Home > Archery Kit > Thumb Ring

This is a Brass thumb ring but they are avaliable is horn, bronze and other material.

When shooting Horse bows ( Scythian, Turkins, Hunnish or Mongol amongst others) properly, that means off the hand on the opposite side of the bow to that which we generally shoot, a thumb ring is essential.

This one is made of brass and performs the job as well as any I have used.

 If you have a Horse bow and don't know how to shoot it with a thumb ring then I can't do better than the Master Gao Yings' description, penned in 1637

"First get the arrow nocked on the string. Place the arrow so that it is at right-angles to the string (not pointed slightly downward.) Draw the arrow back one inch on the string and grip the arrow shaft with the bow-hand fingers like holding a pen. Now the arrow will be held firmly by the tension of the string and you can move around freely with the arrow nocked and held in one hand. Use the string-hand forefinger and the string itself to make a final adjustment to the thumb-ring so that it is comfortable at the base of the thumb, then hook the thumb around the string with the string at the bottom of the ring, adjacent to the base of the thumb. Curl the index finger around to support the thumb just behind the nail. (Not on the nail itself. And ensure that the nail is cut short!) Curl the remaining three fingers back and press them lightly into your palm. Lower both arms so that the arrow is pointed forward at the ground about metre in front of your feet; take the strain of the string, drawn about an inch, back from the bow-hand fingers and re-arrange the bow-hand fingers as described above. Relax your body completely and clear your mind".

Rating
Features & Design
Simple Brass thumbring, I have seen and used more decorative ones but the basic shape is good.
Performance
It does it's job without fuss.
Value for Money
Quite expensive as there are many available for half this price.
Overall
It is a solid piece of kit

 

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Steve Nicholson and Andy Gilfrin, are real archers interested in the best archery suppliers have to offer. In our search for the very best bow, arrows and equipment we have shot, used and worn pretty much everything on offer.

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Essential Details
What : Thumb Ring Price : £15

The groove will help locate the string. For heavy weight bows these are essential.

Comes with a lanyard in case you are a forgetful old hector..

 

Magazine

July 2010 The Mary Rose story comes to life this month, when Steve and Andy went to visit archaeologist Alex Hildred and got our hands on 500 year old long bows (literally). We look at the battle of Vernuiel, Andy visits France on a peace mission and we talk to Sid at Border.


June 2010 Bumper edition this month, a pig in armour, Geoff towers direct from Homildon Hill and a look at the Mary Rose. There is also news of the UK Atlatl championships and all the usual regular items.


May 2010 This month sees the release of yet another Robin Hood film, to celebrate this months magazine is a Robin Hood special. We look at the man behind the legend with a couple of articles about the man and the period that gave rise to him. We also have an article on Little John, not Robin Hoods side kick but John Cately of Little John Arrow, he talks to us about his life in archery and the way he likes to make his arrows. 

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