Padded swords to be tested

[GaryGrzybek]

Hi all,

Keep an eye out for a review of Lance Chan's new padded sparring swords. My study group partner Mike Eging decided to order a pair of longswords for us to test. The initial cost was my greatest concern but if these last a long time with minimal repairs it could be worth it. I'm growing tired of spending hours building new swords only to have them snap in half from a heated bout. Last week I broke my favorite padded sword with a zornhau against the flat <img src="/forum/images/icons/frown.gif" alt="" />

[Joachim Nilsson]

Hi Gary,
I'm looking forward to your review. And I know exactly what you're talking about and how you feel. Just a couple of weeks ago we were going to do the maisterhauen at full speed, full force with padded swords. We decided to start out with the zornhau. On the first cut one of the swords just snapped. Guess that's what happens when powerful guys cut against each other. <img src="/forum/images/icons/cool.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forum/images/icons/tongue.gif" alt="" /> But seriously though, it certainly was annoying. Especially considering that we only had two padded swords to begin with...

[Shane Smith]

If these new padded weapons will hold up,that would be wonderful.We tend to break padded weapons like match-sticks in VAB <img src="/forum/images/icons/frown.gif" alt="" />
Matt ended up making them a bit heavier this time and while these are surviving longer than the other ones we've made, they are a bit more unwieldy as well.

[GaryGrzybek]

I have some oldies that were made back in the West Point days and although they held up for a very long time the PVC/Wood core makes them feel like boat anchors. It's just very hard to use good control with these since their a bit sloppy. They also destroy anything lighter with ease.

I know Tim's gonna bust my chops here so I'm prepared <img src="/forum/images/icons/wink.gif" alt="" />

Tim,

I still appreciate those longsword core's my friend. We got our moneys worth <img src="/forum/images/icons/grin.gif" alt="" />

[Ryan Ricks]

hmm, yeah. if y'all decide to have a padded waster construction day down there, let me know. i want to make one proportional to my size.

i could help go in for materials. being in a dorm though, i have no tools

ryan

[Jake_Norwood]

The guys in ARMA Knoxville have made probably the best cores I've ever used recently. Durable, light, and they flex along the flat like a steel sword does, without any flex on the edge. They hit stout but they're not killers. And I've tried breaking them on purpose, bending them with all my strength, and they're still great. Did I mention they were cheap to make, too? Hopefully the Knoxville guys will come on and explain the process soon...

Jake

[Brian Hunt]

Thats it Jake, just tease us . . . . . .

Brian Hunt
GFS

[GaryGrzybek]

Hi Jake,

I too would love to hear about their design and construction. I'd be more willing to construct something that's going to last more than a week <img src="/forum/images/icons/tongue.gif" alt="" />

[Jake_Norwood]

Well, I'n not the guy with the know-how, but Either Bill or David Welch should be drifting on eventually.

Jake

[david welch]

I just got back from vacation and haven't talked to Bill yet, so this is a week out of date. At the rate Bill was making progress that may be significant.

We ( meaning Bill <img src="/forum/images/icons/smile.gif" alt="" /> ) are making cores out of PVC pipe heated and then flattened into an hard oval cross section with almost parallel sides and rounded ends.

I wanted something cheap and durable, and PVC fit the bill. We made the first few with a heat gun for shrink tube and squished them by hand. Now Bill has built a "forge" and a crushing jig to make them quicker and more uniform.

I'll see if I can get updated news on them today and maybe some pictures.

[Craig Peters]

David,

Are you using schedule 40 PVC, or schedule 80?

[david welch]

Craig,

we are using schedule 40 PVC. We tried to test the 40 to destruction and failed to make it destruct in sparring. The 80 is hard to work with, more expensive, and too heavy. With the 40, we are making sparring swords that are the exact weight and balance of the New Sterling Arms perfect hand and a half wasters we are using as models.

[Brian Hunt]

What diamator are you using for your pipe, 3/4" ?

Are you putting a weight of some kind in the end for balance?

Are putting any type of a stiffener inside the pipe, or just the "ovaled" pipe for the core.

What type of foam, etc.

Sorry for the questions, but I am always looking for a better padded weapon. And since Jake says they are nice, then I would really love a step by step construction article.

I agree that the sterling arms wasters are really nice, I have one that I enjoy, and just converted a broken two hander into a really nice single hander for Stewart Feil.

Thanks

Brian Hunt
GFS

[Olgierd Pado]

Yeah, an article with detailed instructions would be really nice and much appreciated.
In Poland we started making padded swords but they broke - as was to be expected <img src="/forum/images/icons/frown.gif" alt="" />
So it seems to me that PVC might be the way to go...

Cheers

[TimSheetz]

HI Gary,

No chop-busting from here....I still have somem of mine from then too.

Remember, we erred on the side of safety since we had young, violent, aggressive, miltary cadets that we had to keep from being broken!

I'll also say this - sometimes a heavier trainer is good as it can destroy bad habits. If the weapon is HEAVY you MUST USE footwork as it is often the only way to maeneuver the weapon effectively. IF it is too lihgt, newer students will tend to 'game it' and if they are strong will try to "physique' the hit, not use appropriate technique. So I tihnk some heavy trainers are always a good thing to keep around - especially longer single hand ones for your "OX" type guys.

I have done the slat thing and they break, I have had some ideas onthe 'bendable versions and I think folks need to make sure they use NYLON tape to limit the range at which the core bends.. then it will be less likely to snap.

Can't wait to see this new design Jake mentioned!

Tim