Book Of War - Weapons Checking (May 2014)

Front 1

How must Class 1, 2, and 3 weapons be marked?

Back 1

With red, blue, and green tape respectively

1.2.1. Class 1 Weapons are marked with blue tape on either the pommel or handle.
1.2.2. Class 2 Weapons are marked with red tape on either the pommel or handle.
1.2.3. Class 3 Weapons are marked with green tape on either the pommel or handle.

Front 2

How well must ALL striking surfaces be padded?

Back 2

Enough to prevent injury when striking full force on that surface.

1.3.1. All striking surfaces of Weapons must be padded adequately to prevent personal injury when striking an opponent with full force on that surface.

Front 3

How well must ALL non-striking surfaces be padded?

Back 3

Enough to prevent injury from incidental contact.

1.3.2. All non-striking surfaces must be padded adequately to prevent personal injury from incidental contact.

Front 4

What may cores NEVER be made from?

Back 4

Metal

1.3.9. A Weapon may not have a metal core.

Front 5

List everything that should be checked on a 24+ inch, Class 1, single-edged sword without a wooden handle.

Back 5

The sword must weigh at least 12 oz.

It cannot have a metal core.

No part of the striking surface can pass more than .5" through a 2.5" hole, unless the sword has a semicircular tip of a minimum 1.5" radius.

The handle must be less than 12".

The pommel cannot readily pass more than .5" through a 2" hole.

It cannot flex more than 45 degrees

The striking surface of the blade must have a cloth covering

Tape on the striking edge of the blade should be at a minimum

The non-striking edge must be marked with at least 12" of contrasting tape.

See BoW -
(1.3.3., 1.3.4., 1.3.5., 1.3.6., 1.3.7., 1.3.9., 1.4.1.2., 1.4.1.4., 1.4.4.1., 1.4.4.2.)

Front 6

What must be done to wood handles for them to be legal?

Back 6

They must be taped.

1.3.8. All handles of wood Weapons must be taped, including bamboo and rattan.

Front 7

What is the difference in checking a Class 1 weapon over 24" and under 24"?

Back 7

Over 24" has a weight minimum of 12 oz, under has no weight minimum.

1.4.1.1. A Class 1 Weapon under twenty-four (24) inches (60 cm) in length has no weight minimum.
1.4.1.2. A Class 1 Weapon twenty-four (24) inches (60 cm) in length or longer must weigh a minimum of twelve (12) ounces (350 g).

Front 8

What is the length minimum and maximum for Class 1 weapons, not including double-ended weapons?

Back 8

12" (not including handle and pommel) and 48" respectively.

1.4.1.5. The minimum overall length of a Class 1 is 12 inches (30 cm) plus the length of the handle and pommel.
1.4.1.3. With the exception of double-ended weapons, a Class 1 Weapon must be shorter than forty-eight (48) inches (120 cm).

Front 9

Explain how to determine if a Class 1 handle is of legal length.

Back 9

It may never be more than 1/2 the weapon's overall length.
If that is the case, the maximum length is 18" or 1/3 the overall length, whichever is greater.

1.4.1.4. The maximum handle length for a Class 1 Weapon is eighteen (18) inches (45 cm) or one-third (1/3) of the overall length, whichever is greater. This cannot exceed one-half (1/2) of the overall length.

Front 10

Explain how to determine if a Class 2 handle is of legal length.

Back 10

It may never be more than 1/2 the weapon's overall length.
If that is the case, the maximum length is 18" or 1/3 the overall length, whichever is greater.

1.4.2.3. The maximum handle length for Class 2 Weapons is eighteen (18) inches (45 cm) or one-third (1/3) of the overall length, whichever is greater. This cannot exceed one-half (1/2) of the overall length.

Front 11

List the extra checks that must happen if you are checking a flail.

Back 11

Only the head of the flail may be a striking surface.

The flail head must have a minimum circumference of 15", measured on separate axes.

The chain/hinge must be a maximum of 6"

The overall length may not be longer than 40".

The chain/hinge must be padded in foam to prevent entangling a body part.

Only one hinge is allowed.

