Wing claw

[Jenu]

The wing claw is
a) part of evolved anatomy and
b) actually useful

When the dragon wing evolved, it was a second or third pair of limbs (depending on the dragon type) that sprouted upward from the shoulder. Like all it's other limbs, it has X number of fingers and a reversible thumb. This thumb, with a claw at the end of it, is the wing claw. Also, some artists (like me) draws claws at the end of all the wing fingers, between the web, as a reinforcement to the extra limb idea.

Also, when the dragon is fighting, and entagled with the other dragon, a maneuverable wing can make an unexpected scratch in the middle of a fight, which may give it a small advatange. You can never have too many claws! LOL!
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[Ahndeleck]

I'm no major buff in biology or anything, but I see your point. I've seen some dragons without it, some with the little thumb. I'd say its probably just a genetic throwback really. Although, if it isn't then its got to be be for picking up the newspaper outside your den in the morning. Or maybe picking up the pencil you dropped while you were working the crossword. Think how hard it would be to pick up a pencil with big giant claws? A nice little small thumb paired with the mobility of your wing could help you get to all sorts of great little things around the den. Besides, I really doubt that keyboards could last very long to claws, but a little wing thumb would work alright.

Well, it would be that or your toungue, and I don't know about everyone, but I really don't like the idea of licking my keyboard all day.
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Ahn

[Namhias]

Well, as a dragon I know I didn't have access to any kind of technology, I certainly didn't own a computer. I don't think the thumb really had a function.

[Favoran]

The fact that the wing claw is smaller might allow a dragon to grip a rough, rocky surface (as has already been mentioned a few times). Which makes sense, if you think about how hard it is to cling to a canyon wall with just 2 hands and legs.

I agree that it serves a more last-resort purpose; while it may be strong and relatively mobile, the other natural weapons of a dragon would be far more useful in a fight of any kind, and I don't really see how easily a thumb on one's wing could pick something up... You'd have to get the wing in the right position which could prove to be troublesome in and of itself. I'm sure a creative dragon could manage something, though.

[gcdm]

maybe it's for flight stability, if dragons fly like birds, it flys like a helicopter (except it flaps) helicopters have little tail wing near the rear rotor to keep a
stable flight.....i don't know...just a guess......i would really need to a actual dragon flight pattern.
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[Samariyu]

I've got a lot of opinions on this, but I'll state only one or two.

I believe the wing claw was a strong, flexible, and highly useful appendage just like our own human thumb (just study yours; notice how easily it can stretch up, down, side to side, in, and out? Granted, movement may be varied in individual dragons, but as for the ones in my mind this fits.) Combined with the rest of the muscles in the "hand" structure, I'm sure it could have done all sorts of limited movements (limited due to the long filanges {spelling?} of the wing) and gripping actions. Not to mention they would provide a good flat surface to deliver a folded-wing-dragon-punch ( ) to the opponent's face in battle. And have you seen the wing claws in most artist's drawings? Those puppies are gnarlier than an eagle's talons. I bet I could tear a crocodile's throat out in a single swipe had I a pair of those handy on my back. I'd say they'd be pretty useful in battle, even as a primary weapon. They'd be very good in long distance shots (used to cause damage while staying out of the opponent's general range => like a roundhouse kick) where your claws or fangs wouldn't be able to reach without moving your position (by then, you may have lost your opening it your adversarie's defense). In many ways, you have to compare it to martial arts; all parts of your body need to be used to their fullest (right down to the body fats). A smart dragon would hold these small, but lethal, structures in a high respect and actively use them to survive in the harsh and merciless ecosystem that prevailed in the old days.
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[Namhias]

It doesn't strike me as smart to use a wing claw as a weapon, mainly because it's attached to the very fragile wing. I still stand by my previous opinion.

[Samariyu]