Re: constructive solutions

[Rowanwald South <rowanwald@wwisp.com>]

Poster: Rowanwald South <rowanwald@wwisp.com>

a TI article described an apparatus, consisting of a post, a
> bowling ball, and a tape measure, which can be used to accurately
> measure the force of a blow.

> Gregory Blount

My 2 cents worth...

As a full time paramedic and part time Chirrrjunn, (OK nobody else can 
spell it either) I must tell of a little experiance.

At Marinus/Tir-Y-Don event about a year or so ago, the staff tried to set 
up this test.  For the most part the greatest distance the bowling ball 
traveled was the distance that the stand fell over.  The ball on it's own 
only travelled inches even from the hardest blow.  Not much of a guage 
I'm afraid.

One further danger reared its ugly head.  On that fateful day, a certain 
unnamed Viscount hit a perfect blow in form and position...which (you 
figure out the physics) rebounded the rattan sword squarely at him and as 
he dodged the blow, caught it right between the eyes -WHACK- shards of 
glasses flying.  To his honor, he was the only person who moved the ball 
without just knocking the stand over.

I would suggest a differant form of test, but if this is to be done 
ensure that care is taken and especially that helms are worn.

Sorry that I couldn't be more help.

In service,

Philip the Bashful

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