oh ho ho. Nice distinction.
I'm not sure why anyone would feel the need to rag on me for mentioning the movies, except maybe as an ingrained reflex reaction.
I mentioned that ridiculous charge in The Two Towers because it's an extreme and ridiculous worst-case example of how the result flies in the face of any reasonable expectation you might have had after looking at the two forces.
And such a clash seems likely to happen when the general basis for gameplay (lore) doesn't care too much about realism, but realism is then brought in to fill gaps that aren't covered by lore
But Aradan cut that discussion short anyways.
Most composite bows were not effective in damp climates, because they didn't have to be. And don't forget the mongols. They invaded pretty damp places and their composite bows never failed them.
Also, a recurve bow is almost always a composite one, as they stringing would be too strenuous on a simple bow.
P.S. Hollow steel bows? If middle earth's physics resemble the ones in real life to any length, they are impossible.
Weren't the steel bows used by the numenoreans? Or is my memory deserting me once more in this hour of need.
Will Dunedain actually have hollow steel bows (I'm rooting for it, they seem awesome) or is this purely academical disscussion?
Also, could someone explain if those bows could be made and what would be their advantage over regular bows?
One could make a hollow steel bow. Not sure why you'd want to. Anyway to make one you'd have to take a sheet of steel and roll it into a bow shape. The only advantage of this would be the resistance of the bow, in turn that would give it a great draw strength. However I've never heard of one ever being made and the strength it would take to use one would be very considerable.
Nope, Cocroach is rigth, it doesn't work.
When a bow is bend, its back gets distended, its belly gets compress. Thus you have two contradicting forces on the same piece of wood/metal.
As an exampe the yew bow serves best: yew has the extraordinary characteristic that a yew stem consists out of two kinds of wood: the old one in its core is reddish an really really hard. The younger wood on its outside is white, pretty soft and elasitc. A bow out of yew is designed in this fashion: its "belly" is made out of the hard wood, because its resistant to pressure. The back is made out of the young wood, resistant to tension. That is THE reason why yew is such a great material for bows.
The same principle is used in a composite bow: sinews on its back, wood in the middle, horn on the belly.
Of course you can make bows out of steel. It was very common for crossbows. But *hollow* steel is impossible. The tension arising between back and belly of the bow will be too great.
Well, you could make a tube out of hard and soft steel... But this woulda be a really hard and complicated task.
You cannot make a bow out of pine or fir. It'll break, no matter what. Never heard of ironwood being used, anyway in Europe the best woods are elm, ash, alder and yew of course.Originally Posted by Themea
Well, the Rohirrim. Actually they are from Rhovanion, and the climate there is already pretty continental. Also Rohan was protected from the sea (and thus rain) by the Ered Nimrais. It is possible that in these places there may have been no problems with their glue. But this is speculation.
Uhm, no. It is pretty clear to see that the Galadhrim bows were solely made out of wood and they are pretty tall. The Persians, as most eastern people, used composite bows.Originally Posted by Cocroach the Great
Aradan, Rings of Power and such, this is magic! Bows are non-magical, its all physics.
Well, now I have started a discussion
I would rather have a memory that is fair but unfinished than one that goes on to a grievous end.
And those physics belong to a magical world, which means you can't necessarily apply "our" rules to them.Aradan, Rings of Power and such, this is magic! Bows are non-magical, its all physics.
Well, now I have started a discussion
That's what Aradan meant; it's a fantasy world. Not only the magic is unrealistic, the physics can be as well.
/discussion
If one aspect of fantasy physics isn't "right", that doesn't mean all of it should be complete fantasy.
Just don't question fantasy physics. It just leads to discussions like this