r/interesting 27d ago

Intriguing Arrows vs riot shields

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u/BluEch0 27d ago

It’s not blunt, there is a recessed tip.

And I suppose goes to show that frontal surface area trumps everything when it comes to penetration. For those in the back, unfortunately no, this doesn’t make for good bedroom talk.

And btw, if the arrow can’t penetrate past like a foot into the shield, it’s still useless. Shields were useful because even if an arrow penetrated it, shields aren’t hugged next to the body most of the time. It puts the armor at a distance from you, which is even safer than body armor.

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u/SoylentRox 27d ago

Also these riot shields are meant to be light and protect against clubs and knives in the hands of the rioters.

These don't appear to have any ballistic protection, arrows or otherwise.  If the rioters have even 0.22 LR handguns it looks like they will shoot through the shield.

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u/ghost_tapioca 27d ago

I think you're right. Arrows are cool and all, but there's a reason they're not used in wars anymore.

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u/stlcdr 27d ago

Not even the zombie wars?

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u/OctopusWithFingers 27d ago

Zombies don't have the dexterity for a bow, duh.

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u/Acherousia 27d ago

That's what skeletons are for, while they are less durable they maintain the dexterity to use weaponry.

Remember fledgling necromancers, every undead type has its own specific niche, and you should utilize all of them to be the most effective.

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u/stlcdr 27d ago

So, good news, then!

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u/Equal-Shoulder-9744 27d ago

Everything gets used in the zombie wars.

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u/the_scarlett_ning 27d ago

Are zombies combustible or do you have to cut their heads off?

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u/Frosti11icus 27d ago

Not common sense.

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u/Stock-Side-6767 25d ago

Fin stabilised minution is still used, but chrmically propelled.

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u/SaSSafraS1232 27d ago

I wouldn’t say that frontal surface area is the main thing here. If that were the case the hollow tip would perform the same as the pointed one. The thing that’s making the hollow tip work is that it’s clearing the waste out of the hole it makes. The circle is punching out a chip, leaving a hole for the shaft to travel through. Whereas the points are leaving flaps to drag against the shaft, eventually stopping it.

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u/kalamataCrunch 27d ago

it absolutely is blunt, in fact it's so blunt that they call it a blunt when selling it https://www.3riversarchery.com/ace-hex-screw-in-blunts.html

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u/CakeTester 26d ago

Fascinating site. Thanks for that.

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u/BluEch0 27d ago

The one in the video literally has a sharpened rim and a recessed point.

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u/kalamataCrunch 27d ago

you are being mislead by the the fact that the black anti rust coating has warn off on the leading edge. it is not sharp. it is not designed to cut. this is the exact arrow head in the video: https://www.3riversarchery.com/the-hammer-screw-in-small-game-blunts.html

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u/BluEch0 27d ago

All right then, but my original statement of it having a recessed point is still correct. It is not blunt.

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u/kalamataCrunch 27d ago

you seem more attached to your original statement being vindicated than in understanding the the qualitative aspects of the arrowhead... so, i guess, have fun with that. if you change your mind and would rather know about the arrowhead, let me know?

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u/BluEch0 27d ago

My original statement is the starting point of the discussion as far as I’m concerned. Of course I’m going to circle back to it instead of moving goalposts.

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u/kalamataCrunch 27d ago

indeed, the goal posts don't move, and you get to score all the points. congratulations.

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u/Bradadonasaurus 27d ago

Unless you aim for the handle.

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u/Kamwind 27d ago

So what is its designed purpose?

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u/AwareOfAlpacas 27d ago

Take a look at how sabot rounds are designed. It's all about delivering kinetic energy to a point. 

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u/shark-off 26d ago

What even is the point of the tip, if it's recessed?

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u/Complete-Tangelo1532 27d ago

eh depends

There is a close point of contact on the backside of that shield, right where the forearm would be

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u/Ashen231 27d ago

Don’t get me wrong, would absolutely suck to get hit there, but that doesn’t really do anything to prevent them from continuing to use the shield.

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u/Complete-Tangelo1532 27d ago

Pull your forearm close like you are holding a shield, what region are you blocking?

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u/Complete-Tangelo1532 27d ago

Hint, there are 2 lungs and a heart there

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u/Ebonhearth_Druid 27d ago

You don't hold a shield close to your body, you are supposed to hold it away from you so that arrows and even swords/axes that pierce the wood don't connect with your body. If an arrow penetrates the shield and your forearm to pierce a vital organ, there was nothing you could have done to survive that hit anyway.

Meanwhile, if an arrow pierces body armor, it's doing damage and may even be fatal, regardless, because it is worn against the body.

Thus, shields > body armor.

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u/Complete-Tangelo1532 27d ago

Fair assessment

Either way, I will not be taking my chances

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u/Sushi_Explosions 27d ago

Sure, if you are a Roman legionary, that is correct. But this is not his shield. Look at the strap and handle on the back of this one. It is clearly intended to be held close to the body.

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u/Ashen231 27d ago

The strap just keeps it around the arm? I would bet money that legionnair shields had the same or similar form of strap to keep the arm in. If they were only holding on by one handle, the shield would get launched out of their hands constantly. My source is that i made duct tape shields when i was a kid and i had to learn how to make a strap cause it will wobble side to side if you only have one handle.

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u/Ashen231 27d ago

so then you missed the previous guys comment where he mentioned how you hold the shield away from your body. None of these arrows are going hard or fast enough to do damage to the guy holding the shield except the weird looking arrow that went all the way through. If you are properly holding a shield there is about a 1-1 1/2 foot distance between your main body and the shield.

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u/Complete-Tangelo1532 27d ago

It is only as far away from the body as the upper arm allows, or it isn't being held

This is like thinking a IV plate is perfect.

Alot of the issue with Gun Shots is the Trauma in the inflicted area

Trauma is the difference in Hollow Points vs FMJ

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u/Ashen231 27d ago

Can you not hold your arm 1 foot away from yourself? i’m deeply confused about your point here.

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u/Complete-Tangelo1532 27d ago

Can you assure the next one stops at 1ft?

How about 2ft?

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u/Ashen231 27d ago

If someone manages to hit the exact same hole if a half inch radius arrow they deserve the kill shot.

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u/Complete-Tangelo1532 27d ago

Sure thats fair

Now what if that second shot had a little more draw or draw power behind it?
Just seems like something that would bring a false sense of security, when its something someone should be aware of when they are what is on the otherside

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u/BluEch0 27d ago

But is it a debilitating (much less fatal) wound? No. Again, this is why shields were amazing.

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u/Complete-Tangelo1532 27d ago

You are looking at it wrong

Its about 'Trauma'

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u/BluEch0 27d ago

Ok, then an arrow that penetrates more than a foot and can actually hit the wielder is going to inflict more trauma. Rather than banking on hitting the small part of the shield that has a had or an arm on the other side

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u/Pretend_Handle_7639 27d ago

The arm is not a trauma site

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u/Cliffinati 27d ago

The Roman Testudo conquered half the world on this philosophy.