How to make a LARP safe Scythe OR other large bladed weapons

Рет қаралды 15,029

3 жыл бұрын

In this video I go through the steps for how I make a LARP safe Scythe for a character within the LARP system of Empire by profound decisions. This technique can be applied to most large bladed weapons like axes and halberds.
I have built this so that it complies with the one handed rules for Empire Larp here in the UK. www.profounddecisions.co.uk/e...
Here is a list of the things I use in the video if you're UK based like me.
Foam - 10mm and 1mm Polyprops CF 65 and Craft foam
www.poly-props.com/craft-foam
12.7mm carbon fibre core was from All propped up. www.allproppedup.co.uk/
Latex - www.poly-props.com/studiorang... and also www.mbfg.co.uk/liquid-dipping...
Flexipaint - www.tyges.co.uk/product-categ...
Alpha thixofix - www.tyges.co.uk/product/thixo... or amzn.to/42sxrPv
Kevlar is from MBFG = www.mbfg.co.uk/kevlar-cloth.html
Carpet tape is from amazon amzn.to/40YpYq8
Scalpel amzn.to/3Lvrg6n
Gloves amzn.to/418ynr0
Knife sharpener (similar) amzn.to/4255tJB
Hobby Knife amzn.to/3AVNf1e
100% go and check out TtcCraftworks channel on youtube for more in-depth breakdowns on how to make LARP weapons, he does awesome videos covering most weapon types, showing each stage with a lot of detail.
/ @ttccraftworks8469
Go check out my other bits!
Patreon - / thehermitworkshop
Esty - www.etsy.com/uk/shop/HermitPr...
Instagram - / thehermitworkshop
Facebook - / thehermitworkshop
Other channels that I have found helpful when making LARP weapons over the years are as follows.
Jesse Skellington of LARP Heroes - Javakat Cosplay
• How to Make a LARP Wea...
The treasure hole
• Making Cheap LARP Weap...
Odin Makes
• Odin Makes: 3 Differen...
And one of the first I saw years ago that gave me a lot of help was LarpWright
• How to Make a Larp Swo...

Пікірлер: 71

@Xelemend9393 Жыл бұрын

You are a sorely underrated foamsmith. This is an incredible piece.

@thehermitworkshop2913 Жыл бұрын

That's very kind of you to say!! Thank you

@HecateYada Жыл бұрын

YOU MADE THE REAPER SCYTHE???? OH MY GOD (sincerely, a Leaguer who's absolutely mindblown right now)

@thehermitworkshop2913 Жыл бұрын

Ah ha!!!! Thank you, that's very kind! Looking forward to E2!

@RIDDICK0911 2 жыл бұрын

Watching how simple wobly matherials slowly take shape and become something cool and realistic is like magic... Very lovely video, and thanks for not leaving out silly things like failed tests - goofing around with stuff we make is the reason why we do it!

@occamsaturn 3 жыл бұрын

I can't even tell you how absolutely delighted I am you've made this thank you so much :')

@thehermitworkshop2913 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you very much! Glad you liked it.

@flamingphoenixband Жыл бұрын

@@thehermitworkshop2913 hello, I'm a new larper , I have seen your videos on how to make larp weapons and I wanted to ask you if you do you do commissions and how much will it cost for a spear

@thehermitworkshop2913 Жыл бұрын

@@flamingphoenixband Hey there! Welcome to LARP! Due to the time it takes to make custom items in my current status I am not taking on commissions. The time it takes to make vs how much I should charge for that time + materials isn't viable. People with a more specialised set up will be able to help you out though and I recommend contacting TtcCraftworks as they make commissions and custom items often.

@99winer 3 жыл бұрын

it's been YEARS since i waited a LARP scythe tutorial ! thank you !

@MerrittandMythos 2 жыл бұрын

The kevlar tip is something I hadn't thought of but a really good idea.

@Safrina001 2 жыл бұрын

You’re a lifesaver! I’ve been trying forever to find a good method for making a staff for my Dragon Age Morrigan costume in a way that would make it safe to actually fight with. For some reason it’s been really hard to find someone who could tell me how to even make a stick that long that wasn’t just round, but this is exactly what I need! And you even made a nice wood texture! This will be so helpful to me, thank you so much!

