Archery Weapons

From Karate, Kungfu, Wrestling, Mixed Fighting Information Source

Archery is the common term that refers to the use of bow and arrow either as a sport or a method of combat. This art has been in practice by humans for the last thousands of years as an effective tool of hunting and warfare.

Contents 1 Bow 1.1 Types of Bows 1.1.1 Longbow 1.1.2 Flatbow 1.1.3 Bush Bow 1.1.4 Japanese Long Bow 1.1.5 Re-curve 1.1.6 Short Bow 1.1.7 Compound 1.1.8 Crossbow 2 Arrow 2.1 Kinds of Arrows 2.1.1 Target Arrow 2.1.2 Flight Arrow 2.1.3 Flu-Flu's 2.1.4 Bolts/Quarrels 2.2 Parts of the Arrow 2.2.1 Shaft 2.2.2 Arrowhead 2.2.3 Fletchings 2.2.4 Nocks

Bow

The Bow is one of the most ancient wepons that shoots arrows using the elastic power stored in the bowstring. The enegy stored in the bowstring are utilized into a rapid motion when the string is pulled and released by the weilder transferring it to the arrow that causes a propelled peircing action. In the past, certain military units used the bow and the arrow as a weapon of war.

Types of Bows

In the world of archery there are many different types of bows. It is commonly made from wood, either laminated like the Japanes bows, or made solely solid hardwoods like the English Longbow. In the modern times, material like plastics, fiber glass and carbon fibers are used which is more flexible.

Longbow

See main article Longbow

The Longbow is often referred to as the “English” Longbow or the “War Bow” and was viewed, in period, as a very dangerous weapon in the hands of a master. A longbow was pretty popular in almost all of our period, so this would be an easy bow to carry no matter what period you are in. This bow is approx. 5-6 feet in length and is usually straight when unstrung. A typical longbow is “D” shaped, that is to say flat toward the target and then curved toward the shooter in the shape of a capital ‘D’. Depending on how the bow is made, this is also one of the more difficult bows to master due to its size and “kick” when you release the string.

Flatbow

See main article Flat Bow

The Flat Bow is a type of longbow that is typically shorter than a longbow and is without the “D” cross-section making a “flat” limb (except for the grip, of course). This bow is typically lighter and does not “kick” as much as a true longbow. This is a good alternative to the longbow and is pretty easy to shoot.

Bush Bow

The Bush Bow is very similar to the Flat bow, but is just a little shorter. It is called a ‘bush bow’ due to its design to be able to go into the “bush” to hunt with. It is smaller and lighter so that it can be carried easier when hunting.

Japanese Long Bow

See main article Yumi

The Japanese Long Bow is a very interesting version of the longbow. This bow was designed to be shot from horseback, so instead of having the grip in the middle of the bow, it is closer to the bottom of the bow. The bow is typically 6 foot long or more. This is a difficult bow to master, but a fun one to watch someone shoot properly (or improperly).

Re-curve

See main article Re-curve Bow

The Re-curve Bow is the most prevalent on the archery line. This bow is a straight bow with a slight curve at the top and the bottom. Re-curves come in all shapes, sizes (usually around 5-6 feet in length) and colors and are made out of all sorts of different composite materials. Very little “kick” when releasing the string and a lighter pull makes the re-curve a very popular bow for beginners and technical shooters.

Short Bow

The Short Bow or “horse bow” is a smaller version of the re-curve and is seen in many period documents. The short bow often has a very pronounced curves at the top and bottom (almost seeming to curl in on itself when unstrung) and is generally light and no longer than 3 feet in length. Due to the shortness of the bow and the nature of the curl this can be a difficult bow to shoot, but is definitely worth the experience.

Compound

See main article Compound Bow

A Compound Bow is similar to a re-curve but is molded in such a way as to always be in the “strung” shape. A compound bow has “cams” (roller like mechanical devices) on the top and bottom of the bow to assist with the pull of the bow. As the shooter pulls the string back, the “cams” roll down toward the shooter eventually “breaking”. When the cam breaks, the string pull resistance becomes much easier to pull and easier to hold. This is a very popular bow for modern day hunters and can be set to a very great pull weight.

