Product Reviews: Ton Kooiman "Etude 3" Clarinet/Oboe Thumb Rest

It had been 40 years since I played the Clarinet when I decided to pick one up and take some private lessons. After numerous tragedies in my life, it was suggested that I find something to do that would be fun and bring me joy. I almost picked up right where I left off and immediately fell right back in love. I started to experience repetitive stress injuries such as tendonitis, bursitis, back, neck and shoulder pain and, the worst, trigger thumb. In sheer desperation I began adding prosthetic attachments to my instrument. The Ton Kooiman "Etude 3" Clarinet/Oboe Thumb Rest was my only hope! It is a MIRACLE!

It is my opinion that this should be on every clarinet produced. Playing clarinet requires sustained extension to the thumb to hold the instrument while allowing fingers to curl into position. My injury actually began in elementary school and had I not decided to play again, I would never have known. 50% of all musicians have hand related injuries, it can limit, interrupt or end a career. Using the thumb rest from the onset could prevent this in the future for those very few people who do end up playing beyond their youth!

Good thumb rest. Easy to adjust. Takes time to actually fit to instrument though.

Best price I could find, quick delivery. Just as described and really easy to fit yourself.

I posted recently asking for advice about thumbrests for my new-to-me Cor Anglais. Thought I'd update...
I bought a Kooiman Étude3 - nice price at Just Flutes (whose name is clearly slightly out of date!)
The instructions suggested removing the old thumbrest (it would have got in the way of sliding it on) and using the same screws & holes for the Kooiman - up/down flexibility offered through the 3 positions available with having 6 holes.
So I did that, knowing it was going to be too high still.
Further up/down flexibility was available through the multiple ridges the rest can click down.
(4 screws were supplied in the box, but the instructions say to use only 2.)

It was too high still, despite the adjustments, so 2 new holes were needed.
1.7mm ø - ordered a new drill bit & waited a couple of days for the post.

The new position (using the two middle holes) was now at the perfect height!
NB the rest on the thumb joint can be adjusted via the screw thread to raise/lower it in relation to the scoop where the thumb sits. I adjusted mine down a lot before putting it on the instrument, but ended up returning it to about the original setting.

However, although my fingering of especially C, C# Eflat was so much easier, my thumb started wanting to get pins & needles.
On inspection I discovered that the rest was too far anticlockwise round the joint so my hand was pinched. Sadly 😥 this meant I had to put new holes - about 5° clockwise (I used top left & bottom right this time to spread the damage) so that the base was exactly flat, directly opposite the tone holes.

Now it's like a dream.

The last 2 pictures show the range of movement forward & backward available.

Yes, I no longer have a hook for a sling. No, I don't miss it: the support from my thumb & the Étude3 is excellent, and I use a floor stand when taking a break from playing.