Do you have to wear an arm guard? I don't think I've ever seen a pic of someone shooting a Hill style longbow that didn't have on an arm guard.
I assume it's the low brace puts the string into your wrist but thought I would ask.
Stick
I shoot Dan toelke "Super D" Hill style bows and I do not wear an arm guard. There is a certain magic and awareness of tradition when shooting the Hill styles and I get that, mine have never seen anything but wooden arrows and meybe I should be wearing an arm guard too.
Can shoot w/o armguard unless shooting a lot. String Rash...Once is enough.
I always wear an armguard no matter what bow I'm shooting. I do think my Hill is more likely to hit me though.
A bow string has never slapped my arm! Just never had that problem, lucky i guess.
I haven't worn an armguard aside from hunting in extreme cold and I had to because of bulky sleeves.
I can shoot mine without one, but ya need to pay attention....
Get a little sloppy with your grip and you get it, Like said above, once is enough....
The Armguard is also great for keeping the sleeve out of the way....
And of course they look "Cool"....
I only use one with a coat on. Don't need one otherwise.
Hill style form generally involves a slightly bent elbow. How much depends on the individual and the grip on the bow. Some folks can get away with no guard, others can't. Even those who can can get zapped if they're careless. Not to be a wimp or anything, but it hurts! So why not wear a guard? They look cool and give you a chance to show off some personal craftsmanship.
Besides, admit it, we're still kids playing mind games and taking ourselves back in time. Robin Hood (Errol Flynn) wore a guard... Howard wore a guard (even had one built into the sleeve of his buckskin shirt!). Heck, a trad longbow archer (real longbow, that is) without a guard would be like Roy Rogers with his six gun stuck in his waistband instead of in a tooled leather holster!
I dont use one uless I got bulky sleeves on.
Eric
Hill said that with a low brace height longbow the string is suppose to hit the arm guard, according to Schulz. This changes when using a higher braced bow with a fast flight string. With one of my bows, it is tiller-ed to shoot best with a low brace using a B50 string, but with a fast flight it likes the brace about a half inch more and the arm contact is much reduced.
I have always used an arm guard. One built of tough leather. Should an arrow break, on it's way out; the guard will protect you from injury.
Somehow, I never, ever hit my arm with the string when shooting. Even with a 6" brace height on my Hill Big 5 or Miller longbow.
I use a guard strictly for safety.
....what Pavan said, that according to HH; " with a low brace height longbow the string is suppose to hit the arm guard" I was told similar by David Miller. He mentioned Hill had said the string should be hitting from time to time, if everything is being done correctly.
You are probably best doing what makes the most sense to you, as opinion and talk is all over the place.
they do have a "COOL" factor , no doubt about that.
I never hit my arm but I always shoot with an armguard,just habit and in case it would happen.
I shoot longbows and recurves, never use arm guards, open stance and canting make it unnecessary I guess.
Usually don't need it. Use it in winter to hold back the bulky clothes. But, I like how Dick put it.
My 68" Westley Special is tuned for light arrows so the brace is a bit on the high side. it's never bit me yet. My 66"Long Bowman's Classic is tuned for heavy arrows so the brace is on the lower side. It bites a bit, almost every shot. Regardless of which one I'm shooting, I wear a stout custom arm guard because of occasional sleeve interference. It only took one bad shot caused by a sleeve to make a believer out of me. Alex
The reason I asked is simply that I HATE WEARING ARM GUARDS but I want a HH longbow. I think I"m going to sell the BW recurve and get me a HH now that I think I wouldn't have to have an arm guard.
Thanks to all that answered.
Stick
Yep, I need one or else I get a nice little red welt mark on the forearm. Don't need 'em with recurves.
I didn't need an armguard for my recurves, but I definitely need one for my Hills....
I'll chime in again... someone mentioned the breaking arrow possibility... That's a Royal Flush right there! If you've ever seen a photo of half an arrow through an arm, you won't forget it. (Or a hand... why I won't shoot carbons.) Also why I wear a glove when I shoot my no-shelf bows, even though I've never had a feather spike. Safety first seems like a wimpy thing when you're young, but I guess with age comes wisdom. An arrow through your flesh is kind of like a collision at sea.. it can ruin your whole day!
I think one of the reasons a lot of folks don't like guards is that so many are over complicated to put on and take off... multiple lacing and buttons and such. I use a simple guard with a 1/8" dowel sewn or glued into each edge. An elastic string is fastened to each end of the bottom edge and slips over one button in the middle on top. Bunch of holes punched in it in an arrowhead pattern so it breathes a bit on a hot day. Easy to make and use.
(http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h186/CaptainDick/improvedbrace.jpg)
If you are shooting ala Hillstyle, there is a tendency to hit the arm with your string if the braceheight is low enough. However, many guys shoot with a more open stance, canted bowhand, and higher braceheights or low stretch strings and they don't hit their arms...
Hill liked the brace height low enough, and his form resulted in arm slap of the string.....the rule of thumb is...if you hit your arm, wear an armguard. pretty simple actually....
I hate them because they are hot. It's going to be low 80s this weekend. Upper 90's not uncommon in Aug and Sept. I do wear them hunting to keep clothes out of the way.
I never need one with my Longhunter but it has a 7.5" brace.
Dick, I'll give you props on a good looking arm guard.
Sure do. You can see it (well the strings and one of the antler buttons holding it in place) here...
(http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff187/GingivitisKahn/20110205_dc_d04.jpg)
I wear one for the "Safety Factor", I agree with Dick. Doesnt take but ONCE. I would Rather HAVE It and Not Need It, than to NEED It and Not Have It.
For those that do not like the heavy cuff arm guard. Those light weight plastic mesh things will do the job and will not feel like armor on your bow arm.
Some of us have to wear arm guards 'cause we eats our spinach.
(http://i617.photobucket.com/albums/tt252/Rikhinton/popeye.jpg)
Rik, I do not have that problem at all. I got the name Stick becasue I am or uh I guess I should say I was skinny as a Stick. Got out of high school at 6'2" and 135lbs. I found the extra pounds but didn't put 'em on my arms....cause I didn't want to interfere with my bow string, yea that's what it was. I kept my arms skinny so I didn't need an arm guard. Take that you guys with big arms!
Stick out
I only wear one when I have bulky sleeves or a leafy suit on.RC
I don't use an armguard with my Hills unless I need to hold clothing back
Popeye was a Coastie!
Popeye was a vegetarian.
Depends on how consistant you are on form. When I started shooting traditional bows I didn't use a guard. I wanted to know when it hit my arm so I knew when my form was closed too much. I would say if your prcticing your form don't use it and figure out your form to just clear. Then to hunt use it.
I always use a arm guard, and I like'em! It doesn't feel right not wearing one,arm guards are traditional. Guess I've been using them for too long.
Darren
No choice for me - always wear one!
Many disagree, but there's nothing wrong with getting some slap from Hill. I can shoot mine without an armguard, but it hurts after awhile. Someone will correct me if I'm mistaken, but I have heard that Hill maintained that the string should hit your arm.
I heard the same thing Ben.