[Ansteorra-marshals] Rawhide swords

Wed Feb 24 14:48:11 PST 2016

I believe that both of the rules apply. Although, I have not personally checked the flex
It is a non- approved rigid material. It is not an approved construction technique.
	Remembering the arguments on siloflex or splints.

If you want to use it, on a pell, in your backyard, so that your swords last longer, go for it.
If it is allowed in combat without it first being approved for use, than it sets a bad precedence for the future.

My apologizes, as a marshal on the field, I thought that this had been approved. I should have questioned its use.

My 2 cents looking for some change back,
Wilhelm

-----Original Message-----
From: Ansteorra-marshals [mailto:ansteorra-marshals-bounces at lists.ansteorra.org] On Behalf Of Earl Marshal
Sent: Wednesday, February 24, 2016 4:20 PM
To: Discussion list for all Ansteorran marshals
Subject: Re: [Ansteorra-marshals] Rawhide swords

from the Earl Marshals' perspective, there are two rules I think bear discussion (entire section included below):

1. With the exception of the hilts, guards and pommels, no metal or ****non-approved rigid, granular****, or liquid material may be used in the construction of single or two-handed weapons including spears.
11. Rattan shall not be treated in any way that will substantially reduce its flexibility (e.g., treated with wax, resin, fiberglass, etc.).

So therein lies my real queries.

Does wetting down rawhide, wrapping it around a sword, and then allowing it to shrink and harden "substantially reduce it's flexibility"?

or

Is rawhide a non-approved rigid material?

Thoughts,
Jean Paul

1. With the exception of the hilts, guards and pommels, no metal or non-approved rigid, granular, or liquid material may be used in the construction of single or two-handed weapons including spears.
2. Primary weapons used single-handed shall have a wrist strap (or equivalent restraint) which will keep the weapon from leaving the immediate area of the user if released during any part of a bout or combat.
Restraints are not required on hafted weapons used single-handed, or on single-handed back-up weapons.
3. Flails are expressly prohibited.
4. Mechanical devices known as “sliders,” which are used to guide or propel spears, are prohibited.
5. All weapons shall have all cutting edges and thrusting tips marked in a contrasting color.
6. The striking surfaces of all weapons, including the tip, shall be wrapped in a manner that allows no rattan splinters to protrude.
7. All thrusting tips and striking heads must be securely attached to the weapon.
8. The edges and tips of all striking surfaces shall be rounded.
9. No part of a weapon shall have sharp edges or protrusions with cross-section of less than 1.25 inch (31.8mm) in diameter. Guards, pommels, hooks, etc., shall be firmly and securely affixed to the weapon haft.
10. It shall not be possible to force into a legal face guard, any part of a weapon which may reasonably be expected to contact an opponent during combat more than .5 inch (12.7 mm). Rattan weapons may have a handle section which is less than 1.25 inch (31.8 mm), so long as it meets this criterion. Combat archery shafts may be thinner as long as the head and tail meet the criteria.
11. Rattan shall not be treated in any way that will substantially reduce its flexibility (e.g., treated with wax, resin, fiberglass, etc.).
12. No weapon shall exceed 6 pounds (2.73 kg).
13. No missile weapons intended to simulate firearms, slings, slingstaffs, nor atlatls can be used on the field of armored combat.
14. No “punch weapons” or thrusting weapons that have the blade or tip more perpendicular than parallel to the grip.
15. No shovel handles on any thrusting weapon.

On Wed, Feb 24, 2016 at 3:52 PM, Liam Gordon <cenliamgordon2005 at gmail.com>
wrote:

> JP,
>
> I have looked at these types of swords, and I have been hit with these 
> types of swords. With the rawhide encasing the sword, it covers the 
> rattan better than strapping tape. The rawhide, for the most part, 
> completely encases the sword. If the sword fails and breaks, I think 
> it will stay inside the rawhide with no issues what so ever...
>
> I don't believe these need to be considered experimental at all...
>
> My thoughts on the matter.
>
> Cheers!
> Liam
> On Feb 24, 2016 15:45, "Earl Marshal" <kingdom at marshal.ansteorra.org>
> wrote:
>
> > I'm curious if these weapons comply with our standard construction 
> > rules, or if they should be considered experimental.
> >
> > Thoughts?
> >
> > Jean Paul
> >
> >
> > On Thu, Feb 18, 2016 at 6:36 AM, <sethrcagle at gmail.com> wrote:
> >
> > > My group uses the rawhide covered swords, we took it from An Tir 
> > > who it seems like every other person has a raw hide covered sword. 
> > > What do you want to know? It's just a covering for the sword instead of using tape.
> > >
> > > Sven
> > >
> > > Sent from my iPhone
> > >
> > > > On Feb 17, 2016, at 12:11 PM, Earl Marshal <
> > > kingdom at marshal.ansteorra.org> wrote:
> > > >
> > > > So, who's experimented with them?
> > > >
> > > > JP
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