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Post by newblade on Aug 24, 2009 16:34:56 GMT
First, let me state that I'm mostly satisfied with this sword. However, the one thing that bothers me is that the round handle does not index very well. I'd like something more oval in shape to help with indexing.
My first thought is to add something to the handle, aligned with the cutting edges. I'm thinking of getting two pieces of thin rubber tubing (for the upper and lower edges), cut lengthwise to let them sit tight to the current handle. Then, wrap the handle in leather stripping. But before I do anything, I thought I'd pass this idea through you guys, who have much more experience with swords than I do. In fact, maybe someone has already developed a fix that I can use.
I read where one member reworked the handle itself to make it oval in cross-section, but I'm not skilled in woodworking, so that route isn't for me.
Thanks in advance.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 24, 2009 21:47:17 GMT
depending on how" beefy" the hilt is reworking it may be easiest way to go. i have the Gen 2 celtic witch came with a very large round hilt, i fallowed steps that some else here on the forum had done and it came out great. in the end much easier than makeing a whole new hilt. im not sure if your idea of adding to the hilt to make it oval will work, maybe some one else will know if this came be done. found the link
/index.cgi?board=swordcustom&action=display&thread=1800
i made mine a lil thinner than this one , but it may help ya out
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Post by newblade on Aug 28, 2009 15:20:39 GMT
Hey, Leoghen, thanks for the advice. The link shows a fairly easy way to fix the problem. Still, there is something about the look of it that doesn't appeal to me. But as they say, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
So I started thinking of other methods, and I ended up with something that seems like it will work.
The G2 Maintz handle has 4 sections that are ... scalloped (the only word I can think of to describe it). These scallops are good for grip forward and backward, but because they are perfectly round in cross-section, they do nothing for proper indexing of your grip, and the smoothness of the wood lets the handle twist side-to-side too much in your hand.
Here's what I've done. I went to a sporting goods store and bought some self-adhesive tennis handle wrap -- Wilson "Cushion Pro." I cut two strips to the same width as two of the handle's scallops combined. I put one strip at the "top" of the handle (that is, in line with the edge of the blade and aligned from hilt to pommel), and the second strip at the "bottom" of the handle (again, in line with the edge of the blade and aligned from hilt to pommel). I put them over the two scallops in the middle of the handle, which makes the middle of the handle oval in cross-section.
Next, I cut two more strips to wrap completely around the two middle scallops, one strip for each. The width of the wrap is perfectly sized to fit into the scallops. I then tightly wrapped rubber bands around the straps and let things sit overnight to help with adhesion.
So far, it seems to do what I want it to do. The handle fits better in my hand, the oval cross-section in the middle helps me immediately index the sword, the wrap has some cushioning effect, plus the black color of the wrap matches perfectly with the blackened wood pieces of the hilt and pommel. As for looks, it's not ideal, but it's not bad.
I haven't had a chance yet to test it on any cuts because 1) the weather has been raining constantly, and 2) there is a slight gap where the ends of the two scallop-filling straps meet at the bottom of the handle, and I'm waiting for some filler glue that I put in there to dry. But it was a very simple fix, easy to do, and the wrap cost only $5.
I'll try to post some pics when I get a chance.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 28, 2009 23:33:17 GMT
as long as it feels good in your hands and is safe then thats all that matters , i am a big fan of the cloth tape the sport stores sell , im not sure what it really for i think ankle wrap tape or something comes in all different colors , but i use that when i dont have leather or just want it to look like cloth ;D
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Post by Deleted on Aug 28, 2009 23:44:25 GMT
i went to a fabric store and got a can of 3m glue to secure it to my 300 sword it works great
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Post by Deleted on Aug 28, 2009 23:49:00 GMT
i used this fabric that looks just like leather but has better grip
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Post by newblade on Aug 29, 2009 14:19:14 GMT
I haven't had a chance to cut with it yet, but the gap-filler glue has dried, so I've been able to hold it and run through some practice swings.
I ended up adding two more strips to the remaining two scallops because there was too much play between the middle of the handle and the front & back of the handle. With the extra two strips, that play is now gone.
It grips well, doesn't slide around, and fills my hand well (my hands are slight larger than most). If you have average or small hands, it might not work as well for you because the tennis wrap is padded down the center, which makes it somewhat thick.
