Bow and rock

[AmBraCol]

Decided to not hijack Nath's thread on arrow launching, so here's something I suspect most of you haven't seen before, a Brazilian Badoque. Had quite a time trying to find pics to share, too many youngsters are calling their estilingues a badoque - the two are not the same. The "estilingue" is what the brits call a "catapult" and we were raised calling it a slingshot (not to be confused with the simple string and pouch sling) But I digress.

badoque-001.jpg

badoque-003.jpg

badoque-002.jpg

As you can see it looks like a common bow for launching arrows - but with a double string. Rather than nocking an arrow (or two), you place a rock (or other appropriate projectile) in the pocket, pull back and release. Don't forget to twist your wrist as you release so that the rock goes PAST your thumb instead of whacking yourself with it. It takes a bit of work to learn, but can be a very potent small game dispatcher when applied correctly. Following is a link to a video demonstrating the use of the badoque.

https://youtu.be/RASZFH_D3cg

And here's one on making a badoque from scratch, more or less. He uses store bought cord and a tanned leather pocket rather than making the string and pouch from home spun cordage, but he also shows how they use a machette for many tasks.

https://youtu.be/sz3pcFV-2N4

[Nath]

Wow, I never knew they exist. Thanks for sharing. I'm going to have to investigate these!

[AmBraCol]

It takes a bit of time to develop the technique of twisting your wrist when releasing the pay load, but they can be quite accurate in the hands of someone who takes the time to learn the system. I'd love to see someone build one with a higher degree of sophistication in the process. It seems to me that it could be quite an elegant weapon, and definitely not a common one in any area of the globe, not even in Brazil where they were born.

[AmBraCol]

Wow, I never knew they exist. Thanks for sharing. I'm going to have to investigate these!

A couple more videos. If your Portuguese isn't that good, at least the images show how it's done. The second video the shooter demonstrates shooting right or left handed - and his left handed shooting shows why you need to practice as the rock smacks the wood each time. You can see how he twists the bow to let the rock fly past.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XeyXC52syQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFS5cyVy2mU

[Nath]

I'll take look later Paul. Thank you.

[Pitchy]

Thats interesting and cool.

[AmBraCol]

Thats interesting and cool.

Great, Pitch's seen it now! Looking forward to a Pitchy Project!

[piller]

Very ingenious.

[Ysabel Kid]

Now I need to add something else to my armory...

[Bill in Oregon]

Brand new to me, too. Thanks for posting Paul!

[Pitchy]

Thats interesting and cool.

Great, Pitch's seen it now! Looking forward to a Pitchy Project!

Not sure Paul i seem to be losing my MoJo on making things.