Science Horizons

One of the most interesting pieces of armor used by the feudal lords of old Japan to protect them from raining arrows of pursuing archers is the Horo. It is made of lightweight cloth presumably silk, worn by messengers of nobility and is strategically designed with large colorful emblems to make them stand out in the battlefield. With the patterns, it is very easy to spot a messenger when they arrive.

Horo means arrow catcher or arrow entangler in English. A lot of men are in doubt of the cloak’s ability to stop a speeding arrow dead on it’s tracks and its reputation as a life saver. Because it is just made of sheer cloth, it is quite hard to believe that it protected the wearer from the raining arrows of the enemy. Furthermore, the large colorful designs must have made the wearer a very visible and easy target.

I was watching a show on the History Channel a few weeks back and the episode was about the Horo. Like the many people with doubts, the researchers were quite suspicious of the capes ability. Based on their research, they recreated a cape made of silk and printed on it a large colorful emblem. They tied it to a dummy, and stood it against a fan to simulate a warrior riding a horse.

The scenes that followed were quite amazing. In contrast to what was thought would make the wearer an easy target was just the exact opposite. When the wind blew against the cape, it made the emblem look like it was dancing. It was a confusing sight and I could imagine that pursuing archers would have had a very hard time hitting the wearer.

The next experiment was proving the cloak’s ability to stop an arrow in flight. When they tried to shoot some arrows at the dummy, amazingly the projectiles were not able to touch the dummy. As it hits the cape, it looses speed and falls off or gets entangled in the Horo.

With the results they have gathered, the researchers wondered if warriors did really feel confident to entrust their life on a piece of cloth. They wanted to test it themselves and feel what it would be like to be pursued by enemy archers. They simulated a war scenario, with one of the researchers wearing the Horo and several professional archers pursuing him shooting real arrows. All of them were on horseback and the arrows were dulled to protect the horse. Amazingly the cape wearer came out of it unscathed.

When it was over, the rider said that he could actually hear the arrows hitting his cloak but he could feel them stop and just feel them fall. After all their research, they have concluded that the myth of the arrow catcher was no myth at all and if they were actual Japanese warriors, they would trust their life on the Horo.

Even though the cape’s ability has been proven, it will still remain as a reminder of the past. Arrows and bows have ceased to be part of warfare. They are no longer seen as a threat to anybodies life so the Horo has lost it’s significance in battle. Although archery has long been dismissed as an effective tool for warfare, the art of shooting an arrow is still very much alive.

In modern times archery is a sport with many enthusiasts. This sport of skill and discipline is one of the favorite recreation of many individuals. I guess man has a constant need of hitting a target.

George Ross Sports archery, armor, arrow, bow, horo, horses, Hunting, japan, leisure, recreation, skill, sport, Sports, warfare, Weapon

Horo is an interesting form of a armor used by the feudal lords of ancient Japan to protect themselves from the arrows of pursuing archers. It is made of of a lightweight cloth, presumably silk and is worn like a cape at the back of the warrior. The Horo is usually worn by messengers of nobility and is strategically designed with large colorful emblems to make it stand out in the battle field. This way the messengers are easily visible when they arrive.

In English, Horo means arrow catcher or arrow entangler. A lot of scholars are suspicious of the Horo’s capability of stopping a speeding arrow in its tracks and it’s reputation as a life saver. Because the cloak is made of sheer cloth, it is hard to imagine it being able to halt a speeding dart. Furthermore, the large colorful print makes the wearer a very easy target on the field.

I was watching an episode on the history channel regarding ancient warfare, tactics and weapons. On this episode, the topic was the Horo. Like many doubters, the researchers wanted to test the cloaks effectiveness in stopping a speeding dart on its flight. They modeled a cape basing on their studies and dressed it with large colorful emblems. They tied it to a dummy and blew a big fan against it simulating a messenger riding a galloping horse.

The scenes that followed were quite amazing. In contrast to what was thought would make the wearer an easy target was just the exact opposite. When the wind blew against the cape, it made the emblem look like it was dancing. It was a confusing sight and I could imagine that pursuing archers would have had a very hard time hitting the wearer.

The next step then would be finding out if the cape or what looks like a cloak could really stop an arrow. When they tried to shoot the dummy with sharp arrows, amazingly the darts where entangled in the dancing cloak and were actually stopped. The arrow looses speed as soon as it gets entangled on the Horo and falls off to the ground.

With the results they have gathered, the researchers wondered if warriors did really feel confident to entrust their life on a piece of cloth. They wanted to test it themselves and feel what it would be like to be pursued by enemy archers. They simulated a war scenario, with one of the researchers wearing the Horo and several professional archers pursuing him shooting real arrows. All of them were on horseback and the arrows were dulled to protect the horse. Amazingly the cape wearer came out of it unscathed.

