Stage Daggers?

Question

im props crew head for a show and someone gets stabed i need to find one of thoes retractable stage blades like a dagger

high school theater
amazing combat director
black box theater

Answer 1

Rubber ones work well if the person can stage the stabbing so the knife goes into the armpit and the audience doesn't see it well. There are retractable ones, try one of the scenic supply houses like Rose's or Grosh but they will be expensive. A magic store should have something as well.

Answer 2

Retractable-blade daggers are terrific in principle, but, as a long-time actor/director, I never use them. Think about it: you can oil and test that sucker a million times, but IF the one time the retracting mechanism STICKS is the one time it counts...ouch. If I was the actor who was on the receiving end, I don't think I'd be too pleased with that.

Seriously, I think that they make actors and (especially) fight choreographers lazy. The choreographer (you should NEVER stage physical contact or combat in a show without one) is responsible for everyone's safety. The sort of stabbing action that an actor is likely to employ if a retractable blade is being used is one that a choreographer would NEVER allow otherwise.

Depending on the required action, the proficiency of the actors involved, and (especially) the quality of the choreogrpher, I think it's just as safe, and just as effective, to use a real weapon (with a blunted/filed blade OF COURSE).

Answer 3

Costume shops are wonderful things. Even the seasonal Halloween costume shop should have them! Good Luck!

Answer 4

look on e-bay you might find something there.