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Post by Lukas MG (chenessfan) on Jul 4, 2011 8:27:13 GMT
Hey guys I'm currently making a tactical sword and will get the blade back from heat treat tomorrow. Since pretty much the beginning, I was unsure about the handle materials. While the primary concern of tacs is of course pure functionality, I want an elegant and pleasant look almost as badly as I want good function. I'm afraid I can't post any pics of the sword itself for obvious reason but here are two picks of the design I drew before cutting out the blank: In the beginning I wanted to go with wooden scales and a piece of inserted leather to give it a bit more grip. Wood only, while beautiful (I got some very nice brown wood with a nice structure) would be to slippery I fear... what experiences have you guys had with wooden grips? Another possibility would be a leather wrap like this (different color scheme though and not so blocky): Or micarta? Never seen any in real nor held but I've heard many using it for exactly tactical knifes/swords. Paracord or leather string wrap with some underlaying bolsters? Take a look at Chris Anderson' s work here: forums.dfoggknives.com/index.php?showtopic=20302 As seen in the pics, the spine and the handle will be either blued with blueing paste, etched with salt and water (like this: www.myarmoury.com/feature_antique.html) or I'll just leave the scale from heat treat on the steel so the handle material will have to go well with that. So, what do you guys think, what are your suggestions?
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Post by GUEST on Jul 4, 2011 9:20:27 GMT
I like canvas micarta, everyone does paracord, getting tired of seeing it
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Post by Vincent Dolan on Jul 4, 2011 10:22:40 GMT
I agree with fallen; I'm getting sick of paracord. It may be useful and keep the overall weight low (both things good for something "tactical"), but it's overdone. As for bare wood grips, it shouldn't be too slippery. I've used a bokuto in sparring against a friend with out any kind of hilt wrap until I was sweating like a dog and my hands never slipped; and that was with sealed wood (repels moisture). Though I have no experience with it, wood without any kind of treatment is supposed to be even better since it would absorb any moisture, keeping the grip dry; of course, the downside is that its longevity would decrease. Micarta or fiberglass would be super durable, though, so either would be best.
By the way, I know it's not on topic, but that is a seriously sweet design. I like the curvyness of it.
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Post by Lonely Wolf Forge on Jul 4, 2011 11:17:38 GMT
how abou bare wood checkered
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Post by chuckinohio on Jul 4, 2011 12:54:18 GMT
Canvas Micarta.
You can adjust how grippy it is by finishing it to a higher or lower grit, it looks like it means business, and it is as stable as any material you can get.
Do you have access to Micarta? Sometimes it is called Phenolic, and is generally pretty available through industrial supply houses. Look into how expensive it is for you to get, if it is obscenely expensive, I have several large pieces that I will share with you.
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Post by chrisperoni on Jul 4, 2011 14:33:18 GMT
If you shape the wood (like a gladius grip for example) it will be just fine and have good hold.
What about a combo wood with leather inset? Could look cool to channel the wood and fill that in with srips of leather- would add to the 'grippy-ness' as well- kind of like reverse risers? (I would round the edges of the channels just a bit)
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Post by Lukas MG (chenessfan) on Jul 4, 2011 20:34:14 GMT
Thanks guys! Many interesting advises, the channeled wooden grip certainly has an appeal, I don't trust my wood working skills too much though. So far I've always made leather grips, this would be my first grip with handle slabs, be it wood or micarta. So if you have any tips there, keep em coming! So canvas micarta seems to be a generally accepted material for this kind of sword. Hope it looks good and elegant enough. certainly don't want a cheapish, bollywod look. I've never seen micarta in stores, I'll look around and see what prices they have. Chuck, that's a very generous offer but I fear the shipping to Germany would make up for the higher price here...
Btw, what kind of colour would you suggest? Black micarta?
Oh and Vincent, I'm glad you like the design. I went over many designs trying to figure out the optimum tactical sword design. This so far has all I could see the need for, excellent cutting and thrusting performance (at least I expect so), nice grip where a second hand can grip the "pommel" or one hand easily slides back for longer reach but can't slip back too far. The spine makes batoning possible, the back edge lends itself well for some fighting techniques. It should work fairly well for Lecküchners messer techniques though the lack of a nagel (special guard) does restrict its uses. Should be fine for most things anyway. And. it's very lightweight, fast and durable! Can't wait to cut some stuff up!
