Polypro is now SCA legal

[Baron Eirik]

So if I am to understand this correctly, the 1.25" rod is legal (in Atlantia).

Would it be legal if a 2" 0r 3" rod were machined into a waster that conformed to the 1.25" striking surface

The last time I asked that question, I got a resounding 'No'.

[igelkott]

wait... $5.42/ft ? why get something that costs more than twice as much as rattan and breaks after 1 practice?

[Count Johnathan]

Hmm I wonder if a larger piece carved into an oval and then strapping taped and then shrink wrapped would do well. Probably wouldn't keep it from breaking but would hopefully keep large chunks from flying off in random directions when they do break. 2 layers of strapping tape wrapping and 3 layers of 3/4 wide stapping tape on the "blade" + 1 layer of athletic tape and 1 strip of nylon electrical tape to mark the "blade" was not enough to hold it together when it shattered like a bone.

[Count Johnathan]

wait... $5.42/ft ? why get something that costs more than twice as much as rattan and breaks after 1 practice?

I won't ever buy it again I can tell you that LOL

[Jan]

I fought a knight from CAID during pickups at Pennsic ...

Off topic, but this has been bugging me for awhile - Why is CAID always written in all capital letters?

Because the name "CAID" is actually an acronym of the first letters of the four baronies, originally in the West, that split off to form the kingdom. That's my understanding.

[MJBlazek]

I fought a knight from CAID during pickups at Pennsic ...

Off topic, but this has been bugging me for awhile - Why is CAID always written in all capital letters?

Because the name "CAID" is actually an acronym of the first letters of the four baronies, originally in the West, that split off to form the kingdom. That's my understanding.

So it's really more like an Empire than a Kingdom eh?

[Cisco]

Experience we had was that *hard* shots didn't land as hard (general concensus is that the plastic bends so much that it takes some impact out) but it's also heavy (the material).

[Forkbeard]

Un-taped they look like hot melt glue sticks. They hit with sting but I agree with the "deadness" observation. They are missing the snap, crack and thud of rattan somehow. It must be the lack of stiffness as the experimental one I came into contact with felt sluggish and weird.

Not a fan, but then I wouldn't use one so have at it.

Ulfr

[Christophe de Frisselle]

Could someone provide a link or pic of this mystical material. It would be appreciated.

Thanks

Sure...


Roughly 15 fights. Not even half a practice. Omarad verified that this is the correct material when I showed him these pictures before. Garbage.

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=110377&start=490

What you had was different stuff. We'll have to wait till the published ruling to see what the approved material spec is, just like Siloflex and equivalents.

[uwhguy]

I have one. Used it for a month and put it away. I use it for slow work now. The vibration when I hit people caused massive pain in my wrist and elbow.

As for breakages, they either break within 2 weeks or not at all. I dont know why, other than to say that if they have a weak spot, it is a VERY weak spot.

[Balin50]

I fought a knight from CAID during pickups at Pennsic ...

Off topic, but this has been bugging me for awhile - Why is CAID always written in all capital letters?

It is the 1st letters of their 4 founding baronies when they became a Kingdom. I would type them out but would horribly mangle the spellings.

[paulb]

Off topic, but this has been bugging me for awhile - Why is CAID always written in all capital letters?

It's made up of the first letter of the names of the four baronies that initially made up the kingdom.

Califia
Angels
Isles
Drieburgen

Regards,

[Ingvarr]

When I first started I thought the West was southern CA and CAID went from Northern CA to IDaho. I was wrong.

[William of Stonebridge]

From the Society website:

Society Earl Marshal - Marshallate Updates
Changes to the Marshal's Handbook - May 2012
Change to page 13:

OLD VERSION OF RULE:
B. Single-Handed Weapons: Weapons that shall be used in one hand shall have the following requirements:
1. Single handed weapons shall be constructed of rattan or rattan-cored Siloflex or Siloflex equivalent and shall be not less than 1 1⁄4 inch (31.8 mm) in total diameter (including tape) along its entire length excepting the handle.

