MATERIALS: LARP-Durable Materials?

1. • kitten 9 months ago

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   • I am looking to make masks for a LARP (Live-Action Role-Playing game). I made some quick last-minute masks for the last game out of plaster/cloth tape and papier mache, but sadly, all the masks broke, so I need some for more games to come.

     What I need is a strong, light, preferably FLEXIBLE material that can be shaped by hand and can withstand a good beating. I was looking at possibly making masks out of Paperclay (for the lightweight factor) and coating it with Sculpt or Coat, but I've been trying so many things, I'm starting to get edgy about trying many more.

     Any suggestions, warnings, tales of past experience, etc. that could help me out?

2. • frippery 8 months, 3 weeks ago

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   • I just started working on the same project! I have always done masks in leather, and some LARPer friends of mine asked about getting something made. Leather, unfortunately, goes flat if it gets too wet, so I thought it wouldn't be good for outside gaming.

     So I've started to play with craft foam. Turns out you can heat mold it, so if you warm it with a curling iron or just over an electric range, it will go floppy and then hold whatever shape you put it in. It isn't strong in terms of resisting tearing, but you can whack it with blunt objects all day long and it will bounce right back.

     I don't have any techniques perfected yet, but I'm basing my initial experiments on a great tutorial here:

     http://www.entropyhouse.com/penwiper/costumes/helmsdeep.html

     on making foam armor reps.

     Good luck, and tell me how it goes!

     Sarah

3. • Thermoman 8 months, 1 week ago

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   • Looking for strong, light weight mask making materials. Not to be self serving, but you might want to consider WONDERFLEX. It is available from Dazian Fabrics and others www.dazian.com It comes in large 43"x55" sheets and is 1mm thick. Heat activate with hot air gun or real hot water and you can mold into any shape you require. You can also re-activate
     Send me a mailing address and I send you a swatch to experiment with. Neat stuff
     The Thermoman of Dazian
     Brian
     b.jeffrey@comcast.net
     

4. • brentlymd 5 months, 1 week ago

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   • All you need is paper mache using a flexible white glue like Aileen's.

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