1. No material that may shatter or deform into a potential cutting surface may be used in the striking surface of any weapons.
2. All weapons must make an acceptable attempt at appearing like the actual weapon they represent while strictly adhering to all safety regulations.
3. See the amendments for each classification on weapon construction requirements.

Unarmored Combat	Light Armored Combat and Pre-Rattan	Synthetic Weapons	Cut & Thrust Combat	Rattan Combat	Steel Combat
Foam weapons only	Padded weapons over solid interior	Polypropylene weapons (Cold Steel weapons are prohibited)	Only Armour Class broadswords with “Stocatta” or “Manitoba” blades will be permitted in the steel broadsword tournament.	Rattan round or shaped with appropriate thrusting tip	Blunted steel Buhurt ™ style weapons

• Cold Steel weapons and similar types may not be used.

Rattan Weapons Construction Rules

1. Weapons may be constructed of rattan and may have rope or equivalent material mounted to it defining the blade or relevant striking surface.
2. Any rattan blade or striking surface shall be no less than 1 ¼ inches (33 mm) at its widest point.
3. No striking surface shall be able to penetrate a standard bar grille more than ¾ of an inch.
4. Thrusting tips on weapons designed to be used one handed are to be constructed of at least 1 1/4 inch (33mm) of closed-cell foam or equivalent.
5. The thrusting tip will be securely attached with at least ½ inch (12.5mm) of progressive give across the face of the thrusting tip without allowing contact with the rigid tip of the weapon.
6. It shall not be possible to force the thrusting tip more than 3/4 inch (19 mm) into a legal face guard.
7. Thrusting tips on weapons designed to be used two handed are to be constructed of at least 2 inches of closed-cell foam or equivalent.
   1. The thrusting tip will be securely attached with at least 1 inch (25mm) of progressive give and shall provide progressively resistant “give” under pressure without allowing contact with the rigid tip of the weapon.
   1. It shall not be possible to force the thrusting tip more than 3/4 inch (12.5 mm) into a legal face guard.
8. The full length of the blade or head, including the tip, or any portion of the weapon routinely suffering impact shall be treated in a manner which allows no rattan splinters to protrude.
9. Weapons shall weigh no more than 6 lbs.
10. The hafts and handles of all weapons shall be of no less than 1¼ inches (33 mm) in diameter.
11. Guards and pommels shall be firmly and securely affixed to the haft and leave no means of penetrating a standard visor in the course of normal combat.
12. If grips or guards are used, they shall have no sharp edges or protruding unpadded points.
13. Rattan shall not be treated in any way that will substantially reduce its flexibility (i.e. treated with wax, resin, fiberglass, etc.).

Swords

1. Swords may be single or two handed weapons.
2. Swords shall have a defined edge (shaped, rope, or a taped line denoting the edge.)

Daggers

1. Daggers shall have a defined edge (shaped, rope, or a taped line denoting the edge.)
2. Maximum length of a dagger is no more than 18”.

Mass Weapons

1. The head shall NOT be constructed of solely rigid materials. Split rattan heads are permissible.
2. The head shall be firmly and securely attached to the haft.
3. The head shall allow at least a ½ inch (12.5mm) of progressive give between the striking surface and the weapon haft.
4. Total mass weapon length designed for single-handed use shall not exceed 42 inches.
5. Total mass weapon length designed for two-handed use shall not exceed 7 ½ feet.
6. Pole Arms / Glaves must have a thrusting tip on both ends meeting the standards above. Must have a defined blade edge on both sides of the pole.
7. Axes and maces may have a thrusting tip on both ends meeting the standards above. May not have any additional blade edge. 

Spears and Pikes

1. Spears shall not have a cutting or smashing head.
   1. Spears shall measure between 7 ½ feet and 12 feet.
   1. Pultruded fiberglass piping only may be used.
   1. The piping must be 1¼ inch (33 mm) in diameter and have a sidewall of not less than 1/8-inch (3.2 mm) thickness.
   1. It must have an interior diameter of 1 inch (25.4mm).
   1. The end of the shaft which will have the thrusting tip attached must be covered with an endcap and firmly glued. The thrusting tip may then be attached over this cap and shall meet the requirements for pike thrusting tip.
   1. Pike thrusting tips must be constructed so that there is a minimum of 3 inches (75 mm) of resilient material in front of the PVC end cap and shall provide progressively resistant “give” under pressure without allowing contact with the endcap.
   1. It shall not be possible to force the thrusting tip more than 3/4 inch (19 mm) into a legal face guard.
   1. The heads of pikes shall be firmly affixed to the shaft and shall not bend to any side significantly during typical combat situations.

