String to lip Problem

leatherneck · February 28, 2008, 07:03:00 PM

This may sound kind of dumb, but I have a little problem. Lately (3 months) I'm having my string brush up against my lip. Now I have never noticed it before but it causes a scab and every time I shoot, it bleeds. I've analized this and can't figure out what on earth is causing this. I originally thought it to be the brass nock so I use dental floss now. It didn't work. I just started shooting again since my elbow surgery (6-weeks off) and the scab is starting again.

I shoot split finger with a tab. Anyone else ever have this and how did you solve it?

Can you tell I'm snowed in and bored?

leatherneck · February 28, 2008, 07:04:00 PM

I can't believe I just posted this.

Bear Heart · February 28, 2008, 07:07:00 PM

This might sound over simplistic but it could be the material of your tab and not the string. Or you might be turning your face slightly into the string. Just my guess.

Rigs · February 28, 2008, 07:15:00 PM

Are you getting to full draw?? Maybe you're not quite there and you're slapping yourself in the mouth. Maybe due to injury, you were letting go before totally settling in. And, due to not being fully rehabbed (sp), you're doing it again...

Just a thought. Maybe try a really light bow for a while and see if this occurs.

Happy hunting,
Jason

leatherneck · February 28, 2008, 07:17:00 PM

I've thought of the tab but why all of a sudden now? I might try another one to rule it out. I shoot a black widow and always have. I'll take any simplistic ideas at this point.

Three Arrows · February 28, 2008, 07:20:00 PM

You are sticking your lips out to complete the draw. It is your known anchor and your lips are actually meeting the string. Take a picture and you will probably see yourself looking like an ape.

leatherneck · February 28, 2008, 07:26:00 PM

Very interesting Three arrows. I'm going to look into that a little further. I very well might be short drawing and stretching my lip out to meet the string. Good point!

bayoulongbowman · February 28, 2008, 07:27:00 PM

VIDEO YOURSELF AND POST HERE...together we will find out what ur prob is...

guk · February 28, 2008, 08:27:00 PM

Turn your face more square to the target. If I dont do that I often nick my nose.

Bowtie · February 28, 2008, 10:06:00 PM

Leatherneck,
I do the same thing. I shoot split finger, tab.
Only happens when I'm shooting close range, eyes closed (working on my form - reaching my anchor - feeling the shot.)
Anyway, the string is hitting my lip. Happens when I shoot my cordovan tab. I switch to my hair tab, doesn't happen. ?? Also, it doesn't happen when I'm shooting normal (eyes open).
I think that I'm probably tilting/turning my head too much into the arrow. I would like to video myself, but don't have a cam.
Jerry

Bucksnort101 · February 28, 2008, 10:26:00 PM

I do it too, usually after going for a while without shooting. My issue is keeping my head to much in the vertical position, tilted away from the bow. I need to tild my head into the bow so as to match the canting of the bow itself. This gets my eye over the arrow and my lips (and nose) out of the way.
Hope that makes sense?

bowfiend · February 28, 2008, 10:56:00 PM

I anchor right in the corner of my mouth and can really smack myself if I loose my concentration.

leatherneck · February 29, 2008, 02:34:00 PM

Thanks for the advice all. I'm going to try some of these ideas and see if any work...Mike

wtpops · February 29, 2008, 03:06:00 PM

Yes please take a pic of you at full draw with your lips puffed out and post it here.

Just kidding, I know the feeling i had an episode there for a while where i kept wareing a hole in the side of my nose, finely got that fixed and was i glad. It was painful and the wife kept asking about the blood spots on my shirt sleeves

Diamond Paul · February 29, 2008, 03:40:00 PM

I use a glove, but when I try a tab, it slaps the crap out of my lip! No matter what I do, it slaps me. So I quit trying to shoot a tab! Now, the string hits my nose, but I can tolerate that! Good luck, Paul.

SOS · February 29, 2008, 07:58:00 PM

Me, too. Seems worse when I use a tab. Stick to my Big Shot gloves and don't have a problem.

csbullseye · February 29, 2008, 08:16:00 PM

Opening up your stance should solve the problem.

Gray Wolf · February 29, 2008, 08:21:00 PM

I had a problem with my fingernails hitting my lips on release. I thought it was due to not using back tension. Tips of my fingrs would smack the heck out of the corner of my mouth.

Killdeer · February 29, 2008, 08:30:00 PM

Try cutting your tab back. Mine was slapping me silly (er) 'til I cut it back. The deeper your hook, the more excess material your tab will project beyond your fingers.

Killdeer

NDTerminator · February 29, 2008, 08:34:00 PM

I was doing this too. I found I was turning my head in slightly when I was shooting, particularly with 60"-62" bows. Seems the string angle didn't match up with my build & form. It disappears when I shoot 58" or shorter bows. I can shoot 60" if I concentrate, 62" or long just don't work...