After the simulation, the wearer related that he could actually hear the arrows hit the cloak but he can also feel them loose their speed and just drop dead to the ground without touching him. With the results they have gathered, they concluded that the cape’s ability was no myth at all and they would trust their life on it if they were in battle.

Although the Horos capabilities have been proven, still it is only just a piece of history these days. Arrows and bows are no longer weapons of war. They are no longer seen as a threat to lives so the Horo has lost its significance. Although archery has long been dismissed as a tool of warfare, archery is far from dead.

In modern times, archery has become a sport with a huge following. Archery is a sport of skill and discipline and is among the favorite recreations of many people. People after all has a hunter in them and would always love to hit a target.

George Ross Sports archery, armor, arrow, bow, horo, horses, Hunting, japan, leisure, recreation, skill, sport, Sports, warfare, Weapon

Bows and arrows were historically known to be the first weapons for combat during the ancient times. Nowadays, archery have become even more widely known, in fact, fictional characters like Robin Hood and the Green Arrow are known to be famous in archery. Let’s tackle each one of them and the others who have made their name in archery.

Of course, who among us doesn’t know about Robin Hood of the Nottinghamshire? He is an English folklore who had been a favorite subject in many movies, comics, books and plays, being the hero for the less fortunate by stealing from the rich and giving them to the poor.

In literature, Robin Hood uses a longbow and can shoot a target from hundreds of yards away. He is so accurate that he is also famous for splitting an arrow with another arrow. Other than being a champion archer, Robin Hood is also good with swords and staffs.

Another fictional character which shows some similarity with Robin Hood is Oliver Jonas Queen also known as “The Green Arrow”. Green Arrow, referred as the best archer in the world, is a DC Comics character who patrols the streets of Star City. Dressed in a green suit, Oliver Queen fights crime with his bow and different types of trick arrows.

Green arrow is proficient with different types of bow. He uses recurve, compound and his favorite longbow. He also has a crossbow which he usually uses for short range combats. Since he is also a very rich man, he also has an access to a lot of hi-tech gadgets.

But did you know that there is also one real guy that can do the same famous trick shot of Robin Hood? Yes! The late Howard Hill, who was named to be the World’s Greatest Archer, was widely known especially during his times, for his exceptional skill in archery.

Hill is an expert with any type of bows like Oliver Queen. And yes, he was also successful in doing the Robin Hood shot although some says that the arrow’s shaft is made of bamboo. Howard’s archery skill excelled in all branches whether its target, field and the most difficult flight. A very skilled shooter that can hit objects tossed up in air, of course with his bow and arrow.

These guys have really made their names big in the world of archery. And may they be real or make-believe, surely archery itself, will be continuously a significant and interesting practice and art to many of us all over the globe.

Adrian Griffith Hunting archery, archery bows, archery equipment, archery targets, Hunting

Historical accounts date back the recurve bow to as early as 2000 BC. It has been used as a primary weapon throughout Asia, Egypt and in Greece. Though, over the years, the recurve bow has been further developed to be able to achieve its optimum potential.

The modern recurve bow is often found to be used around Asia and Europe in sporting competitions. This bow can be made from a variety of materials; some will prefer to have the limbs of a recurve bow made from layers of wood, carbon, carbon foam or fiberglass. The limbs on the other hand are comprised of multiple layers of carbon, carbon foam or fiberglass and wood.

These recurve bows have been designed to withstand great strains on the limbs and be able to provide a greater cast to the arrows.This bow is known to be able to have a big threshold for the strains on the limbs to be able to produce arrows with great casts.

It also has limbs which are known to be sturdy and can create more noise when it is shot. The recurved limbs are known to provide the bow greater ability to store energy and then transfer them to the arrow thus resulting in a more forceful arrow shot. When the bow is not strung, its ends are curved away from the archer and may seem to present a confusing shape; when it is improperly or strung backwards, it can destroy itself which is a tactical advantage in the early days should it be parted with its owner.

There are two classifications for the recurve bow; the first is the more traditional piece, which is the one-piece bow. This is the popular hunting choice as it is more conventional though not all that practical in transport yet provides the stealth one needs to achieve their hunting goals. The other is the take down bow, which is better known to be the modern recurve bow as it can be disassembled to provide the archer better efficiency in transport and storage as the riser can be separated from both limbs.

