Archers Thumb Ring

[gino]

ok, I just recently bought an Archers thumb ring but I think the groove is too shallow. everytime I try to draw even light poundages on it the string just slips out of the groove before i've even drawn it a few inches, does anyone have any pictures of thumb rings they have or advice on how to use it properly?

Cheers,

G.

[pHz]

the groove on my thumb ring is quite shallow too (i got one of the brass grozer rings from quicks) but rarely now does the string slip out - although it was quite frustrating to use at first

no idea whether its the 'correct' technique but i have the ring quite high up on my thumb and when drawing the bottom section of my thumb is parallel with the arrow and the top section is bent at 90 degrees to that across the string with the pad of my index finger putting pressure on my thumbnail and acting as the 'trigger' - this way the string is being pulled into the groove on the ring and not 'across' it (which WOULD rely on the lip of the groove being deep and sharp enough to hold the string in place)

if noone else does ill try to get some pictures up later this morning

slainte rob

[Huffy]

I wonder if this page is of any help?
http://www.atarn.org/FAQ/thumbring.htm

Best wishes, Mark huff

[pHz]

Originally Posted by pHz

if noone else does ill try to get some pictures up later this morning

didnt quite manage this morning but here they are -

the ring itself - compared to pictures of other rings ive seen the groove is pretty shallow and wouldnt easily allow the technique in the page linked to by huffy (which i had already checked out) -







the 'grip' ive developed - normally the other fingers would be curled into a loose fist but ive moved them up to try and make the image clearer (what a palaver to get the photo - i was on my own in the house so had the bow wedged behind a door handle to keep my bow hand free to take the picture hence the lack of full draw on the string) -



slainte rob

[gino]

Cheers rob, I seem to have a system that works now. I can't use my 1st finger at the moment because i nearly broke it a week ago but using my middle finger instead. Also my middle finger goes over the lip of the ring instead of the thumb, this seems to work best for me.



thats the best pic I could get with two hands, used my injured pic in the photo cos there's no pressure so it didnt hurt.

[robtattoo]

It looks like your ringis waaay to big Gino. It needs to sit comfortably against the back of your first thumb-knuckle, not loosely against your nail.

[Toxopholist]

Hi. The forefinger should be used to gently put pressure on the arrow pushing it against the bow. So for a right hander the arrow goes on the right hand side of the bow.
The thumb should be bent enough so that the slim groove is enough. I used the horn version of this thumb ring as the brass one looked as if it would abrade the string quickly.
Try it first with a low poundage left handed recurve until you get the hang of it.

Regards, Dave

[ThePinkOne]

Originally Posted by robtattoo

It looks like your ringis waaay to big Gino. It needs to sit comfortably against the back of your first thumb-knuckle, not loosely against your nail.

Indeed.

A quick way of gettign a fit is to line it with elastoplast strips. Then when your thumb swells after the fist half-hour you can get the ring off again (don't ask me how I know this.... ). But the fit should be snug otherwise it no work!

P.

[ratty]

Originally Posted by gino

Cheers rob, I seem to have a system that works now. I can't use my 1st finger at the moment because i nearly broke it a week ago but using my middle finger instead. Also my middle finger goes over the lip of the ring instead of the thumb, this seems to work best for me.



thats the best pic I could get with two hands, used my injured pic in the photo cos there's no pressure so it didnt hurt.

hello gino

you are using the thumbring completely wrong, you will hurt your self like that.

phz is using it correctly for the type of thumbring he is using

[blasterbear]

go to the website for the recurve bow shop and look in their accessory page. There is a good picture of a thumbring. I used this as an example and made one from a piece of PVC water pipe. Don't rat me out, my fellow shooters thinks it ivory.

[nutterforlongbows]

I think `Richard Head Longbows` has some thumb rings

[Neo]

If you shoot with a thumb ring what classification would you come under? Doesnt the thumb ring class as a release aid?

[DenzilS]

GNAS rules specify the Mediterranean loose, i.e. three fingers, for any bow other than compound unlimited, so you would probably get lumped in with them, or else have to shoot but not be eligible for any awards. I am not a judge, so if anyone else knows better then do correct me.

I believe Japanese Kyudo uses a similar technique. The thumb goes round the string, and the first finger is hooked over the thumbnail to secure it, not the over the thumbring. You wouldn't rely on the thumb alone, as you have one less joint in the thumb and so can't hook round the string in the same way as with the fingers. It would be difficult to hold without a whole lot of muscle tension.

[yoda]

Originally Posted by Neo

If you shoot with a thumb ring what classification would you come under? Doesnt the thumb ring class as a release aid?

don't ask questions like that m8, i've contacted gnas over 1/2 a dozen times to get a clarification on this and never got an answer so i gave up.

good to know they like to explain things to us lesser mortals lol.

[yoda]

Originally Posted by ratty

hello gino

you are using the thumbring completely wrong, you will hurt your self like that.

phz is using it correctly for the type of thumbring he is using

ditto m8, ring is completely wrong, it should be fitting against the thumb with the ring behind the knuckle and the finger should be on the thumbnail holding it against the string. then on release the thumb flies forward like flicking a marble if you see what i mean.

found this if it helps m8,