I am noticing string wear below the nock about 2-3".  I am guessing that it is from hitting my arm guard.  Is this normal?  Should I wrap serving lower on my string to prevent wear on my strings?

I was getting bad string wear on mine as well. It was hitting my arm guard below where the serving stopped. I served on another two inches or so,and it's working good.

Yes--the serving's job is to protect the string.

The serving's job is to protect the string - but ideally it shouldn't be hitting your arm guard.  I shoot all my bows without an armguard - that's only to keep my long, bulky sleeves out of the way.

The serving's job is to protect the string - but ideally it shouldn't be hitting your arm guard. I shoot all my bows without an armguard - that's only to keep my long, bulky sleeves out of the way.

X2

So what do I need to do with my form to stop hitting my arm guard?

Some of the hitting the arm guard is related to the type of bow you shoot. Howard Hill said the string should bite your arm a bit, which is why he wore an arm guard. I always figured if it was okay with Howard, it is okay with me. I just go a bit longer with my serving. If you are shooting well, don't mess with your form just to save wear on your string.

The wear can also come from the string sliding across your chest if you shoot with a closed stance. I notice more wear on my strings in the fall and winter than I do in the summer when I'm just wearing a tee shirt. Add a bulky jacket, bibs, and a safety harness to the equation and your string will probably drag across your chest a bit. It never seems to affect my accuracy unless the string catches on a hood draw string. I don't have any of those on the coats I hunt in, but sometimes during practice I will. That's how I figured out where the string wear was coming from well below where the string could catch my arm guard. Traditional shooters cant the bow more, which adds to the chances of the string catching your chest.

I just keep the string waxed, and if it gets too fuzzy, I make a new one. Strings are about the least expensive thing we need for our type of shooting. If you make your own, they are even cheaper. If your form works for you, just keep an eye on the string, wax it often, and replace it regularly.

Matthew, the string should be served about 4" or so below the string nock anyway. Some string makers even serve the string past that especially if you shoot 3 under. Have someone put more serving on it for you or do it yourself. String making isn't really all that difficult, and it's even easier if you can get someone to show you how it's done. Good luck,....Lloyd  

If your string is hitting your arm guard all the time you are doing something wrong.

Over extension of your bow arm and elbow rotation are the most common causes.

Things you can do to adjust your form would be using a slightly higher pressure point on the grip with a bit more wrist rotation. or if you like a lower pressure point just try rotating your wrist on the bow a wee bit lowering the thumb and rotating the elbow up out of the way.  opening your stance will also help with string clearance.

String wear hmmmmmmmmmmmm. My mind was wandering