Martial Arts Weapons: Bow and Arrow
By MP.Scribe | June 19, 2009
One of the most famous innovations in ranged weaponry, the bow and arrow is found in almost every part of the world and has been used in warfare, hunting, and sport. The bow is one of those immediately recognizable martial arts weapons and is admired by people of all ages. Children play Cowboy and Indian with toy bows and suction cup arrows while the adults go out into the wilderness in camouflage to stalk wild animals with advanced compound bows. By the way, if you’re looking for a good compound bow you should first read some compound bow reviews before you make any purchasing decisions.
There is a massive variety of bow styles and forms but the premise is basically the same. Notch the arrow on the bow string, pull it back, and let it loose. The bow is able to build tension in the string as it is pulled back and the release of that string tension is what sends the arrow through the air at incredible speed.
Bows can be made out of different materials but for the most part they are constructed out of wood. There are two elastic wooden limbs that the string is connected to, pulling the string back compresses these limbs at the center and releasing the string relieves the bow’s limbs of pressure and snaps back with force. The more force a bow can withstand, or draw weight, the more powerful the bow. An archer can project his ammunition farther and much faster depending on how heavy the pressure gets.
The size of an archer’s bow is usually dependent on the way he wants to use it. For a longer range it is necessary to have a long bow with limbs that can span the length of the archer’s body but this is not going to be a useful weapon if the archer happens to be on horseback. Mounted archers will most often choose a short compact bow that can fire at short range but pack an intense punch.
A bow must be made of durable material as it is going to be constantly compressed and expanded over the course of general use. The technology of the bow has improved and today the strongest bows are made of a combination of fiberglass, assorted metals, and carbon fiber. These alloys are much more resilient than the older wooden style bows though it is possible to treat a wooden bow with laminate to strengthen the quality of it.
Even the bow string has changed over time. It has become a mixture of different synthetic polymers designed to resist moisture and will not easily snap. These have become easy and cost effective to produce as well. Ideally, a string should be strong enough to withstand up to four to five times the draw weight of the archer’s bow. In the past this meant that bows would be constructed out of horse hair or muscle fibers and treated with either beeswax or some other form of wax.
The origin of the bow is clouded in history but it is generally believed that it was first brought into use around 20,000 BP in the time of Neanderthals. Arrowheads and stone points have been found in Africa dating back to at least 18,000 BP. It has been common practice since then for warriors and royalty a like to keep their arrow heads, bows, and arrows even in death, choosing to be buried with them as they would their most prized possessions.
If you’re looking to learn how to use a bow and arrow it is a good idea to find a specialty school or class before actually jumping in full force. To become a prominent archer one must have the patience and grace of any martial artist. It takes poise to carefully notch the arrow, to draw the bow string back with open fingers and a loose grip, and to release it with force and accuracy. These are skills that cannot be learned over night.
Seek a professional to learn from and then go out and buy yourself a bow and arrow and a target for practice. Have fun with it and hone your skills before venturing out into the wilderness.
Topics: Ranged Weapons | No Comments »
Martial Arts Weapons: Meteor Hammer
By MP.Scribe | June 19, 2009
In the past few years the meteor hammer has been a prominent weapon in action movies. It appears in Kill Bill Volume 1, wielded with expert skill by an insane young Chinese girl, and is also hilariously featured in the spoof film Kung Pow: Enter the Fist by the villain Betty. 
The basic idea of the weapon is a long sturdy rope with one or two “meteors” attached at the ends. The rope is swung around the user’s body to build momentum and then the meteors are released to cause a quick and devastating blow to the opponent. The meteors can take many different forms. The two examples above are the same weapon with completely different styles. The young Chinese girl wields a single meteor hammer with a spiked ball resembling a mace at the end of it while Betty chooses to fix his meteor hammer with a sharp iron claw.
“Should I dodge the flying claw with a back flip or take it in the face? I think I’ll take it in the face!”
In reality, the meteor hammer is one of the most difficult weapons to handle and therefore almost impossible to master. It takes an incredible amount of grace and composure to build the momentum of these weapons and launch them with any accuracy. The meteor hammer is also one of the more dangerous weapons for the wielder. One wrong move, an accidental wrap around a limb or worse a neck, and the wielder will be at a significant disadvantage.
The risks to using the meteor hammer are balanced by the benefits. This is one strong weapon. An especially well placed strike to the temple can down an opponent from a far. The rope can be used for hog-tying or strangling an opponent from a distance and the meteor at the end packs a wallop of a punch.
These are not weapons to take lightly in practice though. In order to properly master the meteor hammer it is important to choose a toned down practice version. Ancient Chinese monks used to construct water meteors for this purpose. They would make their meteor hammers out of two joining bowls and then fill the bowls with water. The goal in practice was to spin the meteor hammers around with enough care and focus so as to keep the water from spilling with centripetal force. This is quite an accomplishment if done properly and a horribly wet mess if executed poorly.
Meteor Hammer Techniques and Styles
The meteor hammer is unique in the chain weapon genre. It is usually weighted at both ends allowing for easier momentum control and even at the most toned down levels of use it can be seen as intimidating just for the fact that it is incredibly unpredictable and deadly. There are a few basic techniques one can use the meteor hammer for, some of them are:
The throw: Simply put, you will throw the meteor at your opponent. Build up the moment of the weapon and then let it fly through the air towards your enemy. If you’re skilled enough to hit your mark, this can be one of the most painful blows.
The grab: Having a rope can be a handy little device. Loop it around your opponent to draw them close to you and deliver some punches or kicks or keep them tied away from you and immobilize them.
The swing: Bring the meteor down from the heavens above and try to hammer it on your opponents head. Not the most effective techniques as it has a low accuracy rate but when you connect with one of these your enemy will surely feel it.
There is also an application to the meteor hammer that included the use of fire. Expert meteor hammer users can build a device similar to the water meteors I mentioned before only this time fill them with a flammable liquid. Before the battle these can be ignited and if wielded properly will not only injure through blunt trauma alone but spread flame and ember all over the place as well. 
Before I leave you, I must express that you not try to use the meteor hammer unless you have practiced under a master and have sought professional guidance. These are dangerous weapons and should not be played with as toys. Be safe and live to fight another day.
Topics: Chain and Rope Weapons | No Comments »