Mark 5 construction

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If anyone is interested in how to make mark 5 weapons, or flatblades, as someone has called them, there is a workshop on Thursday evening, July 22.

Mark 5 weapons look a bit more like swords, and there is more artisanship involved in their construction. Don't get me wrong, I've seen some impressive tube-boffers. I recall somebody once tried to introduce this to NERO, but I don't remember how it turned out.

The guys at GOA have some neat methods for making swords that I have yet to learn myself, such as making hilts, grips, blades, and even scabards.

We will be constructing weapons for the upcoming GOA event. Feel free to help out for half an hour or so, and they'd be happy to teach you how to make them.

Here is the place, and phone number. Janet is the one in charge.
1430 NE 120th Street
Seattle, WA 98125
206-362-2518

I will follow up with some specific directions if anyone wants.
 
From what I've seen and what has been introduced thus far was told to me as:

Although safe by most people's standard and rather cool looking, alot of them lack important parts of the rules required when making the actual Nero weapons.

For instance, Foam Padding must be at least 2" from core to surface on all sides. (for long/short swords at least)

Either way, if they can get passed then I think alot more "unique" weapons will start working their way into the game... I know that If I could start using a flat blade I'd donate my old ones to Monster Camp, goodness knows they are always in need of a spare blade or two... Right?
 
your going to want to have a marshal at the thing if you want a good chance of weapon crossover. As it stands, most mark 5s fail, but one can be made that will fit the rules. So having a copy of the rules and a marshal might help work on the hybrid.
 
So far, the only Mark 5 I've seen that I would pass for NERO was made by AMBER and brought to the LoV game... I think she went 5 layers (or more!) instead of the three that normally get used for them.
 
Izlude does bring up a good point. I'm wondering if the 2 inches absolutely has to be open celled foam. Most that I have seen have a single layer of the thin closed cell sticking out past the core a good few inches. Though it is pointier than a standard NERO tip, it is quite floppy. The only real issue with this that I am aware of is eye shots. My boffing group does not allow mark fives for this reason, but since there are no head shots in NERO, this might not be an issue with you guys.

Any marshals out there that can tell me the specifics of tip regulations?
 
thedarkjedi said:
Izlude does bring up a good point. I'm wondering if the 2 inches absolutely has to be open celled foam. Most that I have seen have a single layer of the thin closed cell sticking out past the core a good few inches. Though it is pointier than a standard NERO tip, it is quite floppy. The only real issue with this that I am aware of is eye shots. My boffing group does not allow mark fives for this reason, but since there are no head shots in NERO, this might not be an issue with you guys.

Any marshals out there that can tell me the specifics of tip regulations?
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Nero may not allow headshots, but they still happen. According to the rule book, the thrusting tip must be at least 2 inches of open cell foam. Many weapons will have an inch or so of closed cell foam past the end of the core, but this is in addition to the 2 inch open cell tip.
 
I was however, referring to the actual width of the closed cell foam away from the core when viewed from the sides. That is why I dont think the flat blades (however cool they may be) are suitable by nero rule standards.
 
thedarkjedi said:
Izlude does bring up a good point. I'm wondering if the 2 inches absolutely has to be open celled foam. Most that I have seen have a single layer of the thin closed cell sticking out past the core a good few inches. Though it is pointier than a standard NERO tip, it is quite floppy. The only real issue with this that I am aware of is eye shots. My boffing group does not allow mark fives for this reason, but since there are no head shots in NERO, this might not be an issue with you guys.

Any marshals out there that can tell me the specifics of tip regulations?
Click to expand...
Sure, it must be at least 2 inch past the end of the pipe foam. In addition it should not be longer than its diamieter, the tip must collapse to about 50% its length when pressure is applyed. The tip should also be at least 2 inch across. Thats from the rules, but these are also things the marshals look at. How firm is the tip, how fast does it spring back. Does it look like it will pop or rip off, and is it "floppy" in any way. (floppy and whipy things are frowned upon.)
I think that covers it.
 
Weapons must be constructed using the specifications in the rulebook.

The only exceptions to this are:

Core: may be constructed of bamboo or kitespar in addition to the materials listed in the book.

Tape: Cloth gaffer's tape is allowable in addition to duct tape. A cloth sock may be used instead, though the padding must still be secured and anchored.

Padding: Landau foam, Fun Noodle, or layered 3/8" closed cell pipe insulation may be used instead of 5/8" closed cell pipe insulation, owing to the lack of 5/8" foam available in the area. The core must still be surrounded by at least 5/8" padding in all directions.

All weapons constructed using these alternate materials must pass safety examination as per any other weapon, and may be disallowed by a marshal at any time.

-Dan
 
Shikar al'Basteua said:
...owing to the lack of 5/8" foam available in the area.
Click to expand...

Isnt that just disgusting?
 
Anyone needing 5/8" pink foam can let me know, and I'll pick some up for you at cost from the ACE Hardware by my house. Currently, however, I'm starting to lean away from it, since its durability is somewhat lacking. If you fight with decent regularity, you'll likely only get three or four events out of them at most. Right now, the best solution is to go to 3/4" black, IMO.
 
thedarkjedi said:
If anyone is interested in how to make mark 5 weapons, or flatblades, as someone has called them, there is a workshop on Thursday evening, July 22.

Mark 5 weapons look a bit more like swords, and there is more artisanship involved in their construction. Don't get me wrong, I've seen some impressive tube-boffers. I recall somebody once tried to introduce this to NERO, but I don't remember how it turned out.
Click to expand...

Hmm....I remember when I started using those. It was about 1997, and folks were just *in love* with the things.

I *also* remember bringing what *may* have been the first mark-5 to see NERO seattle a few years ago, back when JP was playing "Cat". They were examined, my fighting style and skill was evaluated (I'd like to think that after nearly 10 years of Kendo, I'd have *some* amount of skill) and I was permitted to use the weapon. Then I went away for a long time, due to other happenings in life.

I'm back. Mark-5's are basically banned, and that's fine by me. I still have fun :D

(PS..JP, you might remember that character I played, even. What was his name? ;))

Cheers, all

Spoone
 
5/8" can be found at almost any ace hardware if you look hard enough, and amazingly enough, at some home depot stores. I agree with JP on the craptasticness of its durability and almost anything I build is double layer black stuff, even if it is a tad bit heavier.
 
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