Electric knife fighting is less scary and dangerous than it sounds. I put it on the same level as paintball. The knives are made of rubber, and the electricity comes from inexpensive self-defense stun flashlights off eBay. This became a tradition at Grindfest.
Before this, the knives were made with any available materials, usually cheap stun gun flashlights with rubber knives strapped to the front and steel rope fastened to the blade with zip ties or tape. We want to make this safer and reliable because the zip ties were cutting people and the tape doesn't allow the cable to conduct.
Enough background
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This project started with sketches for potential blade designs. None of them relied on rubber training knives used in the past. All models removed sharp corners and exposed fasteners.
The first design was to cut some plastic in a willow leaf shape with a rounded top. Each face of the plastic would have some aluminum tape that stopped at the edge. The tape would act as the electrodes and zap along the edges.
The second design used two lengths of wire running through holes along the sides. The conductor on the left and right were not connected and never crossed. This would spark along the flat of the blade.
The third design abandoned the plastic sheet and rigidly stood four threaded rods out the top of a handle. It could have been done with two rods. Anything conductive between adjacent rods would get zapped.
The last design was based on a model that Hylyx made at Grindfest by wrapping copper wire around a pool noodle. Instead of copper wire, I wanted to use the steel cable, and instead of wrapping it in a helix, I wanted to run it up and down like rails.
The rest of the posts for this project have been arranged by date.
First time here?
Completed projects from year 1
Completed projects from year 2
Completed projects from year 3
Completed projects from year 4
Completed projects from year 5
Completed projects from year 6
Disclaimer for http://24hourengineer.blogspot.com and 24HourEngineer.com
This disclaimer must be intact and whole. This disclaimer must be included if a project is distributed.
All information in this blog, or linked by this blog, is not to be taken as advice or solicitation. Anyone attempting to replicate, in whole or in part, is responsible for the outcome and procedure. Any loss of functionality, money, property, or similar, is the responsibility of those involved in the replication.
All digital communication regarding the email address 24hourengineer@gmail.com becomes the intellectual property of Brian McEvoy. Any information contained within these messages may be distributed or retained at the discretion of Brian McEvoy. Any email sent to this address, or any email account owned by Brian McEvoy, cannot be used to claim property or assets.
Comments to the blog may be utilized or erased at the discretion of the owner. No one posting may claim property or assets based on their post.
This blog, including pictures and text, is copyright to Brian McEvoy.
2019-05-08
One of the existing Grindfest knives shown in a Gizmodo video
Before this, the knives were made with any available materials, usually cheap stun gun flashlights with rubber knives strapped to the front and steel rope fastened to the blade with zip ties or tape. We want to make this safer and reliable because the zip ties were cutting people and the tape doesn't allow the cable to conduct.
Enough background
----------
This project started with sketches for potential blade designs. None of them relied on rubber training knives used in the past. All models removed sharp corners and exposed fasteners.
The first design was to cut some plastic in a willow leaf shape with a rounded top. Each face of the plastic would have some aluminum tape that stopped at the edge. The tape would act as the electrodes and zap along the edges.
Aluminum tape on plastic
The second design used two lengths of wire running through holes along the sides. The conductor on the left and right were not connected and never crossed. This would spark along the flat of the blade.
Paddle with wire lacing
The third design abandoned the plastic sheet and rigidly stood four threaded rods out the top of a handle. It could have been done with two rods. Anything conductive between adjacent rods would get zapped.
Electrified rods
The last design was based on a model that Hylyx made at Grindfest by wrapping copper wire around a pool noodle. Instead of copper wire, I wanted to use the steel cable, and instead of wrapping it in a helix, I wanted to run it up and down like rails.
Steel rope surrounding foam padding
Electrified pool noodle built by Hylyx
The rest of the posts for this project have been arranged by date.
First time here?
Completed projects from year 1
Completed projects from year 2
Completed projects from year 3
Completed projects from year 4
Completed projects from year 5
Completed projects from year 6
Disclaimer for http://24hourengineer.blogspot.com and 24HourEngineer.com
This disclaimer must be intact and whole. This disclaimer must be included if a project is distributed.
All information in this blog, or linked by this blog, is not to be taken as advice or solicitation. Anyone attempting to replicate, in whole or in part, is responsible for the outcome and procedure. Any loss of functionality, money, property, or similar, is the responsibility of those involved in the replication.
All digital communication regarding the email address 24hourengineer@gmail.com becomes the intellectual property of Brian McEvoy. Any information contained within these messages may be distributed or retained at the discretion of Brian McEvoy. Any email sent to this address, or any email account owned by Brian McEvoy, cannot be used to claim property or assets.
Comments to the blog may be utilized or erased at the discretion of the owner. No one posting may claim property or assets based on their post.
This blog, including pictures and text, is copyright to Brian McEvoy.
2019-05-08
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