BSSA governing guidelines SA 2024
BSSA ( BladeSport South Africa)
Standard Competition Rules (South African BladeSport )
1. All competitors must sign a Release of Liability prior to each event, as set out in the knife specification section.
2. All competitors must abide by all instructions given by BSSA event officials. (COTC)
3. Only the following competing category’s are allowed.
All under age contestants must be accompanied by a parent.
4. All competitors must use a legal knife / chopper.
5. A safety meeting must be attended prior to each event.
6. Only knives that have a sturdy sheath will be allowed in event area. Zipper cases will not be allowed.
7. Competing bare foot or with slick soled and flip flops is prohibited.
8. Eye protection must be worn at all times while in event area.
9. Alcohol, performance enhancing drugs or illegal substances will not be tolerated at any BSSA event, workshop, training session or demonstration.
10. All knives must be placed and remain in an area designated by event officials at the time of an event.
11. Only one (1) knife will be unsheathed at a time unless directed by event officials.
12. Event officials will inspect all knives prior to the start of each competition for adherence to BSSA knife specifications. Officials will also inspect knives for any noticeable damage during events.
13. Penalties will be administered for any safety, rules or procedure infraction. Penalties will range from a warning, up to and including disqualification.
14. Infractions posing a threat to spectators, officials, other Cutters or the Cutter him/herself will result in a 5 point deduction.
15. Infractions determined to be minor will result in a five (5) point deduction from the cutter’s score or a five (5) second addition to the Cutter’s time, depending on the type of event.
16. All the challenges must be shared on the BSSA groups 7 days before the event.
17. Designated stop blocks must be implemented on the course at dangerous points for example corners and wet destinations.
Knife Specifications
1. Maximum knife size specifications:
• Blade Length –MAX 254mm (measured from the front of the handle to the blade tip)
• Overall Length – MAX 381mm(measured from the back of the handle to the blade tip)
• Blade Width – MAX 50.8mm (measured at the widest part of the blade)
• Blade and Handle Thickness – No restrictions
2. From the plunge cut at the ricasso through the knife tip must be a single plane. No swells or bulges are allowed. No recurve or Kukri style shape knifes allowed.
3. False edges and grinds along the spine to reduce weight or drag are allowed.
4. Added weights forward of the handle are not allowed.
5. No holes in the blade forward of the handle will be allowed except for integrals where the blade is measured from the plunge line. The lanyard hole can be placed to the rear of the plunge line which would be in the guard or ferral on an integral.
6. All Handles must have at least 1 visible pin or tube that passes through the handle material and tang.
7. All Knives must have a secure lanyard hole with a sturdy wrist lanyard, if the lanyard hole is at the back of handle ( osborn type lanyard pattern )
BSSA event officials may disqualify any knife if the lanyard system, in any way, presents a safety hazard.
8.All Knives must have a sturdy sheath to be allowed in the event area.
9.It is recommended that knives be built with a full or a full tapered tang.
• The event officials at any BSSA gathering may ask questions to determine if knives meet specifications. .
• No Hidden tang knives are not allowed.
10. No part of the handle (or guard) shall extend further forward than the rearmost part of the cutting edge.
11. All knife design features are subject to the approval of the event Officials.
12. Production Knives:
• A knife will be considered a “production knife” if more than 20 of the same design are manufactured commercially
Event Types
Suggestions
Not all to be included
But 10-15 challenges selected
This will be a timed event.
• Discipline #1 – 2 x 4 speed cut ( horizontal beam , cut through beam between marks @ 5 inch & 15 inch ) 10 points only for completion and entry to rest of course.
• Discipline #2 – 30 mm Free hanging rope cut ( cut between tape section Lowest section ) 10 points only.
• Discipline #3 – 100 mm diameter cardboard core 80 mm tall vertical chop 5 points partial , 10 points split.
• Discipline #4 – Single slice 25 mm x 5 mm rubber strip 10 point.
• Discipline #5 – Single slice plastic drinking straw Slice from top to bottom 5 points partial , 10 points split.
• Discipline #6– 2 cuts Single plastic drinking straw Chop horizontal 2 points per successful cut Max 10 points 5 cuts .
• No cutting on table.
• Discipline #7 – 20mm Free hanging rope cut ( cut between tape section Lowest section ) 10 points only.
• Discipline #8– 5 water bottle Chop horizontal 2 points per successful cut Max 10 points.
• Discipline # 9– Single chop Rolling golf ball 10 points ball split in 2.
• Discipline # 10– Single chop Rolling tennis ball 10 points.
• Discipline #11 – Single chop Toilet roll core Single chop 10 points.
• Discipline #12 2 x Single slice pool noodle 5 points per completed slice 10 point.
• Discipline #13– 2 x 4 speed cut ( horizontal or vertical beam , cut through beam between marks ) 10 points only for completion of course ( stop clock ).
Alternative ideas
• Paper slice 10
• Credit card core chop 10
• Playing card slice 5/10
• Dowel stick chop 10
• Broom stick chop 10
• Gas pipe slice ( x 5 ) 5x 2
• Vertical water bottle chop 10
• PVC pipe chop 5/10
• 15 mm rope cut, chop, cut
• any other challenge that organizers include
EXTRA EVENTS
2 x 4 Speed cut – This will be a timed event. The top 3 finishers may be awarded prizes
no breaks allowed
Extra events
Multi bottle chop The top 3 finishers may be awarded prizes
Extra event
Free Hanging Rope Cut – This will be an elimination style cut. The top 3 cutters may be awarded prizes.
Points may be awarded for event totals and yearly totals.
In case of a tie awards will be shared.
Multi Station Course – The course will be designed on a per event basis.
2 x 4, rope cut and other cuts as determined by event officials.
Scoring totals to be kept by
2 non competing officials and compared after event
( recorder on a printed form )
For record keeping
Final score and placements
To be made available after prize giving !
Funding Model :
Each participant will pay a participation fee to assist with consumables
Sponsors may be approached for assistance with consumables
Prizes to be sourced from related sponsors to the knife making industry , knife making supply shops and other interested sponsors
We should attempt to make spectators free of charge or a minimum charge (R20) eg.
We should also make sure that organizers do not lose out financially by footing the bill for consumables needed for the competition
BSSA steering committee
To record and admin all records and results for the sport
And retain a membership database of all participants