How to make a Boffer Part Two

[shanesuss]

your pommel is ginormous!

nice vids though

[xRainProductionsx]

Man, thanks for teaching me how to make a boffer!! i have one question though. if i were to super glue or contact cement the foam to the pvc pipe just to keep it in place while still doing everything else, would it change anything like make it more tought or would it just harm the boffer? please reply!!! thank you XD

[travelsonic]

@xRainProductionsx I've used super77 adhesive spray on my boffers, and the only thing I've noticed with mine is that now when I need to repair a boffer, it is less taking the foam off, and more replacing the entire thing - since that foam is not coming off. That's just me however.

[Countlesslost]

why was the bottom of the handle so long? by the way very cool sword.

[Bonziking69]

Hey I was wondering if you made flatblades a friend in my AMTgaurd group told me roughly how to make it but i forgot and he didnt right it down for me i was wondering if did know how if you could make a vid please and thanks

[bigbadreviewer]

i did it but when i had to ly the tape i was a little inpatiante so i messed up a little but its still ok

[rennatnolidaleknik]

hahaha dude you seem like a cool guy just sayin, but im kind of a noob to larping and idk if i should just start makin a bunch of weapons or ask someone to do them for me ? It doesnt seem that difficult but i just dont want to royally mess up on it and look like an idiot. And jw but do you have any race reccomendations ?

[WillGray42]

@rennatnolidaleknik I am sorry but I have no knowledge of the RPGs that boffers are alos used for.

[dlgjr1]

@rennatnolidaleknik i dont know how much race matters in LARP but i like elves, or the good ol half orc if you like to get into character with facepaint and all that

[doomstrike53]

I followed your design from this video and the previous one, and it's the coolest and best boffer i've ever made so far! Now I'm wondering: what about 2 handed swords? A one hander blade is aprox. the length of your arm, so is there anything i can use to get a measurement for a 2h? How can I learn the aprox. length of the handle? How much extra pipe should I leave for the pommel vs. a 1h? I figure other than that, It should be pretty similar to a 1h design. Any info. would be greatly appreciated

[WillGray42]

@doomstrike53 I build them by feel for what I need. I have no exact measurments for you. Hold the pipe as you would want the weapon. The I build length based off what feels right or is disired. Unless I am being comisshioned. I almost never build two exactly alike

[adam14000]

so i've used your design. my problem is, well two things, 1 the foam isn't thick enough all the time. and 2 the handles have no padding. is there anyway to pad the handles?

[travelsonic]

@adam14000 Hockey tape is pretty good on the grip of a boffer in my opinion.

[adam14000]

@travelsonic ok, I was thinking about medical cloth tape or tennis racket grip.

[travelsonic]

@adam14000 Hockey tape and medical tape are both similar - if not the same - but they both do a good job nonetheless.

[RandomRandomAnything]

oh and could you use pool noodles for the blade

[obione21]

Cool gonna make one for my son thanks

[mouthforwar17]

i didnt see th whole thing but y such a huge pommel? id like to make one of these to i can practice as if i had my actual claymore..just without decapitating ppl

[taitungknight]

@mouthforwar17

y such a large pommel? He explained in the first one: to get the weight right, so it twirls right, so it balances right, so it feels right. But you could easily have a shorter pommel and weight it to get the same effect.

[mouthforwar17]

@taitungknight its ok ive moved on to fighting with real swords

[DiabolusIgnis]

No stabbing point? I mean, just one layer of foam will hurt like hell when someone surprise-stabs you in the face. Or did you put it? I might have missed it =P

Otherwise, in Finland our standards are almost the same, except for distinct slashing edges, and more realistic...can't-find-word... deflectors. Those damn things above your handle x)

[Chozo003]

I've seen a lot of people use contact cement to connect to PVC to the foam. Is there any reason you choose not to do so?

[WillGray42]

its just how I learned..no other reason than that

[thesoftie3]

hey cool do u think you can make a vid on making a battle axe, i meen if u know how. im not calling you stupid or anyting but i just want tosee a vid on how to make one

[Pipedog42]

You never state the foam thickness.. I know it's sized right for the pipe...but here in Northern B.C., the thickness is only 3/8, for the 1/2" pipe. We find it can HURT like hell!!

please imput advice from you informed brain. Thank you.

peace.

[WillGray42]

Many use pool noodles if they exsist where you are. Its about that thickness. aswell..are you Power Hitting?

[WillGray42]

I use both. I use the thicker padding for novice students while they learn the pillars of controll and discipline. Once they have that, they are allowed to move to a thinner padding. that allows for greater speed and acuracy.

[travelsonic]

@Pipedog42 You can find the 5/8ths stuff that groups like NERO use online - even Amazon.com has it funnily enough. Either the Frost King brand [black colored, the same brand you find the 3/8ths foam in Home Depot/Lowes comes from], or the Tundra brand which is a tan/beige color.

