Pirate cutlass Rules

The sword boffer has a pommel, a handle for one or two hands (depending on size) and a “blade” that takes up the remainder of the length of the boffer. The table below covers the allowable lengths and wielding requirements by rank for Swords:

Rank	Squire	Knight	D. Knight	Cavalier	Dragoon	Lancer	Sentinel
Band Color*	Red	Orange	Yellow	Green	Blue	Purple	Pink
Max Length	Up to 26″	Up to 26″	26 – 32″	32 – 38″	32 – 38″	32 – 38″	32 – 38″
Wielding**	Single	Single	Single	Single	Single	Single	Single

*This is the rank of the boffer, not the player. A player can always use a lower rank’s equipment. Always mark to the lowest available rank (for example, any 26″ sword will be marked with Red tape).

**”Dual” means that the boffer can be used with another boffer, if the player’s rank permits and so long as the loadout does not exceed 6 feet in length. “Single” means that the boffer can only be wielded alone.

In addition to the rules outlined in the above blueprint and table:

1. The PVC core of a sword boffer shall consist of a single piece of ¾ inch schedule 40 PVC pipe. If the boffer is 42 inches in length or less, ½ inch schedule 40 PVC pipe is acceptable. In either case, no splices are allowed. 
2. The non-tagging end of a sword boffer shall have a standard Pommel. Pommels shall not be hurled at one’s foes to “end them rightly”.
3. The “blade” of a sword boffer shall be constructed from closed cell foam at least ½ inch thick. Pool noodles are generally acceptable for blade construction. Care should be given in choosing foam for the blade in making sure the foam has some give to it. Camp mats like the “blue Walmart mat” work well for this. Some other types, like “puzzle mats” may be too stiff and not compress enough. The blade shall have a length of at least twice the length of the handle section. Sword boffers are required to have a Basic Thrusting Tip.
4. The blade profile or thickness shall not exceed 3 ½ inches in any direction. Another way of looking at this is that the blade should be able to fit through a circular opening 3 ½ inches in diameter. 
5. A sword boffer may have a combination of glued and taped components.  
6. Decorative “cross-guards” can be made using ½ inch foam no more than 5 inches long and 2 ½ inches wide. In game terms, they do not actually do anything, and generally follow the rules for courtesy foam. They are otherwise governed by Equipment Rule Zero:
   •  When deciding if equipment should be allowed on the field, a Marshal always has the option to say “no” in the name of safety. This applies even if the boffer or shield otherwise meets requirements. Our rules as to what is and is not allowed are not all encompassing.

Pirate cutlass-specific rules:

1. The pirate cutlass can be up to 38 inches long (Cavalier length). It is designed to be a one-handed boffer.
2. In place of the pommel, the pirate cutlass has a “knuckle guard”. This is rigid plastic covered in “courtesy foam” that does the job of the normal pommel and has no other function in-game. Its primary purpose is to look cool. You cannot tag players with the knuckle guard. 
3. The pirate cutlass is otherwise constructed and used in a similar fashion as the standard sword boffer.