See BoW -
(1.4.5.1., 1.4.5.2., 1.4.5.3., 1.4.5.4., 1.4.5.5., 1.4.5.6.)

Front 12

What is the minimum length of a Class 2 weapon?

Back 12

48"

1.4.2.1. The minimum length is forty-eight (48) inches (120 cm).

Front 13

What is the minimum weight of a Class 2 weapon?

Back 13

24 oz

1.4.2.2. The minimum weight is twenty-four (24) ounces (700 g).

Front 14

Is there a weight restriction on Class 3 weapons?

Back 14

No

1.4.3.1. If the Weapon is Class 3 only, it has no weight restriction.

Front 15

Explain how to determine if a Class 3 handle is of legal length.

Back 15

It may not be more than 2/3 the overall length.

1.4.3.2. The maximum handle length for Class 3 Weapons is 2/3 of its overall length.

Front 16

If a weapon is a Class 3 only (like a spear), what may it NOT have?

Back 16

A yellow cover to avoid confusion with javelins.

1.4.3.3. If the Weapon is Class 3 only, it may not have a yellow cover.

Front 17

What Class of weapon is a double-ended weapon?

Back 17

Always a Class 1 when swung and Class 3 when thrust. It cannot be Class 2.

1.4.6.3. Regardless of length, a Double-ended Weapon is a Class 1 Weapon when swung and Class 3 when thrust.

Front 18

What must be true about the striking surfaces of a double-ended weapon for it to be legal?

Back 18

At least 18" of padding covering each end in a cylindrical fashion, and it must pass as a Class 3 on both ends when thrust.

1.4.6.2. Double-ended Weapons must have a minimum of 18 inches (45 cm) in length of padding covering each end in a cylindrical fashion. Both striking surfaces of this weapon must follow Class 3 Weapon standards for a Double-ended Weapon to be legal.

Front 19

What is the length maximum for double-ended weapons?

Back 19

7 feet.

1.4.6.1. Double-ended Weapons must not be more than 7 feet (210 cm) long.

Front 20

What special checks must be made for a javelin?

Back 20

Must pass as a Class 3

Must weigh less than 16 oz

Must be longer than 4 feet, but less than 7 feet.

It must be padded long the entire length.

Must flex less than 90 degrees.

Must have a yellow cover.

See BoW -
(1.4.7.1., 1.4.7.2., 1.4.7.3., 1.4.7.4., 1.4.7.5., 1.4.7.6., 1.4.7.7.)

Front 21

What kind of flex is allowed on a weapon?

Back 21

45 degrees is the maximum for all weapons other than javelins, which may flex up to 90 degrees.

1.3.5. The maximum allowed flex of any Weapon except Javelins is 45°. See Appendix A, 1.4.7.6.
1.4.7.6. Must flex less than 90°. This is an exception to Appendix A, 1.3.5.

Front 22

What types of bows are not allowed?

Back 22

Compound bows and compound-crossbows.

1.4.8.1. No compound bows or compound-crossbows.

Front 23

What is the maximum poundage of both a bow and a crossbow?

Back 23

35# @ 28" for the bow
15# at loaded draw for the crossbow

1.4.8.2. The maximum poundage allowed on a bow is 35 lbs (16 kg) pull at 28 inches (70 cm) of draw.
1.4.8.3. The maximum poundage allowed on a crossbow is 15 lbs (7 kg) at its loaded draw.

Front 24

List all the rules for a passing arrow.

Back 24

Must have two full fletching

The striking surface must be open-cell foam

A significant draw stop must exist at 18".

All arrows must have a penny or penny-like object perpendicularly secured at the end of the shaft.

An arrow's striking surface may not pass more than .5" through a 2.5" hole. No part of the striking surface may be less than 2.5" in any direction.

Modular arrows must have a semi-permanent connection point with screws, epoxy, glue, or strapping tape. The head must be secondarily secured at the end of the shaft with tape.

See BoW -
(1.4.8.4., 1.4.8.5., 1.4.8.6., 1.4.8.6.1., 1.4.8.7., 1.4.8.8.)

