Section 1
Weapons
Under our combat system, trained, fighters are capable of fighting safely with all of the weapons commonly used 1000 years ago - Sword, Seax, Spear (1 handed and 2 handed), Hand Axe and Dane-axe.
Because most people have had some experience with a sword or axe-like object we teach Sword (or Hand Axe) and shield first. This establishes the principles of combat in an easy to understand format. The next weapon to be taught is usually the single-handed spear, knowledge of which again extend the individuals knowledge and and expertise. After further training including close combat in shield wall, the warriors can progress on to 2 handed spear, Dane-Axe or fighting with two weapons and no shield.
1.1 General Minimum Safety Requirements for Weaponry
a. Weapons may not be made from stainless steel or aluminum for Authenticity reasons.
b. No weapon, offensive or defensive. should have burred, jagged, splintered or square edges or be in an otherwise dangerous conditions
c. All weapons must comply with the safety rules outlined below and with authenticity requirements. Any Training Officer may prohibit a weapon from being used at any event, the weapon must then be modified and re-inspected before being used again. A Senior Warrior may be empowered to do the pre-battle weapon checks.
d. These rules do not include weapons that are used in certain scripted scenarios, e.g. javelins, sharp axes, however these may only be used with the full approval of the Event Steward and Marshal.
1.2 Weapon Dimensions
These rule are not manufacturing limits but are the minimum dimensions allowed for edges and points, to be checked at pre-combat weapon checks.a. Sword and Knife - edges should have a minimum thickness of 2 mm (0.787). In section this should be an arc of 180 or shallower at 2mm diameter. An arc more elliptical than a semi-circle will be deemed sharp. Points should taper to no less than 180 arc (or shallower) with a diameter of 18 mm (0.708") diameter i.e. the size of a dime. A knife of 254 mm (10") blade length or less may have a point comprising of a diameter of 10 mm (0.394") with an arc or 180 or shallower.
b. Spear - side edges as for sword and knife. The leading edge/point should comply with one of the following:
i. Spears of 3mm (0.118") thickness should have a 180 or shallower arc of a 24.5 mm (0.965") diameter i.e. the size of a quarter (10 pence). {I need to verify this one, its seems odd}
ii. Spears of a 4.76 mm (0.188") may have a 180 or shallower arc of 22.5 mm (0.887) i.e. the size of a £1 coin (1994 UK currency).
iii. Total length of spears should not exceed 228.5mm (7' 6")
c. Axes - hand axes should have an edge of 3 mm (0.118"0 thickness with 180 arc (in section) or shallower.
2- handed axes should have an edge of 3 mm (0.118" thickness with a 180 arc (in section) or shallower.
The safety of leading and trailing edges will be left to the Marshal responsible for weapon checks at each show, and be subject to his final decision.
Sword , knife and spear
There will be a total length allowance of 72mm (3") which may be slightly sharper, provided that it is to the rear third of the blade. This may be of no less that 1.5 mm (0.059"0 and must be a shallow arc in section.
Remember, the safer you make a weapon, the fewer problems you will incur.
1.3. Materials
a. Sword and Knife - must be made of a steel which is capable of being and has been hardened and tempered so that it will not form burrs in the manner of mild or unhardened steels. They must not be made from mild steel or be hard edged welded.
b. Spear - may be made from mild steel and may be hard edged welded.
c. Axes - may be made from mild steel and may be hard edge welded. It is recommended that axes be case hardened.
1.4. The Catch-all
If a weapon fulfils the above requirements it will be allowed onto the field, subject to passing Authenticity checks. If you feel that a weapon is safe but its design does not fulfil the above specifications, A Training Officer may pass it as safe, but if he/she is not present at a subsequent event to verify this decision then it any be banned by the warrior performing the safety checks at that event. Under these circumstances, the safety checker will have the final say.
The excuse "It's safe in the hands of an experienced warrior" will not be accepted because we do not have a test to assess your ability with a sharp, burred or illegal weapon.