Flails

1. Flails shall be no longer than 48 inches long.
   1. Flails shall weigh no more than 5 lbs.
   1. The head of a flail shall weigh no more than 1.5 lbs.
   1. The flexible portion of a flail shall be no longer than 15 inches from the end of the haft to the attachment point of the head and shall be a minimum of 1 inch in width.
   1. The head of a flail shall be affixed in such a manner that it cannot become detached during typical combat situations.

Bows and Crossbows (Combat)

1. A legal mechanical device will fire a “Standardized Test Projectile” a maximum distance (first hit on the ground) when fired on a flat trajectory from a height of 4ft (122cm). The test should be conducted by firing three projectiles.
2. Standardized Test Arrow – 100 ft: An arrow with a 28” draw made with a .25” solid fiberglass rod, A clear Baldar Blunt and an Asgard APD
3. Standardized Test Bolt – 100 ft: A bolt with a 14” shaft made of .25” solid fiberglass rod, a clear Baldar Blunt and an Asgard APD
4. Standardized Stone – 100 ft: An ITF (International Tennis Federation) approved ball.

Missile Weapon Ammunition

1. An approved projectile must be designed in such a way that it cannot penetrate the face of a legal helmet from any direction or angle more than ¾ of an inch.
2. All parts of the projectile must be designed in a way that prevents the parts from disengaging during expected use.
3. Missile Weapon shafts shall be made of solid pultruded fiberglass of between .25 (6.5 mm) and .375-inch (9.5 mm) diameter. Metal shafts are strictly forbidden.
4. Fiberglass shall be of a good quality, defined as significant ‘bending’ when pressure is applied.
5. All projectiles should be inspected before each use. Gleaning (reusing ammunition mid scenario) is acceptable, but ammunition must be re-inspected by the archer before reuse.
6. Projectiles may not be used as melee or thrown weapons.

Thrown Weapons

1. An approved Thrown Weapon must be designed in such a way that it cannot penetrate the face of a legal helmet from any direction or angle more than ¾ of an inch
2. A thrown weapon cannot have any metal as part of its construction (cross guard, pommel etc.)
3. Thrown weapons should provide at least ½” of progressive give-on points and striking surfaces (including the butt) that are expected to impact with another combatant. (This does not include the shaft of the weapon).

Steel Combat Weapons Standards

1. The only permitted weapons are steel constructed longswords (bastard swords) and arming swords (broad swords and saber style).
2. Swords from a reputable supplier are recommended, and they must meet the minimums outlined in I.D.2 Should a marshal have a question about a weapon it may be subjected to the following:
   1. Spring test. Can the weapon be bent over the knee (3 inches?) without permanent distortion (returns/springs back to straight or true).
   1. Strike Test- Marshal strikes a steel object (could be a helmet, could be a block of steel) with a reasonable degree of force to make sure weapon doesn’t shatter.
3. Weapons shall be in good condition with the edges having been rounded, burrs removed and no chips or dents that compromise the integrity of the weapon.
4. Swords may have basket hilts. In conjunction with rigid constructed demi gauntlets. Baskets shall be constructed to provide all of the protection required of a gauntlet.
5. Arming Swords shall have a lanyard to keep them from leaving the fighter’s person.
6. The cross guard of all weapons shall not extend more than 35 MM from the gauntlet.
7. The following weapons are prohibited:
   1. Weapons with a tip less than 20 mm
   1. Axes (1 Hand or 2 handed)
   1. Maces
   1. Polearms
   1. Falchions
   1. Katanas
   1. Any weapon may be rejected for cause by the inspecting marshal.
8. Weapon minimum standards
   1. Arming Sword/ Broad Sword: • Max Weight 1.7 kg • Minimum Length 72cm • Max Length 100cm • Min. Handle length 12cm • Max. Handle length 20cm • Blade thickness min 2mm • Tip diameter 20mm
      1. Additional requirements: • Arming sword/Side Sword style only
   1. Long sword/ Bastard Sword: • Max Weight 2.3 kg • Minimum Length 100cm • Max Length 140cm • Min. Handle length 20cm • Max. Handle length 40cm • Blade thickness min 2mm • Tip diameter 20mm
      1. Additional requirements: • European 2H/Long Sword styles only
9. Shields
   1. General Shields shall be no more than 23. 5 inches wide and no taller than 30 inches. Shields shall be appropriately edged to prevent splinters, metal shavings, or debris that may fit through the face plate of a combatant. The edge of the shield must be maintained. Hand protection behind the shield shall equal gauntlet and forearm protection as stated above. There is no minimum weight for shields. All bucklers will remain within the above listed standard.
   1. Shield minimum standards
      1. Bucklers: • Max size – 16 inches Minimum edge thickness 4 mm • Made from either: o Wood with leather/rawhide covering o Aluminum blank o Plastic ¼” o Steel with rolled protective edge (4mm roll)
      1. Shields: • Max Height 30 Max Width 23.5” • Minimum edge thickness 4 mm • Made from either: o Wood with leather/rawhide covering o Aluminum blank o Plastic ¼” o Steel with rolled protective edge (4mm roll)

