Arm Guards

[LederRudi]

About a year ago my son and I discovered trad archery. I made arm guards and quivers for us, and the pals in our club recently expressed desire to purchase similar pieces from me.

This is what I came up with so far.

Comments, critique and advice welcome.

 

[AdamPCain]

Very nice

[ComputerDoctor]

Very nice and practical too! Anyone that has ever had the bow string hit them HARD on the forearm will understand the importance of having the arm guard:)

Sam:)

Edited March 15, 2018 by ComputerDoctor

[Sheilajeanne]

1 hour ago, ComputerDoctor said:

Very nice and practical too! Anyone that has ever had the bow string hit them HARD on the forearm will understand the importance of having the arm guard:)

Sam:)

Amen to that!!  

[DJole]

Very nice work!

I see that 2 of them use metal rings for the lacing and one only uses holes through the leather. 
Which do you think is the more comfortable and secure system?

[LederRudi]

Thank you all for the kind words!

Sam & Sheilajeanne:

I can't say exactly why, but since I switched to the thumbring technique I didn't hit my forearm with the bowstring anymore . I wear the arm guard merely because everybody else does, and for showing off my leatherwork. 

DJole:

Metal rings are more comfortable. The paracord pinches a little where it passes through simple holes. The cord stopper holds both kinds of guards securely in place.

[Sheilajeanne]

My archery arm guard and leather finger tabs were the first leather work I ever did, back when I was 12 or 13 years old.  Both were made out of a pair of old leather calfskin gloves, For the tabs, I just cut the ends off the fingers, and for the arm guard, I sewed the palms together to get enough length, and attached it around my arm with elastic sewn to the leather. (You know, the sort of elastic used in waist bands and sleeves, not elastic bands!) I used to whack myself on the inside of my elbow, so the guard was full length, and the elastic above my elbow had a dome fastener in it that I snapped closed for a snug fit. 

All of it was hand-sewn with my mom's sewing needles and some button thread...  A thimble came in VERY handy for pushing the needle through the leather!

I wonder if I still have them tucked away in a drawer somewhere... :D

Edited March 16, 2018 by Sheilajeanne

[LederRudi]

Sheilajeanne, to read about how your love affair with leather started, makes my fingers hurt!

And, yes, the string tends to hit exactly where the arm guard ends!

[Sheilajeanne]

Leder, the pain in my fingers helped reduce the pain and bruising I got on my arm from that bowstring, so it was worth it in the end!  

(This is obviously NOT the arm guard I made, and yes, I'm a southpaw...)

 

 

Edited March 16, 2018 by Sheilajeanne

[TheCyberwolfe]

For many, a change in technique can save your arm (and the fancy carving on your arm guard):

Hold your bow arm out straight, with the bow horizontal, parallel to the ground. Now bend you elbow just enough so you know it's bent and hold it there. Now rotate just your wrist to bring the bow to vertical.

Voila. Never smack your arm again.