Why 3 Fingers ?

[Bushveld Bow]

I am new to traditional, so please don't shoot if this topic is old news.
My first thought when drawing my new bow was why do I need 3 fingers when I can comfortably draw it with 2 fingers.
An added finger below the arrow might put more strain on the lower limb ?? or is there a simple very important reason why I need to use 3 fingers ?

[BobCo 1965]

A bow is usually tillered for three fingers, so you really don't have to worry about the additional strain on a limb. Also nock point location and tune will get it where it needs to be. A lot of bow makers want to know if you shoot three under or split so they can get that tiller exactly where it needs to be.

You can shoot with two fingers. I have seen people do this in the past, especially if the ring finger does not come off the string the same as the others (some people are just made this way). Using two fingers, however, makes it a lot easier to torque the string and puts additional strain on the fingers. It also increases the chances of pinching the nock if you shoot split.

In addition, the ring finger usually moves in sympathy with other two (middle and fore)so you may have to hold it back which creates additional non-needed tension in the hand and forearm.

[Ragnarok Forge]

I tried both and for me two fingers gives me a much cleaner release.  I was torquing the string with the bottom finger and just couldn't get it to stop.  I hold it back out of the way on the shot.  I started by just putting it on the side of the string and thru shooting ended up with it naturally folding back out of the way after a while. I find two fingers to be a more comfortable and consistant way to shoot.

Bobco 1965, I am wondering how less contact surface on your finger causes more torque.  Not arguing, just curious.  Is it the tension in the hand causing more rotation in the fingers.   It seems like less surface area and shorter distance from the nocking point would cause less torque.

[Bushveld Bow]

Tried 2 fingers under for interrest sake and my release is smoother and more consistant.

[bawana bowman]

I shot 3 finger split for probably 46 years with no problem. Won many shoots and was always satisfied with my shooting.

 Then one day about a year and a half ago I was sitting thinking (dangerous) and was remembering when I first started shooting.
 When I first started I shot 2 finger split for 4 or 5 years. Never had anyone to show me any different, since I didn't know anyone that shot bows. My father only hunted with guns, and knew nothing about archery.
 Started wondering if I could still shoot 2 fingers without problems.

Went outside and tried 2 finger at 30 yards with an 80# longbow. Draw felt smoother, release was cleaner and groups tightened up. I thought the heavy weight would be hard on just 2 fingers but it actually felt better to me.

Have been shooting 2 finger split almost exclusively since revisiting it then.

[BobCo 1965]

Bobco 1965, I am wondering how less contact surface on your finger causes more torque.  Not arguing, just curious.  Is it the tension in the hand causing more rotation in the fingers.   It seems like less surface area and shorter distance from the nocking point would cause less torque. [/QB]

Sorry, I didn't see your question last week. For proper alignment between the hand and string, the back of the hand should be as parallel to the string as possible. A lot of people that I see shooting have the back of the hand at an angle to the string, usually with the bottom of the hand, moving out and away from the string. This increases the chances of torquing the string. With that extra finger on the string, proper alignment is much easier felt. Torquing (twisting) the string will also be easier felt.

I have also heard of medical problems developing on the fingers from shooting two under.