Making an Archer's Thumb Ring from aSilver Spoon

by Mike Richardson

The other day I had a spoon in my pocket and it felt just like one of my horn thumb rings. So I thought,why not make a thumb ring from a spoon. I chose a sterling silver spoon that was big enough to hold oneof my horn thumb rings. After drilling a half inch hole, I filed the hole to an oval using a rat tail file. I keptthe size smaller than it would fit so I could hammer out the band on a steel mandrel. I took my anglegrinder to shape the sides before hammering out the band. When I got the band wide enough and fittingnicely, I heated and brushed soft silver solder (lead free) on the thumb ring. I made the tip thicker on theinside. I also placed a string stop with solder on the outside. You could make a thumb ring out of astainless steel spoon, but making a band would be harder and thickening the tip with soft silver solderwouldn't work on stainless steel. Epoxy putty would be an option to thicken the tip.

\Archer's Thumb Ring from a Spoon http://www.primitiveways.com/archer's_thumb_spoon_ring.html

1 of 4 22/03/2015 10:57

\Archer's Thumb Ring from a Spoon http://www.primitiveways.com/archer's_thumb_spoon_ring.html

2 of 4 22/03/2015 10:57

The tab on the thumb ring is a second class lever and it makes holding heavy bows easier. I utilize a loopof cord under the string nock, which eliminates string twist so I can shoot off either side of the bow (seethe "Archer's Thumb Ring" article for photos on how to use the archer's thumb ring). I used a shorterthumb ring tab, but found that a longer tab is much more secure, comfortable and just as accurate shootingwhen using a string loop.

If you can't find a suitable spoon, sheet copper or brass would work just dandy. Even a copper pipe wouldwork. I would coat it with soft silver solder (use lead free) to keep it from oxidizing. I'm a plumber and Ican think of a lot of copper fittings that have the concave inner surface, like 45 degree elbows, so youwouldn't have to hammer too much. If the metal is fairly thin, you will need to thicken up the tip of thespur with soft silver, so it doesn't hurt your second finger joint while shooting.

The spur should be wide enough to protect the sides of your thumb from the string loop. It should also be1/8 to 1/4 inch longer than the tip of the thumb while it is under a load. It's best to start longer and shortenup as needed. The basic shape of the ring looks like a visor. Always slide the thumb ring tight up againstyour thumb joint before each shot or you might bruise the back of your thumb.

I anchor right under my jaw, palm down, with the index knuckle touching my ear lobe. Shooting with a

\Archer's Thumb Ring from a Spoon http://www.primitiveways.com/archer's_thumb_spoon_ring.html

3 of 4 22/03/2015 10:57

thumb release is really a joy. I can hold my 74 lb. long bow at full draw (31 inches) longer than mostpeople can hold their breath. It is very, very comfortable to hold and shoot. The release is just like flippinga quarter with your thumb.

"Thinking out side the box."

Back to "Making a Archer's Thumb Ringfrom Cow Horn, Antler or Bone"

Email your comments to "Mike Richardson" at fiddler49@hotmail.comMike Richardson resides in Anchorage, Alaska.

PrimitiveWays Home Page

We hope the information on the PrimitiveWays website is both instructional and enjoyable. Understand that no warranty orguarantee is included. We expect adults to act responsibly and children to be supervised by a responsible adult. If you use theinformation on this site to create your own projects or if you try techniques described on PrimitiveWays, behave inaccordance with applicable laws, and think about the sustainability of natural resources. Using tools or techniques describedon PrimitiveWays can be dangerous with exposure to heavy, sharp or pointed objects, fire, stone tools and hazards present inoutdoor settings. Without proper care and caution, or if done incorrectly, there is a risk of property damage, personal injuryor even death. So, be advised: Anyone using any information provided on the PrimitiveWays website assumes responsibilityfor using proper care and caution to protect property, the life, health and safety of himself or herself and all others. He or sheexpressly assumes all risk of harm or damage to all persons or property proximately caused by the use of this information.

© PrimitiveWays 2014

\Archer's Thumb Ring from a Spoon http://www.primitiveways.com/archer's_thumb_spoon_ring.html

4 of 4 22/03/2015 10:57