BLACKSMITHING CHAT WITH OLD FRIENDS was:[TheForge] WHATTHEHELL

Demon Buddha [email protected]
Sun Jun 23 21:55:01 2002


Ralph wrote:
> 
> >
> >
> >         Huh... I would never have associated the desireable qualities
> >         of a sword with vibration.  Weight, "balance", cutting ability,
> >         yes.
> 
> Because you did not really read the statement. Vibration is was not being
> touted as a good thing.  But the vibrations node location was decidedly
> important. All things vibrate. It is the nature of things. If a long item
> is not designed with the thought of the vibrations taken into account you
> will have problems. For example, the suspension bridge that started to rock
> in the wind until it finally collapsed. . Right now I can not remember when
> and where this was...  IIRC it was Washington State and in the '40s......
> But the point was that the vibratory node location is very important.

	Tacoma Narrows bridge.

	As for vibrations, I understand what was said.  I never considered
	any practical length sword to be long enough for  such vibration
	to be a significant problem.  If the steel is not in a good state
	of heat treat, I can see how there may be problems with, say, a
	flamberge or a 7 foot long tachi, but it came as a bit of a surprise
	that something of more modest proportions such as a katana would
	have such problems.  But then, if it is of good overall design and
	construction, it won't. :)