How to build Needlefelt and other safe combat weapons

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[JKALER48]

This is a call for board members to add tutorials on how to build (or where to buy) weapons safe for simulated combat.
Post should state if the weapons has been tested and approved for use (at the LAFE event for example)
Weapons Construction Information is needed for both Roman and Enemy weapons:
Swords
Daggers
Hasta
Pila
Javalins
Lance
Sling Ammunition
Arrows
Balista Bolts
Rocks
Boiling Oil/Water and Fire weapons
Safe Suedes and other defensive stakes and Caltrops

[M. Demetrius]

There are safe boiliing oil weapons?  Yikes!

I've made swords, daggers, spears, javelins, and tridents using needlefelt.  All but the javelins would fit in the "Lafe-Standard" category.  I contend my javelins are safe, except for the wooden shafts, which is understandably forbidden.  When they break (and they do) they make horribly dangerous pointed sticks.

A cheap source for internal fiberglas rods is Wal Mart bicycle flags.  They are about six feet long, and have a pennant.  They sell for about three bucks, while the McMaster rods are five feet long and cost more last time I bought any.

When I dig them up, I can post two sources for felt, McMaster being one.  They use this stuff for carpet pad in Europe, so it's cheap as dirt, nearly, but I have not found a US source for the wool padding.  It was the original stuff.  John, was it you who found some automotive trunk liner felt that worked?

[JustusLonginus]

we have these already done on the ISPA website, www.legiovi.tripod.com/ispa/ grab and use it, I wrote it.

[JKALER48]

There are safe boiliing oil weapons?  Yikes!

A cheap source for internal fiberglas rods is Wal Mart bicycle flags.  They are about six feet long, and have a pennant.  They sell for about three bucks, while the McMaster rods are five feet long and cost more last time I bought any.

  John, was it you who found some automotive trunk liner felt that worked?

I found Walmart Kites have suitable fiberglass rods for about $1.00 also Yes: the felt from inside car doors and behind rear seats works for the inside padding and the stiff carpet in the truck works well for the sword blades.  I made Hasta points from leather
which were apporoved from Non thrown spears.  THe wood and PVC pipe Pila I made were approved and looked like Pila too!
I was thinking a pail of uncooked rice or oatmeal would be a good simulator for boiling/burning oil to throw on siege machines and personnel.

[M. Demetrius]

http://www.ludusmilitis.org/index.php?topic=46.msg220;topicseen#new

Hmm.  What about just water?  No questions like "I got you" "no you didn't".  You're wet, you're dead. 

Did the Romans use boiling water or oil?  I know the medieval castle defenders did.  Boiling oil!  Yikes!  Fried skin attackers.   

[JKALER48]

Here are a couple of diagrams and photo of my Needlefelt designs:

[JKALER48]

A couple of additional Needlefelt photos Gladius hanger and Pugio scabbard

[JKALER48]

Needlefelt CALTROP Photos  Materials required: Racket ball, Foam mat pieces Hot Glue and Black duct tape

[M. Demetrius]

Very cool.  I made some gladius/pugio hangars from a slitted piece of leather that goes on the belt, and a heavy gauge copper wire that holds the felt sword.  Sort of like the 15th C sword ring for a rapier.  Works fine, and is reasonably easy to draw and sheath.

[JKALER48]

Needlefelt Celtic dagger:
Foam mat core with fiberglass rods from kite inside auto carpet blade cover and copper rivetted Leather handle.

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