Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Arrows => Topic started by: Blayne on April 15, 2016, 10:37:30 pm
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I have been asked about shooting a flaming arrow at an event coming up. Any ideas how to make one? I plan on shooting a good flaming stick out over a lake, so it needs to burn really well. Thanks!
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If using man made materials, wrap a copious amount of cotton cloth (1" wide, long strips) around the end of the shaft. Make it look like a mini torch. Soak it in kerosine or lighter fluid. Make sure it's soaked in deep, not just wetted. Light and fire
If using natural materials, just put a big wad of pine sap on the end of the shaft and light it on fire. No cloth needed.
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I never tried but they did it on a TV show once. Tried homemade crossbow 1st was to fast flame would go out. Had to use slower bow to keep flame from blowing out
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http://youtu.be/uL4vnolCwLI
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Gunpowder(black powder) is saltpetre, sulphur and charcoal. So these are basically low grade gunpowder tips. They will burn without air so take care using them.
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uhh last time i checked gunpowder needs air to operate..... am i wrong??
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Yes, salpetre provides the oxygen. If black powder needed air how would it burn in a gun or cannon?
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I've made them and it's not as easy as you might think. First issue, if not securely bound the arrow will fly right through your cloth and a ball of flaming solvent will fall at your feet. Second issue, the wind speed will extinguish the fire like blowing out a tiki torch. Last issue, the end of the arrow is on fire which make shooting it a dangerous challenge.
The one I made was out of a boo shaft, so I did a four way split at the end taking care of issue number one. To keep it from going out, I made the core from 6 sparklers wrapped in gauze that had been soaked in a mix of sugar and potassium nitrite dissolved in water and allowed to dry. This is basically how cannon fuse is made. The outer wrapping was cotton cloth with thin wire wrapping to keep it together. I soaked it in lamp oil so it didn't go "whooosh" but had a more controlled ignition. Lastly, you'll want to wear a grill glove on your bow hand. Come to full draw and have a buddy light it. I left one of my sparklers sticking out a few inches so I had a second to gain my composure before total ignition. This arrow will burn for several minutes, so hit what you're aiming at or be ready to put out the fire now engulfing your unintended target. Bring an extinguisher just to be safe.
It's always a good idea to test things ahead of time with out a crowd around. There were several good tutorials out there. My arrow was a mix of some of the better designs.
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Last issue, the end of the arrow is on fire which make shooting it a dangerous challenge.
So... you could make the arrow 4-5" longer than full draw?
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Great, thanks for all the information! I certainly plan on making several of these to try out before I fling the money shot! Great idea on the grill glove too!
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In period they actually used a special arrowhead for fire arrows:
(http://i470.photobucket.com/albums/rr65/epnwarner/Fire%20Arrows/IMGP2513.jpg)
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I did make them about 5" longer. The actual arrow head was also about that long.
That twisted split shaft point above is a good design. I'd probably wrap around it with wire after packing in your combustibles.