1.3.7. The amount of tape on a striking surface should be kept to a minimum.
There was a debate this weekend regarding how this rule should be interpreted due to weapons that had a single layer of packing tape applied longitudinally, not spiraled, on a cylindrical weapon. For those who haven't seen this style of construction, the packing tape reduces the formation of shears and tears in the foam thereby extending the lifespan of the weapon. Duct tape and spiraled tape are different situations since they can radically affect how a weapon hits, i.e., adding considerably more slap and sting to shots. I interpret the rule to mean that having tape completely covering a striking surface doesn't necessarily make the weapon fail for construction. As long as the tape does not compromise how the weapon hits then it should be OK.