Rapier Marshals Handbook - Midrealm / Middle Kingdom

2.2 MIDDLE KINGDOM STANDARDS FOR WEAPONS & PARRYING DEVICES
Rev. 2.0
20 th of July, A.S. XXXV
2-7
2.2.1 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
A. BLUNTNESS
Points, edges and corners on all equipment should be nominally blunt.
B. STURDINESS
All equipment must be able to safely withstand combat stresses.
C. PROHIBITED EQUIPMENT
Any equipment that has small rigid openings large enough to admit a rapier tip will not be used against fencingtype
rapiers (e.g., small holes in bell guards, small openings in cage or swept hilts, any design which has acute
angles where a blade could easily be wedged and bent). Knuckle bows ARE DEEMED SAFE for use with
fencing-type blades.
Equipment that is designed to break a blade or damage other equipment is prohibited.
2.2.2 WEAPONS
A. PERMITTED BLADES
The Middle Kingdom uses 2 classes of rapier blades; fencing-type rapiers and heavier-type rapiers.
The edges of all blades must be blunt.
Fencing-Type Rapiers
- Epees
- Double-wide Epees
Epees may only be used at practices and at out of kingdom events. They are not to be used in any
tourney or melee within the Middle Kingdom. Epees must have a c-curve (If the groove is on the top
of the blade, the blade curves smoothly away down towards the ground).
Heavier-Type Rapiers.
- Schlaeger (diamond and oval) blades
- Del Tin practice rapier blades
- Del Tin bated rapier blades
- Scottie Diamond Schlaeger blades
- Zamorano rapier blades
- Starfire rapier blades
Legal daggers:
- Flexi-type Daggers
- Scottie Flexible Dagger Blades
- Safe-Flex Mark 2 Dagger Blades
B. STANDARD AND NON-STANDARD LENGTH BLADES
A typical rapier blade (excluding the tang) measures between 34 inches and 36 inches long. A typical dagger
blade (excluding the tang) measures between 12 inches and 18 inches long.
C. MANUFACTURE OF BLADES
Blades must be manufactured by commercial suppliers.
D. ALTERATION OF BLADES
When altering the blade or tang of the weapon, avoid any action that could alter its temper, flexibility or
durability. Hammering or excessive heating by grinding or cutting could weaken the blade.
E. FLEXIBILITY OF BLADES
Blades must be reasonably flexible. Blade flexibility may be tested at any time at the discretion of the marshals.
If doubt exists about a weapon's flexibility, hold the weapon parallel to the ground supporting the handle against
a table or bench, if necessary. Hang a 3-ounce weight (85 grams) just behind the tip. If the blade is18 inches in
length or less (excluding the tang) and flexes more than 1/4 inch (6 mm) or more, the blade is sufficiently
flexible. If the blade is greater than18 inches in length (excluding the tang) and flexes more than 1/2 inch (12
mm) or more, the blade is sufficiently flexible.
F. TIPPING OF BLADES
Heavy-type rapiers must be tipped with rubber or plastic tips measuring no less than 1/2 inch in diameter. A
metal washer or a strip of four-ounce leather or the equivalent, must be placed between the tip of the blade and
the inside of the rubber/plastic tip.
Fencing-type rapiers and daggers must be tipped with rubber or plastic tips measuring no less than 3/8 of an
inch in diameter. If the tip is not rounded, a metal washer or a strip of four-ounce leather or the equivalent, must
be placed between the tip of the blade and the inside of the rubber/plastic tip.
On all blades, the rubber or plastic tip must be firmly taped in place (colored duct tape is recommended). The
tip and the last two inches of the blade shall be taped in a bright color that contrasts with both the tip and the
blade so that a broken blade or the loss of the tip will be readily apparent. The striking portion of the tip shall
not be covered in tape so that it may be inspected for excessive wear.
SECTION 2
EQUIPMENT STANDARDS
Change 1 (replace 1-6, 1-7, 1-9, 2-3, 2-7, 2-8 & 2-9, remove pages 1-8 & 1-10), - Effective 5/1/02