ANST - Boffer guidelines...

[Dennis Grace]

Salut Cozyns,

and hai-fuku Okami-dono.

You replied:
>Someone already stated that cloth covers if done right look much better 
>than the loose and sloppy ones you are referring to.  Spandex/Lycra is 
>usually best, because it conforms to the shape of the boffer.  Also the 
>covers suggestion was intended to be for all boffer age groups, not 
just 
>the 6-9 group.  

Thank you for the clarification, cozyn.  Yes, I saw Plachoya's posting.  
I still don't think we should mandate the cloth covers.  My primary 
reason is that the majority of cloth covered boffers I've seen looked 
like pillows.  True, some were fitted.  I believe we should leave the 
requirement at tape, which will not prevent those who wish it from 
making attractive, fitted covers for their children's weapons.

You also said:
>Thrusting is somewhat dangerous, especially if the core is somewhat 
>inflexible, twice as so, if a two-handed/pole weapon.  This is where 
>control and training come in.  So on a safety sense, I would agree, yet 
>we probably won't need it for the older kids.

I again must disagree.  First, the older kids are in their first flush 
of testosterone, which I think makes their self-control questionable at 
best.  Second, I want these kids  trained to switch to rattan at 18, so 
I think their rules should gradually come more into conformance the 
older they get.

>Yes weight and rigidity.  I've always used 315 psi. I have tried 400 
and 
>even 600 psi, and yes the weight is somewhat more realistic, and feels 
>good to heft, but the resulting brick on a stick you know have would 
and 
>probably could hurt even an adult, much less a kid.  You would have to 
>require rigid protection very similar to rattan combat.  The only other 
>choice is to add more foam, which will start to look silly, and will 
>also had more weight, which will then be adding to the problem you 
>already have. 

Many thanks, cozyn.  Sounds like an important safety measure to me.  
I'll pass this on to Sir Keif when he returns from the war.

>Madu's if I'm not mistaken are a Middle Eastern weapon, not an African 
>one.  And considering the number of Middle Eastern personas, I don't 
>think it is an out of place weapon, on the tourney field, or in a war.  

See Sir Richard Burton's *Book of the Sword*.  While Burton's methods 
and sources are often questionable, he provides excellent explanations 
of the physics of sword travel and details the use of the North 
African/Middle Eastern madhu, a weapon usually constructed by joining 
two Ibex horns.  Metal points and shields were only added in the early 
nineteenth century, and no one has yet demonstrated the existence of 
madhus *anywhere* prior to the seventeenth century.

But that's another topic.

>>We don't need to pad the face of the shields, and the loose cloth 
>covers 
>>Amptgarders use detract from the appearance of the shields.
>
>Sounds like someone has something against Amtgard, and Amtgardians.  As 
>for the covering of shields, they are just like the weapons, if the 
>cover is done well made, and done correctly, it will look quite 
>spectacular.  This is a great opportunity for all of the sewing 
inclined 
>out there to try something new.  I've seen many a colorful shield 
cover, 
>apliqued, painted, etc.  Plus it protects the padding of the shield.  

Now now, let's not try to psychoanalyze one another.

As I said, I really don't think the padding is necessary.  The kids will 
be in pads and helmets, so padding the shields is overkill.  I have 
nothing against Amptgard or any of the other groups, but I don't like 
the look of their shields.  Amptgard and similar groups that do not 
require helmets have good reason to pad the faces of their shields.  We 
have no such reason. 

As to colorful shield covers, Come see mine some time, cozyn.  I glue a 
sturdy twill to the face and then paint my arms upon it (or, I should 
say, my lady paints my arms upon it) before strapping the safety tubing 
to the edge.  I've seen others do the same glued-on treatment so that 
the cloth actually covered the edge.

lo vostre por vos servir
Sir Lyonel Oliver Grace

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