Though this kind of recurve bow poses a hunting disadvantage as the pockets in the limbs necessary for it to be taken apart creates a loud noise when being drawn, thus resulting in a give away of ones position and move. Though the take down recurve bows are not the popular choice when it comes to hunting; the simple reason for this is the fact that its components can be detached, thus resulting in limb pockets which produces noise while drawing and gives away the stealth of the hunt.

Pauline Emerson Hunting archery, bows, Hobbies, Hunting, hunting bows, Left hand bows, recurve bows, Shopping, Sports

Archery and the use of bows and arrows date back to the primitive era. The earliest men used bows in hunting. Through the course of several millennia, archery has developed into a sport. Today, it is a popular form of recreation. Modern men still love hunting. And today’s hunters use different kinds of bows in their chase for their game. Compound bows count as one of the most popular kind of bow used.

The earliest form of bow that resembles the modern compound bow is the center shot stone bow. This forerunner to what we now know as the modern compound bow has been represented in paintings that date back to the High Middle Ages. The modern compound bow was first patented by Mr. Holless Wilbur Allen. His early bow designs had triangular wheels on them that we presently refer to as cams. The first round cams came about in 1982. It was in this year that the round cams started to appear.

Modern compound bows typically have a mechanical advantage over traditional bows, may they be long bows or recurved ones. This mechanical advantage is attributed to the cable and cam systems of the compound bow. With these mechanical systems, archers and hunters are able to hold less poundage as they give their compound bows a full draw. Less pull-back on the arm means that it is possible for hunters and archers to hold drawn bows longer. This results to better aim and improved accuracy.

Today, compound bows are often classified into four styles. The number and design of the cams in a bow dictate the kind of modern bow that one has. The most popular compound bow styles include single cams, twin cams, binary cams, and hybrid cams.

A single cam bow has a round idler wheel on one end and an elliptical power cam on the other. Single cam bows are often easier to operate than other types of compound bows. They also produce lesser noise when the arrow is released. However, single cam bows are often more difficult to tune than other compound bows.

Twin cam bows have two round or elliptical cams on each end of the bows. They often provide better speed, accuracy, and level nock travel. On the other hand, twin cam bows require frequent tuning and maintenance due to their design complexities. Nevertheless, twin cam bows remain popular among serious competition shooters.

Hybrid cam bows also have two cams in them. Unlike twin cam bows, hybrid cam bows have control cams at the top and power cams at the bottom part of the bow. In 2005, the binary cam compound bow was introduced. Instead of having cams at the top and bottom of the bow, the cams of binary cam compound bows are slaved to each other.

When buying compound bows, keep in mind that they are not yet ready for use once you have taken them out of their cases. You still need to make adjustments on them so they can best suit your needs. It is also important to give them an initial tune-up.

Bartt Iccles Hunting archery, bows, compound bows, Hunting, Outdoors, recreation, sport

More and more people have become attracted to world of hunting and archery. With this growing enthusiasm, more and more people have become more particular of the kind of equipment that they use. This has given rise to the growing popularity of compound bows for use in archery and hunting.

We know that compound bows are modern bows that have levering systems usually made up of cables and pulleys that help in bending the bow limbs. Compound bows normally have stiffer limbs than those of recurve bows or longbows. The added stiffness enables the compound bow to be more energy efficient than most bows. The downside is, the limbs are oftentimes too stiff that one can experience difficulty in drawing bow string. Changes in temperature and humidity have little effect on compound bows. This contributes to the improved accuracy, distance, and velocity of compound bows.

Compound bows typically have central risers that are made of aluminum and magnesium. There are risers made of aircraft-grade 6061 aluminum alloy. Bow manufacturers like Martin Archery have developed risers made of carbon and other metal alloy materials. Manufacturers have also come to use composite materials for bow limbs. These materials are capable of withstanding compressive and high tensile forces.

One feature that sets off compound bows from the rest is the cam. The cam or wheel at the end of each limb helps store energy in the bow limbs. Cams come in different shapes, depending on the design of the bow. Martin Archery has engineered its own cams and has conceptualized and manufactured innovative designs for single cams, dual cams, and hybrid cams.

Compound bow strings are typically made from high-modulus polyethylene. It is also normal for cables to be made of the same material. High modulus polyethylene is known to have great tensile strength. The material also experiences minimal stretching. It is also common for bow strings and cables to be made of plastic-coated steel. Different bow manufacturers have introduced a lot of innovations to bow strings and cables. Martin Archery has introduced double-helix bow strings to the compound bows it manufactures.

