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Post by John Greybeard on Jan 15, 2011 7:00:44 GMT
I've been reading lots of guys out there loving their Hanwei/Tinkers, but maybe not all that satisfied with the plain fittings. From all accounts the H/T's seem to be a pretty good value. From all accounts, too, the blades are H/T's strongest point (sorry). Seems most complaints revolve around the furniture and appointments (other than the edges - which are fixable...)
So I'm going to float an idea here and see how you all think about it... I'm thinking of doing up some custom guards and pommels designed specifically for the H/T line. They'd be bronze (which you'd expect, of course - from me). Maybe some on the spartan side, some more ornate... straight guards, curved guards, round, brazil nut, scent stopper pommels - but all made to fit the H/Ts.
Anybody think this is a good idea? Good idea as in you'd be interested in buying such a thing? I'd greatly appreciate your thoughts on what might be a reasonable price for a set - guard and pommel, as well as ideas for particular types that you'd like to see. Thanks!
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Post by frankthebunny on Jan 15, 2011 7:14:14 GMT
perfect timing John. I have been researching Euro style swords including Vikings and while I could slim down or shape some fittings by removing metal and could change the colors, I am not able to fashion new metal parts myself. I will try to sketch out some ideas as I continue to learn more about the swords I like. do you have any suggestions on what would dress up a hanwei Norman or 9th century viking?
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ghost
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Posts: 1,323
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Post by ghost on Jan 15, 2011 7:32:15 GMT
I bought a set of mild steel fittings off DSA and put em on a HT longsword a while back. Not sure Eyal wants me to give out the specific price, but I think 50-90$ for a set (without shipping) is very reasonable. I would love to see some exotic guards and pommels, especially fantasy designs since you are casting I would definitely buy 2-3 sets depending on if they rub me the right way. (cat analogy not the...alternative.) I would love to see hex nuts included in the package --> you never know when you might beat a blade to death :twisted:
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Post by Sneakypete on Jan 15, 2011 8:03:22 GMT
John, that's a terrific idea. In terms of weight, do you think you would match your fittings to the standard H/T pieces? I'd snap up some of your guards and pommels in a heartbeat, but I'd worry about messing up my swords balance.
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Post by chuckinohio on Jan 15, 2011 11:50:08 GMT
Balance be damned, I can correct that.
John if you produce a set of fittings, I would assume that you would make them model specific no?
I'm thinking that if you produce them, I will buy more H/T blades just to utilize them. In other words, hell yeah, bring em on. Specifically, a downturned cross and a fishtail pommel for the H/T longsword.
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Post by Elheru Aran on Jan 15, 2011 19:40:06 GMT
This is definitely a nice idea. I've actually been playing around with concepts for Viking-style longsword fittings...
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Post by caferacer on Jan 15, 2011 20:24:08 GMT
I have been thinking of doing much the same thing, although I love my H/T NORMAN, I find the fittings on the one hand sword extremely ugly, so my thought was to buy one, and after weighing the stock hilt parts so as to maintain the correct balance, I would make my own out of mild steel (another thing I dislike about the stock components is the use of stainless steel) I could then continue to fashion new hilt components and just purchase bare blades to complete those projects.
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Post by shoboshi on Jan 15, 2011 22:26:18 GMT
I'm a kat fan, but have found myself looking at the HT line from time to time. Specifically the bare blades. In looking for parts to mount them with, there just doesn't seem to be a whole lot to choose from and I saw nothing especially for the HT's.
I think you could do VERY well with something like this. VERY well. DO IT!
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Post by John Greybeard on Jan 15, 2011 23:54:54 GMT
Allright! Thats what I'm talking about!
Frank, I've always heard that timings everything! Hahahahaha Seriously though, I'm also going to be doing some research on Viking fittings. Please share your thoughts with me on what you find, eh? Thanks!
Thanks, Ghost, for the heads up price-wise - thats pretty much the range I was contemplating. I remember your DSA-H/T longsword hybrid and liking it very much, might have even been part of what got me thinking about this! And fantasy inspired pieces are definitely going to be in the line-up... gotta have some fun, eh? hahahaha
Definitely will be keeping the weight in line with the original pieces, Sneakster. The balance of the two H/Ts I own are a big part of their appeal. Might offer some varients too, though, for those who want to experiment... Or maybe even one or two "adjustable" weight pieces...
Hey Chuck, you're sounding like some kind of "un-balanced" character, there hahahahaha (thats from an expert - me - at being called exactly that) Yeah, there would be a line of pieces for each specific blade. And your version will be the first longsword choice - I love fishtail pommels!
And Viking-style furniture could very well be the second offering for longsword, Elheru Aran. Very interesting direction. Thanks!
I like mild steel furniture also, Caferacer. But since I work at a bronze foundry...
Thanks Shoboshi! Big Kat man myself - they are the majority of my meager collection, but I'm really getting into the Euro's. Pretty much via Hanwei/Tinker at this point . Hence my interest in exploring the potential for customizing 'em. And you're providing the kind of enthusiasm that I'm looking for to dig into this project. Thanks!
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Post by Sir Tre on Jan 16, 2011 0:45:01 GMT
cool idea John. now if you can design some stuff for my hybrid as well. we talked about it once or twice. that would be great. i could get you the specs and you can run me a pricing.
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Post by chuckinohio on Jan 16, 2011 10:37:20 GMT
If you can do them for close to that price range, that would be better than stove top stuffing.
Hell, who am I kidding, I'm on board with it for whatever price you kick em out at man.
I'm seeing a run on bare blades at KOA if this idea pans out. Stock the shelves my friends :lol:
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Post by Stromlo_Swords_USA on Jan 16, 2011 11:29:14 GMT
I like it, I like it a LOT!
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Post by John Greybeard on Jan 16, 2011 15:44:45 GMT
Hey, Sir - get those specs to me and we'll talk, OK? You have been thinking about this haven't ya? All-riiiight!
Thanks, Chuck and Rob - thats exactly what I was hoping to hear! Guess I better get to work! (Hell, when have I ever not had to better get to work? hahahahahaha)
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Luka
Senior Forumite
Posts: 2,848
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Post by Luka on Jan 16, 2011 16:14:22 GMT
Hanwei Tinker blades are great for such things. Here are brass fittings I got made for my H/T Viking blade:
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Post by Sir Tre on Jan 16, 2011 17:10:01 GMT
awesome
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Post by John Greybeard on Jan 16, 2011 18:00:14 GMT
That is really nice work, Luka. I'm loving the copper twist with the brass! And the horn grip - Beautiful!
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Post by Sir Tre on Jan 16, 2011 19:53:30 GMT
face it John... you want one.
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Post by Sneakypete on Jan 16, 2011 21:53:53 GMT
Stylin' blade Luka! Say John, I wonder if I could make a request: You think there's any chance you could produce a guard and pommel set to match the Albion Count? I think a Type I1 octagonal pommel and a Style 2 guard with risers would look absolutely killer on the EMSHS or GSOW!
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Post by John Greybeard on Jan 16, 2011 23:48:21 GMT
Wrong, Sir - I don't want one... I want 'em all!!! hahahahahahaha
SneakyPete - I wouldn't match the Albion - man, that is one gorgeous sword! But I do like the style, and would certainly think about doing my own interpretation, especially since there are so many historic precedents. Now you got me thinking...
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Aaron
Member
Senior Forumite
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Post by Aaron on Jan 17, 2011 4:44:50 GMT
I could definitely be on board with this. Been wanting an EMSHS but not too fond of the down-turned cross, would prefer something more octagonal type 2 with an octagonal I1 pommel.
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