Archers' bracer--irresponsible military procurement?

[Tim Merritt]

Got a wild hair and decided to make a “Mary Roseâ€Â

[Maeryk]

I have found I don't even _need_ a bracer if I concentrate on which way my arm "rolls" when I shoot.

Is it possible you arent standing the same way they were, either arm position in front of body, or the rotation of your arm when you shoot?

(By rotation I mean if you stick your arm straight out like you are going to shoot, you can "pivot" your entire arm between the wrist and the shoulder and "roll" it so your forearm is a flat.. rather than a popeye bulge.. roll your elbow out rather than down).

Maeryk

[Alcyoneus]

My bracer used to go from wrist to above the elbow, for that reason. But my wrist doesn't bend like most due to a break when I was a kid.

[Strongbow]

Are you properly rotating your elbow out? I've seen a lot of archers use the "stiff arm" bow hold. If you do the stiff arm, you'll find that the bottom of the bracer is in line with the string... right where the strap meets the bracer itself. If you rotate your elbow out (like you should anyway), you'll find that the bracer lines up correctly. That's my experience anyway.

Good Luck!

Strongbow

[Tim Merritt]

Interesting comments regarding arm position. I tried several ways and still feel the string. I did several shooting competitions (traditional field type, around rocks, under trees, from the knee...) in the UK and I can't recall any of the longbow archers NOT wearing bracers. Did a few in the states also, and noticed most folks using an arrow shelf. Maybe that changes some of the dynamics of the release.

Anyway, some of our ancestors must have needed them as well, thus the finds and depictions. I just found it (the single buckle type bracer) odd because it slips down the wrist in other than ideal conditions. In otherwords, it's OK if you are standing still and position it just right for static target shooting, but if you are climbing around, getting rained on... If you use a bracer, do you use this type?

[Strongbow]

If you use a bracer, do you use this type?

Yes. The current one I use is made of horn, and I'm about to comission a leather one of cuir boulli.

I haven't had the slipping problem so far. What do you wear under the bracer?

Strongbow

[Tim Merritt]

Wow, that was a quick reply!

I tried it bare armed--and that's probably it. I'd tried using out of context, without what would probably be the fashion of the day--sleeves. That would probably hold it in place better. Coincidentally, I brought my bow to work, and am about to scoot out to shoot at a local spot on my lunch time, but I didn't bring that bracer today. I'll have to give it another try.

[Strongbow]

Wow, that was a quick reply!

I tried it bare armed--and that's probably it. I'd tried using out of context, without what would probably be the fashion of the day--sleeves. That would probably hold it in place better. Coincidentally, I brought my bow to work, and am about to scoot out to shoot at a local spot on my lunch time, but I didn't bring that bracer today. I'll have to give it another try.

Ah I thought so. I made a small "sleeve" to wear uunder the bracer when the weather is hot. I did it for comfort, but perhaps it stopped the slipping you described

Strongbow