[Mithalwen]

The bow was an invention of the films but in the circumstances it is a not unreasonable one. I am far from being a survival expert but I would be very suprised if a broken sword, no matter how noble the lineage,is the best equipment for surviving in the wild - which is what the rangers did most of the time. I am not the greatest fan of the film (nor their greatest critic) but though aragorn bringing out Narsil as proof is very dramatic it isn't practical so the idea of it being preserved at Rivendell (like the other heirlooms) is not PJ's greatest crime against the canon.

I am sure that Aragorn would have at least carried a hunting knife in the wild - to make shelter, skin fish etc. Maybe a knife for defense but not fuly "tooled up " which would be an encumbrance.

Bear in mind that there is a difference between shooting for the pot and military archery. As a ranger I am sure Aragorn could have bagged a deer as shown but a good longbowman (human not elf!) would be expected to fire up to 20 aimed shots a minute. Aragaorn was probably more effective as a Swordsman.