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in development |
Meet Madmartigan Named after Val Kilmer's swashbuckling character in Willow, this guy's brain is about the size of a 3-axis accelerometer, sampling at around 10 kHz. Hit him, stab him, yell insults at him; the peak acceleration is recorded and converted to force. The resulting data can be sorted by geography, weapon type, fighter height and weight, etc. Get an idea of how hard you hit compared to others. Find out how much more dangerous a Greatsword is than a Polearm. My intention is to set this guy up at events to gather data. A fun activity that should help keep all of our noggins safe. |
Thrusting Tip Testing Fixture Clamp a weapon into the fixture. Turn the screw until the proper tip compression is reached. Read the scale for static force. Compare with acceptable value. Pass or don't pass. This would be a good piece of equipment for large groups or events, to test questionable tips. All that's missing is the range of acceptable values. I'm working on it. Let me know what you think. 
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Low-Profile Thrusting Tip This will be on its way shortly, I hope. Had to choose this one or the two-handed one to put my money into first, so I chose the one that is legal in all kingdoms. |
Rubber Thrusting Tip for 9' Spear Rubber thrusting tips are currently available in low-profile and two-handed versions. A tip for 9' spears just makes sense. This will likely be an expensive part, and adding a hook will add significantly to the cost. What do you think? Is anyone gonna pay $50 for this? 1. What is a reasonable cost? 2. Should it have a hook? 3. Would you pay extra for a hook?
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Synthetic Rattan I have found the subject of synthetic rattan to be a very sensitive one. Rattan is the backbone of SCA combat. Every weapon uses it. It has been the standard since before time was time, and people love it. Substitutes have been tried in the past, and all have come up short. Rattan has a variety of properties that make it ideal for SCA combat. It has a hard skin that can take a beating, enough flexibility to reduce its impact force to acceptable levels and resist breaking, it can be easily worked, and it is relatively inexpensive. On the down side, it has huge variability. The diameter, skin thickness, flexibility, and weight are all over the place. It absorbs water, so the same weapon can have different properties at different times. It is also susceptible to rot, dry cracking, and other forms of deterioration. With modern materials, it is possible to create a material specifically for SCA use that would be superior to rattan in virtually every way. A fiber reinforced polymer composite would have consistent geometry, mechanical properties, and would be resistant to water and other environmental influences. I also believe that a material can be designed that would be comparable in price to rattan, with a superior lifespan. Design of this new material will be an iterative process, and will require extensive testing. The intention is not to replace rattan, but to offer an alternative, and leave it to the fighters to decide which they would prefer to use. There is some concern that synthetic rattan would give SCA Labs a monopoly on the SCA's basic building material, which would certainly be unfair. I figure this material will have to be designed by the populace, and thus it would be owned by the populace. My intention is that the material specification would be available to all, so that it can be manufactured by anyone who has the means. My current design concept will use an inexpensive natural fiber, such as sisal, as reinforcement. It will have an outer skin of hard rubber (similar to a plastic, but more durable) and an inner core of softer rubber. The exact durometer of the rubber materials will be carefully selected to reproduce the same "clack", rebound, and general feel of rattan. Significant testing will be required. Please send me your opinions. With everyone's input I think we can create a high quality material.
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