Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 10, 2009 4:43:36 GMT
I recently purchased one of these on sale from KoA after eyeballing it for a few months. I eventurally decided that it would make a decent little project sword to experiment with. I must admit, it's a nifty little sword - on par with Mike's review of it last year. Since Gen II never did rework it to make it on par with the Type XIV in Oakeshott's collection (by shortening the grip and lengthing the blade), I went ahead and customized it to my personal liking. I added a wasted grip with a burgundy leather over cord wrap and refinished the entire sword with a grey Scoth Brite pad. It's definately a bit of an oddball to have around the house, but it hilariously fun to cut with and small enough to carry to a crowded period event where might want to avoid having a longer scabbard banging into people shins. I lovingly call it my medieval gladius, because that is exactly how it handles. ;D
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 11, 2009 17:53:04 GMT
I like the way you've done it, but the original's handle is just so damn long it looks weird to me.
M.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 11, 2009 23:09:06 GMT
The replica's handle is about an 1" longer than the original, and you are correct...it does look a little funny. However, when you wield it, its a totally different story. It's quite likable and very nimble - just as a larger fighting knife or dagger.
The grip was way too fat as it was. By tapering and waisting it, it feels much better in the hand, giving the sword an even more agile feel.
I can honestly say once I got the grip done - there is absolutely nothing about this sword that I do not like. It's a perfect little blade and one hell of a value on sale from KoA. Owning this little beast has settled me on getting a Gen II Gladius at some point from my Roman kit!
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 12, 2009 0:44:45 GMT
Very nice job. I like it much better then what you started with. I love the finish you put on the steel. Are there any stores that carry the grey Scotch Brite pad, or do you just order them online? I assume these are the ultra fine?
The handle now fits the sword much better.
+1
-gaffer
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 12, 2009 2:57:10 GMT
At Home Depot here, they carry two kinds. Green and dark grey (which is extra fine - equal to about 800 grit sandpaper). You want the dark grey one, though occasionally I will use the green to get off heavy rust / patination first then finish with the grey.
Cut off a square the size of a postage stamp, oil it with gun oil, and only work about 2" of blade at a time going with the grain of the steel. This will ensure you don't end up cutting yourself and apply an even finish over the whole sword.
|
|
|
Post by shadowhowler on Jun 12, 2009 5:13:31 GMT
Love what you did with it... looks great. I've been very tempted to pic this one up... I love short quick blades.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 13, 2009 12:01:02 GMT
At Home Depot here, they carry two kinds. Green and dark grey (which is extra fine - equal to about 800 grit sandpaper). You want the dark grey one, though occasionally I will use the green to get off heavy rust / patination first then finish with the grey. Cut off a square the size of a postage stamp, oil it with gun oil, and only work about 2" of blade at a time going with the grain of the steel. This will ensure you don't end up cutting yourself and apply an even finish over the whole sword. GREAT information.. thanks, -gaffer
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 13, 2009 18:06:48 GMT
Looks great! Very nice job! Any cutting vids? Would be awesome! How solid is this sword, especially the blade, regarding gen'2 soft temper?
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 19, 2009 1:05:42 GMT
I don't really like the cross guard, but everything look very nice.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 19, 2009 2:10:42 GMT
The crossguard looked a little off to me as well, but then when you take into consideration that this sword would be used against larger blades - it makes sense from a tactical viewpoint. It does not make it look better, but it helped me understand why the historical sword was designed this way.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 23, 2009 16:19:43 GMT
At Home Depot here, they carry two kinds. Green and dark grey (which is extra fine - equal to about 800 grit sandpaper). You want the dark grey one, though occasionally I will use the green to get off heavy rust / patination first then finish with the grey. Cut off a square the size of a postage stamp, oil it with gun oil, and only work about 2" of blade at a time going with the grain of the steel. This will ensure you don't end up cutting yourself and apply an even finish over the whole sword. GREAT information.. thanks, -gaffer Ok, I didn't have any luck at the home depots in Indy, but O'Reilys Auto parts had them in stock, but I had to ask for them, they were not on the shelves.. looking forward to trying them out on a sword Thanks again for the info. -gaffer
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 23, 2009 17:44:59 GMT
Wow...amazing what you've done makes a HUGE difference to my eye. Sadly, I don't have the customization skills you do so it wouldn't make sense for me to pick one of these up. Thanks for sharing, Odingaard.
|
|