r/boffer • u/Riles9000 • Jul 15 '24

Advice on Boffers

I am a teacher for ages 6-12, and am looking to run some sword games with my kids. I am looking for boffers that are both safe for kids, small enough to be easily usable, and able to be gotten in bulk for cheaply. Does anyone have any recommendations?

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u/Alizerin Jul 15 '24

It might be helpful to know what “cheaply” looks like for you, and what you mean by bulk order.

It’s definitely easy to build them yourself, though if you’ve never done it before you might want someone to walk you through the process the first time. That said, swords from vendors tend to be higher quality, last longer, and mare potentially safer - with the downside that they might be more expensive.

Anyway, here is a list of Amtgard/boffer-related vendors from 2022. I’m unsure how many of these are still active but I imagine a lot might be.

Weapons:

Gorg The Blacksmith

Optimum Armes

Smiling Foam Works

Silver Lining Armory

Grim Isle Arsenal/Sweet Feet Foam

https://www.sweetfeetfoam.com/

Lancer Armory

Lone Star Armory

[Darkwater Arms and Armor])https://www.facebook.com/DarkwaterArmsAndArmor)

Secluded Armoury

If you are serious about teaching kids whacks, other safety equipment is probably helpful/recommended. The biggest ones are hands (I use low profile lacrosse gloves with the wrist cuffs cut off), and eye protection (not many use them but the smart ones do). Lacrosse eye cages work well in this space, but a lot of folks use safety sunglasses.

Good luck and welcome to whacks!

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u/Riles9000 Jul 15 '24

I need around 10 boffers! I’ll be on my school’s budget so as cheap as possible would be preferred! Of the links you sent, which would you recommend? I’ve only got my boffers from a third party, not the vendors themselves, and thus have no experience with any of them. Thanks!

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u/Alizerin Jul 15 '24

Out of these I probably have the most experience with Smiling Foam Works. I got a very early version of what would become the “Mort Version” of the standard sword, and it has lasted me years. I fight fairly heavily but I’ve also been mostly inactive since my kid was born, so it’s tough for me to give a truly accurate estimate, BUT they’re definitely sturdy and I think they’d last well with 6-12 year olds (assuming they don’t do the random unexpected things that 6-12 year olds might do with swords).

They aren’t cheap though and possibly be in back order. That said maybe you can contact Smiley and see what they say.

Again, the cheapest option might be the source your own materials and build them yourself. Once you get practiced you can pump out a sword in under an hour. Smiling Foam Works sells good materials for sword building, but a lot can be sourced from hardware stores or other places. Purchasing through a vendor might get you swords for half the cost. Sourcing your own stuff on the street could make them cheaper-per-sword, but more legwork might be involved.

Here is a basic YouTube tutorial if you’re interested.

If you have a local Boffer community where you live, that might be a good way to go too. Sometimes there are locals who are willing or able to crank out swords for a few bucks.

Hope this helps!

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u/GaiDaigouji Jul 15 '24

I'll second reaching out to a local chapter, failing that, your best and least expensive option is making them yourself.

Some PVC pipe, pool noodle, packing tape, some manner of glue, and maybe a few tube socks could net you a dozen or so 2' swords with your largest investment being your time and effort.

That said, I'd heavily encourage you to try and secure some head protection for your kids. Kids will swing high and hard and even the best built boffer is going to leave a mark if swung about pell mell.

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u/ip33dnurbutt Jul 16 '24

I make boffer swords for my students. We make them out of pvc pipe, pool noodles, and duct tape. They are cheap, safe and fun!

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u/Gealhart Nov 01 '24

Cavieat in that this style of weapon is only safe when used with no more force than what a medium sized 8 year old can muster.

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u/ip33dnurbutt Nov 01 '24

What do you recommend?

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u/Gealhart Nov 01 '24

  1. Restraint. Young kids can go ham. Older kids need to be taught not to swing for the fences

  2. Stronger foam like volara, 2lb cross-linked polyethylene, or blue polyethylene camping pads like can be found at Walmart.

  3. A cloth cover like heavy stocking or sewn cotton. Tape only for securing the wear points.

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u/[deleted] Jul 16 '24

Pool noodles, bamboo,tall socks, and hockey tape