When I was a much younger man, I had an industrial accident that left me with a partial right hand. I adapted and, through the years, was able to function in a normal way. That include pulling the string on my beloved bows. In the last few years, my hand would no longer cooperate. The swelling and pain were forcing me to consider quitting.

However, I recalled seeing a wrist tab by Rick Barbee on Leatherwall and it seemed very promising. So, I contacted Rick and away we went. He completely redesigned his original concept and came up with the product below. Now this didn't just happen. He worked it and re-worked it until it fit me perfectly.

As you can see, it's a very well finished product. Nothing sloppy here.

So how it works is that you transfer the weight from your fingers onto your back muscles. He invented what he calls a cam lock. It's a hard round plastic piece which captures the string. This cam lock is attached to an adjustable nylon strap that is incorporated into the wrist strap. When you pull back, the weight on your fingers is drastically reduced.

Now, there is a learning curve. When you've been doing something for many years, sometimes it's hard to adapt, but not that hard in this case. It took me 3-4 short sessions in the cold and snow, tinkering with the strap length adjustment but yesterday, it all came together and I have to say that this is going to be one of the greatest little gizmos ever invented.

I can see this working well for anyone who has hand problems due to accidents, arthritis or even if you have a favorite bow that's getting too heavy for you. You will feel that the bow weight is about 10 pounds lighter than its stated weight.

Thanks to our resident thinker and problem solver, Rick Barbee. And - he's one of the nicest guys I've ever had the pleasure of dealing with.

And here is the original problem:

That is Great.

Fantastic, I'm happy for you and thank you Rick Barbee.

Heck of a thing there. Looks to be very well made. That cam lock is turning into a multi-purpose little device. Congrats to both of you. Good Luck. Have Fun.

Good deal. Now you can keep on shootin.

You are one tough dude. Attitude is everything. Good job.

And good job Rick.

That’s awesome! Necessity truly is the mother of invention!

That is a great way to keep shooting. Mr. Barbee is one of the good people on here.

The great part is that you still feel like you are shooting traditional. I tried a mechanical release a few times but it felt very strange and I wasn't accurate at all because it threw the anchor way out so that your eye was to the side of the arrow instead of over it. Plus, I felt like a traitor. LOL.

With this, your anchor changes a bit but not much and you're still shooting a tab.

Definitely a great way to stay in the game.

that was so very nice of Rick to do that for you

very professional looking rig -would expect nothing less from Rick

Thats incredible. Thank god theres souls like yours and Ricks.

Very impressive gesture...Mr.Rick Barbee has to be very proud of that creation. Good for you to be able to continue enjoying our sport!

Very heart warming, and congratulations to a good tinkering by Rick to make it work for you to enjoy shooting the bow agin , enjoy

That Barbee guy is a good dude.

That puts a smile on my face. Good for you and well done Rick!

That’s awesome!

That’s awesome. ??

And that is not letting something keep you from shooting! Awesome

Fantastic. Rick always comes through. >>>----> Ken

You're a good man Rick...now if I can just win that tab you're giving away...

Awesome!

Awesome!

You did a good thing Rick

Nice to read good things, tnx for posting

Awesome. Gotta be a good feeling for both of you

Bjrogg

Thats a positive for both you good guys, makes the day a lot brighter reading and seeing this.

That’s very cool, glad it’s working for you. Keep shooting!

Great looks like a winner

Great job Rick, another problem bites the dust! All good!

Wow! That is great to hear. Someone able to stay in the game. Hopefully this will help others.

Outstanding effort and product.

Awesome collaboration, gentlemen! Stuff like this warms the heart. Thanks for posting.

Looks pretty much like the nylon "Talon" wrist draw system.

Thanks for sharing the story. Way to go Rick!

Thats awesome, I have never used anything from Rick Barbee but everything looks great quality and well thought out.

That's a fantastic "feel-good" story and testament to Rick's ingenuity.

Good deal. It is also good thing to know.

That is great, I could see Rick making a very good business in prosthetic, but glad his talent is archery.

"Looks pretty much like the nylon "Talon" wrist draw system."

Jus Passin: Yes and no. It's a similar concept but, if you'll recall, the Talon was simply a strap connected to a wrist strap. It looked like the string catching end was rolled up and sewn. Then, you had to pinch the strap with your thumb and index over the string . This cam lock and tab system that Rick invented allows you to have virtually the same anchor as before. Much more natural feeling than the Talon I would think. But you're right in that the idea is to transfer the string weight from the fingers to the wrist. I think the gentleman who was making the Talon no longer does them. He still has a video on Youtube.

I think I will convert my Talon to a finger pull. Thumb works great but requires a thumb anchor touch instead of finger tip.>>>-----> Ken

Just another example as to why Mr. Barbee is held in such high regard on this forum.

Way to go Mr Rick!

AWESOME

Rick is one of the BEST!!!!

Necessity is the Mother of Invention! Good job, Rick. This will be good in many ways for the whole archery community.

very very well done!

Too awesome !

More pictures please? In use if possible

Awesome. just awesome

So cool

Great job, Rick Barbee! Impressive determination, Arcobsessed!

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