"Gymnastic Rubber" possibly stab tip foam?

[Savage]

Do you think this foam would work for stabbing tips? It suggests using it as exercise or yoga mat material.

Gymnastic Rubber is durable and flexible closed-cell foam with a medium feel. Its high density allows it to be used for exercise matting, kneeling cushions, and camping pads while remaining soft to the touch for comfort. It can be used to dampen vibrations and noise in automotive and industrial capacities as well.

[Tiberius Claudius]

Hard to tell from the picture, but if by "rubber" they mean that its soft and has some squish/give, then it may work. The description seems to imply that it will.

It's all about the hit test.

If you have access to any, build a quick stabby dagger (green only) and test it.

If its like the Gold's Gym yoga mat, or the therma seat cushions that are out there, or the Lifeguard tube foam, then its good to go. The product says that its very similar to ensolite, which is what these other foams are. Use about 3 layers depending on the thickness.

[bo1]

ya there is so much varition on foams, that it is unlikely to know if a particular foam will work. call and see if you can get a sample, or call around to gymnastic gyms and see if they have some to feel. then you use your best judgement and make a test weapon or 3.

[Savage]

Thanks for the feedback fellas, that's solid advice. I'm going to ask them to send me a sample and build a little green-only shank.

[Oznog]

I know it well.

I believe it all falls under a class of PVC, aka "vinyl" foam. Vinyl is the V in PVC, and yes, it can be an elastic foam. Thermarest cushions, Ensolite, some beer koozies, some floor mats, and some all-foam pool floating lounge mats.

It's not like polyethylene foams in that if you put a hot wire through it, it just chars. It doesn't melt. Polyurethane burns a bit, but not like this. Vinyl foam doesn't absorb water because the cells are closed.

The thing to understand is that unlike polyurethane, it tries to maintain a constant volume pretty hard. When a cylinder is compressed, the sides bulge out. If you tape the sides with just some straps, it tends to bulge through the gaps in the tape and tear on the edge. If you try to wrap the entire thing in a complete ball, it is not very compressible at all. If you use electrical tape, well, electrical tape isn't very strong.

But it can be a pretty good stabby, in my experience.