Me like stabby

[kain]

Ok, so as those of you that have met me probably know, I like to stab and I can't because my weapons don't pass Dag rules for being green.

I'm trying to find the rules on this, and I can't find the specifications here:

www.dagorhir.com/dagorhir/Rules.htm#Weapons

Can anyone help me out so I don't waste too much time making incorrect weapons?

[Haldour]

4.1.4. Two and one-half inch rule—No surface on a striking edge (sword tip, arrow head, spear head, javelin head, etc.) whether designed for stabbing or not, shall pass more than 0.5 inch through a 2.5 inch hole; swords with a semicircular tip, with a minimum 1.5 inch radius are exempt from this rule.

Other than that, you have to use some kind of squishy foam to make it not hurt. Unfortunately this really comes down to the tester. So, many green tip sword designs will work sometimes, and not others depending on testers.

[Sir Nichtmar]

True that, that's why the usual stabby consists of some sort of open cell foam. I know you were trying to make something that looked less phallic. I've yet to really master the stabby tip for a sword, it's so hit and miss. I'll make one for someone else usually and it'll work perfect and lasts, I make myself one and it fails or it'll last like a month. So I usually just don't make them. But I'm reviving my florentine stabby maces we'll see how that goes.

[kain]

Yeah, the problem is specifications on what is and what is not squishy enough. Simply saying it needs to be squishy is kind of vague.

I'll just start making different tips and see what works and what doesn't.

[Kotaro]

I've heard couch cushion foam works.

[Haldour]

I wouldn't count on couch cushion foam for anything but sitting on. It -sometimes- works for stabbies, but never for very long. Couch foam in notorious for breaking down very quickly.

If you are looking for a good open-cell, pick up some green foam from JoAnn fabric or similar store. It goes on sale periodically. That stuff is denser than couch foam, and lasts much longer.

[Torin Drake]

Forgive me if this questions has been asked before. HOw would one of those small $2.00 nerf like footballs work? IF you were to cut it in half?

[Sir Rune]

amazingly.

[Torin Drake]

Thanks Rune. Kinda what Iwas thinking, but figured that maybe someone else had already tried it. No point trying something if it has failed before. Im kinda lazy that way.

[Haldour]

Make sure you get one that isn't too squishy (like can squeeze it to nothing without effort) and isn't too hard (hardly any give). You'll want a nice mix of firm but soft.

[Torin Drake]

Ahh, more info for my Feeble mind to absorb. Thanks

[kain]

I was pretty happy with my tip yesterday. Further testing will be needed to ensure proper safety and effectiveness.

Now I just need to figure out how to add a couple more ounces to my sword.

/sigh

[Baethor]

Nichtmar came up with a very fancy way of doing it, in hobby stores you can buy strips of low strength magnets, they come in rolls of varying widths, for like 2 bucks. By taping these to the core of the handle, you can weight the grip, and oblong it, so it fits better in the hand.

[Torin Drake]

Wow...Perhaps he really is better than gravy..... LOL... Very nice Idea. May have to try that

[kain]

I used some galvanized steel wire to weight it, it's just that I really really really like it right now, so I need to add weight to both the tip and the base so that the balance doesn't change.

I may just try duct taping the entire blade and maybe some more wire in the handle. I also need to get a scale. Anyone have suggestions on a good type of scale to get? I was thinking of a digital kitchen scale (which I'd like to have for the kitchen, anyway).

[Zaron]

I usually use aluminum square stock to weight mine. They square off the handle, and are cheap and easy.

As for the stabby tip, it's really easier on that to get a veteran who knows how to do it to help you with your first one. I used to have them on all my swords, but no matter how good I made them the open cell foam wears out and powerizes quicker than the closed, so I eventually got tired of it and stopped. I could get them to last 4 months to a year of heavy use on some weapons though. Depending on the weapon, how hard you use it, and how often you use it.

[Baethor]

Z's right, prepare to need to re-work your stabbys if you use them a lot. My axe for example, is stabby, but i may stab 3 or 4 times every time i use it. its more of a sneak attack, then a main style of attack. so i've only redone the tip about 3 times in the 2 years i've had it

[kain]

My weapons are designed with repairs in mind. Repairing a tip should take me all of 10 minutes if I'm slow, so I'm ok with that.

Thanks for the tip on the aluminum, I might give that a try.

[Rook]

If any of you guys want to make me some stabby swords i'd be happy to pay you for em.

Since I love to stab and am sick of restraining myself.

[Sir Nichtmar]

If you send an email to edhellen, where your swords are form, they are testing a new stabby tip design, and they can put them on there for you.


Rune

[kain]

Rook: You were mentioning something complaining about weight the other day. If I made a weapon for you, how would you want it weighted, and would you like a flat blade or round?

And would there be any other specifications?

[Rook]

Hmmm, tough questions for me.

First off, I guess what I like most is if a weapon is balanced and has enough weight/strength to stop a hit. I think you held one of mine so anything vaguely realistic works for me since I don't know what anything weighs. I just don't want one that will be blown around by the wind.

Other than that, I don't care. I'll use most anything length wise. I use flat blades because anything that isn't is a club right? But again, I don't really care. Clubs are fun too

Thanks for your help on this.