One of our targets for LARPBook has been to make more larp related videos over and above the regular monthly show. We had the idea of comparing a rather nice redwood flatbow against a PVC Pipe Bow. Just to put out some pros and cons for people looking at getting into larp archery and wondering where to start.
After all budgets are not infinite and use of archery does set a certain tone for a character, and that’s regardless of genre. Be it fantasy, or for example post apoc; the archer is a very definite figure. So is it best to make a get a cheap bow or should those pennies be saved for something a bit more expensive.
This is what happened
Ok so not what we had in mind. The pipe literally buckled part way through stringing it.
So Then We Captured Some Thoughts on that
And Finally
We never got to do our test. Simply because the structure of a PVC bow failed. I’m not saying the bow is bad as during the time I’ve used it I’ve got off some great shots (and some terrible ones), and had a great time. Immediately on posting the video on Facebook we had comments about the ills of this type of bow, and also remedies.
I’ve thought about those and I still the hollow tube that is the Pipe Bow I can see as a problem. However I stand by the idea that if I needed to quickly and cheaply equip a big team of archers – the budget option makes sense.
Will I get a another bow – almost certainly, and we may do more with archery in the future as it’s a great and fun skill to develop in larp
Addendum: The Rob-O-Meter
The bow vs bow video see’s the first outing of the Rob-O-Meter. We’ll be using this in the future to suggest how well made / strong things on a 1 to 10 scale. Where 1 is really easy to break and 10 is nigh on indestructible. So we’ll call 10’s – vibranium.
For those who are wondering why Rob-O-Meter. Well amongst the team, many friends, and family I have a reputation of destruction on a Kaiju like scale. Basically I have a medical condition that’s makes me a little unsteady on my feet. Couple that to an innate clumsiness and good upper body strength and we can see that this not a good combination. Accidental destructions include
- Tables
- Chairs
- Stair Banisters
- Walls
- A long list of cooking implements
- Various computer components
- and most recently a larp bow
We’ll be developing the Rob-O-meter as we go on with our videos.
And yes – I do have some personal possessions made of titanium (Vibranium being hard to find)
