Finger Sling Slippage

ashooper

New member
Hi All,

I had previously noticed that part way through an end I have to stop and readjust the tightness of the sling however I had a bit of an issue when shooting Sunday, my finger sling slipped off of my thumb and allowed my bow to go crashing to the ground breaking the extender for my stabilisation system ( at least im not holding the bow any longer :) )

I am currently using a flat bootlace style finger sling.

Any suggestions on how to stop the sling slipping?
 

geoffretired

Supporter
Supporter
I know some use a bootlace, but there are different ways to use them. some create a loop to go round the index finger and that stays in place all the time. It self tightens. On the thumb, some archers wrap the loose end round the thumb several times so the friction is enough to give the equivalent of a proper knot. Some, though, tie a knot to create a loop which they then wrap back on itself( rather like the index finger loop) to make a slip knot that self tightens.
I guess that the initial knot needs to be well placed or the thumb loop is too large and could work loose.
When I used a lace I made the slip knots in the right places by folding etc, but stitched through the lace where the loop formed so it was fairly firm and that meant that adjusting the loop needed more of a pull and therefore, loosening was less likely.
Some laces are made of low friction materials which is often rather stiff, which makes them more inclined to slip. I use the sort that are very soft( they go grubby easily as a result) but the softness gives then more friction at the loops.
 

ashooper

New member
Thanks Geoff,

I will have a look tonight to see if I can make the loops more secure, I have just been folding it into the self tightening knot but that clearly isnt enough (especially as I have stubby thumbs)
 

geoffretired

Supporter
Supporter
When you say you use the folding back method,I am assuming you fold the lace double and make one fold back loop at the fold. Then tie a knot a few inches away from the fold and do a fold back loop at the knot, yes?
You might want to try using a small length of plastic tube and push both ends of the lace through that first. Make one fold back loop for the index finger and slide the tube towards the thumb loop as a tightener. Some ready made finger slings use two bits of tube as tighteners.
 

EVC

New member
[video]https://youtu.be/ITdcVWWizHM[/video]

That is what I use. It works very well (sometimes it is hard to untie).
 

ThomVis

Active member
The one on my post has more points of contact that makes it less prone to slip or loosen. After some 10 minutes of practice it becomes pretty easy to do without giving it much thought (not as easy to undo sometimes though).
Points of contact are only important if you're relying on friction in the knot to keep the line (string/lace) on your finger. The knot in the video KidCurry shows doesn't need that, it catches on itself and cannot come undone when pulled straight away from the finger. And it's always a consistent length around the bow. As for any knot, practice makes perfect.
 

ashooper

New member
Hi KidCurry,

That's how I have been tying my sling previously, I think due to the shape and length of my thumb it isnt secure enough.

I will try all the suggestions here and see if I can find a way to make it more secure.

Failing that I will see about getting it permanently attached to my hand :):)
 

ThomVis

Active member
Make sure you don't have the knot upside down:
CowHitch.jpg

And pull the slack out before you let your bow drop into it.
 

EVC

New member
Points of contact are only important if you're relying on friction in the knot to keep the line (string/lace) on your finger. The knot in the video KidCurry shows doesn't need that, it catches on itself and cannot come undone when pulled straight away from the finger. And it's always a consistent length around the bow. As for any knot, practice makes perfect.
I beg to differ. I used that sling in the past and it tended to slip.
 
Top