My initial attempts at thumb rings.
I've been making variations on thumb rings. I started by modelling a clay size/shape prototype based on observations of rings I've seen and been able to pick up and feel the contours and forms.
I started to carve in wood since I've been a long time woodcarver and I have the tools and setup for that. My initial attempts were in apple wood and honey locust. Apple is quite durable for it's weight and honey locust is a very hard and durable wood.
I made several wood versions with variations on the angles and edges of the ring and tab (spoon?)
I've shot close range, half draw with all of them and there are marked differences in how they and the bow/arrow/string interact based on the angles of the ring, the edges and even material.
Here are a few of my first rings. All pointers and direction welcome!
I started to carve in wood since I've been a long time woodcarver and I have the tools and setup for that. My initial attempts were in apple wood and honey locust. Apple is quite durable for it's weight and honey locust is a very hard and durable wood.
I made several wood versions with variations on the angles and edges of the ring and tab (spoon?)
I've shot close range, half draw with all of them and there are marked differences in how they and the bow/arrow/string interact based on the angles of the ring, the edges and even material.
Here are a few of my first rings. All pointers and direction welcome!
The first ring is an undocumented type for shooting, though decorative rings were made that way.
The second ring could also be used with the string on the flat of the lip if you rotate your wrist so that the thumb and the ring surface is perpendicular to the string. You need to press the tip of the ring firmly against the middle segment of the middle finger.
The second ring could also be used with the string on the flat of the lip if you rotate your wrist so that the thumb and the ring surface is perpendicular to the string. You need to press the tip of the ring firmly against the middle segment of the middle finger.
Yes, the first (round no spoon) ring is a guess based on what little information I could find on rings with no 'bill' (spoon?). I'd like to try carving a few rings based on Chinese thumb rings but I have no models to work from.
The second ring works well as you describe. It's comfortable and doesn't pinch the skin at the base of the thumb against the ring so long as you set the grasp correctly.
I've been working with steer horn and deer antler recently as well as wood. Wood is an interesting material for prototypes and for trying ideas, but the material itself requires that the ring be bulkier than one made of horn or antler.
If anyone knows has some design parameters for chinese style thumb rings from various dynastic periods I'd love to see drawings or photos!
Byron
The second ring works well as you describe. It's comfortable and doesn't pinch the skin at the base of the thumb against the ring so long as you set the grasp correctly.
I've been working with steer horn and deer antler recently as well as wood. Wood is an interesting material for prototypes and for trying ideas, but the material itself requires that the ring be bulkier than one made of horn or antler.
If anyone knows has some design parameters for chinese style thumb rings from various dynastic periods I'd love to see drawings or photos!
Byron
Chinese rings of the Qing Dynasty are usually straight sided cylinders with an internal bevel on the distal end and an external bevel on the proximal end.
They are usually meant to reach from the base of the thumb nail to midway down the proximal segment of the thumb.
The external bevel is where the string rests. The pad of the thumb presses against the internal bevel. The side of the ring is pressed against the middle finger when drawing the string back. The thumb is flexed inside the ring so that the knuckle is pressing hard against the inside of the ring. The thumb is not straightened on releasing the string only flexed from the base (the distal knuckle). Otherwise the grip is similar to a normal ring with a light contact between the index finger and the thumb nail and the other fingers tightly coiled.
There are some illustrations of Zhou and Han rings in my article on Early Archers' Rings on this site and Stephen Selby had published pictures of some of his rings in the Discussion Forum.
They are usually meant to reach from the base of the thumb nail to midway down the proximal segment of the thumb.
The external bevel is where the string rests. The pad of the thumb presses against the internal bevel. The side of the ring is pressed against the middle finger when drawing the string back. The thumb is flexed inside the ring so that the knuckle is pressing hard against the inside of the ring. The thumb is not straightened on releasing the string only flexed from the base (the distal knuckle). Otherwise the grip is similar to a normal ring with a light contact between the index finger and the thumb nail and the other fingers tightly coiled.
There are some illustrations of Zhou and Han rings in my article on Early Archers' Rings on this site and Stephen Selby had published pictures of some of his rings in the Discussion Forum.
I'll read your article and make some drawings for myself. Thanks!