Accessories
Thumbring
Send circumference of first knuckle of right thumb. I get best accuracy using a wire to wrap around knuckle then measure. I keep 11 sizes in stock.
It is important that a thumb ring fit just right. My rings are cast in pewter here in Madison Wisconsin. Pewter is plenty hard enough to not bend when dropped or stepped on. Gentle striking to get the oval of the ring to match the oval shape of your thumb is simple. Shrinking or expanding are tasks needing only the skills of amateur jeweler or plumber.
Size can be adjusted by glueing cloth weight leather to the inside. This will also add some padding to make the draw more comfortable The photo here shows a loop of leather, to hold a necklace length loop of leather cord. The cord loop quite natural wraps about the wrist when shooting and there keeps the ring attached to you when taken off to retrieve arrows or such like. It was common in several cultures for the ring to be worn as a pendant. It is out of the archers way and a badge of rank. Hence there are many antique thumbrings in expensive materials (gold, silver, jade, ivory) and embedded with gems. The Chicago Museum of Art has one on display that is of silver with a gem and is the "seal ring" of a merchant of Venice, who lived about 1440 CE. It appears to even be functional.
$20.00 USD
"Handle Wrap" Arrow Rest
You can add an arrow rest. This is a simple leather wrap around the handle with a folded upper lip to hold the arrow above the archer's bow hand. Many customers initially have doubts about not having a set resting point on the bow. The vast majority find they adapt to not having an arrow rest in a few dozen shots. A few archers find they need the arrow rest.
$20.00 USD
Horsebow Strings (Endless Loop Bowstrings)
Each model has a different length, of string and sizes of loops. So give me model, or measurement of overall length and length of each loop.
Kassai supplies a nylon string with the bow. I have replacement strings made in USA and they are Dacron.
$20.00 USD
Books
Horse Archery by Kassai Lajos
150 pages, lots of pictures, hardcover. Well written, with a touch of humor and philosophy. Kassai explains his style of teaching horsearchery. Since he had no instructor or even knew of anyone who shot from horseback he made mistakes and gives the reader the opportunity to avoid the ones he has made. The task of marrying the two complex arts of horsemanship and archery are a challenge that will stretch the mind and spirit.
$26.00 USD
Kay's Thumbring Book by Kay Koppedrayer
Everything you ever wanted to know about thumbrings. History, culture, how to make and how to use. Lots of pictures.
$20.00 USD
An Archery Lexicon by Kay Koppedrayer
This book writen by my friend and teacher Kay Koppedrayer. Is great for any beginner or in the case yours truely, an archer or 33 years. It is a delightful read that will help you understand terms and concepts shrouding traditional archery. Kay discusses different terms such as "standing in the bow", what they mean and how they came about. As well as how bows work all the way to bow Etiquette on the range. This book is on my highly suggested reading lists for all of my bow making and fletching students. Even it you are a veteran archer, you will still benefit from realing this book.
$20.00 USD
Making Bamboo Arrows by Kay and Jaap Koppedrayer
Writen by my friends and teachers Kay and Jaap Kopedrayer, "Making Bamboo Arrows" is a comprehensive course in the neat form of a booklet on how to make Bamboo arrows of course. But it goes far beyond what the title describes. This book goes though all the processes step by step on how traditional arrows are made from meterials grading and selection to the most efficent and accurate ways to process Feathers by hand. I have used it to step up my own fletching game even though I personally don't use Bamboo often for my arrows. This book is a wonderful resource for those who want to get into traditional fletching or step up their skill as a hobbyist or a professional like myself.
$15.00 USD