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Re: Strider's Bow

Posted: Sun Jul 24, 2016 12:41 am
by Rifter
Oh yes, when film is involved color, lighting, dyes...there's an endless list of things that don't look the way we think they do. Anyway yes I haven't made any progress on this bow but if anyone is capable of doing it I'd be happy to hear from them

Re: Strider's Bow

Posted: Mon Jul 25, 2016 3:12 am
by Manveruon
The closest thing I've seen to a functional version of Strider's bow is produced by Bows of the Risen Son. They sell at various renaissance festivals across the country, and you can also buy from them online on their website:

http://www.bowsoftherisensonllc.com/

They make various styles of bows out of various materials, but the most common bows they offer are made of rattan. They're quite rough-finished, but with a little cleanup, they can be made to look the part quire well. I believe they're generally around 50", making them just about the right size for Strider's bow. Unfortunately, unlike the bow used in the films, their basic bows don't have any recurve whatsoever, whereas the recurve bows they sell have a LOT of recurve - much less subtle than the bow in the movies. Tat being said, if one were to inquire with them directly, it might be possible to get them to make a custom job with just a touch of recurve in the limbs like the screen-used piece. I've heard widely varying accounts of how well rattan works as a bow wood, but I do know there are at least two or three members of the forums here who own one from them, including Greg.

Re: Strider's Bow

Posted: Mon Jul 25, 2016 3:13 am
by Manveruon
They also have the advantage of being fantastically inexpensive, as far as bows go. But bear in mid that you do often get what you pay for in that department.

Re: Strider's Bow

Posted: Sun Aug 07, 2016 10:16 pm
by Rifter
I would definitely have to get a custom one done as the bows are too long at 51 inch from the reference images and statues I have from Weta. It's not the top thing so I might drop them a line on it if I really need it doe. Right now getting the coat/ Duster to spec is the current project, and a wig...my long hair after decades is just not in great shape with our climate here sadly

Re: Strider's Bow

Posted: Thu Oct 13, 2016 3:27 am
by Elwindil
https://www.etsy.com/listing/255106076/ ... _active_34 these guys make bows too, but I don't know much about their actual usability or if it's just cosplay items, I haven't messaged them yet as I don't have a need for a bow yet and don't want to waste a craftsperson's time when I won't be buying right away.

Re: Strider's Bow

Posted: Thu Oct 13, 2016 3:50 am
by Elleth
Oh... read close, that's a PVC pipe bow with a paracord string.

Folks seem to like them, but since for the same price (or less) you can get a "you-finish" bow from Ringing Rocks I'd give that one a pass.

Re: Strider's Bow

Posted: Thu Oct 13, 2016 7:10 pm
by Manveruon
I must say though, PVC bows have come a long, long way in the last few years. I've been wanting to get my hands on one or two of them for a while, in large part because they are so inexpensive, and many of them are now being made to look extremely close to actual period bows - not to mention that they are incredibly lightweight. The paracord strings can easily be swapped out, too.

Still, like any bow material, PVC has its limitations, and one thing to remember about it is that when it fails, it fails SPECTACULARLY, or so I'm told. Apparently it helps to have limbs wrapped in leather or some kind of adhesive tape to contain the shards if the bow shatters during use - but if the bow is made properly, this really shouldn't happen.

Still, I don't know if even the most skilled PVC bowyers out there right now could fashion a functional replica of Strider's bow that's quite as close to the screen-used prop as you want it to be.