LARP Weapon Construction - Revision history

David.moore: /* Materials */

2025-02-21T17:33:57Z

Materials

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:33, 21 February 2025
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	:* Foam used to construct weapons should be of the high-density closed cell type, such as Plastazote or Evazote. Pipe lagging and upholstery foam are not suitable construction materials on their own as they are low-density. Upholstery foam may be used as an outer layer of padding, but the core of a weapon must still be padded with high-density foam to the required depth as stated below.		:* Foam used to construct weapons should be of the high-density closed cell type, such as Plastazote or Evazote. Pipe lagging and upholstery foam are not suitable construction materials on their own as they are low-density. Upholstery foam may be used as an outer layer of padding, but the core of a weapon must still be padded with high-density foam to the required depth as stated below.
	:* All foams must be securely attached to the core and other areas of an item using a suitable glue.		:* All foams must be securely attached to the core and other areas of an item using a suitable glue.
	:* Weapon cores should be made from fibreglass or carbon fibre rod. They should be stiff, especially ~~with regard to~~ long weapons, which should not flex and ‘whip’ when swung. Where possible a core should be round in cross-section, and the tip must be rounded to prevent it working through the foam.		:* Weapon cores should be made from fibreglass or carbon fibre rod. They should be stiff, especially in long weapons, which should not flex and ‘whip’ when swung. Where possible a core should be round in cross-section, and the tip must be rounded to prevent it working through the foam.
	:* Axes, Polearms etc. must not be made in a manner where blades, hooks etc. are rigidly reinforced.		:* Axes, Polearms etc. must not be made in a manner where blades, hooks etc. are rigidly reinforced.
	:* Weapon tips should be reinforced with at least two layers of inner-tube rubber, nylon cloth, leather or similar material. The reinforcing should extend at least 1” (25mm) above and below the core’s tip, and 1/2” (12.5mm) to either side.		:* Weapon tips should be reinforced with at least two layers of inner-tube rubber, nylon cloth, leather or similar material. The reinforcing should extend at least 1” (25mm) above and below the core’s tip, and 1/2” (12.5mm) to either side.

	====Padding====		====Padding====

David.moore: /* Missiles */

2025-02-20T00:48:06Z

Missiles

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:48, 20 February 2025
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	====Missiles====		====Missiles====

		⚫	Irrespective of construction, any missile will be judged unsafe if the weapon checker is at all unsure as to its suitability.

	:* Arrow and bolt shafts should be made of POC or a suitable alternative such as the fibreglass shafts specifically made for archery. We strongly advise the use of fibreglass, rather than wood shafts. Aluminium and carbon fibre shafts are not permitted.		:* Arrow and bolt shafts should be made of POC or a suitable alternative such as the fibreglass shafts specifically made for archery. We strongly advise the use of fibreglass, rather than wood shafts. Aluminium and carbon fibre shafts are not permitted.
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	:* Missile heads must be constructed to contain a layer of strong material over the end of the shaft, so as to prevent it working its way through the foam. Thick leather, thick rubber etc. are suitable for this.		:* Missile heads must be constructed to contain a layer of strong material over the end of the shaft, so as to prevent it working its way through the foam. Thick leather, thick rubber etc. are suitable for this.
	:* The head of the shaft must be circular in section, not square or octagonal.		:* The head of the shaft must be circular in section, not square or octagonal.

⚫	~~Note that irrespective~~ of construction, any missile will be judged unsafe if the weapon checker is at all unsure as to its suitability.

David.moore: /* Shields */

2025-02-19T15:55:28Z

Shields

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:55, 19 February 2025
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	==Shields==		==Shields==

	The maximum size for a shield is 60” (150cm) in height by 36” (~~90 cm~~) in width.		The maximum size for a shield is 60” (150cm) in height by 36” (90cm) in width.

	====Rims====		====Rims====

David.moore: /* Hand Weapons */

2025-02-19T15:53:58Z

Hand Weapons

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:53, 19 February 2025
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	{\| class="wikitable"		{\| class="wikitable"
	! Category !! Length		! Category !! Examples !! Length
	\|-		\|-
	\| Small \|\| 7” to 18” (17.5cm to 45cm)		\| Small \|\| Dagger, hatchet or truncheon \|\| 7” to 18” (17.5cm to 45cm)
	\|-		\|-
	\| One-Handed \|\| 18” to 42” (45cm to 105cm)		\| One-Handed \|\| Broadsword, axe or mace \|\| 18” to 42” (45cm to 105cm)
	\|-		\|-
	\| Two-Handed \|\| 42” to 72” (105cm to 180cm)		\| Two-Handed \|\| Greatsword, greataxe or warclub \|\| 42” to 72” (105cm to 180cm)
	\|-		\|-
	\| Polearm \|\| 48” to 84” (120cm to 210cm)		\| Polearm \|\| Spear, pollaxe or staff \|\| 48” to 84” (120cm to 210cm)
	\|}		\|}

David.moore at 13:53, 19 February 2025

2025-02-19T13:53:06Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:53, 19 February 2025
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	Note that all weapons must be [[LARP Weapons#Weapons Checking\|weapons checked]] every event and before every battle, regardless of these standards.		Note that all weapons must be [[LARP Weapons#Weapons Checking\|weapons checked]] every event and before every battle, regardless of these standards.

⚫	====Checking From Photos====

⚫	From time to time, players will ask Curious Pastimes weapons checkers for feedback on prospective weapons based on photos from vendor websites or catalogues. While we may be able to offer general advice in these cases – depending very much on the photo and the specific question – '''we are never able to pass a weapon as safe based on a photo.''' Every weapon must be checked in person on site before it can be used at an event.

