Rapier:Equipment standards - Metal bladed weapons - Tips

Tips

1. The end of a blade must be blunt with no sharp edges or corners.
2. A blade must have a tip cover of rubber, shatter-resistant polymer, or leather with a minimum size in any direction that strikes your opponent of 3/8 inch (10 mm).
   1. A rubber or polymer tip must have a minimum of 1/8 inch (3 mm) between the striking surface and the tip or edge of the sword.
   2. Leather must be at least 1.6 mm / 1/16 inch / 4 oz thick
3. The tip cover must be secured to prevent it from being dislodged in typical combat.
   1. If tape is used to secure the tip cover, it must be a fiber-reinforced cloth tape. Fabric hockey tape and fiber-reinforced duct tape are examples of good tapes for this application. Electrical tape, PVC tapes, and paper based tapes are not sufficient by themselves to secure the tip cover.
4. The tip cover must be taped in a contrasting color to the tip and blade that extends both onto the tip and onto the blade. The purpose of the contrasting tape is to provide a visual indicator if the tip cover is lost during combat.
   1. Tape should be somewhat resistant to impact with metal, and its adhesive must adhere to rubber and metal. Duct tape, electrical tape, and colored strapping tape are examples of good tapes for this application. Painters tape, masking tape, and other paper based tapes are not.
5. Tape must not cover the face of the tip cover.
6. The tip cover must be replaced if it shows evidence of punch through, cracking or bulging or discoloration (polymer tips).
7. The tip cover should fit snugly on the end of the sword. If necessary, it is recommended that you wrap the blade at the point where the tip ends to create a shoulder for the tip to set on without wobbling.
8. For tips built in a period style, a period alternate to tape may be used, so long as it provides a contrasting color to the blade and the tip and the combination is secured on the sword so that it will not come off under reasonable fighting conditions.