Somewhere along the way I got the notion that weapons aren't allowed to have tape anywhere on their striking surfaces, but the Manual of Arms doesn't mention anything about no tape on the striking surface. I was wondering where I got this notion. Does anyone here know anything about it?

cloth tape = okay, any other is fine, duct tape is banned on striking edges for the fact it's ment to define the non-striking edge so you prolly just carried it over that that ment NO tape watsoever, imho... but cloth tape = fine,

Yeah, cloth tape on the blade is actually a feature of a blue sword tutorial Rome uses. Duct tape tends to slap, making weapons hit harder, but there isn't a rule against it being there as long as it's covered by some form of cloth.

That rule is only sorta true. You are right that "no tape on striking surface" is found nowhere in the MOA. Its one of those hidden rules of Dag. Technically, you CAN have tape on the striking surface, but you A) have to cover your weapon in cloth, and B) have it pass the hit test. The reason you had that notion is a good one. Tape not only makes a weapon hit hard, but it looks like crap and it will tear the foam up.

Also: Put silver tape on non-striking edge of single edged weapons only.

actually cloth tape can pass as temp cover

yeah, but it's crappy and can compress the foam. I think the point is that tape isn't typically a good thing to have on the edge of a blade, but there aren't any explicit rules against it.