	====New Developments in Weapon Construction====		====New Developments in Weapon Construction====
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	The development and manufacture of weapons that are suitable for LARP is a constantly developing field. Curious Pastimes maintains links with many weapon and prop manufacturers in order to remain informed as to new developments. With this in mind any set of guidelines such as these reflect the state of the art as known at the time of publishing. Should new innovations become accepted into the market, Curious Pastimes will inform players through rules errata and notices at events and online (including in updates to this page).		The development and manufacture of weapons that are suitable for LARP is a constantly developing field. Curious Pastimes maintains links with many weapon and prop manufacturers in order to remain informed as to new developments. With this in mind any set of guidelines such as these reflect the state of the art as known at the time of publishing. Should new innovations become accepted into the market, Curious Pastimes will inform players through rules errata and notices at events and online (including in updates to this page).

		⚫	====Checking From Photos====

		⚫	From time to time, players will ask Curious Pastimes weapons checkers for feedback on prospective weapons based on photos from vendor websites or catalogues. While we may be able to offer general advice in these cases – depending very much on the photo and the specific question – '''we are never able to pass a weapon as safe based on a photo.''' Every weapon must be checked in person on site before it can be used at an event.

	{\| class="wikitable" id="Metric and Imperial Measurements" style="background-color: #ECE2FF"		{\| class="wikitable" id="Metric and Imperial Measurements" style="background-color: #ECE2FF"

David.moore at 13:52, 19 February 2025

2025-02-19T13:52:50Z

@@ Line 6: / Line 6: @@
 Note that all weapons must be [[LARP Weapons#Weapons Checking|weapons checked]] every event and before every battle, regardless of these standards.
 {| class="wikitable" id="Metric and Imperial Measurements" style="background-color: #ECE2FF"
@@ Line 17: / Line 27: @@
 These conversions are intended for quick reference in the field, and so for simplicity’s sake we’ve used approximations rather than exact values (i.e. 1” = 25mm, 3ft = 1m and 10ft = 3m), which naturally creates small inconsistencies. Where it’s important, the imperial measure is correct.
 |}
 ==Hand Weapons==

David.moore at 13:52, 19 February 2025

2025-02-19T13:52:35Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:52, 19 February 2025
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	\|}		\|}

	==Checking From Photos==		====Checking From Photos====

	From time to time, players will ask Curious Pastimes weapons checkers for feedback on prospective weapons based on photos from vendor websites or catalogues. While we may be able to offer general advice in these cases – depending very much on the photo and the specific question – '''we are never able to pass a weapon as safe based on a photo.''' Every weapon must be checked in person on site before it can be used at an event.		From time to time, players will ask Curious Pastimes weapons checkers for feedback on prospective weapons based on photos from vendor websites or catalogues. While we may be able to offer general advice in these cases – depending very much on the photo and the specific question – '''we are never able to pass a weapon as safe based on a photo.''' Every weapon must be checked in person on site before it can be used at an event.

	==New Developments in Weapon Construction==		====New Developments in Weapon Construction====

	Please note that the construction standards below may not cover all methods and materials, and it is accepted that equipment construction may differ between different weapons and manufacturers, particularly as new processes and ideas are developed. Each item is considered on its own merits, please discuss any queries with a weapon checker on site.		Please note that the construction standards below may not cover all methods and materials, and it is accepted that equipment construction may differ between different weapons and manufacturers, particularly as new processes and ideas are developed. Each item is considered on its own merits, please discuss any queries with a weapon checker on site.

David.moore at 13:39, 19 February 2025

2025-02-19T13:39:47Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:39, 19 February 2025
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	\|}		\|}

	====Checking From Photos====		==Checking From Photos==

	From time to time, players will ask Curious Pastimes weapons checkers for feedback on prospective weapons based on photos from vendor websites or catalogues. While we may be able to offer general advice in these cases – depending very much on the photo and the specific question – '''we are never able to pass a weapon as safe based on a photo.''' Every weapon must be checked in person on site before it can be used at an event.		From time to time, players will ask Curious Pastimes weapons checkers for feedback on prospective weapons based on photos from vendor websites or catalogues. While we may be able to offer general advice in these cases – depending very much on the photo and the specific question – '''we are never able to pass a weapon as safe based on a photo.''' Every weapon must be checked in person on site before it can be used at an event.

David.moore: /* Projectile Weapons */

2025-02-19T13:13:10Z

Projectile Weapons

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:13, 19 February 2025
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	====Crossbows ====		====Crossbows ====

	:* All crossbows should have a draw weight of 13.6kg ~~(30lbs~~) or less at full draw.		:* All crossbows should have a draw weight of 30lbs (13.6kg) or less at the mechanism’s full draw.

	====Missiles====		====Missiles====

David.moore: /* Projectile Weapons */

2025-02-19T13:12:00Z

Projectile Weapons

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:12, 19 February 2025
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	====Bows====		====Bows====

	:* All bows must have a draw weight of 13.6kg ~~(30lbs~~) or less, at the ~~users~~ draw length.		:* All bows must have a draw weight of 30lbs (13.6kg) or less, at the user’s draw length.
	:* If the bow has replaceable limbs, these must be fibreglass and not composite.		:* If the bow has replaceable limbs, these must be fibreglass and not composite.
	:* No bow may have any mechanism for adjusting the draw weight once the limbs are attached.		:* No bow may have any mechanism for adjusting the draw weight once the limbs are attached.