Notes - Melee Weapons Standards

Editing required

Footnote re towball covers can be removed but this exemption is now no longer relevant due to the existence of low-profile thrusting tips.
"Restraints are not required on great weapons or spears used single-handed, or on single-handed back-up weapons less than 45 centimetres in length." Society rules don't include a max length for back-up single-handed weapons not requiring lanyards. Is this a specifically Lochac thing?
Check if we need to update section on siloflex to match specs in Society rule VII B 2 "Rattan-cored Siloflex or Siloflex equivalent weapons shall be constructed using tubular materials meeting ASTM standard D-2239 or the international equivalent, with a pressure rating of 160 PSI or greater, having at least a 1.25 inch (31.8 mm) diameter on the outside and at least .125 (that is, 1/8) inch (3.2 mm) walls, and having an inner core of rattan that fills the interior of the tubular material entirely."
Add natural polypropylene round rod (maximum diameter: 1.25 inches (31.8mm) to the available materials for single-handed weapons
Society rules VII B 7 say that the maximum total mass for a single-handed weapon is 5lb (2.27kg)
incorporate changes from rulings below

Angele (talk) 22:33, 26 June 2018 (NZST)

Towball caps - June 2001: Duke Eringlin, Society Marshal gave Lochac a dispensation to use 46mm towball caps.

Siloflex - May 2005: Siloflex is a brand name and is not available in Australia or New Zealand. The approved equivalent for Lochac is OD 32mm (approx ID 25mm), medium density, black polyethylene water pipe, 12 bar pressure rating.

Striking surface (A clarification via Society Earl marshal) - October 2013: Because of the nature of our activities and the ability of our weapons to break during use the "striking surface" of a weapon is to be considered throughout the entire striking portion, blade, or head, of the weapon, not only the outside "skin" or layer. This includes all interior construction materials and parts no matter how "deep" inside.; Please note that this means materials such as 'chopping board' plastic may not be used for the construction of weapon heads.

Rubber weapon heads - October 2013: The 'Acorn roller' rubber mace heads are legal for use in Lochac.; The rubber 'Talhoffer' pole axe heads are legal for use in Lochac.

Construction requirement for Polypropylene ('polypro') swords - June 2015

Effective immediately, all polypro swords in use in Lochac must either;

have at least 3 layers of fibre tape ( that has the lengthways fibers, not cross hatch tape), run along both blade faces over the tip of the sword; or
webbing belt or a leather strip along the blade face and over the tip.

This measure is designed to prevent the end of the stick flying off in the event of breakage.

All marshals are to ensure this direction has been complied with or the weapon bounces and shall not be allowed on the field.

Angele (talk) 22:33, 26 June 2018 (NZST)

Quarterstaves - June 2018: The use of quarterstaves for combat in the SCA is not expressly forbidden in the 2018 Marshals Handbook, so that statement has been removed from the rules. The rules continue to prohibit weapons from having a cutting and/or smashing heads at both ends.

Angele (talk) 19:31, 27 June 2018 (NZST)