On Fri, 2006-03-03 at 07:58 -0800, Gareth R Thomas wrote:
> Kirk,
> What are you making your trainers out of? Ours a the wooden ones from
> ISMAC, but we've had to sand down the tips and tape foam to them after a
> couple of minor mishaps with the tips and underprotected forearms.
>
> Gareth

Yeah, we had the same problems with our wooden bowie wasters.

I have access to high-density packing foam that is molded and used for
packing frames for our servers at work. I cut that to shape and put it
over a PVC core. Wrap the whole package liberally in ducktape. Stiff
enough to "strike" and parry well, but with just enough cushioning to
not do more than bruise.

I'm not satisfied with the way the core is set. Doesn't seem to be as
stable as I wanted. Works fine for cuts, thrusts, etc. but anything
stressing the "flat" of the "blade" causes it to stress at a week point
and push on the outer wrapping. I'm cutting them open soon and adding
shims or loads of hot-glue, rubber cement, or *something*.

Peace favor your sword,
Kirk