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Post by f.m. on Apr 18, 2011 4:38:48 GMT
So i'm looking at gladius swords and the like on koa, and i've noticed something. most under several hundred dollars, and a few above that have what has to be a really narrow tang and a threaded nut pommel thing..so..
1, is this historically accurate? most of the cheaper ones don't look like something close to sturdy enough to handle the abuse of battle.
2, does anyone have personal experience to know if there are any that are nice and kinda "beater" built as far as tang and hilt go? the classic mainz or pompeii designs are cool but it'd be nice to find a gladius i know i could trust that's less than $700 lol.
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Talon
Member
Senior Forumite
Posts: 2,554
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Post by Talon on Apr 18, 2011 5:07:10 GMT
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Post by Elheru Aran on Apr 19, 2011 14:18:09 GMT
Considering that pretty much every gladius found has had a skinny little bone grip... yeah, it's historically authentic. There's absolutely no reason it shouldn't work fine on something the size of a gladius, as long as the tang is truly a continuation of the blade steel and not welded on. Now if it was a bigger sword, then it might be a bit more questionable, but with gladii? No worries! If you want a trustworthy gladius, I'd go with Albion's bare blades-- $150 heat treated-- and then have someone make the grip. Definitely come in under $700 unless you get something particularly fancy.  If Albion trusts this tang, I think you're good... |
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Post by joeydac on Apr 19, 2011 14:48:14 GMT
i think you have to take in to account that the gladius was designed to be a stabbing weapon 1st and a cutter 2nd therefore the lateral forces on the tang differ from thrusting and cutting if your consired about which one is the best ask ric willy he the man when it comes to gladius swords i myself like the kris cutlery version it has a solid build to it
that or the generation 2 versions just stay away from deepeeka as the blades have been known to be on the soft side and i dont really trust there tang construction either
good luck with your search
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Post by caferacer on May 8, 2011 16:31:51 GMT
my albion spatha blade has a narrow tang but it is also very thick almost square I have no concern about it's strength
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Post by paulrward on May 12, 2011 15:41:49 GMT
Dear Mr. Elheru Aran ;
" If Albion trusts this tang, I think you're good... "
I must respectfully disagree.... I would not trust that tang, especially in a life or death situation. The sharp edges at the inside corners will propogate stress cracks that will lead to failure, and the very nature of a 'rat-tail' tang make it too weak for any serious use. A Gladius is a thrusting weapon, but you always have to consider that you miht have to defend against a slash or cut. In such a circumstance, the narrow tang of the Albion Gladius makes it very risky in a life or death situation.
And, it must be considered, the Gladius was a Roman military weapon, doubtless supplied to the Roman Legions by the lowest bidding contractor.....
Just my $ 0.02.
Respectfully;
Paul R. Ward
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Post by caferacer on May 15, 2011 3:54:07 GMT
except for one thing,
it is in no way shape or form a "rat tail tang"
it is in fact a very substantial tang,
one I would have no fear of failing, EVER!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 15, 2011 4:44:01 GMT
Apparently it's possible to conquer a large portion of the civilized world with relatively thin tanged swords. And I'm pretty sure the Roman legions put their swords to "serious use." As for the Albion Gladius being risky in a life or death situation, I think ALL swords are risky in a life or death situation.   |
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Post by Elheru Aran on May 16, 2011 21:16:40 GMT
Paul Ward,
As pointed out, the Albion bare blade is definitely not rat-tail tanged. It's skinny, granted, but given the length of the sword unless you're swinging it full force against a boulder you're not likely to snap it off. Also, historically as you can see, the Romans did use this type of tang. One figures they knew what they were doing.
I understand that you might be reluctant to use a tang this thin; I don't blame you. I believe it's quite adequate for a sword of this size, however.
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Post by joeydac on Jul 15, 2011 1:09:14 GMT
i think if the fittings are tight and the handle is tight to the tang it should be fine its when you have play that all the force transfers to the tang
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Post by MLanteigne on Jul 28, 2011 20:34:32 GMT
Part of it also is the target. Chopping into a tree or rock is probably going to do some serious damage to the blade/tang. Cutting or stabbing into something that yields to it....then the damage goes to the object being cut or stabbed.
Roman "steel" had a lot less carbon than what we use today, more along the lines of mild steel which I believe is 1020 steel? So it was a lot softer, and probably more prone to bending and blunting vs cracking and chipping.
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Post by joeydac on Aug 5, 2011 0:44:14 GMT
i thought they were cast blades for mass production not forged i was told that by a re-enactor a long time ago
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