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Post by Deleted on Jan 10, 2011 17:47:14 GMT
Thought the title would get your attention. So basically, I'm going snow-camping soon. The only cutting tool I own longer than a knife is the Windlass Medieval Falchion, and that hasn't even arrived in the mail yet. Basically, what I would like to know is do you guys think it would do well for cutting blocks of snow out to make an igloo? I know it's a stretch, but it'd be great to get feedback from someone who's actually used a sword for this before. I bought it from Museum Replicas Limited, sharpened (because I knew that the moment it finally arrived, I would be so exited I would try cutting a water bottle sharpened or not).
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Post by LittleJP on Jan 10, 2011 18:10:42 GMT
Buy a $20 saw?
Honestly, I think if you tried to use it a a chopping tool, it would make a bit of a mess.
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Sean (Shadowhowler)
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Post by Sean (Shadowhowler) on Jan 10, 2011 18:12:20 GMT
Yeh... I would NOT use the MRL Falchion to chop up snow blocks... I would not use any sword to do that, I'd use a 20 dollar machete or some such.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 10, 2011 18:26:03 GMT
Fair enough. It seems like the cold might damage it anyways.
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TomK
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Post by TomK on Jan 10, 2011 18:46:15 GMT
well the cold will make the steel stiffer and a little bit more brittle, but I'm not sure to what degree or if it would be enough to even be noticeable, but here's my thinking: use the right tool for the job. anyway you look at it there isn't a sword made that is the right tool for the job you want to do. could you make it work? probably. would it work as well the the propper tool? no way. would it be safe? maybe, maybe not.
but by all means take you falchion with you and enjoy having it. make some snow-zombies and cut them up maybe just make sure that there are no rocks or other debris in the snow as you for the zombie.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 11, 2011 0:09:24 GMT
I'm not really asking if it will work better than a machete. I'm asking if it would work as well as one, and there doesn't seem to be any particular reason it wouldn't. Anyways, if it risks damage from the cold, I can store it in my car. The campsite is fairly close to where I'll be parking, and I'll have cross-country skis for mobility. As for safety, that really depends on how developed my sense of self-preservation is. I assure you, it's fully developed. Chopping up snow zombies sounds like fun though; one the main reasons I wanted to do this is that snow seemed like it would be a fun target (something besides water bottles, and a plentiful supply of it too!).
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Post by chrisperoni on Jan 11, 2011 0:39:36 GMT
I think something with a serrated/saw tooth edge would be more suitable for cutting igloo blocks. But if you're talking about snow zombies then... viewtopic.php?f=22&t=1749 |
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TomK
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Post by TomK on Jan 11, 2011 1:30:53 GMT
I have never done any snow camping so I don't know how it is normally done. if you normally use a machete then the falchion should work just fine. I don't think the cold will damage it but I hear that the cold will make it a little stiffer and maybe more brittle but not to the point of being a danger. the only thing I would really consider a danger would be those little rocks that tend to get swept up in snow and chunks of ice.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 11, 2011 3:23:32 GMT
I've built a few igloos, and I actually can't think of a blade better suited for the task than a Falchion. Brittle steel is only an issue if you're beating on it. You won't do that cutting snow blocks. You're going to start out at ground level, but by the time you get to the end of your first row, your big block needs to be about 12'X24"X40". A Falchion is just about perfect for the task. Up on top (like in the picture), they'll only be about 12'X24"X24", so any old machete would do, but a real Inuit snow knife is a lot bigger than a machete. The only thing to watch for is to dry it off and give it a real good polish the next day. But have fun. If you can get one built, post us a picture. If it doesn't look so good, don't worry about it. I had an Inuit coach, and I failed at my first half dozen attempts.  |
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Greg
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Post by Greg on Jan 11, 2011 3:40:19 GMT
I think one of the misconceptions in the beginning of this thread was that he would be making igloos out of ice, because using a saw to cut snow isn't exactly the right tool for the job either. It's a shame you didn't post this thread a week earlier because then I'd tell you to get this: Hamwei Military DadaoNot that you can't get it, but it sounded like you were going camping soon. The only drawback being that the blade is only 23.5 inches, so that might be a little short for you. But it has a GENEROUS handle which would offer good leverage not only for cutting, but to help lift as well. Also, the sheath is just leather, so you wouldn't have to worry about it warping like a wooden scabbard. Now if the falchion is your sword of choice, or rather, in the general category of sword you enjoy, then by all means, take it and have fun. But if it were me going, I'd use the Dadao over the Falchion... even if I didn't already own the Dadao. But if you are just cutting snow, I'd say any long blade would do, but having a long handle would help as well. |
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TomK
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Post by TomK on Jan 11, 2011 4:32:26 GMT
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Greg
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Post by Greg on Jan 11, 2011 5:36:30 GMT
LoL, just the mention of using something that good looking to cut snow sends shivers up my spine. Besides, it's probably a bit to whippy.  |
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TomK
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Post by TomK on Jan 11, 2011 5:41:58 GMT
Gus says it is pretty stiff and I doubt he would make a whippy sword. of course that is all relative, hard to imagine a blade this big not waving around a lot. I intend to find out just how whippy it is here in a few months. it is next on my list after the XVI and whatever impulse buy I will not be able to resist (probably a 1326 . . .)
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Greg
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Post by Greg on Jan 11, 2011 7:31:25 GMT
Compared to the Dadao, yeah it would be more flexible. I suppose "whippy" was the wrong term. Flexy is what I meant.  |
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TomK
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Post by TomK on Jan 11, 2011 7:56:54 GMT
but hey I beg you could make an igloo mansion with that as your cutting blade.
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Post by chuckinohio on Jan 11, 2011 14:05:38 GMT
I am finding it quite hard to resist the impulse to click the ADD TO CART button on the 1326.
Christians picture of it with the tan Seneschal grip and grip ring is sooooooo enticing.
If I could only chase these ducks into a row...........................
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TomK
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Post by TomK on Jan 11, 2011 17:00:27 GMT
I'll try to push you over the edge on that here pretty soon. I have a review coming up and I'm pretty sure it will include the 1326 build your own.
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ChrisA
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Post by ChrisA on Jan 11, 2011 17:49:03 GMT
I agree with Chuck. I'm liking that 1326 way too much. Too bad I decided to curtail any new sword purchases for the time being. I must remain strong. *whimper*
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TomK
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Post by TomK on Jan 11, 2011 18:21:34 GMT
muwhahahaha another man to torture! I will be merciless, this is your only warning.
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ChrisA
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Post by ChrisA on Jan 11, 2011 20:08:30 GMT
Curse you, Tom! *shakes fist*
I eagerly await your review.
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