I don’t know if it’s because of the holidays season coming but we have a debate at the Calimacil workshop: what should be the color of the Draken ?

This is a serious philosophical question and we are not able to agree on it. So we decide to ask to the experts: YOU!

Tell us which color should be the Draken by voting or sending a comment:

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With the holiday season approaching I would like to share with you some indoor games that you can do with your family and friends using  foam swords. I know by experience that having games at a holiday party is always a win-win situation and helps for people to have fun together.

Arms & Legs Dual Game
One game that is fun, safe and easy to do is of course to have a “dual”. The game rule is to hit your opponent either on the arms or the legs.  Once a leg or arm has been used it cannot be used again.  As an example, if you touch my left legs I have go down on my left knee to the floor. Of course hitting the face or the body is not allowed and if one opponent does that he loses the game.   The games end when the first person successfully touch the 2 legs and 2 arms of his opponent.

Castle Game
Another game is the “castle game” where one opponent protects the castle while the other tries to touch it with a foam sword. Find something to use as a castle such a carton box, balloon or other none breakable object. The object need to stand up and easily fall down or move if you touch it with the sword. The best is a balloon. The rule is one opponent plays as the defender and the other as the attacker. The defender has the object between his legs and tries to protect it from the attacker.  The defender tries to touch the attacker without leaving the castle. The game finishes when either the attacker touches the castle or the defender touch the attacker 5 times.

Another recommendation is when you do this indoor games it better to use small sword such as a dagger. As an example, using a Brennus or Bratel la Grande dagger are perfect for that. You can also use other swords but you know Calimacil is the best for that .

There are a lot of other games you can play at a party.  With a bit of imagination I’m sure you have can find other fun games as well.

What games do you play with your foam sword?

I recently received the charming visit of the journalist Marie-Claude Veillette and his team in my small workshop. I answered a question that several people have asked me in the past (I ask this question to myself as well sometimes..).

The question that Marie-Claude posed was: What made you interested in the world of foam swords?

I have studied for several years in the area of mobile robotics. I decided to put that knowledge on hold for a while to start my company of design and manufacture of foam swords. This uncommon project aroused the interest of Marie-Claude who then made a television report on my team and me. The whole report was then presented to Québécois television channel TQS.

Marie-Claude is a true professional. During the report one can see images of our workshop there (without revealing too much of our secrets). In one shot, you can see me holding a sword made from our very latest collection; the sword of the character Amos Daragon written by the author Bryan Perro. This collection was done for the summer LARP camp for kids, named Sanctuaire des Barves (The Sanctuary of the Brave Men). We also discussed the first tests there were taken when we began to manufacture the foam swords. And finally, along with my blacksmith Denis, we were able to show some weapon skill by using our Calimacil swords through a combat.

In short it was an excellent meeting with Marie-Claude that I have been able to share bits and pieces with you.

The report on Calimacil was presented on the French Quebecois Broadcast channel TQS for the Reflet de l’Estrie show presented by Genevieve Côté.

Note: This interview will soon be added on our Calimacil YouTube Channel.

People are often interested in learning our process at Calimacil when we create our realistic foam swords. Let me share part of the process with you when we created our Viking Warlord Sword in regards to the legend of Ragnar Lodbrok.

Our blacksmiths at Calimacil have designed with precision a sword that was originally created in the ninth century with a sword length of 92 cm. This blade was known to be one of the heaviest swords created in the Viking age. Twisted silver and copper wire separated two rows of decoration found on the pommel, which is made up of four lobes.

The Viking sword was for single-handed use that was to be combined with a shield, with a blade length of 60–80 cm. The shape of the sword was based upon the swords used during the Dark Ages, with a tight grip, long deep fuller and having no pronounced cross guard.

When we get inspired by such a story we start the process of creation through many steps a new foam sword is something need a lot of works. First, following the research phase we need to design and create draft. A physical mockup is then created in order to be used as a matrix for the mold. After we use the Matrix and create the mold it will then be use to contain our Calimacil foam.

You can see a video of Daniel Besnier our artist while it was sculpting the matrix of swords as we did for the Ragnar (unfortunately we do not have a video of this one). In the video you will notice on the left side a white paper draft made by Daniel as a initial phase of the Sword creation.

With so many people using Calimacil’s foam swords and realizing their superiority in all areas, we have been receiving many requests for Calimacil to create a Chinese Jian sword for practicing Martial Arts.

I have already created two Katanas sword called Yakamoto, Wind of The Tigre and Shogunate, Wind of the Dragon. Those Katanas are used for Kendo, but since I have so many people sending me emails saying “Patrick, you need to make more Martial Arts swords” I decided to do some experimenting with Chinese swords, particularly for those of you who practice Tai Chi.  Before begin recreating historical and martial arts swords, it is my policy at Calimacil to ensure that it is at the very best quality before it is released to the public.

The creation of a new weapon takes time and patience. We need to ensure the model will be possible to mould and of course being realistic as much as possible. In addition, my research really starts when I need to identify how to make it safe and resistant. I need to try various types of plastic and foam to reach the perfect balance of weight and resistance.

I ask that all of you who love Calimacil and love to practice Martial Arts to be patient with me while I make sure that any sword we create is the very best sword that we can produce!

People always smile at me when I tell them that I make foam swords.  I agree with them - it’s quite original being a foam blacksmith.  Despite the originality of the product, it is quite a serious thing for myself and the Calimacil team.  Creating a foam sword that can resist real battle,  be secure, safe and realistic at the same time is a real challenge.

The other thing lot of people question me about is why someone will buy a foam sword?  First of all because is really fun.  The feeling of handling a real sword and fighting with it is an incredible sensation.  Moreover having a dual with someone is a real sport.  One that requires strength, rapidity and endurance.  The best thing is that the opponent does not need to be at the same level.  I usually fight with a lot of different people and am always surprised about the variety of style people can create when they fence.

There is a lot a different usage for foam sword.  Most common usage is to play LARP where people create character and games around the usage of foam sword or boffer.  More recently I have noticed a lot of our clients are martial art practitioners.  Using a wood sword or even a metal sword is a bit scary for beginners. The usage of a foam sword will help to develop the beginner’s skill while being completely secure and safe.

For beginners and for people who just want to try how is it, I recommend that they try our squire sword.  My goal has been to try to made them for a cheaper price while keeping all the security and realistic aspect to the sword the same.  If you want to introduce yourself to the fun of being a sword master or just have a fight with friends try to buy two squire swords and have fun.

Calimacil Squire Sword

Many people complain to me: “Patrick it’s hard to reach you, how can we speak to you, what do you think about that and this, etc.”

Unfortunately, I’m not able to speak to everyone, so my team and I came with up with this idea to create a blog.

The purpose of this blog is to give you highlights of what we are doing at Calimacil.   I will also mention things that I find to be personally interesting.

I like to travel and go to many medieval faire’s and LARP activities.  So this blog will be a place for me to share with you about my experiences and ideas.  I also want to be able to exchange ideas with you and share things. That what this blog is for.

I will promise you this:  no sale pitch!  Go to the Calimacil web site for that.  Besides, I’d rather spend my time creating my swords - like the new viking sword Ragnar.

Patrick