http://www.nobleorder.org/ht_boffer_sword.htm is a good set of instructions for making round noodle sword.
http://home.clara.net/arianrhod/Aldebaran/DoItYourself/index.html shows how to make realistic-looking latex sword.
And the wikipedia entry for LARP: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Live_action_role-playing_game
Poppa VT 