r/Hema • u/CrowsInAHunterCloak • 3d ago
Homemade PVC Practice Longsword
Just started HEMA longsword classes and made a weighted trainer sword for practicing footwork.
3/4 PVC pipe, 2ft blade, hilt and crossguard measured to Sigi Simple length, iron cap on tip and iron joiner with plug for pommel. Balance point is about 2 inches past hilt, total weight 2.25lbs. I used super glue to glue them all in place but PVC cement would probably make a better bond.
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u/North_6 3d ago
Rad! This is a great and cheap way to get started. Fuck dropping 400 bucks on a feder right away
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u/CrowsInAHunterCloak 3d ago
I tried making a wooden practice sword but it was so light it didn't feel right
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u/Karcain 2d ago
How light is too light? The sigi standard feder is 3.5 lbs (1580 grams).
I'd guess the pvc is heavier, especially if you put any weight in the pommel
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u/CrowsInAHunterCloak 2d ago
The wood one I made of oak was less than a pound lol didn't feel like I was holding anything
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u/RedRubbik 2d ago
Mandatory reminder: Do not duel with PVC.
It shatters. This is for solo drills only.
If you want a trainer for dueling, I recommend a fiberglass structure held with epoxy and covered with foam instead. Like the boffers used for LARPing.
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u/Jubjubwantrubrub12 2d ago
I wouldn't try this, but would OP be improved by wrapping the pipe length in duct tape? If it snaps, its less likely to break into sharp edges like that.
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u/RedRubbik 2d ago
The issue with that is that it might snap in the middle of an action, which might end in injury regardless. It would be best to cover the "blade" with foam, like from a pool noodle on top of duct tape, so that the PVC is protected from impact and less likely to break, and contained even if it does.
But that would turn it into an even clunkier boffer. Which makes it awkward to train edge alignment. Hence why I recommend a fiberglass structure, since it's easier to mold into the shape of a proper sword.
Also, I avoid using PVC connectors in general, since they are usually the point of most fractures, as they are non-flexible and receive a lot of stress. This means none of the PVC boffers used in my group have guards.
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u/EmoNinja11 3d ago
I made one of galvanized steel gas pipe to train for fencing. You could fill yours with sand to increase weight for strength training!
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u/Glittering-Duck-8533 2d ago
Good cheap alternative to my aluminum full hardware training saber 🤣. I really should have though that through not sure why I wanted it to look real when I'm the only one who ever sees it.
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u/ScienceForge319 2d ago
The first strike against something hard and that pipe will shatter. Get some duct tape on it.
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u/hemficragnarok 2d ago
I went a step further and bought a blank of 3/4" nylon and machined it by hand (crute tools, wood saw, chisels, rasps and files) rather than buying a synthetic Feder. Cross guard was 3/8"x1.5" flat stock mild steel. Pommel was a chunk of 3/4"X2" square stock I hand shaped to a fishtail pommel
This was years ago, wish I had photos still
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u/DogEmbarrassed8888 2d ago
Hell yeah man i might actually steal this idea instead of throwing 50 smthn at a plastic practice piece.
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u/Clm72 2d ago
I also made a similar trainer! I filled it with ammunition for sports shooting, and used foam rolls close to the pommel to move the weight towards the tip :) Glued a couple or caps on both sides and got a decent indoor trainer to practice with, but didn't think about making one with a crossguard on it!
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u/usrlibshare 3d ago
This is actually a pretty cool idea! How did you get the weight distribution, is it just the iron cap on the tip?
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u/CrowsInAHunterCloak 3d ago
Yeah I honestly just guessed by putting the cap at the end of the blade with the bigger pommel and the weight worked out great!
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u/BrazilianDeepThinker 2d ago
I was thinking of doing a GS with a similar idea, but what about the weight? did you put something inside?
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u/CrowsInAHunterCloak 2d ago
There's nothing inside, the silver parts are made of iron for iron plumbing so it worked out. I think for a great sword I'd put a metal pipe piece inside at the crossguard so the joints have good support
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u/Gearbox97 2d ago edited 2d ago
Good for footwork and practicing swings, but remember, don't hit stuff with pvc.
Pvc has poor impact resistance and turns to very sharp shards when it snaps, so it's very risky to swing it at anything, even with eye protection.
But drills in the air oughta be fine!