Three under or Split?

[Scooter]

Since it looks like the old site won’t be coming along for the ride, it appears we will need to re-open some old debates to help some of the new guys. So here goes. Which do you prefer 3 under or split and why?

My preference is three under. I shot split for years without much success. When I went to three under it just seemed that everything came together. My anchor and hold was more solid and everything felt better. It felt weird at first but now is quite natural.

[mysticguido]

Don't know if it because the bow is setup for split fingers or it is just me. I tryed 3under and something did not feel right, went to split and that works. I tryed this on my compound, recurve, and 2 Long Bows. the bow I have now other then my compound is a Old ( one of the first ) Ron LeClair Shrew Bows 54" 51#@ 26" (my draw). The split fingers just falls in to place now.

[DAS]

I learned to shoot split fingers and it just feels right to me. I'd bet that if I had started 3 under I would feel the same about that. From a strictly objective viewpoint, it would seem that 3 under would be better. You are drawing a little closer to the centerline of the bow and you aren't pinching the arrow. Archery is so much about feel that you just have to try things and settle on what is best for you IMO.

[James Wrenn]

Split fingers for me. WHY? because it is the best and only sissy bows shoot 3 under. :lol:

ps. don't shoot yourself in the foot. :p

[Viper]

James -

Careful there, you did mean sissy BOYS , not bows, right?

:mistake:

There are NO sissy bows !!!

Viper out.

[Eaglearcher]

Sissy???
I shot three fingers under for many years when shooting a compound, and i found it to be more accurate than split. Firstly it gets rid of the pinching problem and secondly there is less effect if one of the fingers drags on the release. I now shoot IFAA longbow and have to shoot split fingers but to reduce the chance of pinching the arrow or affecting the loose I straighten my top finger when i am at full draw and only loose off the other two. The rules state that the forefinger must touch the arrow but it doesnt say that it has to hold the string. I know of some compound shooters who shoot off one finger but i imagine that its almost impossible to hold back the poundage on a trad bow like this. Unless of course anyone out there knows different!

[James Wrenn]

Yep Viper,sissy boys! ;) I was laughing to hard while I was typing.Both ways work great for diferent people.I just feel in better control with a finger over the arrow.You sissys shoot the way you want too. :shooting:

[WildmanSC]

I hesitate to post this reply as I have already been ribbed ENOUGH!! :mad: :) But, I think the accident I had with the arrow biting my bow hand was contributed to by my 3-under experiment. I really have a problem with 3-under with the arrow sliding off the shelf, egads!!! :help:

While in The Archery Shop shooting my Horne and my Commanche Raider LB this past Saturday, I started shooting the Horne 3-under, but switched to split. I found I had a much more consistent grip on the string, eliminated the problem of the arrow sliding off the shelf, and aside from the occasional "plucking" of the string, I shot fine.

After an hour and a half of shooting the Horne, I switched to the Commanche and it felt like it was about 45#!! I do believe I got a greatly increased draw length on it, too. I also discovered my draw length has increased about 3/4" with a recurve. I had been getting 27" with a recurve and 26" with a longbow. I measured my AMO draw length with the recurve Saturday and it came up 27.75".

Bill

[1bjd]

I draw the bow with split fingers and then point the index finger at the target. So I guess in reality it is two fingers under. Have shot this way since my target compound days. Second nature now. John

[Cato]

I shoot three under because that is the traditional way. You know, Art Young, Saxton Pope,.......and man, we just have to be traditional. :D

Did those guys shoot carbon?

[Eaglearcher]

1BJD

Its good to know i'm not the only one who shoots this way. A couple of weeks ago someone said to me " You're supposed to shoot at it, not point at it".
But hey... It works for me.

[DAS]

I tried shooting 2 split for a while and actually got a cleaner release. Taking all the shock on 2 fingers started making my joints sore though, so I went back to 3. I guess that really makes me a sissy! :lol:

[Pinelander]

The jury is still out for me... I had been shooting split for so many years, that 3-under felt more than just weird. But after forcing myself to stick with it for awhile, I believe I'm getting a cleaner release (less flyers). When I do go back to split, it seems to feel more controlled like others have mentioned. But even with my 62-64" bows, string pinch is noticeable. I have no idea where I'm going to end up in the coming months. I'm in a start-all-over mode, as I've always been a split-fingered, canting, instinctive-type shooter only concentrating on being sharp at 25 and in (not all that diffucult)... lots of learning and experimentation ahead of me.

[pondscum2]

3-under. started that way, gonna stay with it. have tried split, but it jus' don't feel right, plus it puts my eye much higher above the arrow. have more trouble judging distance that way. might work with time, but some ol' dogs HATE new tricks. :sbrug: ps2

[Camp Cook]

I shoot my recurve split finger. When I got my long bow, I hated it. It was heavier then my recurve & I figured that was the problem...a friend noticed my frustration & said why don't you try 3 under. Never could understand how someone could shoot that way but i said ok & tried it. Couldn't believe the difference. so...my longbow is 3 under. Go figure. :sbrug:

Lee shoots both longbow & recurve...always split.

[mysticguido]

Split fingers for me. WHY? because it is the best and only sissy bows shoot 3 under. :lol:

ps. don't shoot yourself in the foot. :p

Back in Medevil times the Bowmen shot it Flemish style that is with 2 fingers under. The Huns and Mongos shot with thumb rings. The American Indians held the nock.

[BLACK WOLF]

I shoot split fingers because I like the extra control you have with the arrow.

I like trick shooting such as shooting upside down, on my back, etc. etc. and I don't feel the same control with my arrow as I do with 3 under.

Ray

[rallen]

Somebody told me this weekend that bows needed to be specifically tillered for either split or 3 under. Is there any truth to that? :sbrug:

Bow Minister :jesus:
(rallen)

[Pinelander]

I've heard the same thing plenty of times... but around here, most of those that really know these things say... when ya get right down to it, isn't enough to make a difference one way or the other.

When I ordered a new T/D recurve last summer from a reputable bowyer. he never asked what my shooting style was and/or if I wanted it tillered a certain way.

[Stagmitis]

Ok.....

Here`s what I really think. If you dont apply to my reasoning then fire away.


If someone cares to adopt a hold that allows the ability to shoot and HUNT with control,accuracy and under any and ALL conditions they should use Split Finger.

If this doesnt matter shoot 3-under.


I think an archer with GREAT form can shoot as accurately either way.


However , the # 1 reason I see for an archer chooseing 3-under is because they are shooting instinctive.

The second #1 reason is they really dont understand split vision and with 3-under just brings that arrow right smack dab in their view and makes it easier.


Point of aim and those diehard target archers dont apply! :shooting:

[mjhall]

Stagmitis--could you give me more information on what you mean by:

"The second #1 reason is they really dont understand split vision and with 3-under just brings that arrow right smack dab in their view and makes it easier."

I shoot 3-under because the "gap" is smaller out to about 30 yards, and I feel I am more accurate. I think this is because if i make a 10% error on a "small" gap the end result is better than if I make a 10% error on the corresponding "large" gap I perceive when shooting split. I know that the difference in perceived gap is due to the distance between the arrow and my eye, but will admit I may not "really understand split vision". ---- Just trying to learn. :help:
Mike