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Post by dchisenh on Jun 13, 2016 19:46:25 GMT
I can understand your frustration Ulahn, but please don't stop posting! The amount of work you've done to document the history surrounding these pieces is on par with what you spent restoring them, and I'm truly impressed by both! While your posts may not get as many responses and hits by folks who are more concerned with other types of swords or are more interested in swords they perceive as being available to own by them (like repros), there are plenty of folks here who do appreciate all that work and often stare in slack-jawed awe at the amazing pieces of history you've brought back to life! Keep it up! -Dan
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Post by dchisenh on Jun 3, 2016 2:05:11 GMT
Scott hit the nail on the head when it comes to a shelf or cut out in your bow vs. shooting off knuckle. After seeing those archer's paradox videos Jammer posted a few hours ago where people are using bows that have no real grip to speak of, I think that's why I was so confused...as well as why I hadn't heard of the archer's paradox, it isn't really applicable to the style of shooting I learned. The bows I've used look like the bows in the link below: tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=next_topic;f=14;t=004487;go=olderAs you can see from those images, there's a shelf there and a distinct palm swell in the grip area, making it very, very difficult to shoot the arrow from the other side (damn near impossible unless you really practiced it for a very, very long time!). When an arrow is loaded, it is basically centered and it really simplifies things. I guess the shelf and grip I'm used to on my recurve is more modern than the older style bows, eastern or otherwise, that are being discussed here; but when I hear 'recurve' that's what comes to mind for me. -Dan
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Post by dchisenh on May 31, 2016 21:49:13 GMT
Hey Jammer, I'm sorry I didn't consider that possibility, but I still say accuracy trumps speed. As far as your specific questions about the paradox, it looks like Timo has done a great job explaining it and I hope that helps answer your question. I'll be honest, I hadn't heard of an archer's paradox until reading this thread, I just learned how to shoot from my grandpa, got my first bow when I was 8 and have been shooting ever since. Archery for me has always been a relaxing pursuit, mainly because I don't think of it academically and just shoot instinctively. Having worked in academia, I appreciate a good hypothetical min-max discussion, but I think that's precisely why I enjoy archery as much as I do, for me it's an opportunity to shut my brain off and just shoot. Good luck in whatever style you decide to practice and since you aren't allowed to have firearms, I would practice often! -Dan
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Post by dchisenh on May 31, 2016 20:52:02 GMT
I gotcha Jammer. If you're thinking in a martial context, there's more than just speed to take into account. If the scenario is life or death, the only reason I would think of for not using a firearm would perhaps be stealth (even though a bow does also make some noise), so in that case I still think accuracy would trump speed. I'd advise against a Rambo-style conflict using your bow just the same as I'd advise against any scenario where the odds are stacked against you, and if you feel the need to rapid-fire arrows...they're against ya. -Dan
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Post by dchisenh on May 31, 2016 20:37:30 GMT
Byron is incredible. He can hit an aspirin thrown into the air! And he said the trick is to aim for the center, because the center of an aspirin is the same as the center of a beach ball! Byron's style of expo archery reminds me of older performers, like Howard Hill and even going back to the really old school shooting expos by Annie Oakley and Wild Bill. He has a dignified air about him that I think the original topic of this thread Lars doesn't have. If Lars presented his rapid fire and trick shots in a similar manner, I think he would be better received. -Dan
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Post by dchisenh on May 31, 2016 20:04:24 GMT
Ah, I see what you're asking. Sorry, I can't say I've tried that. If you're asking from an academic perspective, go ahead and give it a try. If you're asking from a practical perspective, I'd suggest getting the proper handed bow. There's nothing wrong in finding a style of archery you enjoy and practicing at it, whether it's trick shots, target practice, hunting or just seeing what you can do with whatever type of bow that suits your fancy. My grandfather used to do trick shots back in the 60's, 70's and 80's using his recurve (hitting a quarter thrown in the air, etc.) and he also had a compound he used to hunt with. There's nothing wrong with different bows for different tasks, nor is it impossible to do many tasks with just one bow; just know it'll be harder to do something with a non-optimized setup.
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Post by dchisenh on May 31, 2016 19:27:00 GMT
Highlander makes a good point, spine selection determines flex so your arrow choice makes a difference. Check out www.3riversarchery.com and look under their "learn from the experts" tab to see some spine calculators, selection charts, etc. They're my favorite place for traditional archery and are really helpful if you have any questions. Also, I think it bears mentioning the type of bow you're using. Personally, I use an old Red Wing Hunter 45# right handed recurve and the way the palm swell is made into the bow, I couldn't use it left-handed; vice-versa for my grandpa's old left-handed recurve. On a lot of bows the palm swell inhibits your grip more than the shelf location when you try to use it opposite handed. I'm guessing you're talking about a bow that just has a plain grip (no palm bias)? I think it bears mentioning a story I heard awhile ago about an old rifle my great-uncle had. It was an ancient .22 that had a sight that was bent all to crap and was pretty much in such bad shape if anyone tried to use it they wouldn't be able to hit the broad side of a barn...except my great-uncle. Because it was "his" rifle and he had used it so much, he could still hit a squirrel out of a tree from way across his yard every single time he picked it up. If you practice however you wish to shoot enough, you'll become better at it.
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Post by dchisenh on May 31, 2016 18:06:25 GMT
Hey Jammer, I'm a little confused as to what it is you're asking. If you're asking about drawing from a hip quiver/back pocket quiver located on your left side if you're a right handed shooter, it would be possible but not as natural as from your right side. You could practice drawing from any sort of configuration until you're comfortable with it, like mentioned earlier, you've got to build up your muscle memory. If you're asking about range, 45 feet (~14 meters/15 yards) should be very easy to hit your target regardless of style. 30 meters (~100 feet) is also within most bow hunters range assuming a decent poundage draw (45-50lb I'd suggest as a minimum for deer, obviously increasing with target size as a general rule). When hunting, it's important to get as close as possible so you can take down your target successfully, anyone that's had to track a wounded deer through a swamp can vouch for that! Is that what you were asking?
-Dan
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Post by dchisenh on May 31, 2016 17:17:21 GMT
I had never heard of him before reading this thread, but I can see where his presentation and boasting can rub someone the wrong way. His trick shots are interesting to watch and do take some skill and, I'm sure, quite a bit of practice; but thinking those techniques would be actually practiced in a historical 'war' context is just plain silly. The actual paintings and historic examples he gives showing folks holding more than one arrow is perfectly logical; in the heat of battle you want to have as many arrows as easily available as possible...it doesn't mean they're going to try to shoot them one after the other as fast as possible. Accuracy > Speed. In my opinion, that's been the case from the atl-atl all the way though till early firearms, at least until the Gatling gun and later the Maxim gun. He should just stick to his tricks, they're entertaining enough without having to invent a false narrative to go with them.
-Dan
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