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Post by ShooterMike on Mar 13, 2007 2:02:50 GMT
Yeah, either my bad luck or just an expensive lesson learned. I seem to have to learn things more than once. The same thing happened with my first sword, which was (is) a Cold Steel Grosse Messer. Those were bad purchases, made before I knew about Sword Buyer's Guide. If I'd only found Paul sooner... However, I am an extreme hard head. I plan on trying one more thing on the CS H&aH. That is to shorten the grip to single hander length, mill down the tang again, and mill out the pommel to accept the peened tang. Then I'm gonna peen it like it shoulda been done in the first place. At least that's the plan at this moment. Just not sure when I gonna get around to it.
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Post by ShooterMike on Mar 13, 2007 2:35:35 GMT
That's roughly the plan. My only problem is that the tang is pretty thin, only the thickness of the central rib on the blade. So I'm probably going to have a time of it getting a tiny end mill to bore all the way through the scent stopper pommel. And the pommel is a weird shape from a machinist's viewpoint.
As a result, I'm entertaining the idea of building a new disc pommel for it. Those I can build in 10 minutes on the lathe, then mill the hole for the tang with the disc held securely in the mill jaws.
Ah well...things to ponder.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 31, 2007 0:11:28 GMT
Ok, my Hanwei side sword finally arrived, and I have to admit it is a very beautiful sword. The very first thing I did with it is a coke bottle cutting test, which it did not perform all that well, and a thrusting test using said coke bottle, a juice bottle and then a Tatami mat. This thing thrusts like there is no tomorrow. From what I can tell, it'll push it's way into pretty much anything you care to throw it at. I wasn't gentle at all in my cutting tests, using full power swings and really trying very hard to make something loose. So far, so good, everything remains tight. My next concern was the possible plastic (uhg, I don't even like to type the word.) hilt, so I attempted to unscrew the pommel and take a look. I say attempted because it resisted every single effort. I even resorted to a cloth covered pipe wrench in an attempt to unscrew it, and the only thing that happened was a bruised knuckle. I supplied enough force on the pommel cap that I began to fear that I was about to either simply snap it completely off, or twist the metal of the entire end piece. So I tried to determine if the hilt was indeed plastic by tapping the hilt to see if it indeed sounded hollow, or at all plastic like. Being wrapped with the metal thread made this an exercise in futility really, as it merely sounded metallic. I couldn't really tell if it sounded hollow, so at this point I have to judge the plastic hilt on the latest Side Sword as inconclusive for now. I'm leaning toward, "it probably is" but without being able to disassemble the sword, I simply do not know for sure. If there is enough interest out there I'll write a full review with pictures and cutting results on video. (yes, I'm 36 years old and have just now realized the cool factor of hosting internet video.) So far, I really like this sword, it has an amazing balance and also has the eye candy appeal going for it.
-John
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Post by ShooterMike on Mar 31, 2007 0:43:53 GMT
...If there is enough interest out there I'll write a full review with pictures and cutting results on video. (yes, I'm 36 years old and have just now realized the cool factor of hosting internet video.) So far, I really like this sword, it has an amazing balance and also has the eye candy appeal going for it... There is! There is! Please do a complete test write-up with pictures and video...maybe some "hat-cam" video too. That might be cool. Go Red go! Go Red go! Isn't it just the neatest handling little thrusting sword you've ever experienced? I miss mine....
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Post by rammstein on Mar 31, 2007 0:46:29 GMT
I certainly want to see a review! COme to think of it, I've never had a good thrusting sword. The shrewsbury is ok, but its more like a bowl of jello than a sword when it comes to flexibility
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Post by Deleted on Mar 31, 2007 2:01:22 GMT
Ok, I'll get to work on it. I need to come up with a good thrusting target though, because, as you'll see a cutting sword this is not. I've a bunch of office carpet lying around right now that would be good if I can think of what to wrap it around. This is a totally different type of sword for me, so I'll be trying to figure it out as I'm testing it. Should have a high amusement factor if nothing else.
-John
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Post by ShooterMike on Mar 31, 2007 2:17:07 GMT
Ok, I'll get to work on it. I need to come up with a good thrusting target though, because, as you'll see a cutting sword this is not. I've a bunch of office carpet lying around right now that would be good if I can think of what to wrap it around... Hey Red, Maybe you could try wrapping carpet around a tire or something similar to a round wooden wheel. Then you could suspend that from a rope. It might provide a moving target where you could repeatedly thrust into the center. Or maybe hang 2 or 3 liter water-filled bottles from strings, then try for the multileak-causing "sewing machine" thrust test. Whaddaya think?
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Post by rammstein on Mar 31, 2007 2:29:46 GMT
maybe test accuracy by chucking a bottle in the air and skewing it on the point? Similar to what I did cutting before I relaized an upturned trashcan will provide a nice stand....
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Post by Deleted on Mar 31, 2007 2:31:05 GMT
I like the water bottle idea, but with the carpet I'd want something that I could thrust into better than the hard rubber, and I don't have access to a tire for this weekend. I'll likely pick a stationary target for that anyway, as I've done so much cutting that my thrusting skills are, um, nonexistent. With the water bottles at least if I'm off center I won't have any fear of doing irreparable damage to the sword, myself, or any one else around. I asked my wife about using the sofa cushions, however her reply is unrepeatable here.
