Guandao

The color of red flies true through the air, streaking behind the razor thin edge of your Guandao. Like a knife through butter, you watch your blade move through your target. It falls into two distinct pieces at your feet.

Your master barks his approval. Without rest you continue, the red scrap of fabric tied to your weapon allowing you to test your strike quality and speed. The damage against the next target is just as clean and rewarding.

DETAILS

Epic Armoury’s Guandao is a 170 cm latex polearm inspired by Chinese martial arts. Similar to a Japanese naginata or a European glaive, this guandao features a large 69 cm blade and 80 cm long staff. Hand painted and sculpted, the finished result is a beautiful weapon with a long single-edged spearhead. Sculpted golden details give additional character where the spearhead meets the red leather wrapped pole. Add a ring or a scrap of fabric through the hole in the blade to set it apart from the crowd.

Made from durable closed cell foam around a fibreglass core and finished with a strong latex coating, you can feel confident that your Guandao LARP weapon will provide the safety and appeal you want when crafting your kit.

HISTORY

• A form of the spear has been used for hunting for at least 400,000 years
• Spears were the most common form of weaponry during the Stone Age, and remained popular until firearms were introduced
• In Chinese, the guandao is properly called a yanyuedao
• Rings secured through the back edge of the blade are used in modern martial arts so that students can determine strike and thrust quality

The sunrise peeks over the horizon long after you are already awake and practicing your sword drills. A jianke must practice daily with the Jian sword to become a true master, and you take your duty as a soldier seriously.

As you finish the thousandth practiced cut, slicing through the air with perfect form, you feel a certain peace overcome you. Practicing with your sword is like a form of meditation.

DETAILS

Epic Armoury’s Jian is a slender and elegant latex-hybrid weapon inspired by Chinese tradition. The sword is 90 cm long and features a 65 cm straight blade with a fuller and rain-guard. The small crossguard is 9 cm wide and oval shaped, protecting the 13 cm handle, cast and painted to look like realistic painted wood and metal carvings.

For the most detailed Chinese-inspired kit, this Jian sword is our highest quality gear due to its impressive durability and detail. The blade is made from closed cell foam around a fibreglass core and finished with a strong latex coating, while the handle is a polyurethane foam cast that allows for greater detail and no maintenance. This hybrid model sword will make you confident in the safety and appeal of your weapon on the battlefield.

HISTORY

• Used for the last 2,500 years in China
• Known as “The Gentleman of Weapons,” wielded by the famous Sun Jian who defended the Empire of Ancient China
• Used by practitioners referred to as jianke
• A fuller, or the groove that runs the length of the blade, was added to weapons to lighten the blade while adding structural strength

This bestselling Epic Armoury Maintenance Silicone is used for maintenance of Live Action Role Playing foam weapons and equipment covered with latex and/or varnish.

Directions for use:

Latex equipment must be coated with a thin layer of silicone at all times. This prevents the surfaces from drying out, and will prolong the lifespan of your latex equipment. Always check your latex equipment before and after each use. Spray the silicone directly onto your latex product and work it into the entire surface (avoiding leather handles) either with a piece of cloth or using a flat hand. If necessary, wipe off any excess with a dry cotton cloth. Always store your latex equipment in a dry and dark place.

You stare down at your new weapon, taking in its incredible and awe-inspiring beauty. You have traveled so far and overcome great challenges and dangerous monsters to find this rare weapon. This is the legendary Jade Dao.

The Jade Dao responded to you immediately, growing warm and somehow familiar in your hands. It’s as though this sword has been waiting for you all along.

DETAILS

Epic Armoury’s Jade Dao 100 cm is a latex-hybrid weapon inspired by the ‘General of Weapons’ – a curved sword traditional in Chinese culture. It features a balanced single-edged blade, popular with cavalry and effective at chopping and slashing. The blade is slightly curved with a fake-edge meant to improve its piercing effectiveness, and attaches to the beautifully detailed polyurethane handle. This handle is shaped and painted to look like carved jade and gold with a ring shaped steel-coloured pommel, matching the overall intricate design.

While Asian-inspired, the Jade Dao also features a high-fantasy look that can be used in alternative settings. Made from durable closed cell foam around a fibreglass core and finished with a strong latex coating, you can feel confident that your LARP weapon will provide the safety and appeal you want when crafting your kit.

Available in sizes 100 cm and 85 cm.

HISTORY

• Primarily used by the Chinese for slashing and chopping
• Considered one of the four traditional Chinese weapons

You hold the legendary Alluvium Jian in your hands, feelings its power course through your body. You had to traverse great obstacles and defeat dangerous monsters to find this weapon deep beneath the watery depths--just as it was foretold.

Now that you have your treasure, you must find a way home in order to save your kingdom from peril. However, the awakening of the Alluvium Jian has woken something else in the water. You see the stirrings of something massive swimming up toward your boat, and you ready your epic blade.

DETAILS

Epic Armoury’s Alluvium Jian is a slender and elegant latex hybrid weapon inspired by Chinese tradition. The sword is 100 cm long and features a blade designed to look like rippling dark blue water. The small crossguard is 9 cm wide and oval shaped, protecting the 13 cm handle, cast and painted to look like green lacquered wood and metal carvings.

This Jian sword is our highest quality gear due to its impressive durability and detail. The blade is made from closed cell foam around a fibreglass core and finished with a strong latex coating, while the handle is a polyurethane foam cast that allows for greater detail and no maintenance. This hybrid model sword will make you confident in the safety and appeal of your weapon on the battlefield.

