ARMA Contact Weapon Construction

Padded Contact Weapon Design

Basic ARMA Padded Contact-Sparring Swords

ARMA padded Contact-Sparring weapons are designed to closely simulate a real weapon's handling, weight, and balance. ARMA contact sparring swords are discernible edge, padded sparring tools that can be used for delivering safe, yet substantially solid and satisfying blows ("contact fighting") without any flexing "whip action". They can make strikes, thrusts and draw cuts. They are inexpensive, easy to construct and perform realistically in both parrying and hitting. They have the great virtue of being able to be used "as is" against either unarmored or armored opponents. When armored, they can be used full contact and are nearly unbreakable. ARMA contact weapons also stress realistic appearance and shape. They cost as little as $7 to $12 for individuals to build.

Swords can be made to any specifications so long as based on a documented historical model. Choice of blade and handle length, guard type, and grip are up to the individual's preference. Guards and pommels must be of 100% foam construction. All pommels must be padded and all blades have a cloth cover.

HIGH-IMPACT FOAM

ARMA contact weapons are not "boffers". They utilize two types of unique high-impact, closed-cell foam that are shaped and then attached with spray on adhesive. The rest of their material comes from common hardware stores. The two distinct types of foam are white "Landau padding" or L2000 (which comes in convenient 1", 1 1/4" and sometimes 3/16" thickness) or high-impact (HI) "flotation" foam like that used in martial arts sparring pads (available in convenient 1" thickness). Although uncommon, they are both usually available from foam warehouses or specialty fabric and upholstery shops. Flotation foam can also be obtained in certain kinds of pool rafts. Additionally, ordinary soft foam rubber is used only for the points of thrusting tips and pipe-insulation foam used only on shield edges and shafts of pole-weapons.