Barony of Seagirt
Rapier Report
May 2004
Author:             Vincent the Chased
Seagirt Branch Rapier Marshal and Master of Blades
Prepared May 31, 2004

Practices
- Average attendance approximately 3 on Thursdays, 4 on Sundays.
- Harris Green Park on Pandora at Cook or u/g at 1022 Pandora (bad
weather)
is the site for Thursday 6pm practices. Drill Shed at NADEN is the site for Sunday noon practices.
- Most Thursday practices were cancelled this month due to Vincent the Chased being unavailable to run them for health reasons. Surtr (Deputy Master of Blades) oversaw and taught at Sunday practices.
- Collected $23.21

Events
- N/A

Equipment Issues
- Iron Key currently consists of 5 masks, 4 gorgets, 1 fibreglass rapier, 3 fibreglass daggers, 1 pretty blue suit of armour, 1 hood, 1 armour drop tester, 1 buckler, one metal rapier simulator, 1 12kg mask tester, 1 pair of gloves, and two 500W worklights.

Experiments
- Current Experiment: Using a silicone bonding agent in place of hot glue for construction of fiberglass swords. Construction of daggers and one sword complete. So far, daggers and sword have performed fine for months, while repetitive stress testing is underway.
- One sword has now been manufactured and thoroughly tested in controlled conditions. The potentially relevant parts of the sword construction are as
follows:  the fiberglass rods are clamped to a 1/4" iron rod which extends 7 3/4" into the forte; the rods are, quillions to tip 38"; the fiberglass rods have a natural bend of 3/4" at the tip; unglued, a 2" bend - per the ABCs - requires 6 lbs. force with the bend and 6.5 lbs. force against the bend; after gluing 6.5 lbs. and 8.0 lbs. respectively.  The glue used is "GE Silicone II Window & Door" in the transparent variety.  In terms of the testing, we set up a rudimentary jig to keep the bends consistent.  In the first round of testing the blade was bent 4 1/16" at the tip (with the natural bend in the sword) 10,001 times; in the second round 8 3/8" (against the natural bend) 10,001 times.  For the record, the Master of Blades, his Deputy, and several other fighters could see absolutely no wear on the glue, fiberglass or bond after the tests.

Marshallate Issues
- N/A

Upcoming
- Seagirt Summer Tourney (SST) Aug 14

Sub-Group reports
- N/A - subgroups do not have own fencing activities, but are included at Baronial level.

Other Notable Incidents
- N/A