NEW VERSION OF RULE:
B. Single-Handed Weapons: Weapons that shall be used in one hand shall have the following requirements:
1. Single handed weapons shall be constructed of rattan or rattan-cored Siloflex or Siloflex equivalent or polypropylene and shall be not less than 1 1⁄4 inch (31.8 mm) in total diameter (including tape) along its entire length excepting the handle.

Natural Polypropylene Rod in 1.25 inch is what you need to ask for.

Here is a company that carries the product: http://www.iplasticsupply.com/shopping- ... ne-pp-rod/

Or do a web search for plastic vendors in your area – some will carry it in stock.

[Count Johnathan]

What you had was different stuff. We'll have to wait till the published ruling to see what the approved material spec is, just like Siloflex and equivalents.

NEW VERSION OF RULE:
B. Single-Handed Weapons: Weapons that shall be used in one hand shall have the following requirements:
1. Single handed weapons shall be constructed of rattan or rattan-cored Siloflex or Siloflex equivalent or polypropylene and shall be not less than 1 1⁄4 inch (31.8 mm) in total diameter (including tape) along its entire length excepting the handle.

Not so specific as we thought.

[Murdock]

neat

something else to hit people with

[Count Johnathan]

neat

something else to hit people with

The AA needs a like button.

[Ingvarr]

3" polypropylene stick, here I come.

[Syrfinn]

Probably gonna order one, just to help with testing here. Will talk to the folks that I think are leading that to ask permission. If anything else, will have it here to work on pell to test and see how it feels and abuse I can give it.

Looks like they only want you to have 1.25" sticks, so will order that type.

[olaf haraldson]

Natural Polypropylene Rod in 1.25 inch is what you need to ask for.

Bolding mine.

3" polypropylene stick, here I come.

[Baron Conal]

Is it going to be on the field for Battles at Pennsic?

Can you tell it is not rattan once it is taped?

[Blaine de Navarre]

Looks like they only want you to have 1.25" sticks, so will order that type.

Natural Polypropylene Rod in 1.25 inch is what you need to ask for.

Bolding mine.

3" polypropylene stick, here I come.

Nope, look again - unless your kingdom adds a further restriction, it says minimum 1.25". I'm planning to buy some 2" x 1.25" flat stock and whittle it down to a waster shape. I'm thinking it'll be awfully heavy, so I'll also expect to rout out substantial "fullers."

[Ingvarr]

Natural Polypropylene Rod in 1.25 inch is what you need to ask for.

Bolding mine.

3" polypropylene stick, here I come.

Is that what the rule says? That was what I was trying to point out. It's another rewrite where they did minimal editing on an existing rule instead of rewriting it to say what they want.

[igelkott]

Natural Polypropylene Rod in 1.25 inch is what you need to ask for.

Bolding mine.

3" polypropylene stick, here I come.

Is that what the rule says? That was what I was trying to point out. It's another rewrite where they did minimal editing on an existing rule instead of rewriting it to say what they want.

It certainly is confusing wording. The paragraph indicates the minimum is 1.25 inch but this sentence is worded more like a recommendation than a maximum requirement.

And if one was to get really rules lawyery about tape, it looks like the only requirement is to mark the cutting edge with contrasting tape. Read the rule about taping:

"6. The striking surfaces of all weapons, including the tip, shall be wrapped in a manner that allows no rattan splinters to protrude."

So there is no requirement to wrap a plastic sword because there is no way for a rattan splinter to protrude from the plastic!

Chris

[Ingvarr]

I believe that the bolded sentence is a recommendation, and not part of the rule. Maybe I'm wrong.

[Christophe de Frisselle]

Natural Polypropylene Rod in 1.25 inch is what you need to ask for.

Bolding mine.

3" polypropylene stick, here I come.

He may want more than 3" too.

[B. Amos]

Probably gonna order one, just to help with testing here. Will talk to the folks that I think are leading that to ask permission. If anything else, will have it here to work on pell to test and see how it feels and abuse I can give it.

