Introduction: How to Take an Arrow in the Knee for "real"

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About: In the footsteps of my father and grandfather, I've been building and making things for as long as I can remember.

I was just about to submit this Instructable and then…

There is such a thing as taking a joke too far, and today we are going to go way beyond that.  

One of the things I love about the internet is that it is the quintessential device for the creation of memes.  If you are reading this and don’t know what the “Until I took an arrow in the knee” is all about, please click here.  

So all you brave warriors out there who want to be the first one in your social network to have taken a real arrow in the knee*, read on.


*Note: it’s a sight gag, and no knees will be harmed during the production of this instructable.

Step 1: Tools and Supplies

Supplies
  • A real arrow. Yes, a real arrow which you can buy at a large sporting goods store for between 8 to 10 USD.  Make sure that the shaft is hollow and can consume a #6 screw easily.  Note: a bow and arrow is considered a firearm in most states so please contact your local police department and inquire about its usage if you wind up purchasing a bow “for fun”.   In the northeast US you are not even allowed to use it in your own backyard if it’s less than an acre of land.
  • An elbow pad used for urban skating . (not a knee pad.  Explained later as to why).
  • 6-32 x 1 inch screw
  • #6 blind nut
  • 5 Minute Epoxy or Gorilla Glue
  • A baggy pair of old trousers. Denim is good as long as the legs are baggy (important).  The trousers will be altered so expect to dedicate them for exclusive use by this project.
  • Very dark red nail polish (Oxblood)
Not shown :
  • sticky backed  felt  material (white or salmon colored)
  • cotton or Kevlar thread
Tools
  • Scissors
  • 3/16 “ Drill bit and drill
  • Cutoff tool (Dremel)
  • Narrow awl or dental pick

Step 2: Prep the Prosthetic Knee (Elbow Pad)

We are using an elbow pad because it’s smaller than a knee pad.  To make it look realistic the fake knee has to look like a real one.  Whichever pad yields the lowest profile is the one you want.

Drill a 3/16 hole approx. ½ inch from the top of the pad.  To get the proper effect, the arrow has to pitch up slightly from the horizontal. There will be some droop as well so it’s important to locate the hole high up on the pad.

Push the blind nut into the hole from the top to mark the locations for the 3 anti-rotation teeth. After marking, use a sharp thin awl to create the 3 holes for the teeth to push through.

Glue the blindnut in place underneath the plastic knee using  5 minute epoxy or GorillaGlue   Make sure that no glue gets into the threads of the blindnut   If the blindnut protrudes out above the plastic,  use a cutoff tool to make it flush with the surface.

Cut a piece of sticky backed felt, make a small hole in it, and affix it to the pad over the threaded hole.  Using the dark red nail polish, paint around the hole.  Be careful not to get paint on the threads.  Test out your threaded hole by screwing in the 6-32 screw into the blindnut .  It should not bind and screw in easily.

Step 3: Prep the Arrow

Depending on the length of your arrow, cut off some amount of it. You want the arrow pretty long because hey you took it “in” the knee not “through” the knee. Make sure the end is clean and flush

Cut the head off the bolt with a cutoff tool, and then test fit it into the arrow (this is why the arrow has to be hollow) . If it’s not snug, wrap some cotton or Kevlar thread around it.

Test fit the bolt in the arrow leaving approx. ½ inch of thread showing.and make sure its straight. 

Use 5 minute epoxy to glue in place.

Paint around where the bolt enters the arrow with the red nail polish.

Once all the glue and paint has cured,  test fit the arrow by screwing it into the kneepad.  Make sure it screws in easily and doesn’t bind

Step 4: Prep the Pants

Pick one of your favorite (or least favorite) knees, your choice.

Strap the pad around your knee with hole facing up. Make it a close fit to eliminate as much bulge as possible.

Put on the pants you picked out for this project.

Stand erect in a natural position.  Probe around your Knee with the awl until you find the screw hole in the pad.
Be sure not to move the fabric from it's current relaxed position (important) 

As you can see from the picture, it is able to produce a very convincing special effect!

Once you locate the hole,  increase the size just enough to allow the screw to go through.
Paint a small circle of “blood” polish around the hole.

Step 5: The Finale, Arrow Goes Into Knee

At this point all that is left is to screw the arrow through the pant leg and into the blindnut.  It's going to be a bit tricky since the pant fabric can still freely move over the knee which is what we want. 

But you don't have to do that right away.  Decide where you want to be when you "take an arrow in the knee".

The Mall!
A coffee shop with a name that begins with the letter S
Your significant others house
Your parents house (depending on their age and health)
Where you work (maybe, maybe not.  Nobody in my company would get it)
Where you purchased the arrow (this one's my favorite)

Do not go to an archery range. They will freak out at first and then beat the crap out of you second for sure