Arm guards/vambraces
Arm guards/vambraces
Okay, as mentioned in another thread, I am going to get into the wilderness with my son next Friday, unless there is some sort of disaster. We are planning to take our bows along. My son doesn't need an arm guard for his modern little bow, but my bamboo bow is a different story. Last time I shot it, I wore a bruise for two weeks! So I have on the list to make a pair of vambraces one day, but I don't know when that day is yet. I have too many irons in the fire as it is.
So anyway, does anybody know a good way to make a decent arm guard that will function for a while until I make the vambraces?
So anyway, does anybody know a good way to make a decent arm guard that will function for a while until I make the vambraces?
- Peter Remling
- Athel Dunedain
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Eric: As long as it doesn't have to be fancy, take any of that scrape garment leather I sent you and double layer it, wrap it around your arm and useing cord or shoe laces tye it on, criss crossing the laces.
I don't remember if I sent you or Mike a piece or stiffer glossy black leather, this would be even better than the above. Simply cut it to about 6" by 8" punch lacing holes in both of the longer sides and lace it up. It will last you a good long time and offer plenty of protection for your arm.
I don't remember if I sent you or Mike a piece or stiffer glossy black leather, this would be even better than the above. Simply cut it to about 6" by 8" punch lacing holes in both of the longer sides and lace it up. It will last you a good long time and offer plenty of protection for your arm.
- Peter Remling
- Athel Dunedain
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- Joined: Sat Feb 16, 2008 4:20 am
Most vambraces are designed to protect the outer arm. A bracer is designed to protect the inner arm, so before starting on your vambraces you might want to design one that allows you to put a bracer over it or build a bracer into the design on your off-arm.
Typical model vambrace's straps (on the inside of the arm) will interfere with the bowstring unless you take this into account in the design or remove your off-arm vambrace before shooting.
Typical model vambrace's straps (on the inside of the arm) will interfere with the bowstring unless you take this into account in the design or remove your off-arm vambrace before shooting.
After I wrote this up last night, I looked through the things that I have and noticed that some of my thick leather is too thin for the soles of my boots. I may take a piece of it and a piece of the softer stuff you sent me and line the thicker, less comfortable leather. I also plan to use the four small buckles you sent to fasten it. That is the plan anyway. I'll probably procrastinate to the point that I end up tying it on as you said.
The stiffer glossy black must have gone to Mike, but I do have some suede that I am planning to use on the boots, I think.
The stiffer glossy black must have gone to Mike, but I do have some suede that I am planning to use on the boots, I think.
- Chris Russo
- Silent Watcher over the Peaceful Lands
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I was looking at the site's pics of Andy's bracers, and they seem to have an off-center cut so that they protect both--combined bracers and vambraces (at least on the left arm). I could be wrong, but that's what it looks like.Peter Remling wrote:Most vambraces are designed to protect the outer arm. A bracer is designed to protect the inner arm, so before starting on your vambraces you might want to design one that allows you to put a bracer over it or build a bracer into the design on your off-arm.
Typical model vambrace's straps (on the inside of the arm) will interfere with the bowstring unless you take this into account in the design or remove your off-arm vambrace before shooting.
Did you have a pattern for that, Andy, or did you just figured it out as you went?
So Andy, I'm supposing you have to have help tying that on. I'm guessing it runs from the wrist to about the bend in the arm. It is maybe an inch to two inches below the bend where the string strikes my arm.
I keep thinking of starting on it tonight, but after spending all day in the sun chasing kids around our church, the worst thing I can do is start measuring and cutting out leather tonight.
I keep thinking of starting on it tonight, but after spending all day in the sun chasing kids around our church, the worst thing I can do is start measuring and cutting out leather tonight.
Hey Eric,
Got the printer/scanner loaded.
The tracings are from a set of oil tanned bracers i made but are a bit small.
The rounded extention should cover the joint when the arms are in a striking or countering stance.
I'll take some pics of the lacing process tomorrow or the next day as it is impossible to explain.
I also use a flap sewn to one side on the inside that acts as a tongue under the lacing.
I would make some construction paper patterns and use those to adjust the shape.
http://www.meranger.com/Bracers.html
Andy
Got the printer/scanner loaded.
The tracings are from a set of oil tanned bracers i made but are a bit small.
The rounded extention should cover the joint when the arms are in a striking or countering stance.
I'll take some pics of the lacing process tomorrow or the next day as it is impossible to explain.
I also use a flap sewn to one side on the inside that acts as a tongue under the lacing.
I would make some construction paper patterns and use those to adjust the shape.
http://www.meranger.com/Bracers.html
Andy
Hey Eric,
Almost any weight will work. I've some some with lighter weight that I then reinforced with strips of heavy stuff. If you use real heavy, ie 12oz, it will probably need some work to get it shaped. Over time, the normal wear and sweat will help shape it.
I'll try calling this weekend reference the boots.
Andy
Almost any weight will work. I've some some with lighter weight that I then reinforced with strips of heavy stuff. If you use real heavy, ie 12oz, it will probably need some work to get it shaped. Over time, the normal wear and sweat will help shape it.
I'll try calling this weekend reference the boots.
Andy