Odds and ends

[Moses]

Cliche alert! Cliche alert!

...sorry...

Anyway, I was curious where everyone who uses dessicant packs in their equipment bags actually buy the stuff (this question* applies most to folks in the 'States, preferably the Southwest, where we might encounter the same stores. Generic drugstores, perhaps?). I'd rather not have to buy medication for the little dessicants in the bottles.

*question? What do you call a sentence like this besides a statement? Inquiry? Request?

While I'm on the subject of buying little random things, where can I buy gaffer's tape for my foil tip? Home Depot, perhaps? Are there any brands that are particularly weapon friendly (durable, glue is not messy when removed, etc.)?

Thanks!

-Da Mose

[smeric28]

i've seen desicant in much larger containers than pill bottle packs. do a search for industraial suppply houses.

here's the first link google gave me.
http://www.optcorp.com/product.aspx?pid=2028

[oiuyt]

Home Depot, among others, carries dessicant in several forms/brands. Never bought any, but I've seen it when wandering around (whenever I go I tend to go down other aisles on the off chance I'll see something that's interesting or that I could perhaps use in some other project that I'm doing or might consider doing in the future).

Gaffer's tape can be purchased at theatrical supply stores and, I've been told, photograpy supply stores. No clue as to brands.

-B :)

[bwoodward]

Try Calumet Photographic. They have actual photographer's gaffer tape. I use it myself and it works great. It sticks like crazy, but when you pull it off it doesn't leave any sticky residue behind. They offer white and black. 1-800-CALUMET (225-8638).

[El Chucko]

Actually, lately my wife has been bringing home bags full of dessicant packs that she and her co-workers have set aside from the various products that they sell at Bath and Body Works.

Before I stumbled onto that goldmine, I bought large packages of dessicant at a gun store. They sell them for use in gun cases/cabinets.

On a a somewhat similar topic, does anyone have any good ideas about getting a mannequin torso for use in a fencing dummy? It does not have to look like Kim Cattrall...

[Epee Scherma]

dummys take a lot of work to make. I use a very large traffic cone. The base is heavy enough that it will lean back and fourth when hit, but never falls down. Even when you fleche it, it won't fall down. They are also easier to move around. Even though the traffic cones are a little thin, it can help you reduce and passe or flat hits.

[Moses]

Building a dummy would be a fun little project to undertake... too bad I don't have the time and woodworking skills to do it. Where'd you get the traffic cone? K-Mart? Off the street?

Another question: I have a small glove that I've fallen in love with. It doesn't have a brand name on it anywhere and I can't identify online at all. I'm guessing it was manufactured by one of the local fencing clothing dealers in my area because I bought it from a local distributor of fencing equipment. Anyway, I only have one and it's beginning to show its age. I like it because the cuff is quite long, the back has this thick, rippled cloth padding, the index finger is leather where I rest my weapon, and the fingers are skinny and very short (too short for my hands, actually, but I prefer having too-short fingers than ones that are 1 cm too long, because it really bugs me).

So, I ask you, my very helpful, humble(?) fencing community, what other gloves have these qualities (most importantly, the short, skinny fingers)? Long cuffs and leather preferred (sounds dirty, doesn't it?).

Also, where could I get a good-quality, all black glove (style is a slight factor )

Thanks!

-Da Mose

[Epee Scherma]

Yeah... I kinda just lifted it off the street. Not that I habitually steal. In fact thats the only time I've really stolen anything. It was such a rush, to pick up that big cone throw it in the back of my station wagon and drive away!

Whats nice about the cone is that the base is so heavy that it always stays in place. I might make a topic and post a video of how it can be useful if anyone is more interested.

[Moses]

...And perhaps a general instruction video in lifting cones. You know, lifting without straining, effective cone tossing for that quick getaway, times of the day when the public highway people aren't out...



I had a friend who stole a stop sign that had fallen over a pretty mean storm (monsoon season used to be fierce in Arizona). She really wanted a construction traffic-redirecting thing, though, those orange and white trianglular devices with the flashing orange light on top. I don't know if she ever got it, though, since she got pregnant and I never saw her again.

Meh.

-Da Mose