[zinc890]

That sir, was awesome. Sadly, I made a boffer just before I saw this. Mine turned out well, with some minor flaws (wrinkles, etc.) But you sir, you made a beautiful work of art. Plus, by the way you were spinning that pvc pipe, I'd eat my own hand before facing you in battle.

[zeribiti]

Hello man, I'm from Brazil, and I couldn't hear clearly the name of that thing that fills the boffer (I don't undestand so much of english).

could you write it and say where I can buy it?

thank you.

[Shui26]

My thanks! I first found your video on how to make a boffer...Got interested and made my first boffer today...But thanks for the tutorial, =P Wouldnt have a very good guide othewise.

[WillGray42]

I am glad I could help.

[manc84]

hehehe yeah, end with peace and love after you instructed on how to make a weapon (harmless one, but still) Xb

[SaraFunkhouser]

with this design all i have to do is just add open cell foam to the tip of the blade and the waylay tip of the blade, cover that with duct tape and i'm good to go.

[2percentstable]

well i just bought supplies today and it cost me 8 dollars and that's good for exactly what WillGray42 is showing how to make... 2 of them actually

[itachi1303]

You could spend a range of about from:

$10(My guess) to about $30(Again, my guess)

Blue camp pad foam that is used for edging costs around $6

PVC costs around $2.50 at the Lowes for 3/4"PVC Pipe.

The last sword I made, entirely flat bladed from Blue camp pad, was made of 1/2" PVC and Blue camp pad. It cost me around $15, including the Gorilla glue.

[xtremegamer4696]

how much does it cost for supplies for something like this? and do you have any videos show how to make flat blades? im looking to be a LARP assassin?

[bloodthirsterddx]

is there some way to change the colour

[WillGray42]

tape cpmes in many colors. I work with about14 to 16 diffrent colors

[DreykSB]

Do these hold up well to boffing? This is probably one of the best made swords that I've seen.

[WillGray42]

It depends on the care you give to your boffer, and if you strike with full force or not. Most who care for thier boffers and concentrate more on control rather than brute force can have them last a year or more before real maintainance is needed.

[sinzorak]

thanks for uploading

[tbmsproductions]

you should show all of your boffers and foam weapons : ]

[tbmsproductions]

scissors its an amazing thing haha lol

[travelsonic]

What is your opinion on using adhesive sprays - instead of using the duct tape as an anchor - for keeping the foam on the pipe?

[WillGray42]

never tried. Let me know how it works out. hmmmm

[travelsonic]

Given the ince weather, my boffers will be getting some good use, so I'll see how the boffers held together w/ adhesive spray hold up in comparison after say a week, though I have a feeling I already know how it will turn out.

[travelsonic]

After testing, I have found that the boffers I made with adhesive spray securing the foam to the pipe held together much better than the ones I made with the foam being anchored to pipe with tape alone. - no twisting, no being able to make the foam slide up/down the pipe (which does happen with boffers where the foam is anchored with tape alone over time), etc. The foam is on and is not coming off - not good repairs-wise, but besides that and the price of the adhesive spray ($25), its worth it.

[urdarkerend]

you taped it so perfectly lmao.... but i t was very helpful vid...i love all your videos :D

[WillGray42]

thanks. :)

[txwarrior66]

i like the vid although amtgard has banded duck sword yours looked grate. i myseld add round cut camp foam to the tip 2 layers and us packing tape but again great vid you should check in to MC 30 foam also it holds up better then any other foam i used

[travelsonic]

What about gaffers tape coated swords?

[txwarrior66]

i do not know i would have to check

[deadlynova965]

I think that a boffer should be made any way as long as it works =D! However, I think more designed or sword looking boffers make LARPing a whole lot more fun ; )

[ic3sk83r]

omg.. it's beautiful O_O! you taped it so perfectly!! ^_^

[PlaidBlackBirds]

wow, this has to be the most helpful information i have found on the internet to make these things.

Thank you!

[WillGray42]

A school of Swordplay. The reasons I use the boffers is bacause there is somethings you can only learn while there is someone comming at you and attacking you. The only way to learn them is to be in a fight. But at the end of the lesson I want all of my students to be well, uninjured and friends. So I use the padded boffer for protection. I have since learned that my videos are being resent on multiple pages, and most are LARPers. They have my complet respect.

[WillGray42]

In the exception of our movies where we are actors. We dont do Live Action Roll Playing. We are a school

[Xandrys1]

can you make a video for Dagorhir refulation boffer? id really apreciate that. Thnks : )

[WillGray42]

sorry my friend. I have no idea what their regulations are. I, myself, do not belong to any LARPs

[Xandrys1]

well its not LARP...but thanks any way

[TaeIeon]

very good explanations and step by step instructions ;)

[dellbly]

man that is an awsome boffer its pretty pretty cool

[sealab5392]

hey will could you make a video on how to make a scimitar?