Looks like they only want you to have 1.25" sticks, so will order that type.

Finn if you are going to be at AE war practice this weekend I will bring one for you.

[Duchess Tessa]

The SEM said this about whether you could get bigger diameter rod: "At this time I say no to the getting larger diameter poly and shaving it down. The poly seems to be a bit heavier than rattan of the same diameter"

So no go on that guys..

He did say that he was open to people testing it, but that will mean it's experimental and you need your KEM's permission, too.


I'm fine with having pick ups to the side/after the battles with these swords at AE War Practice. They are still a new thing to the vast majority of our fighters here, so I would like as many people exposed (using them and being struck by them) as possible. War practice is a good time to do this, just NOT in the melees.

Thanks

Tessa, AEthelmearc KEM

[Broadway]

If all they ever tested was exactly 1.25 poly... why would they open it up to thicker sizes now?

Why were they so f'ing specific about it and then say f'it at the last minute.

This is surely an oversight. I wouldn't waste any money on anything thicker than 1.25.

[Ingvarr]

The SEM said this about whether you could get bigger diameter rod: "At this time I say no to the getting larger diameter poly and shaving it down. The poly seems to be a bit heavier than rattan of the same diameter"

So no go on that guys..

He did say that he was open to people testing it, but that will mean it's experimental and you need your KEM's permission, too.


I'm fine with having pick ups to the side/after the battles with these swords at AE War Practice. They are still a new thing to the vast majority of our fighters here, so I would like as many people exposed (using them and being struck by them) as possible. War practice is a good time to do this, just NOT in the melees.

Thanks

Tessa, AEthelmearc KEM

Alls I'm trying to say is that if only 1.25" polypropylene is allowed, the rule should have been written to say that. It can't take so long to write a single paragraph, that all they had time to do was add polypropylene into the existing one. I can almost guarantee that someone will show up to Pennsic with a proly fishbat and nobody will notice.

[Christophe de Frisselle]

Is it going to be on the field for Battles at Pennsic?

Can you tell it is not rattan once it is taped?

Nope, then again I've never had a marshal check my swords to see if I was actually using rattan or rattan cored Silo-Flex.

[Syrfinn]

Thanks your Grace Tessa. I will bring along a notebook, so folks can write down their thoughts after they fight with them in the side area or get hit by them in the side area, to add to your datacollection.

And thanks Amos, I will be at AWP, so will catch up with you and some of the other guys who I know are bringing them for testing on the side.

[BdeB]

Those of you that even think you want something bigger than 1.25" (yes, the words is a mess right now, Tessa can you get with the SEM on this?) have no idea what you are talking about. I hope you enjoy the wrist and elbow surgeries you will be having and the months of PT. 1.25" is plenty heavy enough.

The testing was only for 1.25" and the conclusion of the testing was that it needed strapping tape. I'm sure we will get a word from the SEM soon.

[Duke Icefalcon]

Is IceFalcon going to carry this? Would really just like to order a stick and a rubber basket as an extra sword.

We will see.... Not a fan but I will carry it if that is what the demand is.

[muttman]

I tried one out last night and had one tried on me. The guy I was fighting usually hits pretty solid and did hit me with a couple of good solid hits that I had no problem with, head, body and unarmoured thigh- they were good, crisp and not overly hard- right where I expect his shots to be.
My concern was more with a few shots that seemed like the should have been good but just weren't. Some of it could have been my bobbing out but there was at least a couple that I swear He had me dead to rights, made contact with but just were not "there". I was having a very "off" night last night having not eaten all day so my opinions are subject to some scrutiny though.
I tried using it for a couple of passes- My friend took the shots I hit him with that I expected him to take and didn't take the ones that I expected him not to take. The way it impacted felt a little funny to me but not overly so.
I think I would use one for a practice sword but not for tourney. I burn through rataan pretty quick and having one stick last for a long time would be a plus but its a bit heavier than I like for when it counts.
I'll play with one some more this weekend when I'm not crippled by my own stupid and maybe I'll have a different opinion
John/Drefan