[TheForge] Shortcut Sword?

Tue Nov 4 20:02:01 2003

Ene bichizh ogsen baina shuu...

> As far as the weight thing goes it is more in the balance than the weight.
>
> Joe's sword started life as a 1" sq. bar of 1018 about 10" long. more
> than half the weight is in the handle. ( The balance point is about 1 "
> into the grip behind the hand guard.
>
> Mike Graf

Actually, weight counts too- no Medieval swordsman wanted to carry around a
big ol' club. Most swords used by fighters in the MA weighed no more than 3
or 4 lbs, and the so-called "blood gutters" were designed to lighten the
sword without sacrificing strength.

One of the irritatring things about the "fantasy" swords, is that if you
notice, most of them are designed to be elade heavy, with a lot of frou frou
and curlicues in the blade, still making the heavy, but now without the
stability to function as a serious weapon. Also, if you get a chance to look
at any of the popular wall hanging "Highlander" type swords, you'll notice
that they're tremendously blade heavy- rather like swinging a crow-bar (the
manufacturers haven't figured out yet that that pretty ball on the butt is
to weight it so it's balanced- or the consumers haven't).

When I compare these sword-shaped objects, to the Great Sword reproduction I
handled at Pennsic, made by one of Jim Hrisoulas' students, light as a
feather, deadly poetry in motion, I wonder why some of these manufacturers
bother. And, until I handled that beautifully made, pattern-welded blade, I
had never even considered using a Great Sword- who wants to swing a
telephone pole? But now, if any of you guys happens to have about $7800
you'll let me have.......

Saint Phlip,
CoDoLDS

"When in doubt, heat it up and hit it with a hammer."
 Blacksmith's credo.

 If it walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, it is probably not a
cat.

Never a horse that cain't be rode,
And never a rider who cain't be throwed....

----- Original Message -----
From: "GHS" <[email protected]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, November 04, 2003 7:31 PM
Subject: Re: [TheForge] Shortcut Sword?

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