East Kingdom Equipment Inspection Checklist

The following is intended to aid the marshal on the field in performing inspections of rapier gear under the East Kingdom Rapier Rules.

• In general: Any armor that prevents its wearer from properly calibrating and acknowledging blows must be disallowed.  Examples of armor which may impede proper calibration or blow calling include, but are not limited to, excess padding or fabric, leather belts or pouches, or rigid plates.

   

• Mask or Fencing Helm: The mask must completely cover the front and sides of the head, and be securely fastened. Some form of mask tie down is required. The mask should be checked for any significant dents or weaknesses in the mesh. If a marshal has doubts about the quality of a mask's mesh, he or she may request that the mask be tested with a commercial mask punch. A mask punch should only be used by one specifically trained in its proper use, since masks can permanently damaged if the punch is used improperly.

  For period fencing helms, the marshal should confirm that the material and construction

  are sufficient to withstand stresses associated with normal use, and that there are no openings through which a broken blade could enter.

   

• Neck and Throat Protection: No skin should be visible when the head is tilted forwards or backwards. Protection for the throat must be constructed from puncture-resistant material. A rigid gorget must be worn if the is the fencer is using heavy rapier.

   

• Back of the Head Protection: Protection for the back of the head must be constructed from puncture-resistant material. A fencer's back of the head protection must extend down below the ears and cover the back of the neck. No skin should be visible, regardless of the stance of the fencer. If the marshal can touch hair or skin above the base of the neck, the back of the head protection is insufficient.

   

• Torso and Arm Armor: The fencer should be able to describe the construction and material of his or her torso armor. The marshal should confirm that the armor has been punch tested within the past two years.

   

• Gloves: Hands shall be protected by gloves made of abrasion resistant material. If gloves designed for electric equipment are used, the openings for the wires must be closed. Gloves must cover the wrist opening of the sleeves adequately (three inches is acceptable), so that a blade cannot go up a sleeve.

   

• Groin/Breast Protection: A male fencer should be asked if he is wearing a cup. Marshals must receive a verbal reply (i.e. a fencer knocking on his cup is insufficient). Marshals may never physically check for the presence of a cup. An appropriate level of breast armor, beyond that which is required by the armor standards, is left to the discretion of the female fencer. Therefore, as a reminder, a female fencer should be asked whether she is satisfied with her level of breast protection.

   

• Lower Extremity Armor: A fencer should be able to describe the construction and material of his or her leg armor. Footwear must enclose the foot, including the toes.

   

• Rapiers: Light rapier blades should either be straight or have a single gradual bend. The blade should not have an S-bend or kink, and should return to its normal shape when bent. A good way of checking the bend of the blade is to place the point on a boot and apply light pressure in the direction of the blade's natural bend. Blades should not exhibit significant rust, burrs, cracks or discoloration, which are signs of flaws or fatigue in the metal. Hilts should be checked to ensure that they will not catch and break blades. An inspecting marshal should be aware that heavy rapier hilts may have openings that would not be appropriate for light rapiers.
  • Tips should be checked to ensure that they are not worn through or split. Tape should not cover a tip. Tape, tip and blade must be of contrasting color. There should be enough tape on the blade to ensure that the tape/tip combination can be seen from a distance.

    If a blade feels stiff, it may be tested for flexibility.

   

• Daggers: Daggers should be examined in the same fashion as light rapier blades.

   

• Parry Objects: The marshal on the field must ensure that device edges, no matter what material they are made of, are constructed so as to prevent splintering or jagged edges. There should be no protrusions or "spikes" sticking out of the buckler. There should be no protrusions likely to inadvertently catch and break blades. For non-rigid parry objects, rigid hem weights, such as bars, rods, or chains are not permitted. Non-rigid hem weights are permitted (e.g. rope). The marshal should be sure to examine cloaks to ensure that they do not present an undue risk of catching and breaking blades, (e.g. tears or pockets that could ensnare a weapon).

  When inspecting an unconventional parry object, the marshal should assume the worst, namely that the parry object will somehow come into contact with an opponent in the worst possible way at the least opportune moment. If the marshal does not feel comfortable with this possibility, the parry object should not be allowed in the lists.