Instant Legolas (Fenris, Whipshot)

[pmbug]

Posting this mostly so I can refer back to it later...

There is this German inventor (Joerg Sprave) who is inventing some nifty devices to turn archery bows into semi-auto rifles (sort of). He's got an entertaining YouTube channel and apparently has gotten the attention of some industry manufacturers.

Latest video:

 

[pmbug]

 

[rblong2us]

I love how he chuckles whenever he fires the thing

loosing 10 arrows is all well and good if its into a big archery target but I recall as kids with proper longbows how expensive the arrows were and how important it was to recover the arrow.
I guess these modern bolts being used are not without cost but have no idea what a couple of hundred of em might cost .......

 

[pmbug]

From the video description:

First prod. run, max 100 pcs, indivdually numbered - sold out 90 minutes after the video went online.
Second prod. run, 400 more pcs, shipping 3rd week of July. Now taking reservations.
Just the Fenris = 1000 €
Set with Assassin bow (as seen in video): 1200 €
email <redacted> for non binding reservation. Please state if you want just the Fenris or the complete set. First come first serve. International shipping available, but customs is your own risk (Australia, China, Scandinavia).

I'm really tempted.

 

[bushi]

...lol! I can see that despite "long time no see", I am still largely in mental sync with the lot on here

 

[bushi]

(...)
I guess these modern bolts being used are not without cost but have no idea what a couple of hundred of em might cost .......

one of the benefits of that contraptions is, you can use shorter bolts (faster, prob. cheaper, and cannot be shot back at you from a reg. bow

 

[11C1P]

With everything going on I may have to get another bow since I got rid of mine years ago, after I wrecked my back & carrying a 150+ pound deer out of the woods wasn't going to be very pleasant. Maybe a crossbow or a few other more old time weapons. Times like this it seems like my ammo stockpile seems smaller. I went to the range the other week & the wife & I hot a few hundred rounds. I knew ammo was getting scarce most places, but when I decided I'd get another can or 2 of M855 & some gold dots to load & couldn't believe there were several several sites who were COMPLETELY out of all ammo. Not even 12ga or 20ga bird shot FFS. Some of the stuff I typed into ammo search engines would have zero results when normally I'd get pages of results. I finally used a VERY broad search parameter & got 3 pages. Three! I ordered 2 boxes 150/ea of M855 & then found some bullets that weren't gold dots but pretty good bullets none the less.

 

[pmbug]

Yeah, I've been reading on other forums where gun owners are universally having the same experiences right now. No one has inventory in stock right now. Demand is exceeding production supply apparently. Not sure if it's just because demand is extraordinary, or production is hampered by supply chain issues and/or C19 employee issues.

 

[rblong2us]

Yeah , shorter and cheaper than regular archery arrows but still have to be assembled by someone in China to make em affordable
One advantage of using the crossbow is that, if you are a good shot, you can recover and reuse ......

 

[pmbug]

I thought this was using standard crossbow bolts. They are selling the end cap for the noch separately if you want to make your own bolts. Pretty sure they are making them in Austria or wherever in Europe they are making the bow.

 

[pmbug]

I had a look around today and see that they are now selling the Fenris in the USA and Canada:

FENRIS - Magazine for Compound Bows

The Fenris is simultaneously an: Arrow quiver/magazine (capacity of 5 arrows) Bow release with thumb trigger Pump action repeating system Revolutionary aiming device (in combination with optional Red-Dot sights) *M1 Compound bow sold separately

steambow.com

Still tempted, but struggling with the price tag.

 

[searcher]

Writing Archery History! With Orissa Kelly.​

Premiered May 23, 2023

22:01

 

[searcher]

Fire! Workshop gone. PLUS: The "ShapeShifter" Kukri​

Dec 26, 2023

5:47

Update: It seems like "StealthBeast" has been found, by @btv_unofficial4054. I was able to send a message to the person who most likely is the designer of the knife on one of the websites he is active on and now I am waiting for feedback. It would be SO cool if this project can become reality!

Thanks for all your kind words! A very welcome encouragement for sure.

 

[pmbug]

Joerg has such an infectuous laugh. It's a real shame his workshop burned down - he's done a lot of cool things there.

 

[pmbug]

$500 for the complete bow + magazine? That's not a bad price point.

Whipshot

Ek Archery's take on the "Instant Legolas" bow magazine. A lower-cost alternative to Steambow's incredible Fenris Magazine Specifications Speed: 240 FPS Draw Weight: 15-50 LBS (We measured 68lb at max) Projectile Energy: 25-45 Joules Axle To Axle: 27" Mass Weight (Bow Only): 6.4 LBS Length: 800...

gogun.co

It's apparently $600 on amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/Archery-Whipshot-Automatic-Repeating-Compound/dp/B0B8NXPMDN