Boffer Weapons
So, I'm trying to be more fiscally responsible. I'd like to get some spending money for larp stuff, and to do this I'm considering selling some boffer weapons.
Here's my current thoughts:
*Don't offer custom weapons, or only offer them at a significant increase in price (like 2x-3x). Custom weapons stress me out too much and take far too much time.
*General pricing scheme: $30 for a dagger, $45 for a shortsword, $60 for a longsword, and $75 for a bastard sword.
*Only doing bladed weapons for now.
*Each weapon would be slightly different, unless someone wanted a matched pair (wouldn't count as custom to do a pair)
Time estimates (doing things in bulk), based on a Longsword:
Prepping core (cutting, plugging, foam on ends): 10 minutes
Cutting foam for blade:
|->3 strips: 3 minutes
|->Center strip: 5 minutes
Gluing: 20 minutes (done in bulk, that should be about right)
Beveling: 20 minutes
Sanding: 5 minutes
Thrusting tip: 5 minutes
Crosspiece shaping (simple): 15 minutes
Blade taping: 10 minutes
Crosspiece and pommel taping: 25 minutes
Handle (leather, oval, wire):
|->Building up handle: 10 minutes
|->Wrapping with leather: 5 minutes
|->Wire wrap: 10 minutes
Total time: 143 minutes, or almost 2.5 hours.
Materials cost:
Pipe core: $4.00
Flat blade foam: ($44/8)= 5.50
Dulled blades (2 utility knife, 2 carpet knife): $2.00
Tape: Minimal, call it $0.50
Foam ball half: $0.50
Core plugs: $0.25
Mounting tape: $4.00
Leather: $1.00
Wire: $0.25
Total materials: $18.00
Thoughts, comments, ideas? Is there any interest for weapons not made to order? I'm also pondering making arrowheads and selling those for $4.00 each.
Here's my current thoughts:
*Don't offer custom weapons, or only offer them at a significant increase in price (like 2x-3x). Custom weapons stress me out too much and take far too much time.
*General pricing scheme: $30 for a dagger, $45 for a shortsword, $60 for a longsword, and $75 for a bastard sword.
*Only doing bladed weapons for now.
*Each weapon would be slightly different, unless someone wanted a matched pair (wouldn't count as custom to do a pair)
Time estimates (doing things in bulk), based on a Longsword:
Prepping core (cutting, plugging, foam on ends): 10 minutes
Cutting foam for blade:
|->3 strips: 3 minutes
|->Center strip: 5 minutes
Gluing: 20 minutes (done in bulk, that should be about right)
Beveling: 20 minutes
Sanding: 5 minutes
Thrusting tip: 5 minutes
Crosspiece shaping (simple): 15 minutes
Blade taping: 10 minutes
Crosspiece and pommel taping: 25 minutes
Handle (leather, oval, wire):
|->Building up handle: 10 minutes
|->Wrapping with leather: 5 minutes
|->Wire wrap: 10 minutes
Total time: 143 minutes, or almost 2.5 hours.
Materials cost:
Pipe core: $4.00
Flat blade foam: ($44/8)= 5.50
Dulled blades (2 utility knife, 2 carpet knife): $2.00
Tape: Minimal, call it $0.50
Foam ball half: $0.50
Core plugs: $0.25
Mounting tape: $4.00
Leather: $1.00
Wire: $0.25
Total materials: $18.00
Thoughts, comments, ideas? Is there any interest for weapons not made to order? I'm also pondering making arrowheads and selling those for $4.00 each.