Graphite cores
Hollow graphite tubes (AKA "Kitespar") can be found at a range of diameters. At thicker diameters (as much as 0.5" or more), Funnoodle can last far longer, and thinner diameters might be useful for arrow shafts.
While golf club shafts make a fine core, they do have one issue. They tend to be tapered, which makes wrapping the "business end" difficult. Unwrapped, golf clubs and graphite tubes alike will chew through funnoodle in record time.
Solid graphite rods tend to have a lot of 'flex' and are inappropriate as an Amtgard weapon core. An overly flexible melee weapon will get a lot of false 'whip' hits, and an arrow that flexed as it was fired would be even less accurate than usual.
Advantages vs golf shafts
- Uniform diameter over the entire length. This makes wrapping the core (wrapping the tip is a common way to reduce foam wear) easier, and the entire tube more structurally sound.
- Variety of diameters
Disadvantages vs golf shafts
- They do not come with a built-in grip
- They cannot be found in garage sales and thrift shops
Where to find graphite tubes
- http://www.kitebuilder.com/ In addition to graphite tubes, this site also sells tube end caps (including some notched ones that look like they'd be handy for making arrows), nylon and dacron fabric, paint for same, and some other things an Amtgardian might find useful.
- http://www.google.com/search?q=graphite+tube Lots O Hits. This is how the author found kitebuilder.com.
- http://www.warlordsports.com/505-kitespar Popular site to find many different cores
aome useful hints on wrapping cores is nerf dart tips for the end and wrpping hot-glued denim to the shaft to reduce wear and shake to the noodle
