SCA: Siloflex greatswords. Ever seen this?

Raibeart · Post by **Raibeart** » Wed Feb 27, 2002 5:12 pm

I recently recieved some rattan a while back that is frankly a tad thin. A friend and teacher of mine made a broadsword from the same rattan and covered it with siloflex. I thought about doing something similar but making a great sword instead. Anyone ever done this? I'm a tad concerned over it's strength.

[This message has been edited by Raibeart (edited 02-28-2002).]

Raibeart · Post by **Raibeart** » Thu Feb 28, 2002 1:51 pm

Whoops. Forgot the bit about the siloflex. Maybe this will make more sense now.

Rorik Galbraith · Post by **Rorik Galbraith** » Thu Feb 28, 2002 6:40 pm

That is not allowed in the SCA combat arena. ONLY Broad swords are allowed to have Siloflex coverings...at least for now. If you have any questions about his contact Ehringlen the SCA Earl Marshal.

------------------
An oath, like an arrow, can not be recalled once loosed....think well before uttering such bindings and then stand fast to them.

Raibeart · Post by **Raibeart** » Thu Feb 28, 2002 9:32 pm

Thanks Rorik. I had looked it up in the AnTir Book of combat and saw that. Bummer. Anyone need a rattan tent pole?

Destichado · Post by **Destichado** » Fri Mar 01, 2002 9:35 am

yup. Back when I was still active in the SCA, my earl marshal suggested making one as a test weapon. (Really, I just think he couldn't talk one of the more experienced members into making a sword everybody was going use!)

Winterfell · Post by **Winterfell** » Fri Mar 01, 2002 11:08 am

What exactly is Siloflex? I found a website that uses it in aputty form for making dental impressions. How would you make a sword with this?
Very interested to know.

------------------
"As long as there are fanatics there will always be heretics

Rev. George · Post by **Rev. George** » Fri Mar 01, 2002 11:46 am

It's a black irrigation piping. I have the ASTM # somewhere, i think i posed it on the want ads board. Basically, you wedge a stick of 1" rattan into this piping. since the wall of the pipe is 1/8" thick, you get a 1.25" sword.

-+G

Winterfell · Post by **Winterfell** » Fri Mar 01, 2002 12:20 pm

So what are the advantages and disadvantages to it?

------------------
"As long as there are fanatics there will always be heretics

Rev. George · Post by **Rev. George** » Fri Mar 01, 2002 1:45 pm

advantages:
Increases the durability of the rattan, reducing the occourance of breakage.

Gurantees that any sword made in that manner is legal with respect to thickness

Dis ads:
prevents "shaped" swords
People claim that they his differently (some say lighter, some say snappier, some say harder)

-+G

Winterfell · Post by **Winterfell** » Fri Mar 01, 2002 2:22 pm

So where does one get it? Home Depot? or online?

------------------
"As long as there are fanatics there will always be heretics

jgalak · Post by **jgalak** » Fri Mar 01, 2002 3:47 pm

Ah the great quest for Siloflex. I've been looking for it for months, for a different application (ABDs). The key to buying it is not to ask for Siloflex - that's a specific brand name. If you instead ask for the generic name, "polyethylene pipe", you'll have much better luck.

Nonetheless, most places (including most suburban Home Depots) only carry it in the summer (it's considered a seasonal item), and only in 100 foot coils (not expenisve - about $15 for the coil). The problem with this is that it's bent. You can take some of the bend out with a heat gun, but ut'll still be wonky.

The best source I am aware of is Loews home improvement stores, since they sell it in 10' straight lengths. A little more expensive than the coils, but much easier to use. Oh, and they actually sell the Siloflex brand name.

------------------
Yehuda ben Moshe
mka Juliean Galak
http://gerfalcon.tzo.com/medieval/armor/

Raibeart · Post by **Raibeart** » Fri Mar 01, 2002 4:17 pm

You can ask for it by ASTM D-2239. The AnTir book of combat says it must 1 1/4 (33m) diameter with a wall thickness of 1/8 of an inch (3mm. I believe that is the standard right from the SCA guidelines.

jgalak · Post by **jgalak** » Fri Mar 01, 2002 7:50 pm

Most hardware store (especially Home Depot-type stores) won't recognize the ASTM code, so I found that telling them "polyethylene pipe" provided the best results (far from perfect, many still had no idea, but at least it got me something...).

As to sizes, I have no idea - I was looking for it for crossbow ABDs, which may have a different standard (1" ID or 1.25" OD, 100 PSI).

------------------
Yehuda ben Moshe
mka Juliean Galak
http://gerfalcon.tzo.com/medieval/armor/

Jean Paul de Sens · Post by **Jean Paul de Sens** » Tue Mar 05, 2002 3:38 pm

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR><font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Raibeart:
Thanks Rorik. I had looked it up in the AnTir Book of combat and saw that. Bummer. Anyone need a rattan tent pole?</font><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

You could make an experimental weapon and test it out privately before throwing it away.

Warren · Post by **Warren** » Sat Mar 09, 2002 9:40 pm

PVC pipe, 1 1/8" iside diametre.

Genova PKII PVC M20 SDR 21 200 PSI @ 73F ASTM D2241

That is what is commonly on it. We get it in white here in canada. Try the local plumbing and hardware shop. Thats where I got mine. Home Hardware in Canada sells it.

I use it hollow covered with pipe foam for boffer training for my students. Great stuff.

------------------
<A HREF="http://www.hosekileather.homestead.com" TARGET=_blank>

www.hosekileather.homestead.com

</A> "There was great wailing and gnashing of teeth"

LR of E · Post by **LR of E** » Sat Mar 09, 2002 10:26 pm

Thank God I saved all those pulped rattan swords. Trim down the last foot so it fits in the pipe, jam it on, and I got a new sword. Only one broke so far right where the pipe sits on the rattan, but that sword was at least 5 years old.

Arland · Post by **Arland** » Mon Mar 18, 2002 6:33 pm

I personally like my swords lighter than siloflex/rattan hybrid swords come out. They do come out heavier than a 1.25 in rattan sword of the same length.

I do however like to make my daggers out siloflex with a rattan core. The one I have now has lasted 4 years now. I just have to replace the trusting tip every so often.

------------------
Baron Arland the Bastard
http://clubs.yahoo.com/clubs/rivetedmaille

sebastian · Post by **sebastian** » Mon Mar 18, 2002 8:54 pm

Raibeart-

Exactly how thin is this stuff? (the Rattan)

I may have a use for it.