Playtesting PD weapons and shields

How do you feel about Haven playtesting PD on weapons and shields? For weapons, I propose the use of PD on all but the striking surfaces. For shields, the use of PD on all surfaces. In place of cloth coverings on shields and cloth "tube" covers for weapons. All equipment would first be checked on dimensions regardless of PD to ensure consistent weapons check.

Pros: awesome looking weapons, streamlined design, increased durability
Cons: potential safety concern, sensitivity to high heat

kurai made a sword liek the one you described actually and i don't actually remember a rule saying shields have to have cloth covers so i say go for it

For all the people who are stupid like me and aren't sure what PD stands for, it means plasti-dip; I had to ask Iohn to find out. -.- It's awesome stuff, though. It's going to be on my new red. :3

Sorry for not elaborating. Plastidip is a thick rubbery coating used on weapon hilts, pommels, and hafts. Typically it is painted over and sealed.

How would you manage to not get it on the striking edge?

I'm going to link to a guy on the national boards who did an AMAZING job with some of his weapons because it'll give people a better idea of wtf Iohn is talking about. This is what plastidip will look like at it's best, I imagine.

Click here, ok?

Alright, that was pretty freaking awesome.

It does look pretty cool, but I don't think I'd be interested in doing it myself. I can barely work in the time to make regular weapons, and I'd be pissed if something happened to ruin it after so much work, which would probably happen, because that's just my luck. I'm content with simple aesthetics.

It looks really cool, however I'd be too worried about head damage to make more than one weapon out of this, if any.

I refuse to PD my weapons. i am so brutal on them that it would be pointless. and honestly, i would be more afraid of a weapon that looked worn, not the ornate PD weapons. its for show. not fighting.

Tygreive wrote:

its for show. not fighting.

I disagree

Maybe in the future I'll make one or two weapons like this for the sake of having cool weapons. But I'm still getting used to making regular weapons, and I'd like to be able to do that well before I tackle anything like this. Perhaps the last two or three weapons in my 60 weapons project will be like that axe. Once I feel comfortable making weapons I might spring for some EVA and plast-dip to make an awesome weapon.

Tygreive wrote:

its for show. not fighting.

Incorrect, sir. It CAN be for show, but it actually holds a weapon together better. Putting a bit of PD on the pommel of a weapon almost guarantees it won't fail for a LOOOOONG time. Mine doesn't move at all, and shows no signs of doing so in the near future.
That goes for my crossguard as well. My crossguard is usually the first thing to fail on my red weapons, and it just went through war and appears like it's never seen battle (and I assure you, it saw a LOT of use).

Plus, I'm tired of shitty looking weapons. PD makes things look more realistic, which is part of what Dagorhir is about: Realism (up to a point, anyway). I'd much rather face a realistic-looking sword than a crappy piece of foam covered in a sock or panty-hose. -.-

> I AM SO GAME! Imma go slow at first, proly just a min red (I want one) then if that goes well A hand axe and then a great axe THEN YOU SHAL ALL TREMBLE!

ooohhhhh... more sexy weapons! yes... much sexy weapons!

I am going ot make an axe a blue sword, a stabby dagger and a 6ft spear, all PD.

YEs actually they don't break down much at all, they really are cool, both skeith and martus use pd on there stuff, though i'll prolly neve be able to do it to my stuff

Why? Its really easy to do (easier than DAP IMO) and not much more expensive than DAP.

yEAH!!!! i'm doing pommels right now WOOT

BTW FUN foam is FUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Having felt one of Wynar's weapons before, at Rag XXIV I can say that they hit like a dream. And the guy using it was a beast. They look great, feel great, I have no complaints with them, if they're done right.
I have worked a bit with PD on my own, having a sword covered in it. The PD still allows compression of the foam and, when used as the only cover for a sword edge, instead of cloth, offers only a slight slap. I wholeheartedly encourage Haven to being experimenting with PD weapons and shields. Start small and simple and work your way up. Be sure you're careful and meticulous in all of the applications. Good luck.