What are these “boffers” anyway?

Boffers are replica swords and other hand-to-hand weapons that are built for full or semi-full contact sparring. They have a semi-rigid core of schedule 40 PVC pipe that flexes to absorb some impact while keeping its shape. Both ends are capped to prevent the end of the pipe coming through the padding. The core is then covered with duct or strapping tape to prevent splintering into a sharp point of the core is broken, and then everything but the handle is covered in insulation for padding. Most often boffers are used in Live Action Role Play to simulate combat, but also can be used to learn traditional swordplay against an actual opponent. Also they are used for junior combat in the SCA, and most of my weapons have been made to their regulations. I do my best to make simulations of actual historical weapons (within the limits of PVC and pipe insulation, of course).

You may be wondering what makes my boffers any different from any of the other PVC cored variety you can find out there in the big wide world? Well to start with… I started making them (and using them) in 2000, incidentally my senior year of high school. To save you some math, that’s about six years. I know that may not sound like a long time, but All of my weapons are still made in the traditional way before the popularity boom of latex and kite spar. My weapons are noticeably heavier and might not look as nice as the uber-expensive magical looking latex boffers , but I’ve used both and I find the traditional PVC and insulation style to have a more realistic feel than kite spar and latex, they’re also not as whippy and it’s harder to get them swinging as fast. Also, in my humble opinion, I have found a bit of a better way to make thrusting-tips that are softer and more durable than any others I’ve seen from either home-made or off-the-shelf boffers. All of my swords, mass weapons and polearms have thrusting tips both at the end of the blade, head, whatever, and on the end of the pommel. I do this whether the is ment for thrusting or not, just for safety reasons. Above anything else, boffer must be safe.

Each of my boffers comes with a tag printed with a release of liability and a little bit of info about the weapon being represented. This isn’t because I believe that the are dangerous or unsafe in any way. Quite the opposite. I wouldn’t make them, use them, or especially sell them if I thought that they’re inherently dangerous. However, like any other sports equipment, boffer swords can be miss-used causing someone to be hurt. It is very important that one is careful, honorable, and IN CONTROL AT ALL TIMES when using them. I refuse to take responsibility if someone is injured because of how they misused my product. Is it the responsibility of Craftsman tools if someone misses the nail and breaks their thumb with a hammer?

So thank you for coming to my site and please send me along an e-mail if you have any questions.