Usage Recommendations

PVC and Bandshoppe used to be popular options, but they are far outshone by newer choices and are not included. The Other (Other) and 3"+ PVC Pipe (Weapon Storage) pages may be helpful to you if you are still interested in PVC as a material. As for Bandshoppe, I actively recommend against it for boffers. While incredibly durable, the per-inch weight is not worth the expense and the overall weight of bandshoppe-cored boffers not only makes them more liable to cause injury/concussions, but any injury that would have happened with a lighter weapon will be amplified if instead caused by a bandshoppe weapon that weighs twice as much.

Core Type	Notes
3/8" Fiberglass Rod	Solid Fiberglass Moderately durable, relatively lightweight. Good for swung weapons up to 30". Ok for when you are making small weapons and want to keep expenses down, but better to use 1/2" Fiberglass or some form of FWET/Carbon, instead, in the long run.
1/2" Fiberglass Rod	Very durable, but heavy. Ok in a pinch or for weapons where weight isn't a concern. Good for swung weapons up to 60". Can be found in stores. Better off using .524 or .602 FWET, if possible.
.505" FWET (Filament Wound Epoxy Tubing)	Fiberglass Tube a.k.a 505 Kitespar Lightweight, and relatively affordable. Good for swung weapons up to 30". Special order only.
.524" FWET (Filament Wound Epoxy Tubing)	Fiberglass Tube a.k.a 524 Kitespar Lightweight, and relatively affordable. Stronger and stiffer than .505" FWET. Good for swung weapons up to 42" 48" when clad with quartered 1/2" PVC. Special order only.
.602" FWET (Filament Wound Epoxy Tubing)	Fiberglass Tube a.k.a 602 Kitespar Lightweight, and relatively affordable. Stronger and stiffer than .524" FWET. Good for swung weapons up to 60". Probably best kept to 48-54" without some form of reinforcement, due to flex. Special order only.
Pultruded Fiberglass Tubes	All of the fibers are aligned parallel to the tube's length due to how these are made, making them relatively stiff, but ultimately quite weak. Avoid.
Roll-Wrapped Carbon Fiber Tubes	Can be purchased at predetermined and custom specifications from multiple domestic and foreign vendors so long as you know what will be strong enough for your application. Different layups of carbon fiber and different finish weaves will produce a tubes of different properties. Alternating 0/90 degree unidirectional sheets and 3K Twill for a finish is a simple, reliable, layup. The carbon sheets used to make these come in different strengths, as well. 230-390 Modulus is a good strength range to be in. Higher is stiffer/stronger, but also more brittle and denser/heavier. It's important to strike a balance between the modulus and the dimensions chosen. If bought in bulk, prices become competitive with, and sometimes better than, FWET. For swung weapons up to 36" Wall thickness ≥ 1 mm OD ≥ 13 mm Modulus ≥ 230 For swung weapons up to 48" Wall thickness ≥ 1.5 OD ≥ 13 mm Modulus ≥ 230 For swung weapons up to 72"* Wall thickness ≥ 2 OD ≥ 14 mm Modulus ≥ 230 For swung weapons up to 84"* Wall thickness ≥ 2 OD ≥ 16 mm Modulus ≥ 230 For swung weapons up to 96"* Wall thickness ≥ 2 OD ≥ 17 mm Modulus ≥ 230 For piercing weapons up to 144" Still working on a recommendation * add 12" weapon length for same spec for piercing weapons
Pultruded Carbon Fiber Tubes	All of the fibers are aligned parallel to the tube's length due to how these are made, making them relatively stiff, but ultimately quite weak. Stronger and stiffer than pultruded fiberglass of the same dimensions. Avoid.
Graphite	Absurdly lightweight. Generally found as old graphite golf clubs, so are inexpensive, but are short and tapered. Not as durable as Fiberglass Tubes. Good for weapons under 36" that you are trying to make as light as possible and do not care if they break. Can be found at thrift stores. If you can get good carbon fiber, don't bother with these.