Sparring weapon

Abstract

A sparring weapon for realistic martial arts sparring includes a handle, a blade formed of and/or covered with impact-absorbing padding, and extending from the handle. An elongate cavity is located within the blade, and a weight is provided within the cavity to be repositioned therealong to thereby adjust balance and handling characteristics of the weapon.

1 . A sparring weapon comprising: 
 a handle,    a striking member extending from the handle,    an elongate cavity located within the striking member, and    weight(s) located within the cavity and repositionable therealong and/or attached externally of the weapon to thereby adjust balance and handling characteristics of the weapon.    
     
     
         2 . The sparring weapon of  claim 1  wherein the striking member is formed of and/or covered with impact-absorbing padding.  
     
     
         3 . The sparring weapon of  claim 2  wherein the impact-absorbing padding comprises foam.  
     
     
         4 . The sparring weapon of  claim 2  wherein the impact-absorbing padding is covered with a finishing-off material.  
     
     
         5 . The sparring weapon of  claim 4  wherein the finishing-off material is leather.  
     
     
         6 . The sparring weapon of  claim 1  wherein the striking member is substantially blade-shaped.  
     
     
         7 . The sparring weapon of  claim 1  wherein the cavity is defined by a rigid tubular insert.  
     
     
         8 . The sparring weapon of  claim 7  wherein the tubular insert is formed of PVC pipe.  
     
     
         9 . The sparring weapon of  claim 1  wherein the cavity extends into the handle.  
     
     
         10 . The sparring weapon of  claim 7  wherein the weight fits tightly within the tubular insert.  
     
     
         11 . The sparring weapon of  claim 7  wherein the weight is secured to the tubular insert by fasteners.  
     
     
         12 . The sparring weapon of  claim 9  wherein the cavity is accessible via a butt of the handle to enable repositioning and/or exchange of the weight and/or the addition of an extra weight or weights.