-John Edited to correct misunderstanding of target. My Opps.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 31, 2007 3:39:46 GMT
Does this mean that this CUT and thrust sword cannot cut? that's lame.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 31, 2007 3:56:05 GMT
It just doesn't have the edge on it to cut. It would likely be easy enough to sharpen, but right out of the box, no, it doesn't cut worth doo doo. Or, it may be me also, I've never held nor used a sword like this before, and there may be a technique that I am sorely lacking.
-John
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Post by Deleted on Mar 31, 2007 5:05:28 GMT
OK, this made me think, so I went and looked at the video I took of my cuts with the side sword. I discovered that I'm an idiot. This was, as you can imagine, a shocking revelation. It turns out that I was doing two things very, very wrong. First off, the blade is not sharpened all the way to the hilt, approximately the top two thirds of the blade bears an edge. I was attempting to cut way to far down on the blade, thinking that the thicker portion of the blade would be more effective somehow. Yes, I'm an idiot, although this really wouldn't have mattered much due to idiocy number two. (I like to keep these kind of things in pairs, it's much tidier.) I was swinging this unfamiliar blade too low, and at too much of an angle, hilt down, tip upward, and I was swinging with a downward cutting motion. The large hand guard, which I'm very much not used to, was striking the very edge of what I was using for a stand before the blade even had a chance to do more than make contact with the coke bottle. In case you missed it somehow the first time, yes, I'm an idiot. So after viewing my humiliation captured for all time (or until my fingers find the "delete" button) I took Side Sword, milk jug and coke bottle out into the backyard at 9:30 PM local time here to try this again. Milk jug first, because I figured anything should be able to slice a milk jug. Carefully positioning me, hand, and blade I swing, wheet, splash. One surgical cut in milk jug. I repeat the process with the coke bottle, being very aware of where everything was, swing, wheet, splash. Surgical cut in coke bottle. Dogs going bonkers in neighbors backyard. Too bad, I'm on a roll here, aiming carefully I make a swing at the bottom half of the coke bottle. Wheet, splash. Two cuts on a coke bottle, I've never attempted it before, and it went through it easily. Dogs really, really going bonkers in my neighbors backyard convinced me that experimentation evening was now closed. I'm very pleased to know that this sword is better than I had originally thought, I'm much less pleased to know that I am not.
-John
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Post by Deleted on Mar 31, 2007 5:35:54 GMT
Don't be hard on yourself. Most people aren't even aware of their own shortcomings. You're far less an idiot than people with good but imperfect technique who think they're perfect.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 31, 2007 5:41:14 GMT
But, but darn it, a couple of hours ago I was perfect. Eventually, my ego will recover, and I'll once again know that I have perfect form and ability. At least until I once again see myself on film...
-John
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Post by ShooterMike on Mar 31, 2007 8:15:52 GMT
I like the water bottle idea, but with the carpet I'd want something that I could thrust into better than the hard rubber, and I don't have access to a tire for this weekend. ... Sorry, I wasn't clear. I was just thinking you could use some "donut-shaped" object to cover with carpet. Then thrust into the open carpet covered circle as a target. I'd definitely stay away from anything hard like the rubber on a tire. What about a foam archery target? But, but darn it, a couple of hours ago I was perfect. Eventually, my ego will recover, and I'll once again know that I have perfect form and ability. At least until I once again see myself on film... -John Yeah, it's that film thing. Isn't it rough on the old ego? But I thought yours looked good. Please show us more.
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Post by rammstein on Mar 31, 2007 13:38:22 GMT
redjohn - homerun derby champ ;D
well, until he fixed himself!
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Post by Deleted on Mar 31, 2007 19:28:31 GMT
And the big light bulb goes *BING!* Now I see what you're saying, and that is not a bad idea at all, I might be able to score a used motorcycle tire from my boss. Hmm. Ok, give me a couple days to put everything together, perform tests and do the write up and I'll post the results.
-John
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Post by Deleted on Apr 4, 2007 14:57:22 GMT
Hey guys, I just wanted to drop a quick note to let you all know I haven't forgotten about the side sword review, I've come down with a bugger all of a cold and haven't been in much shape to be out swinging around at my targets the last few days. Hopefully I'll be feeling better and get on it in the next couple of days.
-John
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Post by randomnobody on May 19, 2007 4:58:30 GMT
I just found this topic, actually, just went looking for anything at all about this particular sword, after having finally received the CAS Iberia/Hanwei catalong I ordered once upon a time, and seeing this sword on the front cover. I immediately tore through the catalog in an effort to learn more about this magnificent-looking sword, but of course the catalog is fairly vague. I'm glad enough to have found this thread. At first I was pretty disappointed, having read of worthelss tangs and breaking bits, not to mention the handle's "construction." Even I know better than to use...that...on something like this. I dare not speak it, but you all know. Anyway, well, you guys are certainly doing me no good with my meager budget. This is sword number 10 I'm now considering purchasing. Good job guys, I'm broke, and it's all your fault. So, redjohn, how's that cold coming along? Surely in the past...40 days...you've healed enough to get out there and...do...something? Did I miss it? I leave this thread now in hopes of perhaps stumbling across another, related thread.
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Post by Deleted on May 24, 2007 4:41:04 GMT
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