Sore shootin' finger

[GG]

I've been shootin' 4 or 5 days a week (about 30-40 arrows per session) for the last 3-4 weeks. I shoot split finger with a Kantpinch calf hair tab. I have developed a nice callus on my ring finger that is very sore and beginning to affect my accuracy. I have never had this problem before. My other 2 fingers don't even have a callus. Any suggestions?

[oldskool]

My grandson gets that way when he shoots with a high elbow. When he keeps his elbow down in proper alignment he don't have that problem.

[Saltydog]

Interesting, lately my middle finger is getting numb. I shoot 3 under. I've been shooting probably 150 arrows a week for about 3 years and this just started about a month ago. I know I should probably stop for a while, but I can't stop shooting.

HELP!!

[BWD]

I developed a callus, that was very sore, near the tip of my ring finger after I trimmed down one of my cordovan tabs to "fit". I don't use that tab any more.

[trepil]

The callus can be sore at the beginning and will also grow and be thick. When it becomes to thick it feels unpleasent. I use a smooth file and rubb it down now and then and do not have any problems with it, its more like a protection for the nerves.

[Don Stokes]

Sounds like you're shooting a relatively short bow. If so, a longer one will reduce the finger pinch that causes the callus.

Good excuse for a new bow!

[GG]

I will try holding my elbow lower first, though I like Don's thinking better  :D

[LimbLover]

I have a straight elbow and still get a lot of the finger pain described on my middle finger. I just have long thin fingers and they aren't built up yet.

However, I shot a Kant pinch as well and noticed a big difference when I switched over to a glove. Much more pleasant.

On the other hand, I may be looking for a thicker glove.

What is the thickest tab, and thickest glove you can buy for people like me?

[Don Stokes]

LimbLover, I just ordered a new glove from 3 Rivers- they have some good-looking stuff there to choose from. I like the full-palm style, with doubled tip overlays. They have several types.

My last one lasted about 15 years, but it's over!

[xtrema312]

Originally posted by LimbLover:
I have a straight elbow and still get a lot of the finger pain described on my middle finger. I just have long thin fingers and they aren't built up yet.

However, I shot a Kant pinch as well and noticed a big difference when I switched over to a glove. Much more pleasant.

On the other hand, I may be looking for a thicker glove.

What is the thickest tab, and thickest glove you can buy for people like me?

I don't know about the glove, but the BW super leather is the only tab I have found that really protects my fingers.  I would like a finger spacer to help with pressure on the bottom of my index finger more with my shorter bows, but the tab does a nice job on general finger protection, and I shoot a lot straighter than with other heavier leather tabs I have tried.

[LimbLover]

I like a full palmed glove as well and currently shoot the Demascus.

I really don't want to go back to a tab. They just didn't suit me.

I'm debating on the Dura-Glove from 3rivers, is this the one you are talking about Don?

[Don Stokes]

Yep, that's the one I bought. It came yesterday, but I've had to work today, so I haven't tried it out yet. It's almost identical in construction to the one I've been using for years, but my old one had long since lost any identifying marks on it, so I don't know if it's the same manufacturer or not. The only real difference I can see is that the old one had leather overlays on the tips, and this one has Cordura. I thought that might hold up better to my sweating when I'm out judoing in the summer heat. Like I plan to do tomorrow!

[trepil]

I use as thin glove as possibal to ha as much feel with the bowstring as possibal. I shoot 3 finger under and as I said over I build up callus on the lower finger, but I just rubb it down when it gets to thick.
My experince with thick gloves and gloves with overlays are that they give a poor anchoring.
I use the cheapest "bearpaw" glove its very thin and I wear out 3-4 pair a year, but they help me hit the "bulls eye" very often:)

[besmo]

I have always shot split finger and for most of my life I've had a very caloused and sometimes sore ring finger.  An old timer I shoot with told me to concentrated on putting most of the pressure during the draw on my middle finger.  My sore calous has gone away and my release has improved.

[champ38]

What Besmo said, no more problems with my ring finger...Also be carful  that your fingers dont roll open as you draw.

[mczilla]

I used to use a calf-hair tab and had the same problem. Switched to a SAM tab (Martin Super Archery Mitt) about a year and a half ago, and all finger irritation is just gone, no matter how much I shoot.

[30coupe]

I've used the Duraglove, and it works better than any other I've tried. I pretty much exclusively use a tab now though. I have a Screaming Eagle cordovan tab. I get the best release with it, but I do develop a callous on the bottom edge of my ring finger. I'm back to shooting split. I've tried three under and can shoot pretty well that way, but feel like I have more control shooting split, and my bow is MUCH quieter. I think I shoot better instinctively split finger. If I gap shoot, three under works better because the point on distance is closer.

I guess I sort of shoot a modified gap method. Shooting 20 yards and under, it's pretty much instinctive. Over 20 I have to gap shoot. Don't know if that makes sense or not, but it works for me.

[LimbLover]

I just bought a Super Glove a few weeks ago and it is the best glove I've owned to date. I have virtually no finger pain anymore and it is breaking in nicely.

The ONLY drawback is that the tips are pretty stiff and they dig into my face a little bit. The more I break it in the better it should be.

[vikingbear]

Sooting 3 fingers ,under I use a damascus glove with a tab on top of it. I shoot all day with no finger problems.
Sounds weird but give it a try.

[dragonheart]

Check out the thread in this forum about shooting a tab, I think that you will find your answer to your sore ring finger.