Crossbow

see main article Crossbow

A Crossbow is fired much like a shoulder fired rocket, from a shoulder position looking down the quarrel toward the target. A crossbow string is set or “cocked” by means of a mechanical device such as a winch or simply by pulling or pushing the string onto the release mechanism. A quarrel (arrow) is placed on a “shelf” in front of the cocked string and then released by means of a mechanical “trigger”. Crossbows are often very powerful and are fun to shoot. Crossbows are also difficult to master, but when shot by a master can be deadly accurate. Crossbows also come in various shapes and sizes with different release mechanisms that are all period.

Arrow

The arrow is the complementary weapon of the bow which is a pointed projectile that is used for peircing an opponent. Like the bow, it has been used for thousand of years as tool for hunting and warfare.

Kinds of Arrows

Target Arrow

These are the typical 3-4 fletched arrows that we use when shooting on the "line". The length of the arrow is based upon your draw length, and the thickness of the arrow will typically correspond with how heavy your bow is. This arrow is designed to do your basic shooting at targets.

Flight Arrow

This arrow is designed for distance shooting. This arrow is sometimes a little longer than a standard arrow to allow for ‘overdraw’. Overdraw is that term that refers when a weilder pulls back further than you would normally to shoot the arrow that allows for more distance. Flight arrows typically are ligh and usually have only about two fletches.

Flu-Flu's

This arrow is typically a little longer than the standard arrow too, but it's usually for a dual purpose. A flu-flu arrow has made for shooting targets that are suspended above the range or shooting Poppin-Jay's or a bird on a stick. The ‘flu-flu’ is typically made with much bigger fletchings which cause the arrow to slow down enough that if you shoot it into the air, it should land standing up or at least on top of the ground when it lands.

There different types of tips on these arrows:

• The bird blunts are hard rubber tips that will hit the target, but should not penetrate the target. They are designed to hunt small animals and to stun them, but not to penetrate the flesh. It is used to shoot at poppin-jay targets that are suspended on a pole.
• "Judo tips" or "grass catchers" are arrows that look like something from a fictional movie because they've got a regular tip with several little wire "arms" sticking out to catch the grass and keep the arrow from being lost in the grass.

Bolts/Quarrels

The Bolts or Quarrels are much shorter arrows that are used by crossbows. They are usually 2-4 fletched arrows with standard field points on them. They are usually made of a thicker shaft to take the punishment of the increased pull poundage of the crossbow.

Parts of the Arrow

Shaft

The Shaft is the long slender body of the arrow which is made from light materials like bamboo, wood, or aluminum. It is the part of the arrow where the other parts like the arrowhead, and the fletchings are attached.

Arrowhead

The arrowhead the most important part of the arrow because it determines the purposes of the bow user or the archer. It is the pointed section of the arrow and either be made from a simple sharpened head of the shaft to an appendage made from sharpened stoned, metal, horns, bones or any hard material.

There three kinds of arrow tips, the field point, broad head, and the Bodkin points.

• The field point is the simplest of all arrowheads beacuse it only made from the sharpened tip of the shaft. It is usually the same size of the diameter of theshaft and is used in Target Archery

• The broad head is the type of arrowhead that is more commonly used in hunting and warfare as it is made from hard materials and has two to six sharp edges that meet in one point making it a peircing wepon designed for cutting flesh.

• The Bodkin Point are arrowheads with short rigid points with a small cross-section designed to penetrate armor. It was popular during the middle ages where plated armor was still in use.

Fletchings

Fletchings are the fin-like structure could found at the rear end part of the arrow. This part is responsible for the drag that stabilizes the flight of the arrow that makes the arrow fly staight toward the intended direction. Its sahpe may be straight, or arranged in a mild helix around the shaft of the arrow to provide a slight rotation which improves accuracy. It usaully has 6 inches in lenght. In the past, the fletchings were made from feathers but now they are made from plastic called vanes.

Nocks

This part of the arrow makes sure that the arrow is placed properly on the bowstring. It may be simple slots cut in the back of the arrow, or separate pieces made from wood, plastic, or horn that are then attached to the end of the arrow.