It is possible to fire all four arrows in quick succession, or to shoot them in two pairs. The accuracy is excellent due to a very practical arrow guide made from cheap toothbrushes.

The weapon needs cosmetic work and also reinforced rubber bands – but it is fully functional and reliabel already.

A “The Slingshot Channel” production!

So the new and improved Zombie hammer is tested against a German Army (“Bundeswehr”) surplus helmet – a bit smelly, but fully intact with all the inner parts still complete.

See how the stainless steel spike opens a huge hole in the steel helmet, with a single blow!

History of Slingshots

Slingshots were used by people for a long time. It was used as hunting weapon. The very first slingshots were very simple and used a thong and a pouch. From the simple slingshots a more accurate models were made. The innovated slingshots use a y-shaped frame with two elastic strips attached to it. At the end of the elastic strips is a pouch that is usually made of leather.

The use of elastic strips started after rubber was invented. Around 1818 slingshots that use iron frames became popular. These slingshots are used for hunting small games. The surge in the use of hunting slingshots however gained popularity after World War II. This was after a do it yourself slingshot was introduced using dogwood frame that could take out a small game using an 8 mm diameter buckshot.

Later on hunting slingshots that have arrowhead rest were made. These hunting slingshots could take on bigger games. Then more innovations were introduced like the use of rubber tubing and the slingshot body that provides a wrist rest for better accuracy.

Use of slingshots

Slingshots were not just used for hunting. In fact years ago it was used by juvenile delinquents before it was transformed to a nobler use. It was only after later that hunting slingshots became popular. Here are the uses of a slingshot:

Hunting

Hunting slingshots were used to hunt small games like fowl and rabbits. There are hunting slingshots enthusiasts that only hunt using slingshots.

Military Use

The slingshot was also used in military operations but it was mostly used by the guerillas. The Irish Republican Army used and its use was promoted by Saddam Hussein.

Toy

There are toy slingshots. These are not something that should be given to children as toys but there are toy manufacturers who make plastic slingshots for kids.

It should be remembered that slingshots are lethal so it should be used responsibly.

In order to find out, The Slingshot Channel bought a German police surplus bullet/knife protection vest. It meets the German SK1 and the US IIIA standard (handgun ammo class).

Various non firearms weapons are tested, from slingshots, crossbows, even a Samurai sword. The winner hands down is the Throwing Knife Shooter – the only weapon that could penetrate the entire vest.

A “The Slingshot Channel” production!

Therefore, in this video a 10kg (22lb) block of gelatin has been “modded” – a piece of floor board simulates bone, and got deeply set into the gelatin. Leather from an old glove simulates skin, and a towel replaces more fancy clothes.

It works – a 25 mm steel ball, fired from an incredibly powerful winch operated slingshot crossbow, almosts lifts the entire block off the table – but can not penetrate the gel block through the towel and the leather.

A throwing knife, fired from a specifically designed slingshot crossbow at about 150 mph, easily goes through the towel, leather, gel and even through the floor board.

Even though the energy of the steel ball was no doubts higher than the energy of the knife, it was the pointy, sharp blade that made the difference – the pressure per square inch is a lot higher. A simple explanation based on the laws of physics.

The video also reveals a side effect of the “band catching” construction of the knife shooter – the shot is really, really silent, almost inaudible.

A “The Slingshot Channel” production

Now a throwing knife isn’t very well suited for beeing fired from a crossbow. The bottom heavy knifes are supposed to spin around in the throw, which requires a ton of practice. But to be shot straight from a crossbow requires a specifically designed guiding system.

The simple, but effective weapon presented in this video uses four flat aluminum rods as guides for the knife, which works quite well. Three layers of Thera Band Gold drive the blades far faster than any human beeing could throw them – and with serious accuracy.

As a bonus, the second “Zodiac sign” prize slingshot is presented, made from two different types of wood, and featuring twin forks.

This video shows how you can make pepper spray from old chili powder, bolas from cat food cans and batteries, and even a full blown crossbow from a broom handle and old kitchen gloves.

All of the weapons are properly tested, of course.

As a bonus, two new slingshots are shown, one that shoots grapes (for an attempt to break a guiness book record), and one beauty made from fossilized oak.

See how the sharp blades smash things up pretty good!

The entire device is home made, including the pulley wheels. Just the knifes and the drill were bought (cheaply) at amazon.

The video also features three nice handmade conventional slingshots.

A “The Slingshot Channel” production.