Weapon Construction | swordcraft

Melee Weapon Basics

You can only thrust with a sufficiently padded thrust safe dagger, sword, or spear. The longer the weapon the greater the padding required.
You may use Ateliers Nemesis, Calimacil, Epic Armoury, Fakesteel or Wyverncraft melee weapons designed for LARP combat or weapons that are equivalent in design and structure. Swordcraft Ltd reserves the right to prohibit any particular weapon at its complete discretion. It is your responsibility to ensure that your weapons are safe and in good repair.
Melee weapon lengths:
- 2 handed swords, axes, hammers, flails, maces, clubs 120-185cm
- Polearms 130-215cm
- 1 handed spears 130-215cm
- Pikes (2 handed spears) 215- 300cm
- Staff 130-215cm
- Dual wielding - offhand weapon cannot exceed 85cm in length.
- All other weapons 125cm max
Only clerics and mages can use a Magic Wand, Magic Rod, or Magic Staff (with a Wind of Magic or Deity topper)

A Polearm means a staff, halberd, poleaxe, glaive, swordstaff or similar cutting/smashing pole weapon. A polearm requires a minimum of 0.5m padded haft below the striking surface.
Another weapon (see dual wielding) can be used with a polearm when the polearm is held upright, one handed and not used for attacking. The polearm can still be used for blocking.

A Pike (2 handed spear) can only be used to attack if it is held in 2 hands and the hands are kept either side of a raised mark 50cm from the butt. A pike requires a minimum of 0.5m padded haft below the striking surface and a rubber stopper on the base.
Another weapon (see dual wielding) can be used with a pike when the pike is held upright, one handed and not used for attacking. The pike can still be used for blocking.

Permitted normal missile weapons:
- Bows (28 lbs@28”) and IDV arrows or equivalent
- Crossbows (28lbs@16”) and IDV bolts or equivalent
- Matchlock/wheellock/flintlock style bandguns, band crossbows and band wands
Arrows can be individualised with markings located up to 50mm from behind the head and 350mm from Nock. The area between these two locations must be left clear.
Band missiles must be constructed of either blue or green rubber exercise tubing or equivalent. Loops must not have any sharp or hard materials to the touch, and when relaxed must be at least 1/3 the distance between the trigger catch and the front anchor point. The gap between the ties should be no more than 40mm and the joint material must be cord.
Multi-Barrel band weapons must be at least a metre long and must have a steadying stand (pole, tripod or carriage).
Black powder guns and wands are encouraged to use caps to increase immersion and slow rate of fire. Obviously band crossbows are silent.

27 July 2024:
- Polearms and Pikes must have padding for the first 50 cm below striking surface
- Arrows may have individual markings
7 August - polearm can be used with an offhand weapon like a pike