@thehermitworkshop2913 2 жыл бұрын

Fantastic!!! Glad its helpful and thank you for the kind words.

@Arkie80 Жыл бұрын

You may wish to look into getting a power file. They're handheld belt sanders with small belts. It would make projects like your scythe handle far easier than using a dremel.

@WannabeMarsanach 2 жыл бұрын

Great to have a specific guide for Empire.

@clawwestfall8799 Жыл бұрын

It looks incredibly perfect, thank you for sharing your process 😍

@theweaponscollectiveedge863 9 ай бұрын

Your decorating skills are awesome, very cool. I will have to use some of your techniques when I make stuff.

@nicholasyoung4585 3 жыл бұрын

Great video! Very well explained and I love the scythe!!! Well done.

@thehermitworkshop2913 3 жыл бұрын

You're welcome!

@tommyrotn Жыл бұрын

Very awesome!

@DIXIECRAWLER13 Жыл бұрын

Pretty cool work

@eleanordavidson7643 3 жыл бұрын

Great work!

@Morsoth 2 жыл бұрын

Very impressive!!!

@oscarestrada72oe Жыл бұрын

Nice well detailed video thanks

@Codeee_Official 2 жыл бұрын

Awesome video!

@pocketmedic2835 3 жыл бұрын

It's a great video, love the step to step way of it all and it captivated me so much since I've looked a lot at how to do larp scythes for a while. If they were being sold regularly I'd definitely get one

@thehermitworkshop2913 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

@user-yo1fb1kg4omykehiggs 2 жыл бұрын

Niiice! Absolutely brilliant! It's just a shame there's no way of skewing the blade (like an actual real world scythe) but it's still bloody impressive!

@ttccraftworks8469 2 жыл бұрын

nicly done. great job. love to see another rolling pin in use lol, don't tell the misses lol.

@thehermitworkshop2913 2 жыл бұрын

You are the inspiration for the rolling pin!!!! You're videos are so informative and all the extra bits like knife sharpening, thinning the thixofix pre latex and core tip protection that has made my builds way more effective. Thank you!!!

@ttccraftworks8469 2 жыл бұрын

@@thehermitworkshop2913 my pleasure, glad they helped. Keep up the great work

@willchristian4299 Жыл бұрын

I would love to see you make a LOTR sword

@leethomas906 2 жыл бұрын

Fantastic job, just found you Will find you in the field OC

@mag_9537 3 жыл бұрын

Hey, this looks great! :D Just discovered you and its so cool ^^ i have a question and i hope im not too late, you apply a latex and color mix first and then go over it with flexpaint or how do you do it? Because i always thought just using Flexpaint is enough on Foam or isnt it? :)

@thehermitworkshop2913 3 жыл бұрын

Hey! Thank you very much. To answer your question latex simply provides a flexible durable layer over the foam to prevent it splitting, tearing or general damage from contact over time. It depends on what you want to use the prop for. If its contact LARP then I would recommend 5 to 7 base layers of latex, or a few coats of plastidip or Urecoat to add durability and flexibility to the weapon. Then Flexipaint or another acrylic type paint on top for detail then finished with a flexible clearcoat. If its simply a prop for Cosplay or costume then you can absolutely go straight in with flexipaint. I would still recommend priming the foam with some form of sealant though as the paint will go further if you close the surface of the foam.

@davidwhite6427 Жыл бұрын

Can you build a Morning Star? I tried but the 5 inch spikes kept getting ripped off. Love your video btw!

@thehermitworkshop2913 Жыл бұрын

I'll put it ok my list of things to try. Would imagine using kevlar inner frame might be a good salutation

@HeiressIzana 5 ай бұрын

Looking at this, trying to see if it is possible to adapt something like this for Amtgard.

@thehermitworkshop2913 5 ай бұрын

I'm unfamiliar with the game, but imagine its very combat heavy. I'm not sure I'd recommend a battle scythe for combat heavy larping just due to the fact its quite a large weapon and slightly less intuitive as perhaps other weapons like spears, halberds etc. It definitely something that could be fun but would take quite a lot if practice to use safely. Its only really been used in empire uk larp and as more of a staff rather than a swinging great weapon.

