Weapon Construction Rules, Tips, and Tricks

Weapons – All weapons should have at least 1 ¼ inches of acceptable foam on all striking surfaces. They should also have at least ½ inch of foam on all surfaces (The handle can be exposed if you so desire, as long as there isn’t a chance that you will hit someone with it). For stabbing weapons, there should be a minimum of 3 inches of foam on the stabbing point. Additionally, all weapons must weigh less than 3 pounds, but that is a tip top maximum, most swords typically weigh under a pound.

Most Nerf weapons are acceptable, but Nerf weapons tend to be flimsy and may not survive the day.  Also, Nerf weapons tend to be too colorful.  Please paint or tape them with natural colors.  All purchased LARP weapons, such as Calimacil brand and latex-based, are acceptable.  Some purchased weapons have less foam than the hand-made requirements, so the wielder may need to exercise additional restraint.

All thrown weapons MUST be 100% covered with at least 1” foam on all surfaces (if they have a PVC core). They must also weigh less than 1/2 pound.

DO NOT throw your swords. Unless you design them to meet the thrown weapon requirements, they are not safe enough to be thrown.

I reserve the right to deem a weapon unusable if it is not safe. Please email me if you have any questions.

Acceptable foams:

Closed cell foam (I use Ozark Trail camping pad foam from Wal-Mart.)

Mattress foam, Latex foam, Similar soft foams

Unacceptable foams:

Styrofoam, Insulation foam, Anything that is not squishy and soft

By the way, I use ½ inch PVC pipe for the core of most of my weapons.

Shields – Using a small shield, such as a buckler, does not affect your hit points. A medium sized shield lowers your total HP by 1, and a large shield lowers your total HP by 2. Anything judged to be ridiculously huge reduces your HP by 3. Shields MUST have foam of some sort covering the face of the shield. They also MUST have a layer of soft foam covering all of the edges. Shield bashing/using your shield as a weapon is prohibited. If a shield is judged to be too dangerous, you will be asked to not use it.

Shield Sizes:

Small < 2 square feet < Medium < 4 square feet < Large < 6 square feet < Ridiculous

 

Here is the video I learned how to make weapons from:

 

LARP Weapons Workshop Handout:

  1. Materials
    1. EVA foam
      1. Floor mats
      2. Craft foam
    2. Thermoplastics
    3. Armatures
      1. Dowels
      2. PVC pipes
      3. Metal tubes
      4. Fiberglass rods
      5. Wire
    4. Adhesives
      1. Contact adhesive (Barge glue)
      2. Hot glue
      3. Cyanoacrylate glues (Superglue, Krazy glue, etc)
    5. Paints
      1. Spray paints
      2. Acrylic paints
      3. Latex paints
    6. Sealers
      1. Rubber spray coatings (Plasti-Dip)
      2. Modge Podge
      3. White or yellow glues
      4. Liquid latex
    7. Finish coats
      1. Floor polishes (Future, Glo-Coat, etc)
      2. Acrylic varnishes
    8. Masking tape
    9. Detail items
      1. Costume jewelry
      2. Googly eyes
    10. Tools and equipment
      1. Cutting tools
        1. Utility knives
        2. Xacto knives
        3. Sharpeners
        4. Punches
      2. Abrasives
        1. Sandpaper
        2. Sanding sticks
        3. Rotary tools and belt sanders
      3. Heaters
        1. Heat guns
        2. Hair dryers
        3. Torches
      4. Markers