How to Tape a Sabre

Hi, Rebecca here! In this post, I am going to provide you with some tips for taping a sabre. Instructors, I’ll share with you a few different ways I’ve seen sabres taped to enhance your general effect. Performers, always make sure to check with your staff before buying or taping equipment for your season. For tips on taping flags or taping rifles, check out our previous posts.

What you need:

• Electrical Tape 
  • I typically use black and white, but you can use other colors.
• Goo Gone Adhesive Remover + old rag (optional)
  • Since I was retaping my sabre, I used Goo Gone to remove the tape residue the old tape left behind.
• Scissors (optional)
  • You may want to have a pair of scissors handy to make clean cuts on your electrical tape.
• Sharpie (optional)
  • I always label my personal equipment! Dark-colored sharpies show up really well on white tape, so it easy to write your name or initials on the top of the blade. 

How to tape a sabre:

1. Take off the old tape.
2. Remove the old tape residue. Spray some Goo Gone on an old rag and scrub off the tape residue. Then, clean off your sabre with a damp rag and let it dry. You don’t want it dissolving the adhesive on your new tape!
3. Tape the handle. I always make sure that I have the screw covered, but I typically only use one layer of tape wrapped around the handle. I use black electrical tape, but some groups like to use a color that matches their show.
4. Tape the blade. There are several ways to do this. Some people leave the blade untapped so the sabre is shiny and reflective. Some people tape only the bottom edge of the sabre, so you get the shiny effect while also covering the part that touches your hands the most. I prefer to tape the entire blade white. I typically wrap the tape around the blade candy cane style, so that it is covered twice.
5. Add a spot tape (optional). I like to put a black rectangle of tape at the balance point of my weapons on the side facing me. I do this on rifle and sabre, but some people prefer not to.
6. Add a cheater tape (optional). Usually, a cheater tape on sabre is placed at the bottom third (that is the third closest to the tip).
7. Tape the tip. To me, this is the most important part. I prefer to tape the tip last because I often have to retape it. Taping it last makes it easy to retape the tip without retaping the entire sabre. Use several layers of tape, or try the method demonstrated in the video.

What is your favorite sabre look? Add a picture in the comments!