BW Bow tillered for 3 fingers under

[sveinendre]

Does anyone have any experience with shooting split finger on a Black Widow PL Longbow that is tillered for 3 fingers under?.

In February I received my BW PLV 46#@29" in norway which I ordered new from BW. At this time I was shooting 3 fingers under and was happy with this until FITA decided to change the rule in the Longbow to allow only the "Mediterranean style" with split finger. So then I changed to split finger.

This means that now I am shooting a bow with split finger grip which is tillered for 3 fingers under.
The BW bow I am not able to get comfortable with, I have owned a few bows before and managed to grow into every bow so it feels like an extension of my soul.

The biggest problem I have are how sensitive the placement of my hand around the bow, if I am not really careful and tip my wrist enough forward I am ending up with a arrow that is fishtailing.
I must say I am a bit dissapointed in my BW, and the grip.

My arrows are perfectly spined (have done paper test) and the nock point are where it should be.

Does anyone have any similare experineces? is all this related to the 3 under tillering?.

It will cost me a fair bit to ship this bow from Norway to USA and back for the re-tillering so this is why I am asking advices before I do so.

regards
Svein

[Bjorn]

Side to side movement responds to release, brace height, or spine.
IMO anyway.

[sveinendre]

I agree to what you are saying but I have never been shooting a bow which are so sensitive to the release. I can make my arrows fly true if i have complete focus on the release and how I am holding it, but the slightest wrong placing of my hand or a tiny sloppy release and the arrow fishtails...

It is actually so difficult now that I am regretting selling my Dryad bow (which was fantastic, but too short for FITA rules) and I have already placed an order for a Blackbrook Zeta longbow.
And this is a bit sad after reading all the fantastic things people are saying about the BW bows... but i guess it might be more difficult finding a bow that fit you perfect then a woman
   

[McDave]

Keep in mind that re-tillering may well decrease the draw weight of the bow a pound or two.

Are you sure you meant to say fishtailing (side to side wiggle)?

Porpousing (up and down wiggle) would be more of a symptom of a problem with 3 under vs. split finger grip.

What is your new nock point using split fingers?

[moebow]

Svein,  I too shoot a PL and a PSR, same grip on both.  I am not sure what you mean by "tipping your wrist forward".  Do you mean a high wrist grip like a recurve?  If so, let the heel of your hand drop down to the grip or better said, use a low wrist grip. I find that if I get my bow hand too deep into the bow, that is rotated to the right (counterclockwise) the arrows will impact to the right. The only time my arrows fishtail is when I loose back tension and allow my string hand to "flip" out to the side and then my arrows go to the left.

I don't think what you're experiencing is due to the 3 under tiller.  Have you tried to shoot the bow 3 under?  Is it still sensitive with that style?

[Butch Speer]

Svein,
I had the same problem you're experiencing with my Thunder Stick Mag. Was ready to get rid of it till it occurred to me that I was nervous & was not relaxing my drawing hand. With you switching draw methods, this could be a problem.

[684Kevin]

Typically my three under PLX long bows that are tillered three under require the nock point to be placed about an 1/8" lower to get true flight when shooting split finger.  As for the fishtail or erratic flight, My PL's (and my shooting form probably) does not permit me to cant the bow very much of an angle.  When I cant the PL a little too much it has erratic arrow flight.  For me, I think when I cant the bow my release hand does not cant at the same angle as my bow hand therefore my finger release has enough of a difference to cause the arrow to fly bad. You may try shooting with the bow vertical as possible then cant it to see if there is much difference in arrow flight.  That may tell you if it is a form or release issue.  Hate to see you send it back for re-tillering and it still shoots erratic after re-tillered.

[eric-thor]

changing your release is sometimes a difficult thing to get used too .i sugest working out the new style on some close blank bail for a few hrs,days, weeks .whatever it takes .ps im not impressed with bw either . but start from scratch with your whole shooting form and i bet ull figure it out.i just watched masters of the barebow and wow what a great sorce of form training info. might chk it out.gl.

[sveinendre]

Thank you for your advices, I will evaluate them carefully and experiment.
Yesterday I took off the rubber which are around the handle, this to make it smoother and avoiod my bow hand to twist or jerk on the bow at release. The rubber BW put on makes your hand stick to the bow... too much acc to my liking. When i removed it I belive there was some improvement, but I am not sure because it was a windy day...,  I will try some more this afternoon.
Be the way, when I say fish tailing I mean from side to side (like a fish).

It is actually very interesting what you say about tilting the bow too much compared with pulling hand. I have been thinking about the same thing, actually i switched from glove to tab for rectifying this problem... this helped but maybe not enough....

[eric-thor]

im thinkin youu need to rework you form a little and definately work on that new release try most of the draw weight on the middle finger and keep the over and under fingers in play as little as necessary.

[sveinendre]

I will for sure give it a try eric-thor.
I have always tried to put even weight on the pointer and middle finger and then a bit less on the ring finger, but if you think it is better with most weight on middle finger i will give that a try.

[eric-thor]

its all custom fit to you and your bow whatever works try diferent things blank/ blind bail work will help to figure it out . if you have access to "masters of the barebow III " that will probably help. the dvd is very helpfull .