@nameless_milk_1624 2 жыл бұрын

come back :( I miss this channel... :(

@gregwing7355 5 ай бұрын

Have you ever tried making a larp safe trident? I'm working on getting back into Larp and going for a specific kind of gladiator style

@thehermitworkshop2913 5 ай бұрын

Hi! I have not tried to make a trident. However, I would imagine it would have a similar internal structure to a battle axe or other double-headed weapon. I would perhaps go with a design that had a more accentuated central spike and less prominent flanking spikes as you would still just have the single core running up the middle as if it was a spear but then with the flanking tips these would have a flat kevlar core much like the blade on this scythe. This would prevent these from tearing off in combat or use. The only thing with a trident or spear is also making it "stab safe". I do need to make a video of stab-safe weapons as so far all the builds have not been stab-safe.

@FelixMerivel 2 жыл бұрын

Is the kevlar reinforcement enough? I can see how it might stop the blade from completely tearing off, but it seems to me it would still be ruined if it catches somewhere (only it would be hanging by a kevlar strip)

@thehermitworkshop2913 2 жыл бұрын

Perhaps? There is no absolute guarantee that this will never be a problem, I suppose it largely depends what it gets hooked onto and how you play. If I was to hook this onto a branch and hang of it it wouldn't be happy about it. If hooked onto a foam larp shield (all shields and weapons at the event I attend are foam) or sword then it should have enough flex to be alright. That said if this was a weapon primarily for combat focused larp I might have made this slightly differently, shorter blade, no little indent at the base of the blade and with a wrapped head like how I make axes. I'd probably make it closer in design to a real life battle scythe and much less styalised. It still doesn't absolutely guarantee that it wouldn't get damaged. This is primarily a character item to be used during the event outside of a combat setting. It needs to be safe in the event someone gets a little over excited but won't be used in full contact combat. It will still need to pass weapon check and be as safe as possible. To be fair the combination of foam, kevlar, contact cement and foam is ridiculously durable, plus the 7 to 9 costs of latex and then rubberised thixofix make it very uniform. I've never had an issue with any axe shaped weapon yet. I could try and stress test! I'll make a simple set up with the same layers combination and then put it through some tests in a later video! Personally I'd love to make these items as safe and durable as possible so would be helpful. Sorry for long reply. Thank you for your comment, it had given me a focus for a later video.

@TelzAll 2 жыл бұрын

i need one of this.. how much would you charge for this?

@FerretyCoffee 3 жыл бұрын

Where do you get your Kevlar sheet? I've put off making a bearded axe due to worries of tear strength and this seems like the solution!

@thehermitworkshop2913 3 жыл бұрын

I got this lot from www.mbfg.co.uk/kevlar-cloth.html but I've got others from Ebay in the past. The one in this video isn't as thick as previous one's I've had which makes it easier to cut with scissors but still strong enough for what I need it for.

@FerretyCoffee 3 жыл бұрын

@@thehermitworkshop2913 thank you! If I ever break away from LT, perhaps I'll see you in the field at Empire :)

@Cycon91 6 ай бұрын

Looks amazing! Would the head not rip off, if it catches on anything? :)

@thehermitworkshop2913 6 ай бұрын

Thank you very much! It absolutely would without the Kevlar inside. The central piece of foam in the blade is flanked by 2 sheets of Kevlar which is pretty much untearable then the shaft is also built overlapping the edges of the blade head. This in conjunction with the flexibility of the foam, latex outer skin and then the final coat of Isoflex helps add to the overall durability of the foam. It is still not indestructible but you would struggle to rip the blade off intentionally let alone by accident. I would still not recommend making a weapon with a blade this long for combat though, primarily for safety as the coreless blade can flap and this could affect the wielder's ability to control the strike. Smaller axe heads are usually built in the same way as the internal Kevlar layer.

@TableClothier2033 3 жыл бұрын

Will you be making more episodes from your "building my ork army" series?

@thehermitworkshop2913 3 жыл бұрын

100%! Just needed to get this sorted before the potential event in September. I am really keen to get on with them! Making a massive heavy bomber! But also got 90 ork boys to get on with.

