laminated poleweapon

[Syrfinn]

Laminated poleweapons. I want to make a 7.5 polearm, with a 10" in length head, that is going to resemble a slashing spear head.

When I think of laminated, I think of basically taking pieces and putting them together. So for my idea, I am taking a 1.25 rattan stick and taking 2 pieces of rattan I have cut to 1" each and putting one on each side of the 1.25, then strap taping the pieces together.

Is that legal?

Here is a very bad pic below. I'm pretty sure I am ok, and I am thinking right, but checking.

[Nissan Maxima]

yes

[Syrfinn]

Thanks Nissan. I was pretty sure I had it right in my head, but wanted to double check with folks. Trying to make my 7.5 spear for Ancients battle, plus just general use, since I am having fun trying to make it work with my aspis.

[SirCathal]

The only question i have about that is the wood glue ... you aren't supposed to modify the rattan according to the rules ... you cant soak it in water or other things to make it heavier and change the characteristics of the rattan. But in reality i always refer to Rule #1 ... Don't be a dick. So if i wouldn't mind getting hit with my own weapon that i created by laminating rattan ... then its probably okay.

[Syrfinn]

Nah, no glue involved with this. the sides are held on by strapping tape.

[tacodog]

Post some progress pics so we can see!!

[Syrfinn]

Will tonight. Just have everying on with strapping tape. Need to stain the haft before I put the ducttape on, so will get a pic before I stain and such, then a pic once everything is done

[Micah Nelson]

Personally, I would pad the sides of the blade with a layer of blue foam under the extra bits (because I don't want to have to worry about marshals in squeamish lands bouncing it if I travel), but rattan on rattan is legal by Society rules, iirc.

[Baron Alcyoneus]

3. If the weapon has a head, it shall not be constructed of solely rigid materials. The head shall be firmly and securely attached to the haft. The head shall allow at least 1⁄2 inch (12.7 mm) of progressive give between the striking surface and the weapon haft. Laminated or split rattan construction techniques do not require 1⁄2 inch (12.7 mm) of progressive give, so long as their construction imparts striking characteristics similar to an unpadded weapon constructed of a single piece of rattan.

[olaf haraldson]

From the Society manual
Lamination is defined thusly:
Laminated rattan: Two pieces of rattan, each being at least 1¼ inch (31.8mm) in diameter, attached to one another with a short overlap by tape or other method of binding. Maximum length of the overlap shall be 18” (457.2mm) or half of the length of the added rattan, whichever is shorter. Note that use of glues, epoxies, or adhesives, which substantially reduce the flexibility of the rattan, is prohibited.
Split rattan is defined thusly:
Split rattan: Rattan of at least 1¼ inch diameter which has been split in two and applied to a weapon such that the striking surface of the split piece retains a cross section of 1¼ inch. Split rattan construction does not place the split rattan directly against the non-split haft of the weapon, but rather spaces the split off of the haft to allow give in the head by flexion of the split of rattan.

So it doesn't count as either by my reading. I have no problem with it personally, but I wouldn't call it legal according to Society rules. I am curious if it got passed at Pennsic... I would have bounced it and told you to take it up the chain.

[Syrfinn]

Hmm, thought I answered this yesterday.

It passed just fine. Granted, I changed over to a hard foam spear head from By My Hand, and got it reinspected. I just liked the look of it better.

But it passed fine, and even explained before they inspected it, how I made it.

Here is a pic of the original, then after I changed it out.