First Thumb Ring

[gfugal]

With no guard (or a prong), the string can rest in a way that allows you to bend the thumb a bit less, and it'll kind of 'pop off the edge' when you release..

But wouldn't it be resting on the skin then? At first it seems to me that it will defeat the purpose if it is, but the ring is probably still bearing most of the load with just a little being asked of the thumb that the string is in contact with. I'm imagining something similar to what's shown in image 1.

By the grove, you mean the V-like thing? Or groove? It's for the string to rest on.. helps to prevent the string from pinching the skin too much.

Both really. I'm still a little confused. so what I'm getting is that the v allows room for the thumb, kind of like how I removed wood in a similar spot to keep it from digging into my thumb? I still don't quite understand the grove. I'm assuming its due to the metallic nature of the material, since denting it inward like that may be the easiest way to provide a flatter surface for the string to rest stably on. 

There is not a lot of wooden thumb rings because thumb rings in general are rare.  But really it's because better materials are pretty readily available. Even the strongest wood could likely be popped apart by just flexing your thumb.

You will see the odd prototype made by guys just to get the feel for making and using one as you have done.

That makes sense. I think it also depends on how thick you leave the wood. if you do something real thin like the what I believe is a bone ring in image 2, then sure you could snap it easily. If you leave it thick then it should be fairly sturdy. The third image is a thick wood ring made of probably some sort of exotic hardwood. I think I'm going to try and do something more like this for my next one.

[loon]

It's kind of like taking but then filing a notch on the center, but... I dunno. This is the description:

The Victory also has a pinch-free, two-pronged guard, which gives your thumb joint more room to bend and provides a more stable hold on the string (the string rests across the dimple, which mitigates unintentional up/down rolling).

Another grooved ring



The description:

Our string groove is a subtle aid in string positioning, and does not allow crimping of the string nor is disruptive of the release. This strikes a good balance, allowing those who prefer the help to have it, while reinforcing good form.

Their description of the tongued ring:

The tongue ring is another historical oddity out of China which, up until now, wasn't really accessible to most archers. The string actually rests on top of, as opposed to in front of, the protruding tongue. In use this presents as being somewhat like a lipped[guarded] ring, in that rearward string travel is limited so the string does not dig into the soft part of the thumb, however upon release the string abruptly drops like a hammer off the end of the shelf resulting in a distinct and snappy release. Until partial draw is achieved, the archer must either slightly angle their wrist or have the skill to balance the string on the tongue, before the natural step of the ring kicks in keeping the string off the thumb.

If the string is balanced on the ring as such, I suppose more of the force would go into the ring, and the joint of the thumb. Then the string wouldn't dig into the thumb because the force's against the edge of the ring. or 'tongue', in the case of the tongued ring.

So it's kind of like in pic 1, but the thumb is more bent, but angled such that the force goes into the ring and not pinching the skin.

[gfugal]

I aslo have another question for you thumb archers. When I was looking up how to make a thumb ring I came across the primitive ways website. according to Mike the thumb draw may twist the string in an opposite direction than the traditional draw. To counter-act this he said you can either 1) make a loop so the string won't twist, or 2) put the arrow on the right side of the handle if your shooting right handed mimicking what Asiatic archers did. However, when I tried putting it on the right side with my ring I feel it made it shoot worse and felt like I still had more stability on the left with a cleaner shot. What's going on here. should I try to shoot on the right anyway, or does it not really matter. 

[gfugal]

Loon, that makes sense about the V and grooves and stuff. But what's a tongue ring? is that just a normal ring without a guard, grove or v? Bytheway how do you insert the pictures like that?

[loon]

I upload them on imgur and put the direct link between

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[img] tags. Or using the "insert image" button that does it for you, right below the B bold button.

Tongued rings. Google "King of Rui's Thumb Ring" for info about the first one. I think they call the tongue a "wedge"...

[EdwardS]

I shoot with a grooved ring personally.  I can also shoot just fine with a plain ungrooved ring like the last one posted.

[loon]

I currently have this ring in brass (Alibow Painless) and also a plastic vermil victory with some leather padding. I think I like the Victory better.. with the padding, but the painless is better without. Maybe the painless would be better with padding..

But I wanna make simple unlipped ones like the Ottoman. As soon as I get time, I'm gonna buy a nice Mora scandi grind hook knife and get some balsa wood.. then I'll move into deer antler.

[loon]

Check out this review by my friend. At around 2:20 he explains what I meant.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTV3qJBcDdI#t=2m29s

[gfugal]

That makes sense. Do you also shoot on horse like your friend. That's pretty legit