Weapons

Weapons in the SCA

Most weapons used in the SCA are made out of rattan. Weapons are constructed according to guidelines laid out in the combat handbook. Nothing can be done to the rattan that changes its flexibility.

SCA "Swords" are usually shaved down on the sides and out of the back blades with a plane or spokeshave, then covered with tape. Once taped, they cannot be less than 31.8 mm (1¼ inches) in diameter. Swords may be fitted with a thrusting tip, which is required to have at least 12.7 mm (½ inch) of progressive give, and may not double over. A basket hilt, quillions or the equivalent is required.

Thusting tips are usually contructed from closed cell foam with a leather collar around the area where the rattan and the thrusting tip are joined to prevent doubling over.

Axes are considered a mass weapon and thus cannot weigh more that 4 pounds. The head can be constructed out of several materials, the most common being closed cell foam (like a camp mat) and must have progressive give over the whole head.

Maces often have a foam head with rattan splints attached to the outside, this is then taped over and is usually attached to a handle(haft) that is relatively short and is also considered a mass weapon.

Two handed weapons such as the glaive, halberd and great sword are all mass weapons and have many different methods of construction.

It is a good idea to shape the handle of your weapon so that you can tell if you are hitting with the "blade" or the "flat" of your weapon.