Rapier:Equipment standards - Metal bladed weapons - Tips

Tips

1. The end of a blade must be blunt (no sharp edges, corners, or points).
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). Shatter-resistant polymer includes many flexible 3-D printed materials.
   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.
4. The tip cover must be taped (or equivalent) in a contrasting color to the tip and blade that extends both onto the tip and onto the blade. The purpose of the contrast is to provide a visual indicator if the tip cover is lost during combat.
   1. 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.
5. Tape used to secure the tip cover or for contrasting color should be somewhat resistant to impact with metal, and its adhesive must adhere to rubber and metal.
   1. Fabric hockey tape, fiber-reinforced 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.
   2. Tapes must be of good quality and able to withstand the local climate. Kingdoms should consider specific requirements due to climate and commonly available types of tape in their area.
   3. If you travel to an area with a different climate than you usually participate in, be aware that your tip tape may behave differently.
6. The front surface of the tip cover must not be covered to enable inspection.
7. The tip cover must be replaced if it shows evidence of punch through, cracking or bulging or, in the case of polymer tips, discoloration.