Light weapons?

Apparently, I'm not strong enough to wield my own sword, and I need something a lot lighter so I can control my swings. And, Whisper's having trouble too.


I can't find any information on how to make any, though.
What would be some good light weapons?

And how would I make them?



Maybe even just a light sword.
Most of the stuff I've found involve bigger weapons.

I have some golf club shafts that Kurn gave me for loaner weapons. They are small, I think 2 1/2 feet, maybe 3 at the max. They are usually made into 'beat sticks' which are very light. I have an idea for making one into a sword. If it works out, I can make two and give one to you and Whisper since they are loaner stuff. I only need to buy some foam, DAP, Duct Tape, Cloth tape and Children's hose. Man, I'm out of everything. So it won't be til next week that I may be able to build them. Weapon's made with these graphite cores will be light.

Konradr

Demie what is your core? At our last weapon day at Bel we made a bunch of blue swords using really thin fibreglass cores. Also maybe its not that your weapon is heavy, it could be its off balanced. Try putting half a roll of quarters in your pommel? Or something else heavy.

That's okay, Konradr.

I really want to get into making my own weapons.
Having a build day with Templar, Mantra and Nightmare.

I can build them,
just need to know how.


And Phoxly, it's 3/4 pvc. Not the lightest thing in the world, but good enough for my budget. >.>

Demie if you need help on your weapon building day, I ca help you guys, but thats up to you. but ya the golf club or fiberglass would be the way to go.

Oh I see Demie =D well still a weighted pommel might help, course I tend to favor them anyways lol.

I've been trying to find the perfect balance between weight, strength and flex for a sword and am currently most happy with hollow 1/2" fiberglass tubes. 1/2" or 3/8" solid fiberglass can be easier to get and also work really well. 3/8" fiberglass maxes out (for flex reasons) at about a 28" core. 1/2" can go all the way to 48", but will flex out after it loosens up (6-8 months of regular use). That is why I like the hollow 1/2" as it fills that niche between 3/8" and 1/2" solid really well. I can bring down a couple 48" rods of either 3/8" or 1/2" round if you guys would like (they're like 2 bucks each). If you ask really nice I guess I could even bring down one or two 32" 1/2" tubes, I just have to order those in so I'm stingy, but I like you guys and I'll do a lot to help females stay in this male-dominated game.

Phoxly is also right that counterweighting can make the biggest difference, though. My favorite counterweights are used tire-balancing weights. You should be able to find a local tire shop that will either give them to you or sell them VERY cheap. Because of cost and their high density, these make awesome balancing weights for swords. A poorly balanced 12 oz sword will feel much heavier than a well-balanced 17 oz sword.

=]

Thanks guys.

I probably do need to counter-weight it.

The blade is pretty big, so that's probably why I'm having issues with it.
I can't pull it back fast enough because all of the weight is on the one side. >.>


Next time, I'll do much better.

That a girl Demie. Keep at it. I've never counter weighted my swords. I remember reading in the Dag handbook that the weight of the sword had to be in the blade end, or am I reading that wrong??? A real sword would have a counterbalancing Pommel and that would make the center of balance further down the blade, closer to the hilt and thus easier to swing around. I could be wrong, but I thought the Dag handbook said (I could look it up, but I'm tired and am getting ready for bed) the center of balance had to be in the top part of the blade. I would assume that is because these are foam weapons and to get a good hit, the weight would be in the blade instead of down by the hilt.

Well, I've never actually even weighed my swords. I just go on feel. WHUMP, yeah, that feels right.

Konradr

The official rag/dag rules state that the sword must balance in the blade, so above the handle. Really, this is only a problem if you have either really long handles or incredibly light swords with lots of counterweight. A good quality 'real' sword is weighted just a couple inches into the blade from the crosspiece. How many varies a little from one type to another, but the point is to make a sword that will have some forward momentum to help it bite and yet be balanced near enough to the hand to be quick and easy to control. Everyone gets a feel for how they like their sword balanced, but a sword that works well in your hand is a beautiful thing.

I agree with isk on this one!

I agree also. My sword is balanced an inch and a half above the handle and I love it to death. It's easy to swing but has the weight for people to feel a hit. You probably won't have to get a new sword if you just counterweight the one's you have.

I wonder if Belegarth has rules about balancing? I dont think they have a single blue sword that balances at the blade, its all right where your hand grabs it.

Bel does not have a rule about balance point, just a weight restriction. Phoxly, how long are they and what's the core? How's the flex?

Isk wrote:

Bel does not have a rule about balance point, just a weight restriction. Phoxly, how long are they and what's the core? How's the flex?

Recently they have been making a bunch of shorter ones, like 20" or so, fibreglass core, very whippy. I was starting to feel like Amtgard with all their stick like weapons, Bel is feeling more like a wrap fest with butterknives.

Well, don't worry. You can come over and play bel with us and we'll hit you hard with stiff weapons

Isk wrote:

Well, don't worry. You can come over and play bel with us and we'll hit you hard with stiff weapons

ROFL thats how all our Bel weapons are >___< the spears are so stiff, same with all our red swords lol. We had a sidewalk beating session last time.

Aha. xD


Maybe my sword isn't too heavy.

My one year old sister just picked it up and took a swing at the dog.


Future Dagorhir fighter. <3
God, I love her.

Demie Zephyra wrote:

Aha. xD


Maybe my sword isn't too heavy.

My one year old sister just picked it up and took a swing at the dog.


Future Dagorhir fighter. <3
God, I love her.

Awwww lol thats amazing.

Haha. That's awesome.

Isk wrote:

Well, don't worry. You can come over and play bel with us and we'll hit you hard with stiff weapons

...and we now know how you met your wife. No wonder she's always smiling!

I'm sorry. It was to good to resist. I tried not to say it. I tried for an hour....I failed. lol

She does like to smile.

For everyone who was interested, here is the link to my construction notes page. The core information is right at the top.
http://sites.google.com/site/antirdearg/construction-m/

Let me know if you have any questions.

AH HA! thanks isk! just what i needed.

demie i have faith that as you play strength will be gained and you will become a fantastic fighter! our loaner weapons tend to be a little heavy. its just to encourage people to build there own weapons! lol. if anyone wants to know how to make a lighter sword they can ask me or kurn. of course now we have isk's awesome construction page too.