First selfbow longbow string hitting my arm

[highpoint]

New osage #47 66" longbow, figuring out my arrow and bow spine now, and I'm struggling a bit with the grip, as riser section is rather square. I'm used to rounded smooth factory (black widow PL, PS, PC) grips so I think the bow is rotating counterclockwise with each shot, and string makes contact with my left forearm.

Any tips? Thanks!

[McDave]

Couple of things could be going on here.  First thing is, selfbow longbows sometimes have low brace heights.  If the brace height is less than 7", hard to keep from hitting your forearm with the string.  Just have to get used to wearing an arm guard.

Second thing is the grip.  Doesn't sound like you like it very much, but it does sound like they left you a little extra to play with, so maybe you can shape it a little better, or have someone do that for you.

Third thing is form.  If you are gripping too far into the grip, you will hit your arm with the string.  The pressure point of the grip against your hand should be on the meaty part of your hand between your lifeline and your thumb.  You should grip the handle loosely with just your thumb and forefinger, letting your three other fingers either drift or lightly touch the back of the handle.  After gripping the bow correctly, your knuckles should angle away from the handle at a 45* angle.

Forth thing is also form.  You can control the angle in your bowarm elbow, so that the inside of your forearm either faces inward or upward.  If it faces upward, you will hit it with the string.  Rotate it so it faces inward, and keep it that way throughout the shot.

Good luck!

[highpoint]

I'll check the brace height today and yes, I will be more conscious of my form, the grip I use normally is like making a ring essentially with my index finger and my thumb the other three fingers would be loose. I also gained a substantial substantial amount of accuracy in general by relaxing my top finger or index finger and I shoot split finger. it was completely by accident, but my index finger was hurt so I couldn't really grip the string that hard and I relaxed my shooting hand, especially that top finger and it was like wow.