Boffer Specifications and Creation
Small weapon: fist boffer 12 inches blade, 6 inches handle
Medium weapon (including claws): up to 24 inch blade, 8 inch handle
Long weapon (including tentacles): up to 36 inch blade, 12 inch handle
Pole arms: up to 72 inches, handles may vary.
Step 1
Get a core. Acceptable cores include graphite cores found in golf clubs, kite spar, and PVC tubes (not the thin wall ones).
Step 2
Using clear tape (packing tape) attach some small foam strips to the core of the weapon. This is to prevent the core from rattling inside the fun noodle.
Step 3
Cut the appropriate length of fun noodle for the weapons length (about two inches longer then the core of the weapon).
Step 4
Taper one end of the fun noodle. This will help in attaching the noodle to the core.
Step 5
Slide core into fun noodle. The strips of foam attached to the core should make it a snug fit. For the “best” fit, have the end, or tip, of the core no closer than approximately 2 inches below the end of the fun noodle.
Step 6
Using clear or duct tape affix the fun noodle, at the bottom of the noodle, to the core (where you had tapered it earlier. Be sure to make this a solid attachment by tugging on the noodle away from the core. If done properly the noodle will not budge very much (keep in mind, it is foam, and if you pull too much it will come apart).
Step 7
At the top of the weapon, stuff remaining foam in the 2 inch deep hole. This is to prevent the tip of the weapons core from poking through and potentially stabbing someone. Another good method, along with stuffing the tip, is to cover the top of the weapon with some flat foam. The tip of the weapon should be reasonably flat, bigger than an eye socket. Use clear tape to affix the flat foam cover to the end of the fun noodle.
Step 8
Cover the weapon with a strip of clear packing tape. This will extend the life of the weapon.
Step 9
Cover the weapon in a cloth tube. Make sure this will not fly off the weapon easily. These can be made very simply by any seamstress of tailors. Also, using layers of panty hose works fine as well. Duct tape covers are acceptable,
but they add a lot of weight, which may cause a stinging effect to anyone who is hit with this weapon. Also, they look bad.
Addendum:
- Feel free to add a pommel to your boffer weapon. Use the same techniques for the “blade” of your weapon on
the end of your handle, except in much shorter lengths. This may prevent any injury if someone is accidentally hit with the back end of your weapon.
- A “courtesy padding” is allowed at Shadow Accord, but by no means is necessary. These padding’s are open cell
foam on the tips. These will be counted as total length of the weapon.
