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Post by jimmiroquai on Jul 22, 2012 10:15:30 GMT
Hi again. I did a search but i couldn't find anything definitive. I have a Non-Windlass 15th century longsword which came with a sharp edge...and i was wondering what is the safest way to blunt this sharp edge? I have files, a dremel and a hand drill with a stone grinder bit...can i blunt the edge with these tools? I don't plan on cutting with it in the near future and i want it safe around the kid.
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Post by ineffableone on Jul 22, 2012 10:24:21 GMT
I would go with a fie then sand doe the edge with some high grit paper.
A dremel or other power tools might hurt the heat treat, so if you ever plan on resharpening and using it or selling it later, the temper could be ruined.
So I would suggest going with hand tools with it.
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Post by jimmiroquai on Jul 22, 2012 11:16:38 GMT
How do i go about safely filing the edge off? same drawing motion as sharpening but with the file face perpendicular to the edge instead of at an angle?
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Post by MOK on Jul 22, 2012 11:40:13 GMT
Only do this if you don't plan on cutting with the sword ever, not just in the near future.
Personally, I'd just keep it locked up.
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Post by jimmiroquai on Jul 22, 2012 12:14:54 GMT
Yeah, i've decided that i won't be using this sword for cutting at all. Too whippy. I'd like something more stable to cut with. But i'd like to handle it / practice forms with it. Hence the need for blunting.
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Post by mcapanelli on Jul 22, 2012 13:08:08 GMT
That's about the size of it. If it's not in your child's reach it's not an issue. I have kids, I have sharp swords, and as far as I can tell none of them have come off the wall and gone after the kids. :lol: Seriously though,I understand your concern being a parent myself but as long as it's out of reach, and you either lock it away or make a locking display case when he/she is old enough to reach it on their own, you'll be fine. Is this your first?
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Post by jimmiroquai on Jul 22, 2012 13:26:24 GMT
Actually my second, but bought just a few weeks after the first. So it's like two new swords...but the short answer is i guess, yes. My first sword (short sword) came blunt, this i wanted to sharpen, but for some reason, this sharp longsword makes me nervous...does that make any sense?
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Post by MOK on Jul 22, 2012 14:31:34 GMT
Keep in mind, grinding a blade makes it lighter and changes the balance and handling properties. You've already removed material from the blade when you sharpened it; making it blunt again will take off substantially more, and if the sword is already feeling whippy, you might end up with something that handles more like a car aerial than a real sword. If you want a sword for practice and dry handling, I'd actually recommend you sell this one and buy a proper, purpose-built blunt. Albion, for example, has several lines of properly engineered blunts for sparring and stage combat, and their economy Squire Line (and all Windlass Steelcrafts swords) come with a butterknife-like unsharpened edge by default. It makes plenty of sense. Live blades require a measure of respect, just like guns, vehicles, power tools and live wires - they're safe only if handled properly, and you can't expect a child to know how. That said... I've always had a certain family-unfriendly fondness for Hogfather's take on it. Of course, no large hunk of metal is actually safe to have around kids, no matter how blunt... I myself managed to break my arm with a ladder, and give myself a concussion with a cooking pot.
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Post by mcapanelli on Jul 22, 2012 16:20:12 GMT
It makes perfect sense. I can assure you though that if you just take the necessary precautions you'll find your fears to be unfounded. Your child is much more likely to get hurt with a butter knife than a sword as you are aware of the sword but most likely will take the butter knife for granted, even though it can inflect harm as well. The point is, don't panic. How many sword related deaths where children were involved have you read about in the news lately? How many sword related accidents that resulted in deaths have you read about in your life? When you look at things in the macro it sort of puts it all in perspective. I've had sharp swords around my sons from when they were born. They've never been nipped let alone mortally wounded. I just keep the swords displayed out of reach. Now that the oldest is 3 and knows how too build a ladder, I'll be building a sealed display case. I keep my swords sharp and keep them out of his reach like any other responsible weapon owner, and he gets to grow up without sword related incidents and with a healthy respect for the weapon.
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Post by jimmiroquai on Jul 22, 2012 22:51:05 GMT
Thanks for the advice, i guess being nervous means i have respect for the thing.
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Post by MOK on Jul 23, 2012 7:47:48 GMT
Or you might just be a scaredy-cat. Or a responsible parent. It's often hard to tell.
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Post by jimmiroquai on Jul 23, 2012 11:53:40 GMT
LOL! :mrgreen:
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