Heavy boffer head protection ideas

Peryton · Post by **Peryton** » Mon May 07, 2001 4:04 pm

Hi!

My friends and I have been boffing for some time now and just recently started getting a little more hardcore. We use standard Â¾ ID swords, but we weight them in the handle with a 6 inch length of steel rod (thoroughly duct taped). When a kid the size of Goliath starts whacking you in the head with these, it tends to hurt a bit. However, the goalie helmets weâ€™ve been using look tremendously out of place and Iâ€™m still searching for a dishing stump, so Iâ€™ve ruled out steel helmets for a while. As of now my only armour medium is maille along with some general sewing skillsâ€¦ If I were to make a stiffly padded arming cap and wear a coif over it, would this keep the concussions at bay? Any other suggestions or tweakings of this idea? Thanks for any input

--Andrew

(Oh, and for stuffing the arming cap, would flannel scraps suit my purpose?)

Osmod · Post by **Osmod** » Tue May 08, 2001 9:57 am

I'm not a armourer or even a true history nut. But couldn't you make a spagenhelm with leather panals and cheakplates? All you would need to make metal wise would be two bands for the "frame" of the spangenhelm(i'm guessing you could cheat on that also). It could look kinda sweet

. You could also look around the local machine shops and find a few spunbowls(or if they can make them locally). Attach a maile drap around it,and you should be decently protected(maybe),it also would look "more period"(imho) than a goalie helm.

Of course by the time you go to that much work you could pick up a cheap steel helm( anyone one truehearth's addy?).

Frankly from a safty standpoint(imho),I wouldn't trust my head to maille when a kid the size of goliath is aiming at it

If you geting more "hardcore" you might consider investing in a higher equipment standard,aka either lighter weapons or more armour/equipment. You could also try making a oversized cap/hood to fit over the goalie helmets you've been using. Don't take chances with you noggen,you only get one

Osmod

[This message has been edited by Osmod (edited 05-08-2001).]

schreiber · Post by **schreiber** » Tue May 08, 2001 10:34 am

You may want to rephrase the bit about "My friends and I have been boffing for some time now and just recently started getting a little more hardcore. "...

If you're over 18 I'd tell you to give up and join SCA.

If not, I'll tell you the real reason SCA helms protect like they do: weight. If you're wearing anything made of plastic or leather you run the risk of neck injury. The fact that the foam weapons have a tendency to stick to whatever they hit means that more momentum transfers to the head than with an SCA stick.

Or you can go the other route and make lighter weapons. A thin fiberglass core with a couple layers of camping mattress are good if you're protecting with plastic, leather, fencing masks, kendo armor, etc.

In any case, give the big leagues a chance sometime...

HELMUT

------------------
Bridging the gap between his contemporaries, Helmut wore boxer- briefs.

Dannan · Post by **Dannan** » Fri May 11, 2001 12:31 pm

I used to (and still do when I get a chance) fighting with weighted boffers. WE used head shots and no one ever got hurt(well not from being hit in the head, not badly anyways.) Four things you coulf do.

The first is just have everyone start using control, tell them that they shoud tone down thier blows.

Second is just do nothing, you will get used to it pretty quickly, and then you'll be more badass for it.

Third, pad your weapons better (more).

Last is just become a rockin' fighter and don't get hit.

Lyelf · Post by **Lyelf** » Sun May 13, 2001 3:54 pm

The problem with control is that, sooner or later, someone doesn't.

The other problem with control is that you are teaching yourself not to hit on a reflex level. This is not a martial art any more.

The problem with adding padding to the sword is that you are adding weight. It may hurt less but you have a greater chance of concussion.

And the problem with toughing it out is called "punch drunk." Viz. Muhammed Ali.

If you can't get a helmet, a heavy mail coif over padding might help some. When your head gets rocked, the mail will rock with it, and the extra weight will slow the accellerations that slosh your brain back and forth and stretch your neck. A steel helmet would be better.

HACA seems happy using 18 ga with their weighted boffers, but the Historic Martial Arts community is slowly finding out that the SCA has its rules for a reason. Do yourself a favor and get a 16 ga helmet as soon as possible.

Peryton · Post by **Peryton** » Mon May 14, 2001 5:27 am

hey, thanks for all the input guys. Just as a little update, I've worked out a deal with Clay to build a lightweight steel helmet. So, my head has no more worries : )

--Andrew