Split or 3 under

[valleysniper]

I just received my Shrew Siberian tiger,  54". I have a 29" draw. Wonder if I should switch to 3 under to eliminate any release problems. What does everyone think ?......Gary

[Gil Verwey]

I shot split and wanted to convert to 3 under to reduce the margin of error by getting the arrow closer to my eye. I couldn't master 3 under so I switched back to a thumb tab. It is like shooting 3 under with just one finger. The gap at 20 yards with split fingers was two thirds of the way towards the target, about 7 yards in front of my 3d deer target. Switching to the tab the gap is at the deer's feet. Big difference in margin of error and I am shooting great after a two year layoff due to a injured bow arm shoulder.

Bob Wesley told me that it is hard for a split finger shooter to beat a 3 under shooter. I had been trying to switch since he said that. This thumb tab is not the Push Archery ones he uses. This is just a1/2 wide strip of leather with a small dowel in the end which wraps around the string from the index finger to the thumb. This allows a right hand shooter to shoot off a right hand bow.

If you can switch from split to 3 under I would try, not from a release problem, but to get the arrow closer to your eye.

Good luck
Gil

[Bronoulli]

What kind of release problems?

[Alexander Traditional]

What kind of release problems?

I wondering this too. I shoot both ways. My shorter bows I try to shoot split,and the longer ones 3 under.

[valleysniper]

I was thinking that a shorter bow would u like give you alot more finger pinch. Figured a 3 under release would be smoother

[Alexander Traditional]

It feels really weird for me shooting short bows three under. It doesn't feel like it's pulling even at all.

[Sam McMichael]

I wouldn't change anything unless my regular split just doesn't work with this bow.  If it ain't broke...

[Chain2]

I have a 31” draw. I started 3-under, changed to split. I’m back at 3-under now and I’ll probably stick with it. It eliminates finger pinch for me. I think draw length and hand shape / width play a role in finger pinch. 3-under works best for me. It’s not an aiming thing though.

[Bronoulli]

I shoot three under to get the arrow closer to my eye. I shoot an instinctual gap (I notice a gap but do not concentrate on it). I also find that the closer my mindless point of blur (arrow shaft) is to the thing I want to hit the better I do (as long as back tension is there). Therefore (without personal scientific evidence or a cool quote from an expert) I should be more accurate with three under because my eye is closer to my non-focused aiming apparatus.

My decision is not based on release errors. Most of my release errors or based on improper back tension, lack of expansion, or a forceful "shoot now" flinging open of my fingers.

Shoot what is comfortable and effective.

[hvyhitter]

Any bow under 60" and I get finger pinch and spotty releases. Dont think that 3 under will make much of a difference...........YMMV

[McDave]

While I have similar thoughts to some expressed above, that theoretically the 3 under grip should not function as well on a short bow because the difference in force applied to the top and bottom limbs would be amplified on a short bow, in practice I have not found this to be the case.  The shortest bow I shoot is 58”, so it is possible that even shorter bows might result in more noticeable differences.  Obviously, a 58” bow is going to have more finger pinch than a 64” bow; the laws of physics can't be ignored.  However, my 58” Robertson Wolfer shoots and bareshafts fine 3 under.  It was ordered to be tillered for 3 under, so that might make some difference, but frankly, I haven't noticed much difference over the years in bows that were tillered for 3 under and those that were not.

[Chain2]

I think in my experience with my gorilla like finesse, 3-under doesn’t put pressure on the top of the shaft at full draw. With a short bow, on a good day, the pressure on top of the arrow may have been fairly consistent. But I’m sure most of the days it was all over the place. I tried a glove and a tab and a tab with a spacer. I now shoot the best I e ever shot with a Rick Barbee 3-under tab.

[Friend]

There are valid justifications for selecting one over the other. However, in reality, you should shoot which is best for you. There are excellent traditional archers shooting both styles.

[katman]

That length bow and draw length I would shoot it 2 fingers under. Either start split and let index finger above arrow relax off string or drop ring finger on a three under hold. I would choose the later to raise arrow a bit higher.

[Bruce M]

I shoot a short bow as well, 52”, and find the two under(dropping the ring finger) works best for me. Of course I’m new to the trad stuff so take that for what it’s worth.
But since Katman brought it up I just wanted to chime in with my limited experience.

[mahantango]

I also shoot three under and drop, or nearly drop, my ring finger with bows down to 54".  Added benefit is reducing the excess noise that some complain about.

[BAK]

I learned to shoot 60+ years ago.  Always split.  Have tried to shoot 3 under but never am able to get as smooth a release as I can with split. 

[Gil Verwey]

Bak when I was trying a Tradganger gave me a tip of putting tape around the first joint of my ring finger. The tape would allow me to bend my finger to get it on the string but barely hold it. Before I did this my bow sounded like I was dry firing it and I didn't have a good release with it. I guess too much pressure on the string with that finger. 

Gil

[valleysniper]

I'm staying with split finger. Think I have it figured out....sometimes . I'll get it before deer season though. Short bow really keeps you honest about your form