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Post by ShooterMike on Nov 11, 2009 3:20:07 GMT
Alvin got me thinking with his new AT1211 / Darkwood English Basket-hilt project. So I did a little piecing together of some stuff I had laying around. I'm not finished yet. Still lots of cleanup and refinishing to do. But here are some pictures of first stages of my basket-hilt project. I started with an old ATrim DD1404 that I originally bought from Lee's Armoury about 4 years ago. I shortened the tang and reground a new threaded section to fit the shorter 3.8" grip of the English basket I had acquired from an early ATrim/Christian Fletcher sword project. I always thought this basket needed to be fitted to a broadsword blade, and Alvin got me looking in new directions. Here are the initial results: The specs look like this... Blade Length: 30" Overall Length: 37" Weight: 3 lbs 8 ozs PoB: 3" It turned out pretty heavy... very heavy in fact. But I was hugely surprised when I weighed it. I actually weighed 2-3 other swords just to make sure the scales were correct. It feels a full pound lighter than its actual weight. And I am really liking the handling, though I usually hate heavy swords. I cut a little with this beast as soon as it was assembled. Its performance was a pleasant surprise. It cuts as least as well as the original DD1404, and that's saying a lot. So, needless to say, I am cautiously loving this one.
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Marc Ridgeway
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"The best cost less when you buy it the first time." - Papabear
Posts: 3,122
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Post by Marc Ridgeway on Nov 11, 2009 3:30:34 GMT
Very nice...another reason to envy Mike....
+1
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Post by alvin on Nov 11, 2009 3:51:06 GMT
Oh man...That did turn out beautifully Mike !! You have produced a great looking English baskethilt broadsword. I wish that I had your skills.
I had the same experience with my baskethilt. When I took the sword out of the box, and held it in hand, I was amazed at how light it felt and thought surely it didn't weigh much over 2.25 lbs. Only to discover that it weighs 2.8 lbs.
+ 1 2 U.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 11, 2009 4:11:33 GMT
OK and how much is shipping to get it from Texas to Indiana?
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Post by Deleted on Nov 11, 2009 4:12:57 GMT
Where is all the weight coming from? Perhaps the basket is overbuilt? Still, if it handles well...
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Post by ShooterMike on Nov 11, 2009 4:14:33 GMT
Yeah, the basket is a bit overbuilt. I suspect it's one of the first ones Christian built. I would guess the basket at slightly over a pound.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 11, 2009 4:45:26 GMT
Still looks really neat all the same, you should heat color the basket I think blackened baskets look great. One of my favorites is the Hanwei Antiqued Scottish Broadsword, I have held one and damn it is heavy. Then again these were for the Scots who always had it good on the arm
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Post by Kilted Cossack on Nov 12, 2009 15:09:27 GMT
Mike, that's lurvly!
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Post by Deleted on Nov 12, 2009 15:43:55 GMT
Looks great. My type of sword.
Rather on the heavy side for a single handed sword but even with armor on, you would not want to get hit with that sword.
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Post by ShooterMike on Nov 12, 2009 15:51:42 GMT
BB, you and I think alike. It actually was heat blued when I got it, but it sat around on my work table and got a little rusty so I cleaned it up with Scotch Brite. After I get if finished the bluing will definitely be re-applied. Bill, that's the sword you had trouble cutting with when you were here. The grip was very awkward for you (and me). With newer less tapered grips it works like a charm. And when I pick it up and swing it, I still swear it only weights about 2.75 lbs...
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Post by Tom K. (ianflaer) on Nov 12, 2009 18:06:21 GMT
beautiful Mike. I have had the same experience with my Cold Steel Horseman's basket hilted broad sword. it weighs in very heavy but feels very light. having all that mass right on your hand really makes it easy to move, but it will tire you out faster simply because you are still holding that weight aloft. still that's small potatoes. I likes basaket hilts. it is kinda disgusting that you can just whip out something like this from stuff you have laying around. yeah, I'm Jealous so what. ;D
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Post by Deleted on Nov 13, 2009 1:36:00 GMT
Love the over all look of the sword. I especially the blade. Looks like a brutal cutter. I am envious, would like to give that one a go.
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Post by ShooterMike on Nov 13, 2009 1:58:56 GMT
beautiful Mike. I have had the same experience with my Cold Steel Horseman's basket hilted broad sword. it weighs in very heavy but feels very light. having all that mass right on your hand really makes it easy to move, but it will tire you out faster simply because you are still holding that weight aloft. still that's small potatoes. I likes basaket hilts. it is kinda disgusting that you can just whip out something like this from stuff you have laying around. yeah, I'm Jealous so what. ;D Well Tom... If you will just lay out some bucks on stuff you turn out not to like, or that just doesn't work, then take them apart and leave the parts laying around the shop... You'll get there in no time!
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Post by Tom K. (ianflaer) on Nov 13, 2009 15:21:27 GMT
;D I know but that still doesn't stop me from being jealous. also makes me wonder just how much more fine steel you have squirreled away down there on your Texas ranch.
I am being pretty careful in my purchases lately so I have my doubt that I will ever end up with lots of surplus parts.
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Post by YlliwCir on Nov 13, 2009 19:12:47 GMT
Nice, Mike. Video?
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Post by sparky on Nov 13, 2009 23:27:03 GMT
WOW. Mike you are, like my hero!
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