Topic: pronged rings

Congratulations on the new forum! I think I have a couple questions to get things started. I'll post one of them here...

Who here has experience using the Korean pronged thumb ring (sugakji)? Would you recommend it over the standard lipped thumb ring (amgakji)?

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Re: pronged rings

Thanks for joining, Justin. 

I have used the sugakji, but I prefer the amgakji; it might just be because of my being originally taught on the latter, but I personally found the amgakji to be more natural.  With that said, the sugakji is very popular with many Korean trad archers.

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Congratulation for new forum with themes which very interesting me...

Can you please explain me diference between this two thumb rings (post some pictures)? ... thanks.

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Re: pronged rings

Thanks, Peter.  I have some pictures somewhere, so I'll post them a bit later.


T

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I think the diskusion isabout this :

http://img.janforman.com/th/thumb5i1x.jpeg

http://img.janforman.com/th/image02591js.jpg

If i dont mistake - this pic is from WTAF market :

http://img.janforman.com/th/DSC1895kwgx.JPG

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Here is a page on the main site:

http://koreanarchery.org/classic/sugakji.html

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I know the tradition is to make one's own thumb ring but I'm somewhat tool deficient.  Is there a recommended source for a standard lipped thumb ring? I'd like to learn how to shoot with one but until I find one I will probably stick with my release.  smile  Don't hate me!

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Re: pronged rings

You can get them from Three Rivers Archery. 

As for people making their own, many do, but most just buy them from somewhere, like TRA.

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Artemiz,
Have a go at making a leather one. As of yet, I have not found a thumbring that I feel comfortable with but the leather ring feels ok and gives a clean release. The other thing I like is that I can still feel the string.
Think of an inverted 'T' shape joined at the back of the thumb, with the pad shaped to suit your thumb.

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It just occurred to me that I could try using an old leather belt to create a thumb "tab".  Hmm....I will experiment this weekend.

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Re: pronged rings

If you want to go down the leather route, try boiling a piece, and then making it to the same shape as a horn ring. It works very well and is easy to make. I prefer them to simple tabs - more protective for your thumb segment, more control, and a slicker release.

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A tab should work fine. The ring will give you a faster release. The tab will give you more protection.

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Well, I just made a thumb tab out of a piece of old leather belt and drew my 64# compound and.....it feels just like I'm stepping on my thumb!  I suppose that's normal until the thumb gets use to the pressure.

http://i692.photobucket.com/albums/vv288/jessewang79/LeatherThumbTab2.jpg

http://i692.photobucket.com/albums/vv288/jessewang79/LeatherThumbTab.jpg

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Re: pronged rings

Artemiz wrote:

Well, I just made a thumb tab out of a piece of old leather belt and drew my 64# compound and.....it feels just like I'm stepping on my thumb!  I suppose that's normal until the thumb gets use to the pressure.

As mentioned above, you might want to try boiling it, although some types of leather don't harden well.  Look up Cuir Bouilli on the Internet.  As an example: http://www.jeanturner.co.uk/static-cont … hnique.pdf

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Yes and make sure to study the technique as well, I'm a bit concerned with  ........" it feels just like I'm stepping on my thumb! "

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16 (edited by Artemiz 2010-11-08 06:52:45)

Re: pronged rings

Well, after daily practicing of my draw with the leather tab, my thumb no longer feels like I'm stepping on it. 

I've learned to press the tip of my thumb firmer against my middle finger and the index finger is no longer pushing my thumb against the string so heavily.

I still can't pull all the way back to a full Korean draw but I can anchor and hold with the thumb right behind my jaw (similar to my mech. release anchor) for 10-15 seconds w/o trembling.  Still need to practice and improve my strength/endurance.

Note to bluelake: Do you still offer thumb rings for sale, if so how much?

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Re: pronged rings

Artemiz wrote:

Note to bluelake: Do you still offer thumb rings for sale, if so how much?

Generally, I only sell thumb rings when somebody buys a bow, as I don't want to be competition with the company I supply (Three Rivers).


T

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Re: pronged rings

That picture of the leather tab looks somewhat similiar to one that I used to use. One suggestion.........take a thick piece of leather like the one you have, shape and form it like a ring. After shooting it a few times to help it take shape, then dip it in epoxy. Once saturated with the epoxy, the leather will keep its shape and provide a much quicker cleaner release.

This worked very well for me before I got a ring that fit me well. From time to time I will shoot bare thumb in an effort to keep the thumb "built up".  I agree in regards to the remarks about the feeling of the string against the thumb.......for me it makes for more accurate shooting.........it just does not allow one to go out and practice all day.

I know of one bowyer who shoots a 90# turk style bow with bare thumb. It can be done....but is probably not advisable.

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By the way, is the opening for a sugakji typically oval or circular? And if it's oval, what is its orientation?

I'm thinking of making one, but seeing as I don't have an original specimen, it's hard to anticipate what a good shape or profile would be. For example, is it better to go with a shorter prong (to hold with one finger) or a longer prong (to hold with two fingers)? What are the relative merits of the short prong vs. the longer prong?

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Re: pronged rings

Justin Ma wrote:

By the way, is the opening for a sugakji typically oval or circular? And if it's oval, what is its orientation?

I'm thinking of making one, but seeing as I don't have an original specimen, it's hard to anticipate what a good shape or profile would be. For example, is it better to go with a shorter prong (to hold with one finger) or a longer prong (to hold with two fingers)? What are the relative merits of the short prong vs. the longer prong?

The opening is a bit more circular.  Regarding the prong/knob, it depends upon the archer; however, most I've seen tended to be relatively short--I'm guessing it helps cut down on errors from too much knob for the string to get past.  Although I've shot sugakji a bit, I'm far from an expert on them.

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Hi,
Nice post.Thanks for sharing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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I've never used one myself, though I'm under the impression that the prong is shaped to suit the archer, generally shortening it.

Welcome to KTA forum Jonathon5.

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yeah my thumb feels like that too, ordered a thumbring glove that Greatree archery makes, will try that out... thumbring is good too, just need to get used to it...

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Re: pronged rings

Trident wrote:

yeah my thumb feels like that too, ordered a thumbring glove that Greatree archery makes, will try that out... thumbring is good too, just need to get used to it...

I helped in the design of their thumbring glove, although it was mostly through suggestions while they were going through the design phase.  One suggestion I hope they still implement is taking off the middle-finger covering and just leave it with the thumb and index finger.  One thing to be careful of--the reinforcement tab on the thumb can sometimes get in the way of the string.  Overall, though, it's a great idea.

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25 (edited by benzi 2011-11-10 19:33:22)

Re: pronged rings

hello,

this two thumb rings are both sugakji, are they?

http://img.janforman.com/?id=image02591js.jpg

http://koreanarchery.org/classic/sugakji%20004.jpg

But for me it looks like that there are two different styles, because of the left part of the ring in the first picture?

http://www.abload.de/img/sugakji1ieyrg.jpg

Do somebody know the function of this part?

thank you and regards benzi

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