Thicker leather

AndyD · Thicker leather

I've got one of these:

and one of these

I'd like to trysomething with thicker leather - probably the traditional glove style.

Any suggestions, recommend where?

Regards

Andy

JimN

Richard Head or The Longbow Shop (PM Jaselpool here on AR).

Both highly recommended.

AndyD

Many thanks.

AndyD

Anybody tried one of these in conjunction with a tab/glove:

Mjollnir

No, I fear they would add too much weight to the string.

great for training bows on open days etc, but I wouldn't seriously consider using one.

Mjollnir

I find myself wondering, why you are looking for a thicker leather solution?

jaselpool

Hi there

I stock double thickness tip gloves on the site

www.thelongbowshop.com

I use one of those myself and just feel the string enough

Jase

AndyD

Mjollnir

Ah, fair enough, I only asked cause I pull a 44lb bow and have a fairly flimsy tab, so was interested in why you needed a thick tab, I wondered if you were drawing with the pads of your fingers or something

AndyD

I was wondering what warbow enthusiasts use - say for a bow of 120lb or more?
Did archers of old have tough, hidelike skin on their fingers from years of practice and not bother with tabs in battle?

M Hardman

Archers of old probably did not find the need to use tabs, as you say because of their very tough skin. This would have been gained from years of hard labour, which we today do not have to deal with.
If you were not in need of sensitive fingers, I would have advised that there is nothing better than shooting barefingered for a few shots every session (no more mind you, blisters form easily), and gradually you will gain tougher (or number) skin in your fingers.

If your are not loath to cut up an old tab, you could sew layers of leather onto a new one, which may allow you to see how a thicker tab would actually help.
I agree with Mjollnir that a string protector would be a bad idea, adding even a small amount of weight to a bowstring can drastically reduce arrow velocity.

Dawn

Something I do is have a few plasters in my quiver, if I feel my fingers are getting a bit sore I put a plaster on under my shooting glove, it works for my

Barracuda Babe

plasters under the glove! why didn't I think of that? will try this tomorrow - especially if the hall is very cold as my fingers hurt more then.

Thanks for the tip.

BB

AndyD

Thanks for the advice, it has helped.
I guess there's a compromise between feeling the string and protection.

Maybe I'm getting the feel of the bow more or just getting the bowstring nicely in the joints, but it's becoming comfortable to pull with both tab and gloves.

Interestingly, it's harder to draw to under my chin(recurve style) than to my upper molar which involves some two inches longer draw. The bow was make for someone a few inches taller than myself, but I'm still puzzled.

M Hardman

You have just hit upon a major form point there, although a chin anchor is recommended, it doesn't necessarily fit all body shapes. I for example can draw 55lb easily to the corner of my mouth, but only about 45lb comfortably to my chin with the string on my nose.
There are so many variables and different opinions (and dare I say it, dogma) that all one can really do is find a shooting form that works well for you. Don't be put off using it because not many others do.
A big part of it is alignment and positioning of the shoulders, basically if they are doing the work then all is well. Because people have different arm lengths, they're relative positions anchorwise are different.