[Greenman]

Personally I don't think this should be in this section as it is "historical recreation", however I thought I had better get my version in first, The Saracens devoped a device called a "julbah" for shooting knockless arrows that the enemy couldn't shoot back, it was also used for shooting arrows with a razor inserted in the knock. Sneaky lot the Saracens. Having just smashed 2 knocks in an evening I decided to make one. Basically what it is , is a 2 cm hollow tube with a slot cut in it for the string ,and a thin cord attaching it to your hand. The knockless arrow goes in the end of the julbah and the slotted end goes on the bow string, the arrow can then be shot normaly, the julbah remaining with you curtesy of the thin cord. Traditionaly the julbah was made from an eagle quill, so my immediate response was to check out the local wildlife, initial inspection revealed one squirrel, a blackbird with a limp and a distant seagull so no luck there, was tempted by the blackbird but decided it had enough problems without me chasing it round the garden so retired to the garage where I found a piece of alumimium tube about 1 cm diametor which would do the job. So I cut a 2cm length , cut a knock in it, attached a thin cord and put a taper on the end of an arrow. The Club were shooting that evening so I took the arrangement with me to try out. During the Tea break when I had the Shooting line to myself I shot it....the arrow left the bow , turned 180 degrees and smacked me on the back of my head. This wasn't the desired result so I tried again with exactly the same result ,at this point I decided to stop ,partly because one of the ladies was doubled up in what appeared to be pain. Analysed the problem later and decided a longer cord to the wrist was required, on to the Mk2 next week. Had more of an audience this time, but it worked, the arrow whizzed off towards the target, the only problem being the julbah whizzed with equal velocity in the opposite direction almost taking part of my ear with it, didn't shoot it again as it hurt ,on to the Mk3. The Mk3 was covered in soft leather so it wouldn't hurt and a pair of safety goggles were worn...problem sorted, though it was necessary to check that there was no one in front,to the right or behind when you shot it. Orders are being taken for this essential accessory, though you will have arrange your own Insurance and safety goggles.