Prop weapon help for UK Cons....

[Nytefall]

Heylo RPF,

Ok so I have a slight dilemma... I'm working on a costume for a buddy that will require them to carry a weapon specifically a sword...

I don't wanna resort to a basic cheap plastic crappy toy one so I intended to pick up a wood training one and paint it to look the part however turns out "bokken" are illegal in the UK unless in a training dojo or the home, ok so my alternative idea was to buy wood and make it myself however when does a plank of wood become a bokken in the eyes of the law?? seems a bit of a tricky one...

Alternatively I thought about foam but I really want it to be rigid so fiberglass came to mind... Nope turns out those are banned in cons so what the heck do I resort to now?? LARP latex ones are a possibility but price wise they tend to be faaaar too expensive and don't necessarily match the design I want

I'm still tempted to just do the wooden route as I know whips for example have been banned at cons yet nearly every catwoman I've met at a con is packing a whip and never had any problems...

Perhaps I'm being a bit too much of a good boy following the rules but anyone got an alternative for carrying swords other then plastic toys or anyone gone the wooden route without problems?

PS: Specific to UK please, Laws/con rules here are a bit "tight"

 

[Murdoch]

When in doubt just go to your local poluce station and ask...GM

 

[Web_Slinger]

If you need some help with weapons and such for UK based cons your best bet would be to talk to the admin of the UKC group on facebook Ragemore Roberts, possibly one of the best people to talk to about bringing specific weapons and such to cons and expos.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/ukcosplay/

 

[Nytefall]

Thanks, I've spoken with a few friends/fellow cosplayers general opinion seems to be just make the wooden one and that it'll be fine... so screw it! rules be damned I'll just ensure he keeps it sheathed as much as possible and only draws it for pictures etc

 

[Capn_Jack_Savvy]

If it is going to be left in a scabbard and worn simply make the scabbard and the handle. Nevermind the blade especially if the cosplayer never intends on unsheathing the sword!

 

[closet batfan]

I was at the London super convention last weekend, they had no problems with authentic looking weapons, my self and lots of cosplayers were very grateful that the security staff applied common sense to the situation.

 

[Nytefall]

I was at the London super convention last weekend, they had no problems with authentic looking weapons, my self and lots of cosplayers were very grateful that the security staff applied common sense to the situation.

Yeah I've attended several myself including LSCC last weekend and saw A LOT of realistic gun props which aren't an issue its the swords that seem to be a sore point as they're "offensive weapons" even being blunt replicas but I don't tend to do characters with props so never really had this issue before.

My bigger concern was more the travelling with such items in possession on trains etc... unfortunately the sword will need to be drawn for photos but it'll be minimal and hopefully mean its not noticed. I'm sure it'll be fine judging from the experience of friends etc however I'll laugh watching him explain it to the police if they do query him!

Thanks for the replies fellas set my mind at ease doing it for him anyway