Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Shooting and Hunting => Topic started by: Allyn T on April 20, 2021, 09:05:09 am
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So I had my first real shooting session with my bow last night and my hands are torn up. I'm shooting off the knuckle and the fletchings tore a chunk out and on my string hand I have a blood blister. My question is do I have to make some leather guards or will I get callous eventually. Also does a finger tab provide a better release?
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Wrap the forward end of the fletching with thin thread and set in glue. Make sure it is smooth. A tab or glove will add protection for your fingers and tendons. If properly fit it will also give you a better release.
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So you make your tab as narrow as possible?
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Once the feathers are glued down take a sharp razor and trim the quill down so it's smooth then wrap it.
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I didn't make these, if I sand the end and put a dab of glue on em do you think that would work
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It will help but not as good as a wrap. IMO The smoother the transition the less injuries. :OK
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So you make your tab as narrow as possible?
I guess it depends on which way you are thinking of as 'narrow'. You don't want much leather sticking out past the tips of your fingers when they are curled into the drawing position. If you search youtube for 'trimming an archery tab' you should find a fair number of videos on how to do it.
Mark
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Less injury is my goal lol. Thanks mark I'll search it. Just bought a roll of leather to make some
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Also, add a "floppy rest" at the handle. It feels like you are shooting off your hand but will help keep prevent hand damage from the arrow.
Here are directions to make it...
(https://i.imgur.com/yVSs5vW.jpg)
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I remember that!
I used that on a few of my bows, I should try that again.
Does 'The Ferret' have an account here? I remember he was an active writer for PA a few years back.
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Could also cut up an old work glove leaving the thumb, cuff, and forefinger. Ugly, but it protects your bow hand.
Hawkdabcer
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"The Ferret", Mickey Lotz used to come to PA occasionally. Unfortunately, he's gotten away from archery over the years. Mickey brought a lot to the traditional archery community as a wood bow builder and hunter...and inventor of practical archery stuff. :BB
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Whatever Mr. Lotz is doing these days, he is probably doing it well. Folks come and go as their interests are satisfied and new ones get the itch.
When I first started fooling with bows over 20 years ago I heard about a guy named Murray Gaskins that made some pretty nice bows. A few years ago I ran into a falconer with the same name and asked if he was the same. He laughed and said it was his dirty little secret! I guess his "arrows" replace their own fletching these days!
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From selfbows to the sport of Arab Kings. Interesting. Or as i like to call em, pigeon hunters.
HH~
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I believe Murray Gaskin was from GA and made lots of hickory bows and sold hickory staves. Has it been that long ago, John?
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I believe Murray Gaskin was from GA and made lots of hickory bows and sold hickory staves. Has it been that long ago, John?
Yup, that's the guy. But he's still retaining that primitive archer ethos in that he freely shares his experience with those that need help. Nice guy.
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Hey, Allyn, I have a bow glove (to protect your bow hand) that nobody's using; I'd be happy to send it your way if you want it. PM me.
I've dabbled with bare-finger shooting a few times, and it isn't worth it to me. I use a damascus-style glove. It's pretty light, I can still feel the string, but it keeps my fingers from getting sore. On my fishing bow, I use those soft rubber finger protectors, and they work surprisingly well...well enough that I've considered adding them to my hunting bows, too.
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I have been shooting bare finger for several years now, it took a little while but my fingers are tough from 40+ years of mechanic work plus what I do around the shop and farm so didn't take to long. I love it, 1 less thing to worry about. ;) I shot a tab and glove for years and it seemed about the time they really felt good they were worn out, no problem with that now. As far as bow hand i have a small shelf but the front of the feathers do touch my hand as they pass, I like Pat always make sure before I shoot an arrow the front of the feathers are smooth , sometimes wrap them and sometimes just roll them with a round screw driver and compress them ,then add a small dab of glue. :)
Pappy
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... about the time they really felt good they were worn out...
I don't know, Pappy, I kind of feel that way about my body as a whole--figured out how to use it just in time for stuff to start giving out. ha ha ha
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Well I bought a roll of leather and made a finger tab bit now after reading what pappy wrote I think I wanna toughen up my fingers. I also had a guy tell me if the fletching was cutting me my nock point was too low so I moved it up and it helped on my bow hand a lot! Now I just need to worry about fixing my string slap problem. Thanks for the offer Thomas but I think I'm good on the glove now
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I feel the same way WB, Don't over do it to start Allyn, take your time and in a few weeks/month they will toughen up. As far as arm slap, you might adjust your grip a bit to get the string off your arm,moving your palm out a little to give you more clearance, some shoot with a bent elbow , I don't like doing that myself but works for some. My elbow has been broken in 6 places so my arm has a natural bend anyway but I lock it the best I can, if I try shooting with it not locked I throw the arrows left at the shot release. :) I don't use a tab/glove or arm guard except when hunting with heavy cloth, then I use an arm guard to keep my sleeve out of the way. :)
Pappy
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My hands get cold easy so I shoot in the same gloves I wear hunting.