Archery Finger Guards: Diy Guide

Whether you're shooting arrows for fun or competitively, finger guards are essential for protecting your fingers from the bowstring. You can make your own finger guard, also known as a finger tab, from leather or fabric. This involves creating an outline on paper and transferring it to the leather, carefully cutting out the shape, and then working on the edges. You can also add a finger strap by cutting a rectangle, piercing it, and sewing it to the main piece. Alternatively, you can purchase ready-made finger guards made from materials such as leather, aluminium, suede, and rubber.

Outline and cut the finger guard from leather or fabric

To make a finger guard for archery, you can use leather or fabric.

First, make an outline of the finger tab on a piece of paper. You can refer to the many available online templates for the right measurements and shape. Cut out the outline and transfer it to the leather or fabric.

Using a very sharp knife, cut out the shape. You can also use scissors if the fabric is thin enough. Ensure that you cut the shape with precision, as this will form the base of your finger guard.

You can also cut out two pieces of leather or fabric and glue them together for added sturdiness. This is especially useful if you are using a thinner material that might not hold up against the pressure of the bowstring.

Additionally, you can reinforce the finger tab with cardboard. Cut out a piece of cardboard in the same shape as your leather or fabric and glue it to the material. This will provide extra support and protection for your fingers.

Once you have cut out and reinforced the base of your finger guard, you can proceed to the next steps of assembling and attaching the finger strap.

Work on the edges of the material

Once you have cut out the shape of your finger tab, you will need to work on the edges of the material. This is an important step to ensure the comfort and durability of your finger guard.

Start by folding over the edges of the leather or fabric. This will create a neat finish and prevent the material from fraying. You can use a sharp knife or a pair of scissors to carefully fold and crease the edges. Alternatively, you can use glue to secure the edges and prevent fraying.

If you are using leather, you can also burn the edges to seal them. This technique will give your finger guard a unique, rustic look. Be sure to practice on a scrap piece of leather first to get a feel for the process and to ensure you are working in a well-ventilated area. Hold the leather firmly and carefully pass the edges through a candle flame or a heat gun to melt and seal the fibres.

Another option is to use a leather edge beveler to create a smooth, rounded edge. This tool will help you achieve a professional finish and make your finger guard more comfortable to wear. Carefully run the beveler along the edges of the leather, applying even pressure to create a consistent finish.

Finally, you can finish the edges of your finger guard by sanding them with a fine-grit sandpaper. Sanding will help to soften the edges and remove any roughness, making your finger guard more comfortable to wear. Again, practice on a scrap piece of material first to perfect your technique.

Create a finger strap

To make a finger strap for archery, you will need a piece of leather, a sharp knife, and some rope.

First, cut a rectangle from your leather. This will be the finger strap. You can pierce and sew this onto the main piece of leather that will form the finger guard. Burn the end of the rope to create a better finish.

You can also use glue to attach the leather to itself, or to attach other materials such as cardboard to the leather. This will make the finger strap sturdier.

Some people also use velcro to fasten their finger guards, so this could be another option to consider when creating your finger strap.

Add your brand to the finger guard

If you're making a finger tab for archery, you can add your brand to the finger guard to make it your own. Here are some steps and tips to help you add your brand and create a personalised finger tab:

• Choose the Right Material: Select a durable material such as leather, which is commonly used for finger tabs. You can also opt for multiple layers of leather to increase protection and durability. This will provide a good base for adding your brand.
• Design Your Brand: Create a unique design that represents you or your business. Consider the shape, colour, and size of your brand logo or symbol. You can sketch it out on paper first to get an idea of how it will look.
• Transfer Your Brand to the Material: Once you have your design ready, transfer it to the leather. You can use a sharp knife to carefully cut out the outline of your brand and create a stamp or stencil. Make sure the size and placement of your brand fit well within the finger tab's dimensions.
• Stamp or Emboss Your Brand: Using the cut-out outline, you can either stamp or emboss your brand onto the leather. For stamping, you may need to invest in a custom metal stamp that matches your design. Embossing, on the other hand, involves pressing or stamping your design onto the leather to create a raised effect.
• Add Colour: If you want your brand to stand out, consider adding colour. You can use leather dyes or paints to fill in the stamped or embossed area. Make sure to use colours that contrast well with the colour of the leather to make your brand pop.
• Finishing Touches: After adding your brand, you can further personalise your finger tab by adding decorative elements such as stitching, beads, or other embellishments. Just make sure that any additions do not interfere with the functionality of the finger tab.

By following these steps, you can create a unique and personalised finger guard for archery that showcases your brand. This process allows you to add a creative touch to your archery equipment while also protecting your fingers during shooting.

Attach the finger guard to your fingers, or the bowstring

Now that you've crafted your finger guard, it's time to attach it to your fingers or the bowstring. If you've made a finger tab, you'll want to place it between your fingers and the bowstring. This will protect your fingers from the sharp string. Ensure that the tab is secure and fits snugly on your fingers, so it doesn't slip when you draw the bow.

For those who prefer a more secure option, an archery glove might be a better choice. Gloves provide similar protection to finger tabs but are fastened to your hand, so you don't have to worry about them slipping. Make sure your gloves fit properly for the best performance. They should cover your index, middle, and ring fingers completely, leaving no skin exposed.

Another option is to attach a finger saver directly to the bowstring. This two-part protective piece is made of flexible rubber or silicone and threads onto the string. You'll pull the string with the savers, which is much more comfortable than pulling it with your bare fingers.

If you're using a compound bow, you might want to consider a release aid that attaches to the string and is released with a trigger or other mechanism. Wrist strap index finger releases, handheld thumb trigger releases, handheld hinge releases, and handheld resistance/tension-type releases are all common options.

Remember, proper protection will allow you to focus on your form and aim without worrying about finger pain or injury.

Frequently asked questions