Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 2, 2007 18:30:53 GMT
I saw shootermike's foam swords his considerate friends gave him, and I was wondering what everyone thinks about sparring with foamies? I know they don't respond like steel on steel, but they'd be nicer to get hit with. I saw these the other day. www.usedvictoria.com/classified-ad/3182679&category=martial-artsI think they'd be fun for the price, and look a little Star Waresque!
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 2, 2007 20:23:37 GMT
Try it out. Only $25. You are bound to learn something. I have foam swords too that I play around with my girlfriend. Mine are flat like a real sword. The problem that I find is when you rotate the blade, it catches a lot of air resistance and slows down.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 2, 2007 21:46:47 GMT
I make my own boffers for screwing around with and some sparring.
I use schedule 40 PVC with a wooden dowel core all through the handle and about 8-10 inches into the blade. I take insulation foam and wrap that around the blade and secure it with a small screw near the ricasso. Then I take a torn piece of insulation foam and cover the tip with that, and wrap the whole thing in duct tape.
Considering I can get 10' of PVC and 6' of foam for about $10, I usually get two longswords for about $20 total(because there's also the PVC endcaps that I use for the cross and pommel(6 total for 2 swords) and the PVC bonding solution, which is like $5/can, and then also the wooden dowel).
They work really well, though the wooden dowel has to fit PERFECTLY into the PVC or else it'll just rattle around in there and not do much. Generally, I use a cross connector and fit the cut pieces of PVC into it for the blade, cross, and grip. Grips I usually make about 10 inches, blades around 36, and the cross about 3 inches both ways.
The only thing I need to work on is finding a hardening solution I can fill the inner parts of the cross with to help sturdy up the inside of the cross-connector since it's bigger inside than the inside diameter of the PVC, which results in gaps right where I don't want them. The PVC is prone to breaking at this spot since it's not reinforced by the dowel.
Anyway, I used to use 3/4'' ID, but think I'll switch to 1'' stuff. That's too thick really, but the 3/4'' stuff breaks more than I'd like it to.
|
|
|
Post by ShooterMike on Jun 2, 2007 23:03:03 GMT
Adam,
Have you tried Great Stuff expanding foam spray for filling the PVC completely? This stuff is...well, great. It's an expanding foam that comes out of the can as a gooey yellow gel-ish foam and it immediately starts expanding to fill a finished volume of something like 500% of it's volume when it comes out of the can.
You can find it at Walmart, I think in the automotive section.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 3, 2007 4:53:10 GMT
I've spared with PVC too. Its good stuff to train with. They make tubed foam insulation that will fit right over it too. You can pick up both at Home Depot or most hardwear and HVAC supply stores. You still need head protection. I also recomend elbow and knee pads as well as a cup.
I also use PVC tubes to transport my rapiers within my fencing bag. This way they don't get bent.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 4, 2007 1:03:06 GMT
The foam swords that I've used have a very thin plastic core and break easily... they seem to be made for children.
Just a warning - I don't want to spoil anyones' fun!
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 4, 2007 1:40:25 GMT
The childs foam ones I use with my girlfriend have some sort of plastic spine on the inside for support and added strength. I was actualy rather impressed with what you can get for $5. I am sure it won't last too long.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 4, 2007 6:09:09 GMT
in the past when I've sparred with boffers we've needed no protection at all. You can take a rather hefty smack to the head and just smile.
Foam, you say, Shootermike? How hard does it get? It would need to help support the PVC inside the cross where it doesn't garner support from the wooden dowel...
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 4, 2007 21:45:05 GMT
|
|
|
Post by ShooterMike on Jun 4, 2007 23:30:18 GMT
in the past when I've sparred with boffers we've needed no protection at all. You can take a rather hefty smack to the head and just smile. Foam, you say, Shootermike? How hard does it get? It would need to help support the PVC inside the cross where it doesn't garner support from the wooden dowel... These are just small toys about 20-24 inches long. They just have a flimsy piece of plastic through the center and they are truly "nerf" soft.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 4, 2007 23:39:27 GMT
I meant the spray stuff, Shooter...
|
|
|
Post by rammstein on Jun 4, 2007 23:39:43 GMT
I use some type of padded boffer for sparring. These have a pvc core and a vaguely sword like padded outside. It holds up well and they are quite safe. As adam says, you can get wacked in the head and still smile. I'd still use some type of protection though, even if it's only a fencing mask and a codpiece.
I recommend them if having quick fun is more important than historical accuracy. They are a huge hit in melees - like 20-30 people in an all out war beating each other up with padded swords ;D.
|
|
|
Post by ShooterMike on Jun 5, 2007 1:47:41 GMT
I meant the spray stuff, Shooter... Oops. Sorry, guess I wasn't paying attention. It gets pretty solid. Thats what they use to fill boat dock floats and the insides of Ranger bass boats. It is tough stuff. How hard it gets depends on how much you put in before screwing on the caps. It will self-pressurize up to probably 20-30 psi.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 5, 2007 3:35:50 GMT
I'll have to look some of this stuff up... sounds like it'll help make my boffers tougher...
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 5, 2007 5:09:00 GMT
Those latex swords look fun, but they're more expensive, and with a fiberglass core, I don't see them withstanding too many "latex on latex" hits...
Ramm, funny you should mention boffer melees, a guy at a pawn shop the other day tells me that his son is in a "boffer army", and apparently, there are a couple of neighbourhoods having a war this summer. If I can find out when and where, it sounds like a blast to watch - or pretend I'm 15, put on some gear, and give em hell.....Do you think they'd notice a 6'1", 210 Lb Guy out there? ;D
|
|
|
Post by rammstein on Jun 5, 2007 18:42:03 GMT
Dude, if you can pull it off, go for it! Those melees are amazing, provided they're done right.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 13, 2007 22:39:22 GMT
Most boffers are way too light for me, bad balance to boot. I am sure that these develop bad habits, especially if you allow that a "tap" equals a kill, instead of the kind of full-blooded arc that you would need for cutting targets. For my money, I can't recommend this guy's sword strongly enough: www.rsw.com.hk/I can hold my Angus Trim model 1211 type X in one hand, and one of Lance Chan's one-handed training swords in the other hand; blindfolded I'll be damned if I can tell the difference! Add some fencing masks and sturdy gloves and you're set. Who needs anything else?
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 29, 2007 22:48:31 GMT
Today I came across these foam tubes designed for kids to play with in water pools. They come in bright colors and have a hole down the center that would be just perfect to fit a PVC tube into. Only $3 each.
I bought one, but for a different purpose. I have not been happy with the foam tips I have been using on my rattan swords. The foam was getting flat too fast from compression. The foam on this kids tubes is a lot thicker and tougher. It should stand up better compression wise.
|
|
|
Post by ShooterMike on Jun 29, 2007 23:39:46 GMT
Hey Tsafa, it sounds like you're describing pool noodles? Is it that or something else?
|
|
|
Post by randomnobody on Jun 30, 2007 0:00:56 GMT
Sounds like pool noodles to me. The DG I work at sells pretty decent ones for $1.50 (USD), I've though of picking up one or two to attempt cutting, should I feel bold some day. I imagine they'd also be great as sparring weapons. They come already five feet long or more, so a shorter staff could be made of them just as easily as a sword. Going by memory, I'd place the diameter of the ones we sell at around 5 inches, with an inch-wide hole in the center.
|
|