obcidian_bandit
Pioneer
One of my nero pet peeves is scabbards. You can always tell a new player because they're walking around town with their weapon out all the time. If there's gnolls about, it's for good reason, but if you're holding a longsword in one hand and a plate of scrambled eggs in the other, then you're pinned in-game as a 'green adventurer.'
Problem is, there are a fair number of pcs who don't have scabbards who've been playing for years. Sometimes, it makes sense, maybe they're spear, staff, or polearm users. Some people just never remember between events that they need one, so they get into game and realize that they forgot again. Some folks don't have the time or money to get more accessories. Whatever the reason people don't have scabbards, it's a problem with a simple solution. Here are a few easy scabbard tips.
Scabbards on an extreme budget:
Get an old roll of duct tape, that has all the tape used up. Make sure to leave on just enough that the cardboard roll is covered in the tape (that last bit of tape sticks to the cardboard and you can't use it anyways). Get an exacto knife (or a razor or something) and cut two diagonal slits about an inch apart. Your belt goes in one, and out the other, and presto, you have a scabbard.
You cut them diagonally so that the sword won't sit straight up and down, you'll have the hilt pointed slightly forward and the blade behind your hip. To determine which way you need to cut the holes: Top to the right means the scabbard is worn on the right, top to the left means the scabbard is worn on the left. If you're right handed, you want your scabbard on the left.
You can make two or three quick scabbards out of a Pringles can. Tape the can lengthwise top to bottom first, then cut off the bottom. Cut the can into 2 or 3 small tubes, then repeat the diagonal cutting from above. These scabbards are flimsy and will probably only last you one event, but they work in a pinch.
Better Options:
A good sturdy scabbard can be made if you're friends with your local janitor. Many large businesses and schools have toilet paper on really big rolls in the bathroom. The tubes are perfect size for a scabbard, although they take more work and care to cut, since they're much thicker. Cover them in tape before you do anything, then cut holes as above. I've had a few of these since I started playing, and most of them are still intact.
Some people have been using metal hammer loops. These are like large rings attached to a leather plate. You can pick them up at hardware stores, I don't think they're too expensive. I don't like them because they look funny when there's no sword in them, it's just some metal ring sticking out of your leg.
At this last event I tested out a new kind of scabbard. I made five hard leather, dyed scabbards. I was using two, Carmen was using two, and Caitlin was using one. They all worked really well.
With that all said, I've got a dozen or two duct used duct tape rolls in just about every color if anyone would like a couple. You can have 'em free so long as you turn them into scabbards or give them to your newbie friends to do it. If anyone is interested in the leather scabbards, I'll be happy to show you mine at the next game. If there's interest, I'll make some more. With the leather, dye, sealant, and time, I'll probably sell them for about $5 each. IIRC, that's cheaper then the hammer loops (but not as cheap as the Pringles I guess.)
No matter which way you go, get a scabbard. Most adventurers have a good reason to be paranoid, but we don't have to look that way.
~Matt
Problem is, there are a fair number of pcs who don't have scabbards who've been playing for years. Sometimes, it makes sense, maybe they're spear, staff, or polearm users. Some people just never remember between events that they need one, so they get into game and realize that they forgot again. Some folks don't have the time or money to get more accessories. Whatever the reason people don't have scabbards, it's a problem with a simple solution. Here are a few easy scabbard tips.
Scabbards on an extreme budget:
Get an old roll of duct tape, that has all the tape used up. Make sure to leave on just enough that the cardboard roll is covered in the tape (that last bit of tape sticks to the cardboard and you can't use it anyways). Get an exacto knife (or a razor or something) and cut two diagonal slits about an inch apart. Your belt goes in one, and out the other, and presto, you have a scabbard.
You cut them diagonally so that the sword won't sit straight up and down, you'll have the hilt pointed slightly forward and the blade behind your hip. To determine which way you need to cut the holes: Top to the right means the scabbard is worn on the right, top to the left means the scabbard is worn on the left. If you're right handed, you want your scabbard on the left.
You can make two or three quick scabbards out of a Pringles can. Tape the can lengthwise top to bottom first, then cut off the bottom. Cut the can into 2 or 3 small tubes, then repeat the diagonal cutting from above. These scabbards are flimsy and will probably only last you one event, but they work in a pinch.
Better Options:
A good sturdy scabbard can be made if you're friends with your local janitor. Many large businesses and schools have toilet paper on really big rolls in the bathroom. The tubes are perfect size for a scabbard, although they take more work and care to cut, since they're much thicker. Cover them in tape before you do anything, then cut holes as above. I've had a few of these since I started playing, and most of them are still intact.
Some people have been using metal hammer loops. These are like large rings attached to a leather plate. You can pick them up at hardware stores, I don't think they're too expensive. I don't like them because they look funny when there's no sword in them, it's just some metal ring sticking out of your leg.
At this last event I tested out a new kind of scabbard. I made five hard leather, dyed scabbards. I was using two, Carmen was using two, and Caitlin was using one. They all worked really well.
With that all said, I've got a dozen or two duct used duct tape rolls in just about every color if anyone would like a couple. You can have 'em free so long as you turn them into scabbards or give them to your newbie friends to do it. If anyone is interested in the leather scabbards, I'll be happy to show you mine at the next game. If there's interest, I'll make some more. With the leather, dye, sealant, and time, I'll probably sell them for about $5 each. IIRC, that's cheaper then the hammer loops (but not as cheap as the Pringles I guess.)
No matter which way you go, get a scabbard. Most adventurers have a good reason to be paranoid, but we don't have to look that way.
~Matt
