To add to this. I have, personally, been hit hard enough to drive me to the ground from the impact. I've taken ballistae (Yes, the siege weapons) shots to the stomach and shoulder. I've hit people hard enough with my spear to thrown them three feet back. I've bodily shoulder lifted people off the ground and tossed them over a stack of hay bales.LadyTevar wrote:As Rogue said, these are not 'Foam" weapons. The weapons used are 1 1/4in wide sticks of rattan, the same stuff they make chairs from. This is not bamboo, either, but a very solid yet flexible wood. The only padding they place on it is a closed-cell foam 'thrusting tip' at the end of the weapon -- the rest is simple strapping tape covered with ducttape. All combat is done at full speed as well. These men do not hold back, and I have seen 12g steel helmets dented from impacts from the rattan swords.
Safe weapons it is not
On the other end I also do Rapier. Which is done, as the name implies, with rapiers that have blunt edges and rubber tips but are otherwise metal weapons.
