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From Robin Hood series example:

"whenever Robin blocked a sword-blow from an opponent with his bow. It's made of wood, people!"

It's more complicated then "the wooden bow couldn't possibly have blocked the metal sword", so I'm not sure that's really an example.

Robin is normally carrying a yew wood bow in the usual time period he's placed, a self bow made in such a way that the heartwood and sapwood combined to make a very basic compound bow, heartwood on the belly (part facing the archer) and sapwood on the back (facing the target).

While technically a softwood, yew has far more in common with the heavier hardwoods. It's tough to cut. And bows are never made of raw yew -craftmanship can take over a year, and the process further toughens the wood.

Meanwhile, swords are not made to chop through wood, regardless of what Hollywood thinks. They're meant to slice squishy things, and the heavier ones also can act as clubs.

A single sword stroke might have made it through the softer sapwood, but would likely have been blocked by the stronger heartwood. However, repeated sword strokes to the bow would damage it and eventually break it -the defense is temporary at best. And even one stroke connecting would compromise the bow being used as a weapon.

But for one or two strokes? The average yew bow can handle it.

Coming back to where you started is not the same as never leaving. -Terry Pratchett Hide / Show Replies

This isn't very important, but that image made me laugh. :D

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