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Post by steelhound on Mar 31, 2011 2:11:22 GMT
Interested in a Tac Saber? Well, that certainly sounds better than rabidly obsessed, which is how I normally think of it. Thanks for checking, Tom, and for being very prompt with all of my inquiries of late.
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Post by Vincent Dolan on Mar 31, 2011 2:13:26 GMT
I'm interested, as well. I love me some curvy swords and I love me some one-handers. Seems perfect for me.
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TomK
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Post by TomK on Mar 31, 2011 5:14:55 GMT
Well, I would bet that if you were willing to drop a deposit I could get Gus to make a tactical sabre for you. so long as the programming isn't lost due to hardware crashes or something (which is possible as Gus has suffered a few over the years) I don't see ny reason why Gus wouldn't want to make one. and I can PROMISE you that if you put a deposit down for one and I was NOT able to get Gus to make one for you then TTA would certainly return your deposit in such a way that you wouldn't lose a dime.
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Sean (Shadowhowler)
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Post by Sean (Shadowhowler) on Mar 31, 2011 6:11:31 GMT
This is misleading Vincent... if Tom is trying to honestly gauge a market for interest... saying your interested when you know you will not buy one is bad form. Until your in a position to buy anything you should not keep giving that impression. Tom.... you know what has to happen to get *MY* interest...
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Post by Student of Sword on Mar 31, 2011 6:17:39 GMT
Not now since my sorry behind is heading toward the Hindu Kush in a month. But I would like to get the Little Tigress a month or two out from my redeployment back to the States. The Little Tigress will go to Sonny and be turned into "The Little Tigress that Slay Zombie."
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Post by steelhound on Mar 31, 2011 6:54:12 GMT
Will be sending you an email shortly, Tom, and thanks for making the time. I take it that you are at sea working right now, so my apologies for throwing all these questions at you.
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TomK
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Post by TomK on Mar 31, 2011 15:45:23 GMT
No apologies needed, I do this because I love it. I usually get some time each day I get on line assuming our connectivity is up. I can't do a lot because of restrictions and super slow speed, but I at least get to browse through the forums. While I'm underway though I generally have no access to my publically known emails (only Coasties get to email me underway) so if you wrote to Tom@triedandtrue. . . then I won't be able to read it until tomorrow when I am in town. If you wrote to Triedandtrue@gmail then Hiroshi has already read it and maybe even replied to you. I have to rely on Hiroshi to handle emails while I'm out, but I can get to my SBG PMs still.
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Post by Vincent Dolan on Mar 31, 2011 17:38:37 GMT
Who says I wouldn't? If there was a tactical saber, I'd buy one no matter how many years it took. But, I guess you're right. Still, it'd kinda suck if something so cool got passed up just 'cause I didn't say anything.
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Post by Elheru Aran on Mar 31, 2011 17:44:42 GMT
At least you can take some comfort in the idea that (we hope!) Gus probably backs up most of his CNC programs to hard copy. That would be the sensible thing to do, anyway, although I'm not sure if that's an option. If not, it really should be...
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Post by steelhound on Mar 31, 2011 20:00:08 GMT
Cool, Tom, I did send an email to Tom@triedandtrue but I'll forward it to Hiroshi today. PM'd ya, too.
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Post by Sean (Shadowhowler) on Mar 31, 2011 20:08:43 GMT
Common sense says you wouldn't Vincent... because you talk about buying everything but you never actually buy anything. What you MIGHT do in a vague number of years down the line is of little use to someone who is trying to see if there is enough of a market for something to be made NOW. As I said, it could be misleading if someone thinks there is more genuine interest then there actually is, goes threw the trouble of making it, and losses money as a result. Sometimes your excitement gets the better of your reality. You often talk about your interesting in buying this or that sword... but you don't ever buy any of them, and are not going to be able to in the foreseeable future. I little reality check and some restraint would do you a world of good.
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Post by Vincent Dolan on Mar 31, 2011 20:36:50 GMT
Fair enough. But, just to clear something up: I talk about everything because I look at just about everything. If something catches my eye, I want to know about it, but since I can't buy it, I talk about it, maybe in the hopes someone else knows if it's actually any good.
Psh. What's so good about my reality? Snarky remarks aside, I'm trying. It's just an uphill battle with an oil-soaked field since I really don't have much else to occupy my time.
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Post by Lunaman on Mar 31, 2011 20:46:13 GMT
Enthusiasm's fine, Vincent, but misleading manufacturers isn't. That's what Sean's getting at.