More than 58 years of manufacturing experience has given Martin Archery an advantage in the design and manufacture of compound bows. Having known to be a maker of the fastest and most accurate bows in the world, Martin Archery continues its commitment to engineering and ingenuity to offer the most unique features and benefits to archers and hunters alike. Martin Archery has the experience and know-how when it comes to compound bows.

Bart Icles Hunting archery, bows, compound bows, Hunting, Martin Archery, Martin bows, outdoor

Crossbows are weapons that consist of mounted bows that shoot projectiles, often called bolts or arrows. In the past, they were popularly used in warfare. In the modern times, they are often used in hunting and target shooting. Crossbows have bows mounted on tillers or stocks and they have mechanisms that hold the drawn bow strings. Bows of early crossbows were often made of a single piece of ash or yew. Today, composite bows are made of multiple layers of different material, including wood, horn, steel, and sinew. Strings used in crossbows are usually made of strong fibers that have the least tendencies to fray. Whipcord, linen, hemp, sinew, and twisted mulberry root are popular choices.

Crossbows come in a number of variants. Most manufacturers have classified them according to the acceleration system, degree of automation, size and energy, and projectiles.

Recurve crossbows have tips that curve away from the archer. Their bent limbs have longer draw lengths than straight-limbed bows. This gives projectiles more acceleration and brings less shock to the hands of the archer. However, recurved bow limbs place greater strain on the materials of the bow, making more noise with every shot.

Compound crossbows are modern crossbows and they are pretty much similar to compound bows. Compound crossbows have limbs that are typically stiffer than those of recurve crossbows. Stiffer limbs make compound crossbows more energy efficient than most bows but the stiffer limbs make it more difficult to draw the strings attached to them.

Pistol crossbows are the smallest in terms of size. One can shoot pistol crossbows from under the arm. Over the years, rifle shaped stocks have been developed, helping archers to take better aim with pistol crossbows. Another type of handheld crossbow is the bullet. Instead of arrows or bolts, pistol crossbows shoot spherical projectiles often made of clay, stone, or lead. There are pistol crossbows that have double strings with a pocket for projectiles. Other pistol crossbows have barrels with slots for the strings.

Modern crossbows are typically accessorized according to the needs of the archer or the hunter. They can have laser sights, red dot sights, or telescopic sights. They can also have multiple crosshairs so the archer or hunter can adjust to effects of gravity over different ranges. Modern crossbows can also be mounted with quivers that hold ammunition.

Precision Shooting Equipment (PSE) has taken on these designs and developed its own line of crossbows. PSE has continuously invested on engineering and revolutionizing concepts that have resulted to quality crossbows. PSE crossbows are packed with innovative features that need to be experienced to be believed. Some of these features include anti dry fire mechanisms, fore-grips, leverage cranks, rail-less design, and a TAC 15 assembly.

Bart Icles Hunting archery, bows, crossbows, Hunting, Precision Shooting Equipment, PSE, PSE bows

Compound bows require a certain amount of investment, this is why it is important that give your compound bow proper cleaning and care. Having a well-maintained bow is also a big plus if you are after a successful hunt. It can be frustrating to see a part of your bow break or hear something snap while you aim at your game and give your bow a draw.

Before heading out to a hunting trip, take extra time to give your compound bow a thorough inspection. Doing so will help you replace or repair parts while you are still at home. This will also keep you from hurriedly driving back to civilization when you should be outdoors, chasing your game down.

As you inspect your bow, do not miss out on your bowstrings. Bowstrings need to be regularly, if not frequently, waxed. You also need to check for fuzzes on your bowstrings. If there are fuzzes, give your bowstrings an extra coat. Make sure you rub it until the fuzz and wax seep into the strings. Your bow cables can also benefit from waxing. Your bow will have better chances of withstanding damp hunting conditions if your give your cables frequent and regular waxing. It is important that you check for frays as you check your cables. As you well know, frays can easily disrupt what would have been a smooth hunting trip.

It also helps to regularly lubricate your bow axles and bushings. Having a bottle of food bow oil can come in handy. Each time you are out hunting, it is important that you give your bushings and axles a drop or two of good bow oil. For best care and results, you can review your bow manual for proper lubricating procedures (there are some compound bows that do not need frequent lubrication).

You also need to regularly examine your bow limbs. Check for scratches, cracks, dents and other types of damage. It helps to be aware of small chips before they grow into a cumbersome problem. You can take care of small scratches yourself, but cracks on your bow limbs would require professional attention and care. Fixing cracks on your bow limbs all by yourself can make the warranty on your bow null and void.

Then, you can turn your attention to the limb bolts. Loose limb bolts need to be tightened and are best done while you are still indoors. You can also place marks around limb bolts so you can easily tell whether or not they have moved away from their original position after you first got your draw weight set. It would also be convenient to have a set of Allen wrenches for use in tightening limb bolts while you are still at home or when you are already out on the hunting field.

