Comic Con safe swords

[The Prop Lord]

Hey guys! I'm planning on making this sword for a Deathstroke costume, for the Dragon Con. I figured I would make a mold, slap in an aluminum/iron/steel rod inside for support, and fill the mold with Smooth-On's Flex Foam-It! 25 or TASK 16.

I contacted Smooth-On about this and they mentioned that you arent allowed to use metal rods inside swords? You have to use a wooden dowel rod?

Is this true?

The sword is, seemingly, 1/4th inches thick. I cannot put a wooden dowel rod inside with much luck for support. Metal seems the way to go. But I still have that nagging thought, "Not allowed."

I've looked around but cannot find anything on this subject.

I know you are not allowed to carry live steel into Comic Cons of any kind, and sometimes, they dont even let foam swords out of their sheaths. Even so, I would still like to accomplish this, whether or not I can display the sword publicly.

 

[Il Princerino]

the only thing I see about bladed weapons on the Dragon Con policies is that they should be sheathed at all times. They don't mention anything about construction, other than "non-functioning.

 

[maeson]

so why build the sword? just make the handle and enough to keep it firmly planted in the scabbard.

 

[The Prop Lord]

Thanks for the input! I couldnt find anything against it's construction either.

Why build the sword? Because it would be cooler than just the handle. It's all about the coolness factor.

 

[ARKM]

I went to Phoenix Comicon this year and they were allowing live steel. I saw security allowing people in with real swords. All they did was put a yellow zip tie around it to show that it was checked by security. Yep, that makes it safe. Sure it does, lol. Of course, other cons could have different rules in regards to allowing live steel.

I brought in a sort of lightsaber inspired prop that was double-bladed and since the polycarbonate tube blades were removable, I had to have a zip tie on both blades and on the hilt. LAME!

 

[The Prop Lord]

Very interesting info, ARKM!

So, it should be OK to use a steel rod for support then? Fantastic!

I'll probably go with FlexFoam-iT 25 so it's softer.

 

[Kevin Gossett]

You may want to consult with the con security before you start just to be safe. Every con has different rules and regulations

 

[Mara Jade's Father]

Mine is "apples".

Oh wait, you said "safe swords". I thought you said "safe words".

Nevermind.

 

[The Prop Lord]

"Apples" lol

I still cannot find anything "damning" on using metal rods in fake weapons.

So long as you cant kill anyone with them ("Having an edge") every Con seems to just about follow the same rule.

 

[FXpuppet]

I believe the reason the representative at smooth-on told you that the sword can not have a metal core was because they misunderstood it's use. For full contact battle games like LARP or DAGOHIR there is a strict limitation placed on the type of internal rod. These weapons are becoming increasingly common queries for the Smooth-on guys. Every con is different and there is always the possibility of finding the one jerk security guard who might deem your prop dangerous. Most Cons/Fests only require metal swords or sharp props to be peace tied with a zip tie.


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[staticweb23]

Dragoncon will allow swords, but they have to be zip tide to the sword protector. And the metal rod should be fine


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[stormtrooperguy]

It's going to vary depending on the con. I recently went to one that scanned you with a metal detector and allowed no metal at all.

Side rant: Talk about ridiculous! I wasn't allowed in with a dull metal Freddy glove, and a friend was rejected with his dulled metal machete. We get in, and there were vendors selling sharp claw gloves and machetes!

Wood seems like it would be safe. It also has the advantage that the resin will soak in slightly, giving a nice bond. And it's light.

 

[Arlington Beech]

Mine is "apples".

Oh wait, you said "safe swords". I thought you said "safe words".

Nevermind.

Oh thank god...I thought I was the only one who read the title wrong!