Cut and Thrust Weapon Standards

1. All weapons shall be free of rust, deep gouges, burrs, without any sharp edges or points. Burrs and gouges may be filed or sanded to return the weapon to functional condition so long as the blade is not thinned.
2. All blades shall have their ends blunted with heavy leather, plastic fencing blunts, or rubber rabbit blunts. Blunts shall be held onto the blade with several wrappings of electrical or equivalent tape.
3. A sharp sword or dagger blade may not have the edges ground off in an attempt to create a blunt sword for use in cut and thrust combat.
4. All blades must be forged as blunted training to be combat. Examples of acceptable blades include Practical Hanwei series, Tinker blunted lines, and Del Tin blunted lines.
5. Blades shall not be modified in any manner that changes their temper such as heating them up and re-forging them.
   1. Tangs may be modified and welded so long as care is taken to not alter the temper of the blade.
   1. Blades shall not be cut down because of the dangers of changing the temper or flexibility of the blades.
6. Capes or cloaks used for parrying shall be in good repair with no un-mended rips or holes.
   1. Hard or soft weights, such as steel, lead or sand, may not be used to increase the weight or spread of a cape or cloak.
   1. Light items such as rope, tennis or racket balls, or other non-rigid material may be used in the hem so long as it does not dangerously increase the weight and turning the cloak or cape into a flail.
7. Bucklers, shields, targes, or targets may be made from wood, aluminum, steel, heavy plastic, leather and equivalent or superior materials.
8. Rigid parrying only devices such as sword sheaths, pewter mugs, rubber chickens, etc. may also be used as parry only devices.
9. Foils, Epees, and sport saber blades and other sport fencing blades are not allowed in EMP cut and thrust combat due to the higher demand on the weapons in historical fencing environment compared to the sport fencing environment.
10. Rubber spear tips used in HEMA ™ are permissible in Cut and Thrust. Rubber spear tips must have give and compression and may not be rigid.
11. All models of sword without integral safety tip/button/rolled tip at least 1 cm across must be tipped with a metal washer (or equivalent), covered by a plastic or rubber blunt, and secured with strong tape.
12. Rapiers
    1. Must have a thrust-oriented blade 41” or less measured from the cross.
    1. All models of sword without integral safety tip/button/rolled tip at least 1 cm across must be tipped with a metal washer (or equivalent), covered by a plastic or rubber blunt, and secured with strong tape.
13. Steel Broadswords
    1. Only Armour Class broadswords with “Stocatta” or “Manitoba” blades will be permitted in the steel broadsword tournament.
14. Smallswords
    1. Fencers shall bring their own swords. Blades shall be between 30’’ and 35’’ in length. Triangular style and schlager style blades are permitted. Grip styles must be historical (pistol grips, and foil style blades are not permitted).

Synthetics

1. Polypropylene weapons only

Foam Weapons

1. All weapons must be inspected for compromised foam or other damage and should not be utilized if they are damaged.
2. No metal or wood may be used in any weapons including hilts, pommels, and fasteners.
3. No flails may be used until Division 4.
4. No materials that may break (shatter / splinter) upon impact.
5. Core materials may include high density polyethylene (HDPE) pipe (Sil-o-Flex ® and PEX).
6. All HDPE must have both ends capped (glued or taped).
7. All weapons may be not less than 1.5” wide and covered with at least ¾” closed cell foam covered with duct tape or cloth.
8. Thrusting tips and cutting edges must be marked in a contrasting color. Thrusting tips must be constructed so they do not “fold over”.
9. Pommels, cross-guards, and butt “spikes” must be at least ¾” closed cell foam covered with duct tape. They must “give” when pushed against the hand.
10. Basket hilts are permitted on single handed weapons.
11. Lengths for two handed weapons
    1. Division 1 – Not allowed for competition.
    1. Division 2 – No longer than 5.5’ (thrusting only – i.e. spears).
    1. Division 3 – No longer than 6.5’ (thrusting only – i.e. spears).
    1. Division 4 – No longer than 7.5’ (thrusting and smashing from no more than a 30-degree arc are allowed)
12. THROWN WEAPONS
    1. Prohibited in Division 1
    1. Foam balls wrapped with duct tape may be used (rocks).
    1. Axes must be constructed entirely of foam wrapped with duct tape and not excessively heavy.
    1. Javelins must be constructed entirely of foam wrapped with duct tape and may not exceed 5’.