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Talon
Member
Senior Forumite
Posts: 2,554
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Post by Talon on Jul 4, 2011 20:39:31 GMT
yup i vote for canvas micarta,ebay's where i buy mine from,paracord has been done to death,the design of you're sword (which is stunning btw) would lend itself to micarta or maybe even a japanese wrap but done in brown leather thats about all the help i can suggest as me and handle's dont get on :lol:
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Post by Lukas MG (chenessfan) on Jul 4, 2011 20:42:28 GMT
Btw, Talon, what's the stuff you used on your blade in the scrap yeard thread? Corillion?? Anyway, I hope this sucker gets done this week so I can post it in that thread.
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Talon
Member
Senior Forumite
Posts: 2,554
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Post by Talon on Jul 4, 2011 20:50:58 GMT
you're posting that for the scrap yard build im voting for you :lol: corillian is a posh term for a type of plastic,ok for a backyard project,you're sword though deserves something a little more special, i would go for the linen (not paper) micarta,it deserves it,the blade remind's me of an elven design,maybe a forest green colour or something like that would suit it i've seen toirtoise shell green micarta before,different shades of green blending in to each other,that would look amazing on that blade
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Post by GUEST on Jul 4, 2011 21:02:25 GMT
To me the design calls out for rudy red.
What is the length, width and thickness of the blade.
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Post by Opferous on Jul 4, 2011 21:41:08 GMT
If you can get your hands on some sort of epoxy resin, you could make your own micarta and layer whatever color cloth or paper you want in there. Just wear a respirator for that micarta. Get any of the dust/fumes in your lungs and it won't be fun :shock:
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Post by Lukas MG (chenessfan) on Jul 4, 2011 21:55:44 GMT
I just did some searching for micarta and have trouble finding it in the right size, most vendors sell sizes suitable for knives. If I shaved the width down a bit, I would pay around 65$ for enough micarta for the grip. I need scales of at least a 9mm thickness. How much for yours, Chuck? Shipping can't be THAT expensive, can it? Just shoot me an pm. @fallen: rudy red, hm? Sounds brutal...nice. Dimensions: about 30" overall, blade: 22", widest point of blade (belly): 2", thickness about 0.23" tapering in a convex curve to 0.1" before the tip. I'll put up detailed stats when it's finished. Opferous: self-made? I though the process involved lots of heat and pressure. Is that doable at home? Got any How-to? Edit: found one: www.britishblades.com/forums/sho ... -intensive) Seems fairly simple. Unless I don't find any micarta for a very good price I will probably go that route... gotta start looking for usable clothing... which brings me back to the colour question. If I make it myself, I can easily layer different colours. What do you suggest?
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Post by GUEST on Jul 4, 2011 22:05:13 GMT
Google Jantz supply they have a large list of knife making supplies.
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Post by Lukas MG (chenessfan) on Jul 4, 2011 22:38:09 GMT
Dude, these prices at Jantz are REDICULOUSLY low! 6$ for a piece that costs 30$ over here! Is that stuff good?
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Post by Opferous on Jul 4, 2011 22:49:10 GMT
A layered black canvas and red canvas piece of micarta might looks sweet or a black and tan canvas twist.. Fairly detailed tutorial on making micarta including twist patterns and includes toughness tests comparing homemade to commercially available: www.fendleyknives.com/LM105.htmI doubt you'll need to defend your knife grip against .357 rounds like they try on the site, but the extra toughness is nice.
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Post by Lukas MG (chenessfan) on Jul 5, 2011 8:51:08 GMT
GREAT link, opferous, have a karma for that. From what I see now, my only problem will be getting the right epoxy for the job. I think a layered black/blue or black/tan might look good. Red could be a bit too prominent... and twisted micarta too busy, I certainly don't want it overdone. The jeans micarta in the first tutorial turned out to have a very light colour, I want something darker. Maybe blue jeans and black denim layered? What do you think? Like this: www.fendleyknives.com/images/Mic ... 0129LR.jpg with mosaic pins?
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Post by GUEST on Jul 5, 2011 9:01:10 GMT
Glad I could help, now if they don't kill you on shipping charges.
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Post by Opferous on Jul 5, 2011 15:39:45 GMT
Layered blue jean and black denim or canvas could work. If you want it to blend more and be look less busy, might want to go with the darkest blue jean you can find or maybe even just stick with dark blue jean without the black layers, since Cliff Fendley and Mike Carter used faded blue jean material for the lighter look.
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Post by Vincent Dolan on Jul 5, 2011 16:19:59 GMT
A good all-rounder, then. I wouldn't worry about the lack of a nagel, though; messer techniques can be adapted to an arming sword if one so desires since most of what I've seen relies mostly on the flat where the nagel comes secondary as a method of stopping the opposing blade from sliding onto the fingers. Turning the blade slightly after impact would prevent it.
Anyways, as to color suggestions, I'd say a dark color other than black; black is like paracord in that it's very over done. Perhaps a dark purple or dark green, though a dark blue's always good.
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