by Mughi » Mon Aug 29, 2011 7:44 pm
Don't do it bro. It's a trap.
I cross into SCA like quite a few people here, and I just want to reinforce how different this is. It all seems the same in principle, but it isn't. Rattan cores take a LOT of work to turn into passable Belegarth weapons due to their heavy nature, and even once all of that work is put in the end result is an overweighted sword that makes you feel clumsy compared to even the lower-tech PVC cored weapons that are prevalent on a lot of fields. I've done one, and considered it a HUGE mistake.
SCA, helmets and other safety gear is mandatory. Here, it is not. You know how messed up someone in minimum safety gear gets during heavy fighting, and that would be compounded many times in Belegarth especially if you hit someone in the head.
I have heard of people using bamboo for lightweight spears. I have never heard of someone advocating making rattan belegarth weapon for striking.
Sorry for the long winded post, but I just want to reinforce my case for keeping the rattan to SCA.