[itachi1303]

the padding is meant to not beat the crap out of anyone. This is an excellent way to make a perfect boffer. Simple but precice. 5 starz of pwnage!

[navysealboy62]

I really like your video.Liked how you mentioned that you can have a short or long sword. I'm probably going to use a long, katana like sword for my main and a Roman/Greek like 1 hand short sword for my back up. In large battles the short swords of Romans and Greeks made the difference between life and death and victory and loss since they were easier to maneuver in the confined spaces. Swing a Medieval one handed long sword and tell me how youd like to work that thing in battle lol ;-)

[lonnythedonny]

imma make one of these and beat the crap out of my step brother muhahahahahaha thatll stop him from messin wit me

[WillGray42]

Please watch lesson 5. Code Theese videos are made for learning, and not to teach you how to "beat the crap" out of anyone.

[SACREDFIREDOJOSHOW]

Great lesson. I am glad I found your vids.

[ogunshi]

Just a bit of random unasked for advice, but you can take a long strip of the electrical taps and twist it until you have a rope. Then sprial it down the hilt. And then cover with electrical or grip tape. It offers a better grim when the hands get wet.

[WillGray42]

Dan wont have it any other way. He uses that and surgical gauze grip tape which even absorbs sweat away from the hand. But thankyou so much for the comment. I wouldn't have thought to mention it.

[fredrand123]

Do you know where you can get that?

[WillGray42]

The only place I know where to get the surgical gauze is at a pharmacy, but any where you buy tennis equip, hould hav something amazingly simular for grip.

[Sh1ftyX]

Well isnt it supposed to look like a real sword, that is just like a roll.

[WillGray42]

This video was planned for one of the easiest simple version, of the many (In my days I have seen 12 diffrent ways...rules ect.) that a boffer can be built. Once you get into the weapon truly looking like the weapon (Not just tools to learn with) you gut into something called NERBS or NEar Real Boffer. For this I suggest you talk to a good friend of mine...tell him I sent ya. His name on youtube is Auslander999.

[stoopdklutz]

I'm not going to debate on how you made your swords wrong, as this is YOUR methods. I just want to say that I like your other videos too.

[WillGray42]

Thankyou for your words. As I said in my vids..I have no doubt my methods differ from others..In my 17 years of doing this, I have seen over 12 variants on how to make a boffer. I am glad to see that there are people who understand this. I am always interested on new ways. Hope to learn from you.

[zig3]

cool thanks. ur video helped me make a boffer and now me and my 3 brothers are having a great time brutalizing eachother with em. THANKS! haha

[WillGray42]

Your welcome. I am glad to hear that another hosehold will be terrorized by my work. I am glad I was able to help brothers do something together. I suggest you watch the lesson vids aswell. including the Pirates guild tutorial...there is some good core rules you should know aswell.

[zig3]

ok ill check those out

[morhkt]

You're great at explaining but I'm not too sure that your boffer is safe/legal. Only one layer of pipe insulation is pretty thin.

[WillGray42]

It would depend on what regulations you use. As I said in the first half, There will always be those who disagree on regulation and so forth, but i have been working in this medium for 14 years now, and I have been teaching for over 5 years, and I have only seen one injury based on design flaw. Now I am able to except that this may mean I am lucky, but my students train diligently to maintain controll and discipline.

[Weepith]

Wow wow! ^^ This is a big help for me! Thanks for making and uploading this vid :)

[SheepRules]

Is there a chance of a "How to make a boffer shield" soon? :D Because i'm brazilian and your video it's the only one that i could understand... Anyway, great video, keep it up!

[travelsonic]

When taping the blade of the boffer, I personally prefer to start on the hilt, tape straight up and around the tip of the blade, and back down on the opposite side down to the hilt, repeating until the foam is completely covered. (IIRC) stronger than what you did, without the side effects of spiraling.

[WillGray42]

Thanks for the idea..I'll try that out and givei it a test

[boberbobofbobland]

how do you weight the pommel safely?

[WillGray42]

I weight it first by the pipe itself. That is why I spin it to get hand placement. Then with the padding to balance out the weight of finished blade. If done correctly there will be eonigh weight to counter balance for good movement

[boberbobofbobland]

how would you make like a long or greatsword pommel. It would seem like the pommel would be too long for such a long sword

[WillGray42]

good question..I will be getting into long sword lessons verry soon. At that time I will explain. One of the best ways would be to go up one size in pipe.

[garcia46292]

Like it much! thanks WILL

[ruespieler]

Thats terrific Will! This will really make more people able to train in this discipline at home all over the world. You rule.

[elisi42]

Oh Yeah!!! Great video Sir Gray I'm pretty sure I could make one now. Great instructions!

Thanks so much.

[mushumasta22]

wow you take much more time for your weapons because i wrinkle mine but that because i make axes as well do you kno how to do that? y am i asking you probably do if not message me when you get the chance alright will? thnks man btw good job with the video

[WillGray42]

Thanks bro... I'll message ya soon with details.