KyleSchmelz
Fighter
I want to try out some new boffer crafting techniques so I've started making a flat blade short sword. I'm trying to make sure it's got a good chance of passing weapon check, so I thought I'd post my methodology here and see if any weapon marshals (or anyone else) can spot any issues that might disqualify it before I put in any more work.
Overall this sword is going to be built a lot like the weapons used in full contact boffer combat games. I'm using 3/8" thick blue camp pad foam and a 1/2" CPVC core. I will be connecting the layers of camp pad using DAP contact cement. With my current design (box method), there will be 3/8" padding on the flat of the blade and 3/4" padding on the striking surface. I intend to bevel the edges on the striking surface to make it look more like an actual blade, leaving about a 1/2" wide edge that will actually make contact. I will finish it either by just coating it with duct tape as usual or putting a cloth cover on it, I haven't decided yet. I'll put pictures up once I've got the foam glued in place.
One thing I'm not sure about yet is the thrusting tip. I believe I can make a safe thrusting tip, but the blade is only about 1.5" wide - would a 1.5"x2.25"x2" rectangular thrust tip have any chance of passing? Will there be any issues if I bevel the trust tip slightly? Should I just leave it as a box shape?
Also, I don't actually have any use for a short sword anytime soon. Assuming it passes weapon check, anyone want to buy a flat-blade short sword? I'm currently planning to design it like a Chinese jian, although I'm not sure how well that will come across when it's put into foam form.
PS I realize camp pad is kinda crappy foam, but I already have some lying around and I don't want to buy expensive foam for a prototype.
Overall this sword is going to be built a lot like the weapons used in full contact boffer combat games. I'm using 3/8" thick blue camp pad foam and a 1/2" CPVC core. I will be connecting the layers of camp pad using DAP contact cement. With my current design (box method), there will be 3/8" padding on the flat of the blade and 3/4" padding on the striking surface. I intend to bevel the edges on the striking surface to make it look more like an actual blade, leaving about a 1/2" wide edge that will actually make contact. I will finish it either by just coating it with duct tape as usual or putting a cloth cover on it, I haven't decided yet. I'll put pictures up once I've got the foam glued in place.
One thing I'm not sure about yet is the thrusting tip. I believe I can make a safe thrusting tip, but the blade is only about 1.5" wide - would a 1.5"x2.25"x2" rectangular thrust tip have any chance of passing? Will there be any issues if I bevel the trust tip slightly? Should I just leave it as a box shape?
Also, I don't actually have any use for a short sword anytime soon. Assuming it passes weapon check, anyone want to buy a flat-blade short sword? I'm currently planning to design it like a Chinese jian, although I'm not sure how well that will come across when it's put into foam form.
PS I realize camp pad is kinda crappy foam, but I already have some lying around and I don't want to buy expensive foam for a prototype.