ARMA 's contact-sparring swords are the heart of both our Medieval and cut & thrust practice. We all make ours individually and are not equipped or interested in marketing or selling them. That defeats the purpose, really. It only takes about $12 worth of material to make one, but the foam is hard to come by in many places. It takes about 2 hours to build one, but to make it worth while to send one through the mail we'd have to charge $40 or so and that seems outrageous. The directions we have provided are very specific, yet people sometimes still have difficulty making theirs realistic or safe. If you were to see one built and try it out, you'd probably have no problem, otherwise you'll just have to experiment. The crucial factors along with the "L2000" high-impact foam are proper weight and balance for the dimensions of whatever blade form you choose. Without experience in padded sparring or handling any accurate reproduction swords, I know it can be difficult to make something realistic alone. But then, that's why we were so specific in the directions for the measurements and precise materials. If you are going to make one, just give it a few tries and check back with us.

Don't let these swords sit in the hot sun (the glue will deteriorate). Don't rest them on their tips (it will ruin them and make them unsafe). Don't use them without cloth covers or they will be torn up. After extended, heavy use, they may need a new cover and the foam edges will require some reinforcement tape. Don't retape and retape them over and over again or the foam will be too stiff.

When making any of these weapons, do not sustitute other types of foam and tape (using different sizes of PVC and wood other than those indicated will not give the exact same results or the right amount of simulation, safety and strength). Don't compress the foam too much or tape it up too tightly. Every part (particularly the pommels) should be covered in the indicated amount of padding (even a quarter on an inch or less will noticeably affect them). These are not toy swords or "boffers," they are contact-sparring weapons. They are not intended for children or for "anyone to play at swords."

With proper control and handling they allow for excellent contact fighting with the widest range of techniques (far more so than when using sticks, bamboo shinais or "nerf" swords). To build a curved-blade ARMA sword, consult with an experienced member.