Making a new thumb ring, Sugakkji(숫깍지)

I have no complains of the old thumb ring that I made out of a billiard ball.  However, I found out that there was a thumb ring, that only Koreans were used in Asia.  It is called "Sugakkji", in translation, means male thumb ring.  It has a belly sticking out from the ring, so it is called male thumb ring.
The benefits of this style are, can draw longer, hold longer, and good for heavy bows.
Although my bow is only #30, I wanted to make this ring for my future heavy bows :)

I ordered a board of hard maple wood.  I did not know what kind of wood I need to order, but it seemed like maple wood is pretty hard wood so it was my choice.
It took me about a week to finish it because, the wood was so hard, it took me long time to shape it.  I had to make sure it fits me perfectly, so I was extra careful about the fitment.

I used a heat gun to carve "Dong Yi", which means "people from East, who are good with bows"  That was what Chinese people called Koreans, long time ago.

I used a cow hide to prevent the ring slips away from my thumb.
Overall, I love my new ring.  I tested it many times, and it was little weird at the beginning, but now I am loving it.

Customizing my bow

I met a guy who was using a same bow as mine.  His bow was heavier, but the look was exactly the same since we were using bows from the same company. 
I wanted to customize my bow, so it's distinctive.  I decided to paint it black, and write words that I really like.
I used a leather paint that I bought on Amazon, masking tape on the edge, so I could still see the sheep skin.  I used a Gundam marker pen to write words "궁아일체 일발필중", "弓我一體 一發必中" which means, "when body and the bow become one, one shot hit target 100%"
  

Meeting a friend

 

I was struggling with arrows hitting my bow violently.  Arrows hit my bow so hard that I could smell burned.  I did not know what was the problem.  I somehow thought that arrows were not matched to my bow draw weight, but I was not sure.
One day, I was practicing at Redwood bowmen club, and I met a guy(Mike) who was using a Hungarian bow with a thumb ring.  We instantly talked to each other because there was only 2 of us who were using a thumb ring.  He told me that a guy name Justin Ma, who a is instructor of Chinese Ming dynasty archery, and he might can help with my problem.
I joined facebook page of Chinese archery, Korean archery, and other Asian archery group, and I sent a message to Justin.
He was not only very nice, but also very knowledgeable of Asian archery.  I asked many questions, and he answered all of them.  We set up the time, and met up at the range.
The pictures are, Justin, repositioned my nocking point, and testing my arrows.

After he tested, and fixed my nocking point, all of my problems were solved.  He corrected my form, and gave me great advice.  It would have taken a lot longer to find out what was my problem if I have not met Justin.
Thank you, Justin. 

This is Justin's website.

Is Asian traditional archery difficult?

Yes it is.  First traditional archery means, no sight to help aiming, no arrow rest to help arrow flying.  It's just you, the bow, and arrows.  You shoot instinctively, which means, you do not aim.  You open both eyes, you look at the target, and you shoot.  Everything is muscle memories, which means you need to practice a lot.
It's like playing golf or basket ball.  When you play basketball, you just look at the net, and your mind and body know how much strength, and angle to shoot the ball in the net.  It's the same concept.
It's hard, but when the arrow hits the target, it feels very good.  When you shoot, when the arrow started to leave your hand, you can tell whether it's a clean shot or not.  The sounds, the feel, the vibration, everything is different when you have a clean shot.

It's so much fun.

My first 40 yards shoot

When I got to the range, there were people having a lesson on 10-15 yards target range.  So I headed to 40, 45, 50, 55, and 60 yards range.  I felt the 40 yards was so far.
I shot my first arrow, and it flew way over the target, and disappeared.  I tried to find it, but I could not.  Damn, I lost my arrow from my first shot!!
I should have started shooting it on 10 yards target....oh well, since I was waiting for the lesson was finished.  I kept practicing on 40 yards target.
One round was 11 arrows since I lost one.  I think I shot 6 rounds. 

My first attempted....only one arrow hit the target.

 Getting there

My 6th round

Let me explain the first feeling of shooting an arrow, and watching it flying to a target.  It's fantastic.  I do not know how to explain it, it's just a joy to see my arrows flying, and hit the target.  It's very addicting!

Redwood Bowmen Club

About 20mins away from my home, there is a range called Redwood Bowmen club in Oakland.  It's right next to Chabot space center.  You park your car at the bottom floor of the parking lot, and just walk outside.
Then you will see this beautiful outdoor range, that has 3 different trail 3D target courses, and variety of ranges of targets.  I love this place.  It's perfect when you visit here in the morning.

My 3rd thumb ring

After I failed to make thumb rings, I tried it again.  This time, I only used dremel tool to shape it roughly.  After that, I only used files and sand papers to make it to fit in my thumb.  It took at least 6 hours.  The  result was, perfect.  I absolutely love it.

The pictures are the first version.  Now it's much thinner, shorter, and less bulkier than this, but the shape itself is the same.

My new arrows

Here are pictures of my new built arrows.  Beautiful!

Fletching

I glues 3 4" feathers on each shaft.  Since I bought a right helical fletching jig, and the feathers, the arrows suppose to rotate clock wise when they fly.

I am a visual person, so I just go to youtube, and type "how to fletch", and you will find many how to vidoes.

Making new arrows

I ordered arrow shafts, a fletching jig, inserts, nocks, feathers, a glue, and points to make my own arrows.  I am a fan of customizing, and having things only for me.  Customizing, creating own arrows were so much fun, and I really liked it.

I ordered all the equipments and tools from Lancaster archery.
There are more online shops for archery.  You can google it.

4" right helical feather

100 grains Field points

Inserts that goes into front of shafts

Easton G nock for thick bow strings

A jig to attach feathers

Easton XX75 Aluminum shafts