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Post by Deleted on May 2, 2010 17:18:49 GMT
Considering weapons, are you allowed to bring sharp swords/daggers/... or just blunt ones? You mention that it's often illegal to unsheath them, does this go for sharp swords/daggers/... only or for every blade like object?
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Post by Deleted on May 2, 2010 17:27:32 GMT
It varies by location. At Charlotte, pretty much anything that isn't plastic will be peace-tied and you can be removed for drawing it. At Atlanta there is less enforcement, but technically you are still not allowed to draw steel. At Maryland, weapons are flat-out banned due to an incident there. At DragonCon, enforcement is very slack but if security catches you with even an I-beam drawn, you can expect to be escorted to security. At some other conventions, anything that even remotely looks like a weapon is prohibited even if it's just a bladeless hilt on an empty scabbard.
Every event is different, but in each case safety is paramount.
Your best bet is to ask the police officer or other staff on duty at the front gate. I myself would choose to err on the side of caution and I certainly wouldn't be seen drawing a sharp. If someone wants to inspect your blade, the best place to do so would be in a weapon shop where there are already exposed blades. Doing so in a thoroughfare or an open area is just asking for trouble.
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Post by shadowhowler on May 2, 2010 17:30:05 GMT
Considering weapons, are you allowed to bring sharp swords/daggers/... or just blunt ones? You mention that it's often illegal to unsheath them, does this go for sharp swords/daggers/... only or for every blade like object? A faire that allows weapons at all won't really care if they are sharp or blunt... a weapon is a weapon as far as they are concerned. They will want it 'Peace Tied'... tied and bound in such a way that you can not draw it, at all, period. I always peace tie mine myself... because if yuo don't they will often put these plastic zip-ties on your weapon. Not only is that ugly and out of period... but if you have a leather or soft material grip it can damage it. Odingaard has a post on here somewhere about how to 'trick knot' tie your stuff so it seems peace tied but you can get it out quick. I have never bothered with this because I don't need my weapons for self defence at the Faire, and because I'm afriad the person at the gate may discover it whe he/she tugs on my weapon to make sure its secure.
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Post by shadowhowler on May 2, 2010 17:34:52 GMT
I highly recommend checking out scaboots.com — $120 will get you an AWESOME pair! LOVE these guys, bought three pairs of boots from them. [/li][li]Keep in mind that most faires do not allow you to unsheathe weapons and in many states it is illegal for you to even carry one unless you are 18 or older. If you botch this one and end up getting weapons banned from that particular faire, expect to make a lot of enemies really fast. [/li][li]Don't buy weapons at a faire. Unless you recognize the smith from these boards, you'll almost assuredly end up with either a sword-like-object, or end up paying 2-3× what it's worth. Don't be that guy. [/quote] True and true indeed... more and more Faires are excluding weapons outright, which SUCKS. I love walking around with my swords... and anyone that makes it more likely that I can not do that is pure, 100% grade A Douchebag. Weapons sold at the faire are 99.9% crap... and 100% overpriced.
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ecovolo
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Post by ecovolo on May 2, 2010 17:47:03 GMT
And thanks for the list to remember too, haha. I'm under-age, so no drinking for me, but I will remember water. Smart man. You'll be much better off in the evening when the event is done than the people who booze it up all day . My buddies and I would hit a restaurant after the day is over; consider $$ for that too. +1 To whoever suggested the bottled hand sanitizer. At the Gilroy Ren Fair in CA, the porta-potties have hand-washing stations . . . but still, they occasionally run out of hand soap. Also, I forgot about this: $$ for tickets. Some Ren Fairs are free, some charge admission. But then, I'm assuming you know about this part. Now, in the event of a problem: At the big Ren Fairs in CA, the ale stands have radios to alert security. I don't know about your local fair, but if there is a problem --you or your friends getting harassed by someone at the event, someone threatens violence against you, or a patron/actor gets too grabby-- you might want to check to see if the ale/beer stands have radios as you enjoy the rest of your day. Or, at least be aware of the places where the event security staff are placed. From working the events, I found this info to be a necessity. In the end, I hope you will have fun. Give us a report when you get back, eh? --Edward
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Post by Deleted on May 2, 2010 18:11:40 GMT
I've got a new trick peace tie system up my sleeve I am working for on my new BKS scimitar scabbard. I'll post a link it when I get done. I'd never use a sword for self-defense being that I normally carry a CCW. Carnies and drunks are abound with swords at the faire, and a sword against my CCW = FAIL. However, as someone famous once said, it's not the reasons you can think of you'd need it. It's the reasons you can't think of. I prefer to keep my sword in single-retention mode, where I can quickly release it if I want, but where others have no clue how to get it out of the scabbard.
