Rapier:Equipment standards - Spears

Equipment standards - Spears

General

1. The maximum length for spears, including the spear head, is 9 feet (2750 mm).
2. Only rubber headed spears are allowed in rapier.
3. Rubber headed spears are to be made of a rattan haft and a flexible rubber head.

Spear heads

1. The spear head must be made of flexible rubber.
2. The head must be at least 6 inches (150 mm) long and have maximum length of 20 inches (510 mm).
3. The rubber at the tip must be at least 1/4 inch (6 mm) thick.
4. The spear head must flex to 90 degrees with hand pressure, and must substantially return to its original shape within 3 seconds.
5. The flexible tip must extend at least 4 inches past the end of the of the rigid haft.
6. The head must be friction fitted to the haft and taped to the haft with reinforced tape such as strapping tape, fiber tape, or duct tape to prevent it from being dislodged during normal combat use.
7. A bright band of colored tape or well-affixed ribbon that contrasts with the spear head and the haft must be wrapped around the base of the spear head so that it adds visual contrast should the spear head come off the weapon.

Hafts

1. The haft must be made of rattan with a diameter between 1 1/8 inch (28 mm) to 1 3/8 inch (35 mm).
2. The haft must have a flat end at the head end of at least 1/2 inch (12 mm) diameter. The haft is allowed to be rounded on the butt end.
3. The haft must be inserted into the spear head at least 2 inches (50 mm).
4. Tape may be added to the haft to help prolong the life of the haft; paint and other decorations can be added so long as they do not degrade the structure of the haft or pose a safety risk to the opponent.