Front 25

If an arrow is altered in any way during the day, what must happen?

Back 25

It must be rechecked as a new arrow before being used on the field.

1.4.8.6.2. All arrows that are altered in any way during a day of combat will be treated as new arrows and must be rechecked as such before being put back into use.

Front 26

What weapons are explicitly prohibited?

Back 26

1.5.1. Entangling Weapons (nets, lassos).

1.5.2. Unmanned Weapons (traps).

1.5.3. Non-compliant double ended Weapons (nunchaku, double ended daggers).

1.5.4. Punching Weapons (punching daggers, tonfas).

1.5.5. Any Weapon when used as intended violates the rules stipulated in the Book of War.

Front 27

Are shield spikes allowed?

Back 27

Yes, for decoration. They must still be constructed safely.

2.5. Shield spikes are allowed for decoration

Front 28

What's the maximum width and height of a shield?

Back 28

Width is 3 feet
Height is 18" less than the wielder.

2.2. The maximum width of a shield is 3 feet (90 cm).
2.3. The maximum height of a shield is 18 inches (45 cm) less than the height of the wielder.

Front 29

What is the minimum size a shield may be?

Back 29

12" on its face.

2.4. The minimum dimension on the face of a shield is 12 inches (30 cm).

Front 30

What is considered sufficient padding on a shield?

Back 30

It must be padded on the edges and face so it does not cause injury if used to strike.

2.1. Shields must be padded on the edges and face so as not to cause injury when struck with a forceful blow of an arm/hand.

Front 31

What is rigid metal armor, and what special rules are associated with it?

Back 31

It is armor constructed of discrete or continuous metal plate.
It must comply to the "Penny Round" rule - it must be as smooth, as round, and have no more than the cutting power of a penny.

Rigid metal knee or elbow armor (cops), full rigid metal helms, and rigid metal hand armor is prohibited.

(3.1.3., 3.1.8., 3.1.8.1., 3.1.8.2., 3.1.8.3., 3.8.1., 3.8.2.,
3.8.3.)

Front 32

If chain armor can catch fingers, does it pass?

Back 32

No. No type of armor may catch fingers or appendages.

3.3. Armor must not catch appendages. Fingers should not catch in Armor. This includes articulated plates and large diameter chain.

Front 33

During an inter-realm event, who must check armor?

Back 33

Marshals from two separate realms.

3.2. Armor must be passed by Marshals from two separate realms, assuming an inter-realm event.

Front 34

What is the maximum size for protrusions from armor?

Back 34

.5"

3.4. Armor may not have protrusions that rise more than ½ inch (1.25 cm) from the surface.

Front 35

What is the minimum thickness for leather armor?

Back 35

3/16"

3.5. The minimum thickness for leather Armor is 3/16 inch (.45 cm). The minimum thickness requirement can be achieved by layering up to two pieces of thinner leather.

Front 36

Can you layer thinner leather together to meet minimum thickness requirements?

Back 36

Yes.

3.5. The minimum thickness for leather Armor is 3/16 inch (.45 cm). The minimum thickness requirement can be achieved by layering up to two pieces of thinner leather.

Front 37

List the special rules for metal armor.

Back 37

It must be made from period metals (iron, bronze, brass, or copper) or modern steel alloys.

It must have a thickness of at least 20 gauge (1 mm).

The metal must not be easily deformable by hand or weapon strikes.

If it is rigid metal, it must conform to the "Penny Round" standard.

See BoW -
(3.1.8., 3.6.1., 3.6.2.1., 3.6.2.2., 3.6.3.)

Front 38

List the special rules for composite armor.

Back 38

It must be identifiable as armor by appearance.

Studded, scaled, or brigandine must cover 2/3 of the target area with metal or leather, or the studs/rings/plates can not be more than 1/2" apart.

3.7.1. Studded, scaled, or brigandine Armor can only be counted as Armor if 2/3 of the target area is covered by metal or leather, or the studs/rings/plates can not be more than 1/2 inch (1.25 cm) apart.
3.7.2. Composite Armor must be identifiable as Armor by appearance.