[Ansteorra] siloflex swords

[John Moore]

To add to what Sir Morgan has posted.  Siloflex is a brand name that has 
become like Xerox.  There are other brands out there that meet the same 
standards (ASTM) as Siloflex and are usable.  "ASTM standard D-2239 or 
the international equivalent, having at least a 1 1?4 inch (31.8 mm) 
diameter on the outside and at least 1/8 inch (3.2 mm) walls." 

Siloflex Equivalents

1. Be manufactured to ASTM D2239 or ASTM D2737 Standards.
2. Be manufactured from PE3408
3. Be sized as 1" ID if D2239, or 1-1/4" OD if D2737

Silverline
"Sil-O-Flex" D2239 pipe from PE 3408 in pressure ratings from 100 to 200 
PSI ***Only D2239 with 1" inside diameter at either 100 psi or 160 psi 
are approved for use as APDs***
http://www.silverline.net

Cresline
D2239 and D2737 pipe from PE 3408 ***Only D2239 with 1" inside diameter 
at either 100,160 or 200 psi and D2737 with 1-1/4" outside diameter at 
either 100 psi or 160 psi are approved for use as APDs***
http://www.cresline.com

Charter Plastic Inc.
D2239 and D2737 pipe from PE 3408 in pressure ratings from 80 to 250 PSI 
***Only D2239 with 1" inside diameter at either 100 psi or 160 psi, and 
D2737 with 1-1/4" outside diameter at either 100 psi or 160 psi are 
approved for use as APDs***
http://www.charterplastics.com

Endot Industries, Inc
"Blue Jet" and "Endopoly" D2239 and D2737 pipe from PE 3408 in pressure 
ratings from 100 to 200 PSI ***Only D2239 with 1" inside diameter at 
either 100 psi or 160 psi, and D2737 with 1-1/4" outside diameter at 
either 100 psi or 160 psi are approved for use as APDs***
http://www.endot.com

Orangeburg Pipe ****new addition***

"Poly-Xtra" brand pipe. D2239 water service pipe from PE3408 in pressure 
ratings from 100 to 200 PSI.. *** Orangeburg Pipe is a division of Endot 
Industries *** (sometimes sold at Lowes)

Genova Products Inc.
"PARR IPS" D2239 pipe from PE 3408 in pressure ratings from 100 to 200 
PSI ***Only D2239 with 1" inside diameter at either 100 psi or 160 psi 
are approved for use as APDs***
http://www.genovaproducts.com

Vanguard Piping Systems Inc.
"ProGuard" D2239 and D2737 pipe from PE 3408 in pressure ratings from 
100 to 200 PSI ***Only D2239 with 1" inside diameter at either 100 psi 
or 160 psi, and D2737 with 1-1/4" outside diameter at either 100 psi or 
160 psi are approved for use as APDs***
"Bruiser" D2239 and D2737 pipe from PE 3408 in pressure ratings from 160 
to 200 PSI
* NOTE Bruiser is blue in color on the outside for easy identification 
as a water pipe ***Only D2239 with 1" inside diameter at 160 psi, and 
D2737 with 1-1/4" outside diameter at 160 psi are approved for use as 
APDs***
http://www.vanguardpipe.com

WesFlex Pipe Manufacturing
"Gold Label" D2239 and D2737 pipe from PE 3408 in pressure ratings from 
100 to 200 PSI ***Only D2239 with 1" inside diameter at either 100 psi 
or 160 psi, and D2737 with 1-1/4" outside diameter at either 100 psi or 
160 psi are approved for use as APDs***
http://www.wesflex.com

Note these are the equivalents listed from www.combat-archery.com for 
APD use but would be usable for sword construction.  Be sure to use the 
160 psi rated pipe.  Siloflex can usually be found at Lowe's in the 
plumbing section in the same display as the black steel pipe.  Charter 
Plastics or Cresline (don't remember which, has orange lettering) can 
found at Home Depot in the same area.  These are already straightened 
and cut to 5' lengths. 

HL Iaen Mor

Sir Morgan Buchanan wrote:
> Siloflex is a polymer tubing material which can be purchased at a variety of 
> places like home improvement or plumbing supply, as I understand it.  It 
> doesn't substitute for rattan, but is used to enhance rattan.  One takes a 
> core of rattan and drives it into a siloflex tube.  The hard(er) polymer 
> tube keeps the rattan healthy longer, or so the theory goes.
>
> The piece of rattan used is smaller than 1 1/4" as the outside diameter of 
> the siloflex is usually that measurement.
>
> They handle pretty well exactly the same as a "full" rattan sword.  Siloflex 
> swords, in at least my experience, tend to be on the lighter end of the 
> spectrum.  The problem as I see it with siloflex swords is that internal 
> damage isn't as immediately apparent.  With a tape and rattan sword, you can 
> put your hand on the sword and simply feel that the rattan has pulped out. 
> With siloflex, you just get an increasily flexible sword.
>
> There's really not a great deal to say about it.  Hope this helps - I'm sure 
> that fans of it will speak up on some of the stronger pros.
>
> Morgan
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Stefan li Rous" <StefanliRous at austin.rr.com>
>   
>> From time to time I've seen mention of this material. I assume this
>> is being used as a substitute as rattan gets more expensive or
>> difficult to get. In the Florlegium I have a file on rattan with
>> sources and how to work it. I'd like to hear some similar information
>> about this siloflex.
>>
>> How does it compare to rattan? What are its pro? and cons? When made
>> into an SCA weapon does it handle differently than the same type of
>> weapon made of rattan? Where do you get the stuff? 
>>     
>
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