Steel plate penetration test

[Ishi]

Yesterday I retested steel plate penetration. There were two plates: one 2mm thick, prochrom steel and the other one 2,5 mm simple stee. Bow was my Six Nipples 125#, arrow was medieval fleched 1500 grein arrow with spring steel bodkin. Distance was about 10 metres. First penetration was great- arrow was stopped by wall behind steel plate- I had to place it against wall because security reasons. The other one, threw 2,5 mm was not so good- penetrated to the other side but arrow hit some little rock behind steel and broke the tip of the bodkin. Soon I will repeat penetration with better bodkin, against wooden board and probably with stronger bow.
Best regards my friends!
Here is the link to video of shooting:
http://youtu.be/wnFbojMUmog

[Mandos]

Very nice! 2-2,5 mm are very thick!

My 100# bow failed shooting through 2 mm steel: click

[Ishi]

I can not see enough clear but I think that your problem was bodkin shape... how heavy was that arrow? 100# is enough for 2mm steel if other terms are optimized.

[Mandos]

Yes, this bodkin is perhaps not the best choice, though Mark Stretton used similar ones.

The arrow weighed around 1100 grains.

[Agroman]

Solid penetration, Ishi! However, isn't it a bit risky for the arrow with such a small piece of steel leaning against a stone wall? I mean, just in case you miss a shot the arrow might get damaged even more than this time.

You said that you are intending to repeat the test with a stronger bow, have you yet built any bigger ones than your 125# pyramidal bow? I'm excited to see more !

The bow I currently use most also has 125#, however I have already ordered a 140-145# one, as soon as I have reached that point I think I will also do some plate penetration tests for fun .



Oh, by the way, we just lately had a very similar German version of this thread here on the forum, this one: viewtopic.php?f=25&t=17993&start=165 (Mandos has already posted it)
Maybe we should merge the two together.

[eddytwobows]

Hi ishi...

Nice penetration test...
What kind of Bodkin did you have used, ´cause it did´nt looks like a "grommet-Bodkin"...?
It looks like a "thorned-Bodkin".
(hope I used the right words ...?!)

greetings
etb

[Ishi]

@ Mandos, I think Mark use about 165# and some very well made bodkin. Mine was not very good, for sure. Expirienced archers said that under 1300 greina is not enough for steel penetrate. Maybe they are right.
Agroman, you are right. But this was arrow made just for that purpose and I was in a hurry- I had to forward results of that tests to our weapon magazine "Kalibar" for archery section, soon it will be in newspaper. I had to sucrifice that arrrow, unfortunatly.
Now I finished one heavier bow- predicted draw weight is well above 130# and I have to check tiller few more times to be sure if everything is OK. It was made from thiny dogwood sapling, I will see if it will survive long draws and heavy arrows. My aim is 130-140# this time and some of the next bows will be about 150# (and then progresive heavier). I will stop just if I can not draw it.
Eddy, this is not hystorical-correct bodkin. My blacksmith was not enough skillfull to make it identical.

[Ishi]

Mandos, I looked your linked topic from the begining. Your bow is excellent so problem is bodkin, for sure. This is type of the bodkin you should (and me too next time) use.
http://www.hectorcoleironwork.com/images/type10.gif

[eddytwobows]

.../...
Eddy, this is not hystorical-correct bodkin. My blacksmith was not enough skillfull to make it identical.

@ishi...

Take a look into the Video at this Thread...:
viewtopic.php?f=13&t=18156

Maybe this one is more historical-correct...

LG
etb

[Mandos]

@ishi
Oh, I have such Hector Cole bodkins but they are rather soft. For penetrating steel plates they should be case-hardened, I think.

Perhaps I will shoot one of them at steel in near future.
Or I will use some of @eddys "normal" bodkins (Type 8 or 10 like). Moreover we've ordered some bodkins at Jaroslaw Belza's. I'm keen to know their quality and form.

[Ishi]

I didn't know that Hector's bodkins are soft...
On the video klip- aren't you hammering this steel too much- it seems cold last few hits, every time? I can't see very well but this one on the video seems much better geometry, good work.

[Mandos]

Here is a crude pic of Hector's bodkins:

click

When I accidently dropped one on stone, the point wasn't very pointy any more. So I think they are rather soft.
Or is that normal?

I only have eddy's heads made of spring steel for comparison which are quite hard...

[Ishi]

Hector is famous blacksmith, he shouldn't let himself to make such soft bodkin. If something is too hard bodkin should break off the tip, not curve the tip. Eddi's bodkin looks very good and his choice of spring steel is excellent- that is good steel for bodkins.