thunb rings

Redhorse · Post by **Redhorse** » Sun Sep 07, 2008 1:30 pm

I have to ask because I have made my first rings. Is it possible to use that metal ring?
I can't see how the thumb could bend with so much material around the joint.

Alan Flashing · Post by **Alan Flashing** » Sun Sep 07, 2008 6:12 pm

Redhorse,
I will try and post a photo of me wearing the thumb rink with my thumb flexed later today. I have not used the rings that I have made yet but will do so this weekend. I think that because of the slant that I put into the ring body that it allows the thumb to flex. When I put the ring on and flex my thumb it seems as if I can flex my thumb almost as much as with no ring at all.
Look at the two following examples of thumb rings that I drew upon in my design work of my rings.
Regards,
Alan

Alan Flashing · Post by **Alan Flashing** » Sun Sep 07, 2008 6:18 pm

This thumb ring drawing is from an article here on Atarn by Bede Dwyer about early archers thumb rings. Note the wide body of the ring as well as the string groove,
Alan

Alan Flashing · Post by **Alan Flashing** » Sun Sep 07, 2008 6:20 pm

Here is another wide ring bodied thumb ring, sorry I can not rsmember where I downloaded it from.
Alan

Alan Flashing · Post by **Alan Flashing** » Sun Sep 07, 2008 6:26 pm

Here is another that I downloaded from Leatherwall, an archery hunting forum.
Alan

Redhorse · Post by **Redhorse** » Sun Sep 07, 2008 6:26 pm

My first guess would be that they are not for full flex, or they would not have the grove. I did put in a grove but the string did never get close to it so I removed the grove

Redhorse · Post by **Redhorse** » Sun Sep 07, 2008 6:28 pm

The last picture looks like the one I made, and later remade without grove.

Alan Flashing · Post by **Alan Flashing** » Sun Sep 07, 2008 6:54 pm

Sorry for the quality of the photo. have been doing quite a bit of forge work in my blacksmith shop the last few days and my hands are a bit swollen and stiff, was unable to get it on my right hand , and as a result could not hold my hand at the correct focus distance, but I will try and get a better quality photo later today.
These are my first attempt at thumb ring crafting and as such are a work in progress. Will have a better feel for them after they are put to use
All the best,
Alan

Alan Flashing · Post by **Alan Flashing** » Mon Sep 15, 2008 11:53 pm

Had a chance to use my new thumb rings for 4 days with Saluki bows at a mounted archery clinic this past week , and my last one with the wide body worked very well. Had to do a small bit of adjustment for fit but over all was very pleased with it's performance.,
Alan

Redhorse · Post by **Redhorse** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 5:53 am

May I ask what weight the bow has?
I have done some thumb ring shooting last week with a 50lb so I can learn how to do. When I take my 70 lb it's more obvious how the ring work

Alan Flashing · Post by **Alan Flashing** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 6:08 am

The heaviest was 46#.
Alan

Redhorse · Post by **Redhorse** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 9:03 am

Ok, I see. What I have notice is that with low weights you can use any kind of ring. But with stronger bows you will shave the skin and flesh away from upper side of your thumb if it does not fit. And also you must be fast to get the point of thumb away when you release or the string will hit. And with strong bows it's heavier to hold the string low on thumb. And high on thumb it's more difficult to keep the arrow on string, if index finger has to work hard it will push the nock forward. And the nock can't be deep.
Thats what I have found so far, guess there is more to learn

Alan Flashing · Post by **Alan Flashing** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 6:35 pm

yes I am sure that there will be a new learning curve when I get a new bow as I will be ordering a 65 to 70 pound bow from Lucas Novotny at Saluki very soon.
Alan