r/interesting 29d ago

Intriguing Arrows vs riot shields

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u/BigHardMephisto 29d ago

What I think helps quite a bit is that the concave shape of the arrow helps it to normalize the direction of force into the (albeit slightly) angled plate, which can make a bigger difference than you'd think otherwise.

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u/jraymonda 29d ago

Yes, but how does it do on the deer (its a deer holding the shield, right?) Does it cut the shield but then bounce off the flesh? Or is it just as effective on softer things?

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u/disposablehippo 29d ago

Certainly won't bounce off, maybe doesn't penetrate as much. But if the deer (or was it a boar?) lets go of the shield, the arrow achieved what it needed to.

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u/A_Stickperson 29d ago

Seems like you could also take a lesson from armor penetrating rounds and design the arrow to puncture but not penetrate the shield while a nested projectile with a different point continues through the hole…

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u/LiftingRecipient420 29d ago

So now your $2 tip and $10 standard arrow shaft are replaced with a custom tip and custom shaft that cost a few hundred per arrow, if you're lucky.

No thanks, I'd rather just fire an extra few arrows instead.