Fencing Draft notes:Weapons And Defensive Equipment

Changes for v6.0

5.1.2

Was

...Example of rigid material that may comply with the standard are:

• 0.8mm stainless steel or 1mm mild steel
• 1.6mm aluminium, copper or brass
• One layer of hardened heavy leather (225g/8oz; 4mm).

Now

...Examples of rigid material that may comply with the standard are:

• 0.8mm stainless steel or 1mm mild steel
• 1.6mm aluminium, copper or brass
• One layer of hardened heavy leather (225g/8oz; 3.2mm).

Functional change

Heavy leather may be lighter than previously listed

Reason

The handbook currently has two conflicting definitions of heavy leather. This standardises and aligns with Society rules at 3.2mm

For notes section

April 2023 - The handbook previously had two contradicting definitions of 8oz heavy leather. We have settled on 3.2mm for 8oz leather to be consistent with Society rules.

5.2.4

Was

Not in rules

Now

Bladed weapons must not have more than one blade

Functional change

Adds requirement that bladed weapons may only have one blade.

Reason

To align with 6.2.4 of Society level rules.

For notes section

April 2023 - Added requirement for blade weapons to only have one blade as per Society rules.

5.3

Was

Sword and dagger blades used in Lochac can be made of steel or fibreglass.

Now

The use of fiberglass blades is listed in Society's Exceptions to Allowed Blades rules

Functional change

None

Reason

The use of fibreglass blades is not currently listed in Society Fencing rules, so linking to the document that currently provides for us to continue to use them.

For notes section

April 2023 - Approval has been sought from the Society Rapier Marshal and US Board of Directors for a variance to use fibreglass blades in Lochac on an ongoing basis. At present, approval only exists in an appendix to the previous Society Fencing rules, and is not referenced elsewhere, but still published on the Society website. This variance will allow Lochac to continue to use fibreglass blades should that document be removed.

5.4.2.b

Was

The blunt must have a minimum size of 9mm on any surface that strikes the opponent.

Now

The blunt must have a minimum size of 10mm on any surface that strikes the opponent.

Functional change

Increase in required blunt size by 1mm

Reason

In line with other blunt definitions in the handbook

For notes section

April 2023 - Blunt size has been increased to 10mm from 9mm to make it consistent throughout the handbook.

5.6

Was

5.6.1 General

You can use two kinds of spears for fencing combat in Lochac. These are:

• rubber-headed spears
• steel-headed spears.

Now

5.6 Spears

5.6.1 - You can use rubber-headed spears for fencing combat in Lochac. You cannot use steel-headed spears.

Subsequent rules from what was 5.6.2 become subrules of 5.6 (5.6.2-7, and what was 5.6.3 Steel-headed spears is removed entirely.

Functional change

Steel-headed spears are no longer permitted in Lochac or the rest of Society.

Reason

Steel spears are not permitted for fencing combat after 31 December 2021, at the direction of the Society Marshal.

For notes section

April 2023 - Steel spears were no longer not permitted for fencing combat after 31 December 2021, at the direction of the Society Marshal.