The one thing that might be a problem is the padded center. It cushions my grip, but that also means it adds a little play. I can feel a slight difference between practice swings with my modified G2 grip and the grip of my wooden bokken, which has only a shoestring-type wrap glued to the handle. The play is very slight, so it might not affect energy transfer during a cut. Or it might. There's no way to tell until I do some cutting.
If I had to do it all over again, I'd look for something that doesn't have the padded center. Originally, I was looking for some baseball bat handle wrap, which I think would be ideal, but none of the stores around here carries any. Fortunately, the kind of adhesive that is on the tennis wrap allows for relatively easy removal and clean-up. I like being able to restore things to their original condition in case one of my ideas doesn't work. That way, I can restart from the beginning.
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Post by newblade on Aug 29, 2009 14:22:10 GMT
By the way, how do you add photos to a post?
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Post by Deleted on Aug 29, 2009 14:27:43 GMT
u need to upload it to a place such as photo bucket(the account is free) then u can copy and paste the image codes. ;D hope this helps
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Post by YlliwCir on Aug 29, 2009 14:30:27 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Aug 29, 2009 15:08:58 GMT
If you want an entirely wood grip, something more authentic, try this one. Oval out the handle as described above, but you can do it without power tools. Just start with some 80 grit sandpaper by hand and work the handle 'till you're satisfied. Then, go higher and higher grit on it until you get it where you want it. then oil the handle with a canola oil or just an olive oil. If you use it sparingly and you really work it in, it gives the wood a really nice color and it doesn't make it slippery. I'm a big fan of oiling wood!
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Post by newblade on Aug 29, 2009 15:21:25 GMT
Thanks, RicWilly. Sorry for the poor quality of the photo. In real life, I'm not a photographer, and I've never played one on TV.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 29, 2009 15:24:25 GMT
Man, when you said athletic tape, I was kinda cringing but... that ain't half bad. Actually, I kinda like the look of the larger mid-section. Now for some cutting vids? Pretty please?
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Post by Deleted on Aug 29, 2009 15:29:25 GMT
ya , gotta say that looks good ;D
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Post by newblade on Aug 29, 2009 15:44:09 GMT
Thanks, guys!
I got lucky on the color match. But that's okay. I'll take good luck any time I can get it.
Sadly, it's gonna be a while before I do any cutting. I'm in the process of packing up for a move. (That and stripping wallpaper. And repainting. And repairing a leaky shower. And all the other pleasures of home repair.) However, I'm looking forward to testing this blade on some bamboo (just like the Paul Southern vid).
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Post by newblade on Sept 5, 2009 2:58:55 GMT
Update:
Had a few spare minutes today, so I did my first-ever sword cutting. The target was a one-gallon plastic jug full of water. Although I've had a couple years of escrima training, I figured I'd probably knock the jug across the yard rather that cut it in half due to beginner's technique.
To my surprise, the G2 sliced cleanly through with just the slightest "snick." Next, I gave the lower half a stab. I wondered how I had missed it at first because I felt nothing. Then I noticed the blade was sticking through both sides.
This G2 is one impressive sword! The modified handle worked just fine, although it feels a little more like a broadsword in the hand, and a little less like a gladius.
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Post by YlliwCir on Sept 5, 2009 10:22:56 GMT
Congrats on your first cutting. Fun, eh? Now get busy and make us a vid.
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Post by torawashi on Sept 6, 2009 16:46:28 GMT
Newblade; it's good to see that you thought out the problem and worked to solve it. Good work my friend. Actually, since the gladius was primarily a stabbing blade (but had sharp edges so could also be used for cutting) the shape of the grip was probably designed like it was to address forward and back motion as opposed to slashing. I also own the Gen 2 "Waisted Gladius" and in general I like it as a sword but I am not so disappointed by the grip as I am the fuller running down the middle of the blade. The blade is fairly accurately shaped but the fuller spoils it. to the best of my knowledge, no gladius has yet been discovered with a fuller. and of course the scabbard is inaccurate although that shouldn't be an issue unless you are a re-enactor or someone who is concerned about such details. Anyway, good work on your sword!
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