02-16-2005, 04:53 AM
Ave<br>
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I've always considered a flaming arrow to simply be a small torch with fletching and a head. So all it really needs is a basic fuel reservoir like cloth as Darius suggests. I don't think you have to to anything special to the arrow though- all you'd need would be a narrow strip of burlap, for example, wrapped around the end and just tied-off- like a torch.<br>
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'Napalm' is a nasty substance that has its own oxygen source, so doesn't need air to burn and is therefore all but impossible to put out until the oxidizer is used-up- not at all what's needed, nor desirable for something as simple as a flaming arrow. Even jellied-gasoline is unduly dangerous to use because some of it won't stay with the arrow in flight- try dipping an arrow in liquid dish soap and see how much drips off and is left behind as the arrow is loosed- then imagine the soap burning...<br>
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I don't even regular gasoline is a good idea because of how volitile it is; I wouldn't try to light a gasoline-soaked arrow with even one of those long barbeque lighters- remember the fumes are far more flammable than the actual liquid, and you're just as likely to set your hand on fire as the arrow. So if you're dead-set on doing this, you should consider something that is flammable as a liquid, but not so flammable as a vapor.<br>
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Honestly, I too would advise against doing this at all- even a 40lb bow can send an arrow a long way and even the best archers can have misfires (no pun intended )- the last thing you want is to start a fire before you can run downrange with your extinguisher or have an arrow go astray... Hell, if smoldering cigarette butts start a fair percentage of forest fires, imagine what flaming arrows could do! I'd think the only safe place to try this would be at the beach shooting out into the water- then you'd only have to worry about hurting yourself and breaking the law...<br>
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Salve<br>
<br>
Matt<br>
<br>
<p></p><i>Edited by: <A HREF=http://p200.ezboard.com/bromanarmytalk.showUserPublicProfile?gid=mattl@romanarmytalk>Matt L</A> at: 2/16/05 6:08 am<br></i>
<br>
I've always considered a flaming arrow to simply be a small torch with fletching and a head. So all it really needs is a basic fuel reservoir like cloth as Darius suggests. I don't think you have to to anything special to the arrow though- all you'd need would be a narrow strip of burlap, for example, wrapped around the end and just tied-off- like a torch.<br>
<br>
'Napalm' is a nasty substance that has its own oxygen source, so doesn't need air to burn and is therefore all but impossible to put out until the oxidizer is used-up- not at all what's needed, nor desirable for something as simple as a flaming arrow. Even jellied-gasoline is unduly dangerous to use because some of it won't stay with the arrow in flight- try dipping an arrow in liquid dish soap and see how much drips off and is left behind as the arrow is loosed- then imagine the soap burning...<br>
<br>
I don't even regular gasoline is a good idea because of how volitile it is; I wouldn't try to light a gasoline-soaked arrow with even one of those long barbeque lighters- remember the fumes are far more flammable than the actual liquid, and you're just as likely to set your hand on fire as the arrow. So if you're dead-set on doing this, you should consider something that is flammable as a liquid, but not so flammable as a vapor.<br>
<br>
Honestly, I too would advise against doing this at all- even a 40lb bow can send an arrow a long way and even the best archers can have misfires (no pun intended )- the last thing you want is to start a fire before you can run downrange with your extinguisher or have an arrow go astray... Hell, if smoldering cigarette butts start a fair percentage of forest fires, imagine what flaming arrows could do! I'd think the only safe place to try this would be at the beach shooting out into the water- then you'd only have to worry about hurting yourself and breaking the law...<br>
<br>
Salve<br>
<br>
Matt<br>
<br>
<p></p><i>Edited by: <A HREF=http://p200.ezboard.com/bromanarmytalk.showUserPublicProfile?gid=mattl@romanarmytalk>Matt L</A> at: 2/16/05 6:08 am<br></i>
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