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Post by Deleted on May 2, 2010 18:16:08 GMT
Now, in the event of a problem: At the big Ren Fairs in CA, the ale stands have radios to alert security. ... From working the events, I found this info to be a necessity. At many of the faires I'm used to, security wear brightly colored tabbards and carry a tall staff with a pennant on it. Additionally, the king or queen's entourage will generally have security personnel at hand or are at least sufficiently well-known to attract attention and assistance very quickly. Keep in mind that at NO time should you ever venture into the employee-only areas of a faire. The only times I ever do so are with good friends who work there and even then it's only for approved photoshoots while in their company. Lastly, some faires will signal the start/end of the day by firing a canon. When you hear that, head to the gate to rendezvous with your group.
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Post by Deleted on May 2, 2010 23:27:07 GMT
Thanks to all who contributed to this thread. Very cool information.
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Post by Cottontail Customs on May 3, 2010 1:02:32 GMT
I have seen Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, polynisian.... all sorts of various time periods and cultures show up to RenFaire. My big hope is to go to one some day dressed up as 'Ash' from Army of Darkness. ;D Ash!! dude that would be the friggan coolest!!!! SHOP SMART, SHOP S MART!
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Post by shadowhowler on May 3, 2010 1:10:49 GMT
Ash!! dude that would be the friggan coolest!!!! SHOP SMART, SHOP S MART! Heh heh... ;D Yeah, if I ever get it figured out and do it, it will be epic. "Now I sware... next one of you primates... even TOUCHES me..."
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Post by Deleted on May 3, 2010 3:12:15 GMT
Much more responses than i thought Thanks for all the info anyone, I think we'll be going on either Friday the 21th, or Sunday the 23nd, so the one around LA, CA.
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Post by Deleted on May 3, 2010 3:53:02 GMT
I'd recommend you check the faire website for the weapons policy. No point in taking it if you can't take it in; and that way there's no loot in your unattended car to entice thieves. And, even if it's peace tied, there's NO reason to carry a sharp blade into a faire.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 3, 2010 4:49:00 GMT
And, even if it's peace tied, there's NO reason to carry a sharp blade into a faire. ...unless all of your swords are sharp and you know full well that just because a blade is unedged doesn't mean it couldn't still send someone to the coroner.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 3, 2010 5:50:02 GMT
And, even if it's peace tied, there's NO reason to carry a sharp blade into a faire. Sure there is: Faire vendors here sell sharps to kids, drunks, gypsies, and the highlander ninjas. No faire in letting them have all the fun...
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 3, 2010 6:51:29 GMT
to be honest. I have no swords to take anyways this is pretty much a test, next time it comes around I'll go all decked out if I like it this year.
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Post by shadowhowler on May 3, 2010 7:09:52 GMT
And, even if it's peace tied, there's NO reason to carry a sharp blade into a faire. I'm sorry, I'm going to be blunt, but the above statement is dumb. This is a Forum for those who collect real, useable swords. ALL of my swords are sharp. I take them with me to RenFaires because I like them, I like waring them, and I don't get a lot of chances to do so. I peace knot them as the Faire requires and I don't pull em out... allthough I might if someone wanted to check the sword out, but only if I could do so somewhere safe where it would not be a problem to do so. What on earth makes you make this statement?
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