Leather thumb guard
I need some help constructing a leather thumb guard. So far I've made 3 but they are all hurting with a 45# bow.
Are you getting blisters or sore red spot on your thumb? what part of your thumb is hurt? What shape and thickness is the leather guard?
I'm getting sore right above the thumb joint across my thumb but this is my guess mostly due to technique which I could also use help with. I'd like to learn the way turkish draw. My thumb guard is sort of a T with a rounded top edge and the sides tied together forming a ring. I've read a little but obviously I'm not understanding it very well. I'm not sure if there are specific things I have to look for in a leather thumb guard or just that it protects the end of my thumb from the string.
Any advice with any of this would be greatly appreciated. I'm really interested in learning but I'm not doing to well to found the resources to do so properly, and I don't want to develop bad habits.
Thanks
Any advice with any of this would be greatly appreciated. I'm really interested in learning but I'm not doing to well to found the resources to do so properly, and I don't want to develop bad habits.
Thanks
The pressure on the thumb above the joint is normal, but the effect isn't what you should expect.
When drawing the bow, you should clench the little, ring and middle fingers very tightly. The tip of the thumb should be pressed hard against the middle finger. This causes the pad of the thumb to be compressed and toughened. The thumb guard is there to protect the thumb and ease the passage of the string, but the grip is what protects the thumb, not the guard. It just helps.
When drawing the bow, you should clench the little, ring and middle fingers very tightly. The tip of the thumb should be pressed hard against the middle finger. This causes the pad of the thumb to be compressed and toughened. The thumb guard is there to protect the thumb and ease the passage of the string, but the grip is what protects the thumb, not the guard. It just helps.