@TableClothier2033 3 жыл бұрын

@@thehermitworkshop2913 looking forward to it! :-)

@azraelschattendachs9759 Жыл бұрын

hey, great work buddy x3 do you know if it is possible to bend a fiberglasscore ? for example for a larp chepesch? Or any weapon that is kinda curved ? Or any other alternatives? lots of love xoxo

@thehermitworkshop2913 Жыл бұрын

As far as I was able to tell when researching this a while ago the short answer is no. You cannot really bend fiber glass as its made of very fine strands which would need to stretch along the outer edge and contract along the inner edge of a curve. That said I have seen people create their own fiber glass rods with a curve. The curve is made during the construction of the rod though not added after. So far that's a little above my expertise though. Thank you for the very kind comment and glad you enjoyed the video!

@louisharkna9464 Жыл бұрын

You could try PVC or CPVC as a core, cap one end and fill the core with heated sand and use a template piece of wood already cut to the curve you want and brace the core against the wood. The hot sand allows you to bend the core without kinking.

@TheReaperOfChess 2 жыл бұрын

Do you have a way I could buy one off you? I do not have time or shop. I would love to pay for one that is 6feet long and 5 inches and a little less bendy for a moderate CvC games if it's possible. More sturdy I mean. Lmk

@louisharkna9464 Жыл бұрын

Probably have been asked this by too many people but, would you be interested in making Gut's Sword from the Berserk manga? When I was LARPing as a kid I wanted one, but settled on making a 6' claymore for myself instead...good times!

@Sirnoobius143 Жыл бұрын

What kind of foam do you use?

@DerMaxiLive Жыл бұрын

and i build one out of hard pvc :D and struggeling to make a larp version BUUUTT my question is...would it be possible to add a Corestaff to the blade?

@thehermitworkshop2913 Жыл бұрын

hmm. Sadly I'm not sure how that would be possible. I am sure someone could advise but it's beyond my knowledge. The core really needs to be one complete unit, so unless you put a 90-degree bend in it not sure how it would be possible. Doing this with fiberglass or carbon fiber cores won't be easy. The grains of the cores run down the length so bending isn't really possible due to stretch vs compression. You'd need to construct your own core with the bend in already. It is possible but not easy.

@DerMaxiLive Жыл бұрын

@@thehermitworkshop2913 allrighty im on it. already got my Scythe :D sadly not made for LARP, but hopefully mine will be done for Epic Empires this year :D Thanks for the vid.

@sirnird9982 7 ай бұрын

So are you relying on the foam and Kevlar to hold the blade sturdy and not flop around? I didn’t see you add a core to it

@thehermitworkshop2913 7 ай бұрын

There is no core to the blade. Its surprisingly not very floppy. The weight tapers off to the tip so it's thicker and stiffer towards the core and the foam is quite dense. If it was a more battle axe shape and this large, it would potentially be more of an issue with more weight away from the core. I still wouldn't recommend a 2nd core within the blade though. This may be possible if you created a very strong bond of the cores, but I've not seen this in practice. This particular weapon was not made for combat, it was more a prop for a character who appears once a year at the event I attend. Saying that, it surprisingly passed weapon check at empire last year here in the UK (which for some larp systems has been quite strict in the past). I think you could get the blade to whip and flop if you spun the weapon hard but as I say its surprisingly not very floppy. The kevlar is just there to prevent it from tearing if caught on something, even just transporting.

@nerdtime2452 Жыл бұрын

Will this work for custom designs?

@thehermitworkshop2913 Жыл бұрын

absolutely. The principals are transferable to any design. I do a sword build and dagger build, will be adding an Axe, Warhammer, mace and polearm eventually. main thing is giving the core a good amount of protection and securing the foam blade to the core with appropriate reinforcement.

@nerdtime2452 Жыл бұрын

@@thehermitworkshop2913 cool thanks

@dunker-roo9552 10 ай бұрын

You can't use these in most combat larps

@thehermitworkshop2913 10 ай бұрын

If you had said this 2 weeks ago I would have agreed with you, 100%. Oddly it passed the weapon check at empire E4 by profound decisions here in the UK. From my experience (all be it quite limited and uk only) empire have been quite strict in the past. I have had weapons pass other systems and fail empire. But ultimately this was made as a prop for a specific special character within the system, it was not made for combat, but I was incredibly surprised that it passed.