Sword Flex Question

[Grim Warhawk AlRitte]

How long can the core in the blade blade of a sword be before it fails flex if I'm using 3/8 fiberglass? I'll have a box plus 2 more layers of foam over the striking edge.

I thought it was 22.5" but I can't remember exactly, and I dont wanna make it then have to rebuild it again. Mind you I need the length of the CORE in the blade, not the end product. Also, I've got a 10" Grip and 2" pommel, so Overall length with a 22.5 inch blade core SHOULD be 37".

[Wumpus]

As I understand it, it isn't important how much the actual core flexes, just the finished product.

1.3.5. The maximum allowed flex of any Weapon except Javelins is 45?.

I'd say a good idea is to make sure your core doesn't flex more than 45?, that way you know that the weapon won't flex that much.

[Magpie Saegar]

Yes, wumpus, but adding weight (foam etc) will increase the flex a lot... so he wants to know what length generall works. cause you can test/plan the length before-hand, unlike the flex.

[edit: apparently i'm wrong on this one. suggested length removed.]

i can't give the best answer cause it's been quite a while since i've used a single core. i usually double core mine (but the fiberglass i get is actually a little thinner than that, i believe).

[Chicken]

I like heavy weapons too much - I've only ever made doublecore swords since switching from PVC . That said, the Eriador directions say 27" total core length, which sounds about right. A long handle won't help things too much, since it's likely to be tested from right be the pommel anyway.

[Derian]

Actually, you can go up to 29/30 inches on those cores without too much of a problem. Anything more (like a 37" core) will flex too much.

If you want a huge handle, just shorten the blade a little bit.

[Ohtar]

I'm thinking more like 26 inches, but if it flexes a little to much just pull off the pommel, and do some cutting. You can move the handle up, by cctting off part of the foam from the blade.

[Grim Warhawk AlRitte]

Are you guys talkin about overall core or blade core? I made a sword last summer to similar specs that I described above and it barely failed flex test, but I dont remember if I did a 24" or 22.5" blade core. I THINK it was 24", so I was thinking 22.5" should pass.

[Ohtar]

I'm talking core. I think 26 inch is complete max, but I tape the crap out of my single cores before i put the foam on. Adds weight early, and over the whole length of the weapon, not just in the handle.