Archery Equipment and Supplies

By Isaac X-S.

Finger Tab

This is a flat piece of leather worn over the archer’s bow fingers to protect him from the pinching effect of the bowstring during release. Note that a glove worn over the string hand will serve the same purpose. Costs 2 ½ gold.

Arm Guard

A piece of leather fastened over the inside of the wrist and lower arm of the bow arm. It serves to protect the archer from the sting of the bowstring when it is released. Also called a bracer. Costs 7 gold.

Bow Sight

A metal pin with a circular aperture at one end. The other end attaches to an adjustable vice-like bracket that can be secured onto the bow above the riser. This device is used to assist the archer with his aim and accuracy and can be adjusted vertically or laterally. For right-handed bowman, the sight is attached to the right side of the bow. For left-handed bowman, vice versa. Some sights also come with trajectory markings, allowing the archer to plot the trajectory of his arrows. The use of a bow sight provides +1 to strike. Fairly uncommon. Costs 30 gold.

Thumb Ring

This is a release aid worn over the thumb. It is used in the Canine release technique. The ring has a sharp edge that can engage a string and hold it in place at full draw. String release with a thumb ring is crisper and more efficient, which means the arrow will maintain more of its energy, traveling an extra 10 ft. and providing a +2 to initiative. In addition, there is no need for a finger tab when using a thumb ring as there is no pinching. Costs 1 gold.

Quiver

This is a container made to conveniently hold arrows for the archer. There are many types of quivers, each referred to by where its attached: back quiver, hip quiver, shoulder quiver, bow quiver, side quiver, etc. Depending on the size, a quiver can usually hold six to thirty-six arrows. Some can also act as backpacks or satchels and are loaded with pockets and straps. Quivers can be made from various materials; leather, canvas, fur, and rawhide being most common. Costs 10-50 gold.

String Wax

Wax helps to lubricate and waterproof bowstrings to resist fraying (or in the case of metal strings, rusting). Strings require a generous layer of wax to be applied every week or so. This is done by taking a piece of heavy cloth or leather and rubbing the wax onto the string furiously. The friction of the rubbing serves to warm up the wax and work it deeper into the string. The wax protects the individual strands of string from abrading each other during use. Beeswax is most common. Costs 5 gold.

Soft and Hard Bow Case

This is a container designed to hold one’s bow for convenient transport and protection against impact damage and the elements. Some are specifically made for hinged and collapsible bows, some for standard unstrung bows, and others for either. A soft bow case can take a variety of forms. It can be a sleeve into which the unstrung bow is slid in, a large piece of cloth wrapped repeatedly around the bow, or some sort of shoulder bag. It is usually made from linen, canvas or leather. Waterproof and thick materials for cushioning are preferred. A hard case is an oblong, hinged box with cloth padding on the inside. It has a handle for easy one-handed grips and some can be locked. Some hard cases can hold extra arrows in furrows under the inside of the lid. A few even have fitted grooves cut into the padding shaped specifically for the owner’s bow. Material for these boxes is almost always some type of light but durable wood like yew, willow and oak. Metal cases are also an option for those who desire extra protection for their bows. Cases are usually made to match particular sizes of bows, though most can carry bows within a small range of lengths. Costs 6-30 gold for a soft case, 10-80 for a hard case.

Bowstring Jig

Though all the various types of bowstrings can be made by hand, jigs make this process easier and faster. A jig is a device designed to hold the bowstring in place as it is being made. This can be as simple as a piece of wood with a nail at each end, or more sophisticated like an adjustable device that allows for the creation of strings of different lengths. Simple jigs can be easily built by anyone. All that is needed is a plank of wood slightly longer than the desired length of the string. One nail should be at each end, and by driving in more nails at various points in the wood, strings of different lengths can be made, though it can get messy working around multiple nails. Adjustable jigs consist of a length of wood with two cross pieces set onto it. These pieces can be slid back and forth over the wood and are locked in place by tightening nuts on either side. The wood is also usually marked with a scale for measurement. Bowstrings only take half the time to make when a jig is used. Serving can only be applied to a bowstring with the use of a jig. Costs 5 gold for a simple jig, 15 for an advanced one.

Stabilizer

This is a small weighted rod of iron (8-12 oz., 4-6 inches long) that can be directly attached to a bow in order to steady it and help minimize torque. A bow with a stabilizer gets a +1 to strike. Using more than one stabilizer on a bow does not have a cumulative effect. Costs 4 gold.

Bow Stringer

This device is constructed from a strong, thin rope with a piece of leather folded over each end and securely attached. The purpose of a stringer is to pull the bow limbs forward evenly and allow for easier application of the string to the bow tips. It is suggested for bracing wooden recurves and longbows. A stringer makes the bow easier and safer to string. Plus, the bow is at less risk of being damaged. Costs 8 gold.