Weapon Construction

H

Harlock

Adept
I have made my all weapons with PVC pipe. I want to try something different with the sword I am making. I know that some people use Kite Spar. I have felt these weapons and like how light they are. Can someone give me some advice on Kite Spar weapons? Such as, what diameter to use, what kind of foam insulation, etc? Any input will be apperciated.


Kevin
 
.610 kitespar is the best diameter to be using.

You want to use the same kind of grey foam insulation you've been using, but you want to get a thinner inner diameter. (Still 5/8ths of padding, but with a smaller inner hole)

You will want to use a hacksaw to cut it, but before you do, wrap the spot you are cutting with masking tape. This will keep the fiberglass of the kitespar from shreding and running.

Otherwise, pretty much construct as normal.
 
Alternatively, since I can't find that many inner diameters of pipe foam, you can cut a long, thin strip from one side of the existing slit to "lessen" the inner diameter yourself. Just make sure you get it straight and the proper size (may take some practice, I ruined a few pieces before I got the knack of it).

Capping the ends is even more important than with PVC since it's more likely to cut through the thrusting tip/pommel. Cut your pipe 1" shorter than you need it to be, then tape a tightly packed 1/2" length of grey foam (a small strip twisted in a spiral works best) onto each end. This greatly extends the life of your thrusting tips and makes it harder to feel the pipe through the tips.

-Bryan
 
Diera said:
.610 kitespar is the best diameter to be using.
Click to expand...

Where can I find .610 kitespar? I have been to several kite shops on the Oregon coast and no one has any that big. I can't even find .505 kitespar.

Kevin
 
Tap plastics has graphite rods that are about tha diameter in almost six foot lengths. There's one in downtown portland and one in Tigard just off I-5 by the Home Depot. Should be able to citysearch or googlemaps em to find em.
 
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