Anyone figured out a better way of making slat-cored weapons

[Shane Smith]

The more I use the pvc-cored padded sparring weapons, the more I like the older, wood-slat design. The wood-cored weapons have less whip along the edge and do play in a more sword-like manner in my experience...that, and the quality of various pvc weapons is all over the map depending on who made them. I've handled some pretty good PVC paddeds, but I've seen and handled many more that were insufficient. I've not handled many wood-slat weapons that were as poor in the blade-play dept as most pvc simulators assuming the maker got the weight and balance close.

The problem with wood? We all break them like match-sticks over each other Has anyone ever figured out an innovatice way to manufacture wood-slat weapons that overcomes the breakage problem? I've made both types for years and the search for a better mouse-trap marches on...

[Keith Culbertson]

has anyone tried several thin layers of a more flexible wood instead of just one or two of a hardwood? strength in numbers possibly---like a mongol bow...or actually use horn, the other bow material for composite...

[Stacy Clifford]

Horn might very well work, but I think that would violate the "cheap materials you can easily find at the hardware store" philosophy. Asking for buffalo horn at Home Depot could be amusing though.

[Jason Taylor]

I don't use the wood slat design, but I've developed a fair number of designs with similar performance specs. I've moved entirely away from wood, as the brittleness makes it too short-lived, and I've composited a number of my own materials together with varying results, but the most recent designs we've developed out here in OC have been pretty satisfactory, sometimes more than satisfactory. Unfortunately, they also sometimes break that "relatively inexpensive and readily available at the hardware store" rule.

We're working on a new upgrade right now to the design. Of course, since I cut my finger on my machete (who says sharper is always safer? There's a point of diminishing returns) I haven't been much up to crafting, but I've still been steadily working on designs, and I think the next one is going to be a pretty significant leap forward (once I get both hands back).

When I get a good prototype made, I'll need testers. I can send one over to you if you'd like to try it out. I could use some feedback, sand you can see if it's what you were looking for.

Jason

[Brian Hunt]

Keith raises an interesting idea. Has anyone tried a hardwood plywood for the core? This would give the strength of lamination and help address the problems inherant with a single board core.

just a passing thought.

Brian Hunt

[Shane Smith]

Keith raises an interesting idea. Has anyone tried a hardwood plywood for the core? This would give the strength of lamination and help address the problems inherant with a single board core.

just a passing thought.

Brian Hunt

In my experiences with plywoods, they are very bendy and flexible when cut into strips although they would be tougher than hardwood slats in the breakage department. Half-inch thick plywood is worse than ovaled pvc by a mile when ripped down to a suitable width. Two quarter inch thich strips would be even worse...unless we could maybe laminate something else in to stiffen them. Hmmm...you have me thinking now.

[Shane Smith]

I don't use the wood slat design, but I've developed a fair number of designs with similar performance specs. I've moved entirely away from wood, as the brittleness makes it too short-lived, and I've composited a number of my own materials together with varying results, but the most recent designs we've developed out here in OC have been pretty satisfactory, sometimes more than satisfactory. Unfortunately, they also sometimes break that "relatively inexpensive and readily available at the hardware store" rule.

We're working on a new upgrade right now to the design. Of course, since I cut my finger on my machete (who says sharper is always safer? There's a point of diminishing returns) I haven't been much up to crafting, but I've still been steadily working on designs, and I think the next one is going to be a pretty significant leap forward (once I get both hands back).

When I get a good prototype made, I'll need testers. I can send one over to you if you'd like to try it out. I could use some feedback, sand you can see if it's what you were looking for.

Jason

That sounds interesting. Let me know when your prototype is ready

You weren't practicing your messer techniques while clearing brush with a machete were you(and who among us hasn't done just that)?

[Jaron Bernstein]

You weren't practicing your messer techniques while clearing brush with a machete were you(and who among us hasn't done just that)? :lol

I did prune the backyard shrubberies with my Albion Doge in March.....

[Jason Taylor]

That sounds interesting. Let me know when your prototype is ready

You weren't practicing your messer techniques while clearing brush with a machete were you(and who among us hasn't done just that)?

You know, I might have felt better about it if I had been. But I was just taking the thing out of the sheath to go do some work with it and it slipped and fell and caught me in the hand. Either I caught at it by reflex or it just hit me, but I actually did feel metal collide with bone. Not a pleasant sensation, I might add. It only fell about four inches, too, which is why I say that sharper can be less safe. It's like having a lit lightsaber laying around my house.

It's not as cool a story as "I was doing all these cool messer moves and I got this trophy scar." But I guess I was off my guard. No one expects to maim themselves taking an edged weapon out of the sheath.

Jason

[Stacy Clifford]

No one expects to maim themselves taking an edged weapon out of the sheath.

I see this, and then I read the quote in your signature line, and I laugh.

[Lorraine Munoa]

What about using fiberglass rods stuck together like for the old Rapier Simulators as the core of a sparring weapon? Those things held up to everything we could dish out.

[Shane Smith]

What about using fiberglass rods stuck together like for the old Rapier Simulators as the core of a sparring weapon? Those things held up to everything we could dish out.

I've tried a couple made that way. They were still whippy along the edge.

[Lorraine Munoa]

What about using fiberglass rods stuck together like for the old Rapier Simulators as the core of a sparring weapon? Those things held up to everything we could dish out.

I've tried a couple made that way. They were still whippy along the edge.

Darn. Oh well.