Bow storage is something that you should not take for granted. Remember to store your compound bow away from too much heat, dirt, damp, and pests. Failing to store your compound bow properly can make all efforts in cleaning and maintaining it futile.

Bart Icles Hunting archery, archery equipment, compound bow care, compound bows, Hunting, hunting gear, Sports

Compound bows are popular jargons in archery circles. The words refer to modern bows that utilize a levering system to bend the limbs. The levering system is usually made up of pulleys and cables.

Compound bows normally have more rigid limbs than recurve bows or longbows. The firmer limbs make compound bows more energy efficient compared with other types of bows. However, this comes with a disadvantage. Oftentimes, it can be uncomfortable to draw the stiff limbs with strings directly attached to them. Bow manufacturers have spent time to develop solutions to this difficulty and they have come up with features to counteract this problem.

Normally made of metal alloys, compound bows tend to be less affected by changes in temperature and humidity. This gives compound bows comparatively better speed, precision, and range than other bows.

A lot of advantages are associated with compound bows. One of which is better let off. Let off describes what takes place as the cam rolls after an archer has drawn the bow. Normally, let offs fall from 65% to 80% of the peak weight. Some manufacturers guarantee almost 99% let off. The greater the let off, the more the archer is able to fully draw the bow and have more time to take aim, allowing better chances to accurately shoot a target.

Pulley design is another factor that defines the performance of compound bow. Draw stops in pulley systems helps archers achieve more regular anchor points and consistent amount of force given to the arrow as they take each shot. Pulley design also directly controls arrow acceleration. These matter a lot when an archer is after accuracy.

Compound bows have mechanical release aids that help in holding and releasing the bowstring. This allows an archer to release the string with just a clutch of the trigger. Release aids give more uniform shots than plainly using your fingers on the string. Magnifying sights can also be attached to compound bows, giving archers more precise shots. Accuracy is further enhanced with the presence of stabilizers and dampers in compound bows.

In the past, compound bows were associated with metal cables and teardrop connectors. Engineering developments have changed the facet of compound bows a lot. Presently, pre-stretched strings for metal alloy compound bows are typically made of extra strength fibers that are resistant to creeping, stretching, and abrasions. Improved bowstrings have come to lessen issues in tuning and precision, which were previously caused by changes in string length due to overstretching.

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Since 1951, Martin Archery has been manufacturing top of the line bows. Martin Archery is known for being one of the oldest bow manufacturers in the country. The company manufactures different types of bows, including compound and traditional ones. The accuracy of their bows has also made the company a popular choice among archery enthusiasts.

With more than 50 years of manufacturing experience, Martin Archery continues to give commitment to accuracy and precision engineering. Decades of experience also allows them to constantly introduce new technology into their products. This tradition has enabled them to introduce such innovations as double-helix bowstrings, Teflon plated guards, and core-flex limbs.

Long years of manufacturing expertise make it possible for Martin Archery to bring ingenuity and bow making together. Their compound bows have cam systems that prove much about this dedication to engineering accuracy and creativity. Engineering genius is evident in their cams that allow an archer to have smooth and recoil-free shots. Archers are able to perform at their best with Martin bows that help achieve maximum performance. Other features that have made Martin bows famous include lightweight bows, arrow protection, pivoting Roto cups, aluminum risers with adjustable lengths, fast cam systems, and noise reduction.

Archers are not the only ones whose eyes are locked into Martin bows. A good number of hunters prefer using Martin bows when they are out on a hunting trip. As hunters, they require accuracy as they take aim on wild animals. Martin Archery best answers this need for precision.

Aside from manufacturing compound bows, traditional bows, and youth bows, Martin Archery also makes quality archery accessories. Their line of archery accessories include armguards, arrows, arrow building supplies, bow parts, broadheads, cases, clothing, hunting gear, quivers, releases and gloves, rests, sights and peeps, slings, stabilizers, strings, targets and supplies, and tuning supplies.

If looking for a Martin bow seems to be a challenge, you can always access the Internet and continue with your search online. Various online stores feature Martin Archery product catalogs, allowing you to browse through different bows, arrows, and accessories. If you need support, you can also find one online. A lot of archery sites offer assistance in getting to know Martin bows better. These websites include technical information along with bow manuals and product specifications charts.

The passion for making fast and accurate bows and arrows is seen in every product that Martin Archery manufactures. If you are an archery enthusiast and you want to enhance your performance, do not hesitate to try using a Martin bow.

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