NERF N-Force Marauder (longsword)

[danielcarcich]

This is fairly random, but I just happened upon a link to a new line of longsword NERF is putting out.

http://arstechnica.com/gaming/news/2010/03/not-at-all-safe-the-nerf-marauder-longsword.ars

Looks like they've got some sturdiness to them, just wondering if anyone else has seem them or played around with them and noted the balance issues that are inevitable. $17 is pretty cheap.

[Doug Marnick]

Daniel,

ARMA in recent years has moved away from any kind of padded weaponry whenever possible in an effort to achieve authenticity, especially with size, shape, weight, balance, feel, etc. They are sometimes used by some members who choose to do full contact sparring but many senior members who develop enough control and trust prefer wooden/nylon wasters and even steel blunts for free-play. Check out some of the great videos this site offers.
In short, the closer we get to the true historical training methods, we increase our understanding of the art and revive the practice of realistic RMA.
Note: I am not responding as an ARMA representative or on behalf of the organization, just from my personal perspective as a member.

[Gene Tausk]

This is fairly random, but I just happened upon a link to a new line of longsword NERF is putting out.

http://arstechnica.com/gaming/news/2010/03/not-at-all-safe-the-nerf-marauder-longsword.ars

Looks like they've got some sturdiness to them, just wondering if anyone else has seem them or played around with them and noted the balance issues that are inevitable. $17 is pretty cheap.

Agree with everything Doug said in his post. The fact that these "swords" have NERF on them tells me they are glorified boffer toys and not what we do.

[Doug Marnick]

You can always count on a moderator, especially you, GT, for the direct approach.

[Stacy Clifford]

These days we only still use padded weapons for mass combat (it's just too dangerous to swing wasters or steel while running in a melee), introducing timid students to sparring, and playing with kids at educational demos.

[s_taillebois]

Looks a bit more like that was tailored for the cosplay contingent.

But it does betoken well for the increased interest in historical WMA that such things are being made for the mass market.

[Joshua Hintzen]

I work in a Target backroom and saw these over the holidays. Kind of cool if you just want to play around with younger siblings and the like, but no good in terms of training. To light, not balanced, kinda whippy, bend along the "edge" in a bind. Shaped foam over a flexible plastic core, so little kiddies don't maim each other with them. No surprise, but its just a toy. A really cool toy.