HISTORY

• Used for the last 2,500 years in China
• Known as “The Gentleman of Weapons,” wielded by the famous Sun Jian who defended the Empire of Ancient China
• Used by practitioners referred to as jianke
• A fuller, or the groove that runs the length of the blade, was added to weapons to lighten the blade while adding structural strength

Your Naginata was handed to you by your master, many years ago. It was a bittersweet moment for you, because while it meant you overcome all obstacles in your training, it also meant it was time to set out on your own.

You find the soft leather along the handle comforting, your hand finding its usual well-worn grip. You look beyond the campfire where a fresh fish now cooks, sizzling in the heat, looking to the flickering shadows along the treeline. You have the sense that tonight you and your spear may once again be tested as you hear the unmistakable snap of a twig, your grip tightening in anticipation.

DETAILS

Epic Armoury’s Spear Naginata is a 180 cm latex polearm inspired by the samurai of traditional Japan. The Spear Naginata’s 60 cm single-edged blade is attached to a split-leather wrapped pole, allowing you to stab, slash, and parry with alacrity. A large oval crossguard adds to the Asian design, along with a matching pommel handpainted to look like metal.

Made from durable closed cell foam around a fibreglass core and finished with a strong latex coating, you can feel confident that your LARP weapon will provide the safety and appeal you want when crafting your Asian-inspired kit.

Available in Gold, Silver, and Copper.

HISTORY

• A form of the spear has been used for hunting for at least 400,000 years
• Spears were the most common form of weaponry during the Stone Age, and remained popular until firearms were introduced
• This particular design is similar to a naginata, a Japanese weapon that included a single-edged blade attached to the end of a pole

Your opponent is particularly confident, brandishing their massive greatsword and giving you a confident smile. They believe that with strength, they can win this battle.

You give your Ox-Tongue Partisan a few test swings, eyeing your opponent with a calm stare. You may not be the strongest fighter, but you are one of the fastest. As their sword comes swinging, you parry it aside, dancing circles around them.

DETAILS

Epic Armoury’s Ox-Tongue Partisan is a 190 cm latex spear inspired by a 15th century European weapon. Featuring a broad double-edged spearhead and a long wood-like staff, this hand painted and sculpted partisan is a weapon for any soldier, guard, or hunter. Small sculpted details, like grommets along the spearhead and pommel, give this spear a particularly realistic look.

Made from durable closed cell foam around a fibreglass core and finished with a strong latex coating, you can feel confident that your Ox-Tongue Partisan LARP weapon will provide the safety and appeal you want when crafting your kit.

HISTORY

• A form of the spear has been used for hunting for at least 400,000 years
• A Partisan was used in medieval Europe, along with the halberd
• Shaped to parry swords, while still be able to cleave and stab

Your Long Yari was handed to you by your master many years ago. It was a bittersweet moment for you, because while it meant you overcame all obstacles in your training, it also meant it was time to set out on your own.

You find the handle comforting, your hand finding its usual well-worn grip. You look beyond the campfire where a fresh fish now cooks, sizzling in the heat, looking to the flickering shadows along the treeline. You have the sense that tonight you and your spear may once again be tested as you hear the unmistakable snap of a twig, your grip tightening in anticipation.

DETAILS

Epic Armoury’s Long Yari is an incredible 255 cm latex polearm inspired by the weapon that served as the backbone of feudal Japan’s infantry. Over half a meter taller than its regular Yari cousin, this Long Yari version will provide more reach on the battlefield than ever before. This spear is handpainted and sculpted, and the finished result is a beautiful weapon with a long double-edged spearhead. A short golden ricasso attaches the spearhead to a black-lacquered and gold trimmed pole inspired by Asian design.

Made from durable closed cell foam around a fibreglass core and finished with a strong latex coating, you can feel confident that your LARP weapon will provide the safety and appeal you want when crafting your kit.

Yari (槍) is the term for one of the traditionally made Japanese blades (nihonto) in the form of a spear, or more specifically, the straight-headed spear.

The martial art of wielding the yari is called sōjutsu.

Your Yari was handed to you by your master many years ago. It was a bittersweet moment for you, because while it meant you overcome all obstacles in your training, it also meant it was time to set out on your own.

You find the handle comforting, your hand finding its usual well-worn grip. You look beyond the campfire where a fresh fish now cooks, sizzling in the heat, looking to the flickering shadows along the treeline. You have the sense that tonight you and your spear may once again be tested as you hear the unmistakable snap of a twig, your grip tightening in anticipation.

DETAILS

Epic Armoury’s Yari is an impressive 200 cm latex polearm inspired by the weapon that served as the backbone of feudal Japan’s infantry. This Yari is handpainted and sculpted, and the finished result is a beautiful weapon with a long double-edged 55 cm spearhead. A short golden ricasso attaches the spearhead to a black-lacquered and gold trimmed pole inspired by Asian design.

Made from durable closed cell foam around a fibreglass core and finished with a strong latex coating, you can feel confident that your LARP weapon will provide the safety and appeal you want when crafting your kit.

HISTORY

• A form of the spear has been used for hunting for at least 400,000 years
• Spears were the most common form of weaponry during the Stone Age, and remained popular until firearms were introduced
• Considered a traditional weapon of Japan that was relatively easy to use and manufacture
• The martial art of wielding a yari is called sojutsu