Fast-forward to now, and I have a different problem...I haven't worn a Vambrace in several years, but I still have to worry about bowstring slap. Soooo...we're back at it.
I have long since ignored the argument that if one has proper archery technique they will never be slapped with a bowstring. This is, in my opinion, hogwash, as everyone's arms and joints are built differently, and so what may not slap on one may slap readily on another, even though both are executing correct form. My final note on that argument is that Olympic Recurve archers, who have arguably the best shooting form in the world, still wear armguards. -End of rant.-
Back on topic, a Vambrace for purposes of Archery needs something that most fantasy/leather 'bracers' don't have...a smooth side on the inner arm.
Andy's design (found on the wiki) makes an asymmetrical shape out of a fairly standard Vambrace pattern, which places the lacing down along the outside edge of the arm, where it's out of the way of the string, and so won't catch or snag on the string, hurting accuracy. So I went forward with that pattern, knowing it from my past experience with it, and then added a few twists.
In the past, I've also added a cutout above the thumb to give my wrist some more mobility/comfort. Unfortunately, what I've found is that the cutouts give it the option to slide forward further, which makes the NON-cut parts more uncomfortable on the rest of the wrist, etc. So this time, I left it straight across and am glad I've done so. Sometimes, less is more, and a thing CAN be over-engineered.
To make the wrist more comfortable I instead bound this leading edge with Buckskin (tanned by Udwin.) I also lined the majority of the interior with more of the same, and added one more detail for comfort: there's a loose flap of buckskin attached to the inside by the lacing that crosses over the gap where the laces are, which prevents pinching in the laces and keeps arm hairs from getting pulled into the lacing holes, etc. The lacing has ALWAYS been an annoying problem for me with these in the past, and so I'd never wear them over bare skin, which can be problematic in warmer temperatures.
Lastly, I embroidered a small part of one of Tolkien's Numenorean sketches onto the back, because it sure felt like it needed something. I also deliberately opted out of making a second one, because I feel that a few layers of soft leather really don't amount to anything in terms of personal defense.
It was fun to make, and I'm enjoying the much-improved comfort level!
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