| Why use a foam sword? | | | | Fencing |
| When it comes to fighting within LARP, Martial | | | | When it comes to developing basic fencing skills, |
| Arts and Fencing or even within movies, foam | | | | most beginners will choose to use a foam |
| swords have become the #1 weapon of choice. | | | | weapon over real fencing foil. Foam fencing foils |
| Foam sword fighting has been around for at least | | | | help to develop basic fencing skills without having |
| 21 years and it has been developed and refined | | | | to invest in all of the real fencing equipment. |
| and perfected over those years. With foam | | | | Children |
| sword fighting, no protective clothing is needed, | | | | Foam swords for children make an excellent toy; |
| and the style is more like how a knight might fight | | | | they are safe and fun to play with, parent |
| with a weapon and shield. | | | | approved and leave no marks on the child's skin. |
| Why should I choose a foam sword over a replica | | | | Foam swords and shields have been created with |
| sword? | | | | realistic role-play in mind and have been designed |
| Choosing a foam blade as a practice sword is | | | | and developed for safe playtime fun for all ages |
| great when it comes to learning new skills and | | | | from Preschool up. Whether it is a budding Robin |
| techniques while still providing the safety of a | | | | Hood, Knight of the Round table or a fearless |
| practice replica. Practice swords made of quality | | | | dragon slaying adventures, children can enjoy the |
| rubber foam help you master the ancient | | | | make believe fun that foam swords and shields |
| techniques of self defense. | | | | are designed for. |
| These practice foam blades have the look and | | | | Martial Arts |
| feel of the real thing. Now you can practice your | | | | Foam weapons are often used in fights more akin |
| sword techniques and learn new skills without the | | | | to martial arts tournaments. These tournaments |
| hazards or expenses of using real steel swords. It | | | | tend to resemble historical reenactment combat |
| is easy for most inexperienced LARPERS or | | | | but will require less protective gear. Foam |
| fighting enthusiasts to confuse a foam sword with | | | | weapons are also used in many sport-like battle |
| a Boffer sword. Boffers are handmade swords | | | | games. |
| that use PCV piping, foil and duct tape. These | | | | Chambara |
| types of swords can inflict harm if not used | | | | Foam weapons are also commonly used in |
| properly. | | | | Chambara - the Japanese Sword Fighting Movie. |
| Martial arts practitioners, re-enactors and stunt | | | | The Chambara actor must be skilled in a variety |
| people all require equipment to maintain their skills | | | | of weapons, striving to become overly animated |
| and they prefer to use foam swords within their | | | | in their application. Learning to fight with foam |
| day to day use for practical and safety reasons. | | | | weapons has become a Chambara specialty. |
| Who uses Foam Swords? | | | | Swords, firearms, and improvised weapons |
| LARP | | | | become a natural part of the Chambara actor's |
| Live Action Role Playing, otherwise known as | | | | arsenal. |
| LARP is a role-playing game where a characters | | | | SCA Sports |
| actions are physically and mentally acted out. Each | | | | SCA or Society for Creative Anachronism will use |
| character creates a persona that fits into an | | | | foam rapiers within their fencing practices. During |
| imaginary role within the game setting. Within each | | | | their melees a real rapier is used, but in order to |
| game, various weaponry, costumes and settings | | | | pass the SCA judges authorizations, knowledge |
| are used. Rules and regulations are quickly | | | | and demonstration of safety must first be |
| changing within the LARP games and safety of | | | | challenged. For these reasons, participants in the |
| the participants is paramount. That is why foam | | | | SCA will use foam rapiers during practice to |
| swords are quickly becoming the blade of choice | | | | improve their skills. |
| during the various fighting scenes. | | | | |