bow
Post by: Pappy on March 30, 2018, 06:48:38 am
Raising brace might help as would fast flight but more than likely it is the way you are gripping the bow, work on your grip a bit will probably help. Is the string lined up with the center of the handle ?
 Pappy
Title: Re: String slap - Self bow
Post by: Pat B on March 30, 2018, 07:16:56 am
Bend your bow arm elbow a little. I only use B-50 and don't get string slap.
Title: Re: String slap - Self bow
Post by: Tracker0721 on March 30, 2018, 08:05:03 am
I’d say you’re probably holding it like a modern glass bow. Full hand wrapped around it. With a bent stick ya gotta make a Juddo chop hand, cock the thumb out at a 90 degree so you got a loser sign going. Then act like your sliding your hand through a rock and have the bow meet the corner in your L. Hand should look like it’s about to chop the bow in half. Wrap your thumb and index finger around the bow dropping your hand to a 45 degree coming out from your index down to your pinky.

Actually, a picture will be worth a thousand words. Just so happens my boss left a bow in the office- perfect.

The bow is lefty and odd to take a picture with but you can get the idea. If done right the bow will center itself in that meaty web between the index and thumb and you won’t impart twist on the bow drawing or shooting. The fingers just get loosely draped around with mostly your thumb and index doing any holding. I like it this way because when I cant the bow my fist is horizontal and it’s a natural feeling for me. I use that hold on all my selfbows and glass bows. Some still slap me but that’s when I pluck the string or the bow is just out of string alignment. So I always wear an arm guard but 98% of the time don’t need it.

A quick bit on plucking, draw to your anchor and when you release keep pulling your hand back and hold it on your ear. It’ll make you release the arrow the same way every time without pulling it up over down etc. Jeff Kavanagh on YouTube will teach ya a thing or 2 on his channel. Cause plucking will not only ruin your accuracy but also cause string slap.
Title: Re: String slap - Self bow
Post by: bubby on March 30, 2018, 12:55:53 pm
I use ff on selfbow's all the time, I just throw a few extra strands in the loops and if it's Osage I don't even do that
Title: Re: String slap - Self bow
Post by: mullet on March 30, 2018, 06:38:12 pm
I've used FF without tip overlays without a problem.
Title: Re: String slap - Self bow
Post by: JesseBeaux on April 02, 2018, 11:53:20 pm
Thanks for the replies everyone! I'm still playing with the BH some but adjusting my grip like the above pictures helped tremendously.