Episode 78: Walking on Water

Anthony Kelly, the world record holder for the most arrows caught in a set period of time. He even appears in the guiness book of world records, yet mythbusters missed that somehow.

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"Also... would it be better not to use a modern composite bow and arrow?"

Blizzard, sorry but I'd have to start with -maybe.- [**See below for less reasoning and more concluding] There are plenty of old-timey bows that can apply a LOT of energy to the arrow (recurves moreso than longbows, except maybe with the English of yore and the famed Yew tree). For bow v bow, old v new doesn't factor in much IMO; besides the level of arrow vibration (seen as 'flopping' like a "wavy pencil" when viewed on the high-speed cam, with nodes & anti-nodes), really all that matters is the exit velocity, with identical arrows (exit -energy- is otherwise more important than E.V. w/diff. arrows) So assuming we can negate the effects of variable arrow oscillation: besides affecting the arrow's flight path and maybe being more difficult to aim the grab, 2 identical arrows at similar velocities shot from different (new & classic) bows should be close enough to equally catchable so that my assumption is valid. With that foundation laid, let's analyze to get us a clearer answer:
***P.S. for 1st paragraph: Modern compound bows CAN provide more kinetic energy than classical bows, but whether it would be "better" to use a compound or not depends on the specific draw weight of the 2 bows being compared. That said, it is probably more realistic to try with a re-curve bow, since the ninjas of yore didn't have to deal with compounds. **NOTE:**Though it MAY be made of composites, "COMPOUND BOW" simply refers to a bow applying simple machines for mechanical advantage, so archers may easily hold back a much greater draw weight than he/she would otherwise be able to with a recurve, longbow, or similar bow devoid of cams/pulleys for "leverage," or M.A.

Probably more important than normal (_|_) vibration: arrow material. Here comes into play your fiber arrow scene: Wood arrows, w/likely greater 'u' (C.o.F.) should be easier to grab b/c of friction & harder if denser per unit length.

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I've seen that bit several times, starting back in the days of B&W TV.
There are a few common threads:
1. A VERY loose bowstring which assures minimum arrow velocity.
2. A very long arrow which provides maximum error margin.
3. Oversize fletching which starts slowing the arrow significantly as soon as it is released.

Looking at the Mather photo reveals two of those three. If you could see the bow, the string would be hanging in a loop instead of keeping the limbs in tension. (fistmeal or fistmele)
Sorry Amy, I'm not picking on you... just careless about where I clicked "Reply"
wds

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