Finger pinching (again)

[TimGriff6]

I'm getting some finger pinching and yesterday managed to tear a little bit of skin off my index knuckle while I was trying to correct it. I have gone through the various posts on the subject and have loads of ideas to try but I think that I have a physiological limitation which may dictate the way I go and wondered if it is a common one.
When I make a hook with the back of my hand tensioned to be flat, my index finger opens up away from my middle finger, leaving a nice gap for the arrow. However, looking down on my hand in this position, I can see light between the index and middle fingers (short index finger). This means that the initial tension as I draw the string comes onto my index finger. As the tension comes on, the string angle pulls on the index finger and I release tension onto my middle finger. The tip of my index finger rotates downwards until it rests on the tip of my middle finger, pinching the arrow. When it is still under any tension, I can't lift it up to open the gap again. Does everyone's index finger rotate like this?

[Erika]

I'm more likely to spread my fingers too wide than pinch the arrow. But I do have a suggestion or two..

- if you have too deep a hook on the string, this can exacerbate finger pinch
- blistering from the spacer would suggest too much tension in your draw hand, which would also make finger pinch harder to avoid

[BowSurfer]

You really want to get a coach to look at what is happening. It may be that you could o with a size longer of bow, depending on your draw length and current bow length.
I suffer from contact with the index finger against the string which in my case is due to holding the elbow to high (I think) so that the whole hand is tilting as witnessed by the fact that the string crease across the tab face is diagonal instead of strainght down.

[geoffretired]

I think you have the same problem I had with recurve. I have thin and flexible fingers, not just bending with the joints, but bending side to side too.
Under string pressure, the index finger tip would get pressed down towards the second finger, pinching the nock. On release, the inside tip of the index finger is rubbed at high speed by the arrow nock as it leaves, removing the skin each shot. I had to make my own finger spacer for my tab. Most are too far back behind the second joint. I made mine so it held the first joints apart. I can send sketches if you like if you have e-mail address.

[Jerry Tee]

The tension should go on to the fingers fairly evenly. If you have a short index finger you may have to alter the string position on the fingers to get this to happen. One thing that will cure it is to use a one brass nock set. Put it on the string above the arrow. Next open the slot in your tab so that the face has enough clearance to fit on the string with one edge of the face is on the string outside the brass nock and the bottom edge of the face is clear of the arrow nock. ( I usually cut the bottom of the face slot to make it wider.) When you put the tab face on the string before drawing located the upper side of the tab slot against the outside of the brass nock. Predraw and use the pressure of the predraw to hold the tab in the right position on the string and the fingers in the right position on the tab. (note it may be necessary to alter the string position on the fingers slightly to get a fairly even pressure. Deeper on the middle finger and more towarsd the pad on the index finger.) Then draw, using this method I can draw a 48" bow without finger pinch.

[HelenT]

Originally Posted by geoffretired

I think you have the same problem I had with recurve. I have thin and flexible fingers, not just bending with the joints, but bending side to side too.
Under string pressure, the index finger tip would get pressed down towards the second finger, pinching the nock. On release, the inside tip of the index finger is rubbed at high speed by the arrow nock as it leaves, removing the skin each shot. I had to make my own finger spacer for my tab. Most are too far back behind the second joint. I made mine so it held the first joints apart. I can send sketches if you like if you have e-mail address.

I had the same problem, my index finger used to blister because it used to end up bending and touching the nock. Although I am working on a solution through my posture when drawing, I couldnt have continued without the "Angel CORDOVAN Tab II with Anchor Pad & Spacer" from AltServices. Due to the spacer being so far foward, it prevents your finger from bending at the first joint.

Hope this helps.

[geoffretired]

That sounds good to me. They weren't making those when I shot recurve; must be getting old as I wasn't young even then.

[Jerry Tee]

Originally Posted by HelenT

I had the same problem, my index finger used to blister because it used to end up bending and touching the nock. Although I am working on a solution through my posture when drawing, I couldnt have continued without the "Angel CORDOVAN Tab II with Anchor Pad & Spacer" from AltServices. Due to the spacer being so far foward, it prevents your finger from bending at the first joint.

Hope this helps.

I tried that and it did not work that well. Better off with a brass nockand butt the tab leather up against it.

[TimGriff6]

Thanks for your help, everyone - it is reassuring that I am not the only one with the problem.
I'll try the double brass nock first (cheapest option) with a bit of care - the last time I used two brass nocks, I sliced my wrist when the string came back at me & went up under the bracer. I think I've cured that problem now but it was a bit too painful to want to repeat.
After that I'll try to change the position of my fingers like Gerry suggested. I did try that for a short while yesterday but it wasn't very natural and I couldn't pin down a fixed position / feeling. Now I've got a sticking plaster on my finger holding it stiffer that may be a bit easier!

[AKbowHNTR]

Get yerself a shooting glove, head into the woods with a friend, and take turns picking a stump to kill. Enough of that and all will be cured. Quit thinking about it and shoot thousands of arrows at every distance imaginable. That my friend is the most enjoyable way to cures whatever ails ya!!