How to Make Cheap Sparring Sticks

Many martial arts involve the use of hand weapons, ranging from escrima sticks to kendo swords. However, if you want to spar safely then you will need to make some padded weapons you can wield through the proper forms, but which won't end up knocking your opponent's brains all over the floor. Fortunately if you have $10 or so, you can make a decent sparring stick with some basic home improvement supplies.

Things You'll Need

  • PVC pipe
  • Foam pipe padding
  • Duct tape
  • Double sided tape
  • Scissors
  • Saw
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Instructions

    • 1

      Cut a piece of PVC pipe two inches shorter than the total length of the stick you want. Make sure that the PVC ends are smooth and that they don't have any sharp edges that will stick through the padding.

    • 2

      Cut a piece of pipe padding that will encase the PVC pipe. The padding should be two inches longer than the pipe, with one inch on either end of the pipe for additional room. Put a piece of double sided tape along the padding and stick the PVC pipe to it to hold the pipe in place.

    • 3

      Wrap the pipe in the padding. Put a strip of tape completely around the insulation every 6 inches to hold the stick and padding in place. Be sure to include the far ends of the stick.

    • 4

      Stuff the inch-wide gaps at the end with additional padding. This prevents injury from hard, stabbing shots during practice. Tape over the ends in an X formation to hold the padding in place.

    • 5

      Wrap the entire stick in tape. Duct tape works well, but other types of tape can be used if you want. Once the whole stick is taped -- PVC, padding and all -- you have a ready-to-use practice stick.