making thumb rings is addictive

Lucky thing you've only got two, then. :D

That's probably the largest collection of thumb rings in North America. Imagine some archeologist 500 years from now excavating your house and unearthing those rings. They'll be attributed to that obscure 21st century Bling cult!!!

Justin, inspirational design work :)

I succeed make at last
functional and comfortable ring after Korean model (I hope). On 8th attempt...

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They are indeed addictive. Here are three that I have just finished out of bronze.

Another view.

On the thumb.

Great work, guys. It's pretty cool to see the different ideas people bring to the table.

Peto, is that horn or billiard ball?

Alan, what kind of tools do you use to work with the bronze?

(My rings come from billiard balls, except the first two which are from cow horn.)

Horn...

Alan, very nice. I sure try it too, but I dont know imagine what from you make it, massive piece bronze or same tube?

Thank you Peto and Justin,
I started with some bronze bar stock about 317 centimeters in diameter by about 500 or so centimeters long and drill a hole through with my drill press then I use my belt grinder to rough the shape in . Next I work the thumb hole with a die grinder as well as some of the outside shape , then the final sculpting of the outside is done with jewelers hand files. Finally a bit of fine sanding for the highlights and then to the buffer to polish selected parts.
I guess that I am lucky here because I run an artist blacksmith shop and have these tools at hand.

Here are a few more shots.

Another

one more

Alan, where do you Americans learn all your handicraft skills? I never cease to be amazed! Everyone seems to have skills and a home full of equipment that I never see outside a hi-tech industrial complex in Asia. :shock:

I am just a bit lucky here Stephen as I am a professional artist blacksmith and have a full shop as my play area..
When I grew up a young man was expected to be able to turn his hand at some hand craft, in high school all the boys took some kind of shop class.
You can get a look at my playpen on my website www.flashingforge.com if ya want. I have just always enjoyed making things since childhood and feel much of this was due to my father who taught me to work with my hands...such a precious gift to pass on.

Have you tried your hand at the Han bronze crossbow mechanisms?

S

No sir have not gone there yet . Pretty sure if I had one to tear apart I could do a fair job of replicating the parts tho.

Nice. I can see where this is going.

Alan, if you start selling replica crossbows, let us know.

Justin I have to work through my thumb ring addiction first lol.

sorry for images quality :

buffalohorn (is just buffalo , not water buffalo) . made for a friend .
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cowhorn . for me .
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buffalohorn . this I made especially for testing Stephen Selby chinese technique prezented on youtube .
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Wow, I?m seeing some very nice thumbrings in this topic! :)

I just thought that I could share some photos of my own, could you please leave a comment about it?

you will not be able to get a clean release from that type of ring . that groove channel is wrong .

I have to agree with Osmiu that the groove will not allow a smooth release, the string will have to jump over the ridge. In my opinion it needs to be a smooth transition.

Thank you for your comments. :)
It?s my understanding that I need to file it down a bit, like in this photo?
(everything wich is on the left side of the red line should be sanded away?)

something like that .

Thank you very much! :)

... and like that .