Reality is pretty important to the people who depend on selling these swords for their livelihood. Ever hear of the WSS ko-katana? Major issues when false demand prompts real supply of expensive luxury items. Just something to keep in mind.
I'm not a big fan of tactical stuff myself, so I doubt I'd be in line for one of these. I would like to commission another Atrim soon, though, in the next two months. Maybe the tac's will spark an idea.
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Post by Sean (Shadowhowler) on Mar 31, 2011 21:07:40 GMT
Luna basically hit on on the head. Enthusiasm is GREAT... and talking about swords you have an interest in is not only cool, but to be encouraged... but often I seen in threads where you make comments that suggest you have an interest in buying this sword or that sword. To the casual observer, since we are most of us collectors here, that suggests you have the means and intention to do so. For Makers and Vendors that has the potential to be misleading... and dangerous. The WSS Ko Katana example Luna made is a clear case of that. Many people expressed an interest... and a certain amount were made to support that interest... then the people who said they would buy one, didn't... and the maker was left screwed, having extra stock on hand and ended up having to sell them at a loss.
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TomK
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Post by TomK on Apr 1, 2011 2:57:32 GMT
ok guys let's back off of young Vincent here. the fact that he cannot afford a sword right now is pretty much beyond his control, and trust me when I say I apreciate his enthusiasm and it in no way will cause us a problem.
not only Hiroshi and I but Gus too watches all these boards pretty closely, we know what's going on here I think, and I feel pretty confident that I can tell the difference between interest that means we need to consider something down the road, interest that means make a few soon, and interest that means make a big move in this direction.
the beauty of how Gus runs his shop is that we can make small batch allowances from time to time as interest waxes and wanes in any given area. we are agile.
I figure Vincent's admiration is sincere, and I like to hear that.
as far as a tac Cuttoe or saber goes . . . well: we'll see what happens. no decisions have been made yet.
I will say it is possible we might do two or three in the near future but there's no promise being made just yet.
as for the whole grip scales thing goes . . . (have I got your attention Sean?)
would they HAVE to be plastic, Kydex, or whatever that funny stuff is? what about a nice hardwood? aluminum? what do you guys think?
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Post by steelhound on Apr 1, 2011 4:41:40 GMT
Hardwoods would be nice, definitely easier to work with. Poplar is very easy to work and cheap to boot, maybe finish it with a stain and wrap some gutted paracord over that for a good grip. The plastic stuff is micarta, and it comes in paper, linen, and canvas. While I don't have much experience with how the canvas micarta holds up to time and abuse, it does have a bit of surface texture for gripping, at least initially.
I'm not sure the exact type of polymer scales that Gus used to use, but they were finished smooth and made my Tac Kat II feel like it was going to fly out of my hands. There was a used Tigress/Tac Kat I for sale on another site's classifieds recently that had dremel-contoured 1st gen scales; it looked like a good solution to both fill the hand and provide a secure grip.
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Post by KingDonut on Apr 1, 2011 11:50:42 GMT
Any grip material can be textured for a firm purchase on the weapon.
The benefit of Micarta, and other polymers, is that they won't rot and aren't effected by temp/moisture changes.
Aluminum would also retain that benefit, but metallic grip scales have the problem of being conductors. I don't mean electrical, as any full-tang blade isn't going to insulate you from that at all. But in the field, a knife/sword is worn outside of the body. When I need my blade, the last thing I want is for it to be freezing or burning my hand in winter or summer weather, respectively.
As much as I love wood, particularly polished and oiled ironwood, Micarta can look damn nice too. Black paper and tan canvas Micartas are just plain old sexy.
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Post by chuckinohio on Apr 1, 2011 14:18:19 GMT
Canvas Micarta finished to no more than 400 grit is pretty grippy, but not uncomfortably so.
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Post by Enkidu on Apr 1, 2011 15:28:00 GMT
And it looks good too ! What do i care... i'm not into tactical at all So.. about that XIIIb, where were we ?
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Sean (Shadowhowler)
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Post by Sean (Shadowhowler) on Apr 1, 2011 16:29:42 GMT
For me... I would want to stick to something like micarta, G10, or rubber... some form of durable synthetic non conductive grip... it just fits in with the 'tactical' philosophy of the swords that much more. As to my points with Vincent... it was NOT just in reference to you, Tom, that I was making the point... your thread just happened to bring it to light... its a reoccurring issue I have noticed that I wanted to address.
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