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Post by Jussi Ekholm on Mar 28, 2013 21:51:39 GMT
Here is one question to you who own multiple viking swords. Do you feel that their grips are usually too long? This question is aimed at production pieces mostly.
Even though I like the VA Hedemark very much I feel it has too long grip. I have about average hand width of 8,6cm, and I just can't get comfortable feeling with Hedemark. Even with leather glove it feels too long, I'd love a snug fit.
I've done some numbers and measurements.
VA Hedemark grip length is 11,4cm
Swords of the Viking Age book by Ian Peirce has 60 viking swords with grip lengths listed. Of those 60 only 3 are around Hedemark length, being 11,0cm , 12,0cm , 10,9cm.
The vast majority of grips fall in the 8,5cm - 9,5cm range. Bunch are between 9,5cm and 10,5cm, and some are between 7,0cm and 8,5cm.
I did some testing and even though my hand width is 8,6cm I can still squeeze into my katar grip (but it's very tight, my knuckles cant fit in [but they shouldn't anyway] and I wouldn't want so tight squeeze on a sword handle) and it's 7,7cm. I think my ideal viking sword grip might be bare handed in the 8,5cm - 9,5cm range.
It would be great to hear more thoughts and discussion about this matter. I've thought taking 2cm off from the Hedemark grip. It would take out both upper and lower ring of the grip. I think this 9,4cm grip length could be ideal for me.
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Post by William Swiger on Mar 29, 2013 4:27:11 GMT
Excellent Viking Swords Dave!
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Post by Fifteenthirty on Mar 29, 2013 11:23:54 GMT
Jussi: I have a HT Norman that I will eventually shorten the grip of, because it can be quite painful when the corner of the Brazil nut pommel jams into the side of your hand. Palming the pommel obviates the problem, but having an inch of space between my hand and the cross feels weird. I have also noticed the grip lengths noted by Pierce. A short grip and substantial pommel make for a more secure grip on a slashing sword. I wish he was able to measure weights, but obviously corrosion etc make this difficult.
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Post by Bryan Heff on Mar 29, 2013 11:59:58 GMT
I know what you mean about the H/T Norman, the pommel on this one is quite pointy at either end. It has a fairly short grip already, mine is 3 3/4". What I ended up doing with mine which helped some, was filed and sanded those pointy spots down a bit, rounded them off, but it is very slight, hardly any material actually removed. If I really rounded it a bit it would be even more comfortable....but I am good with mine right now.
How short are you thinking on your grip, if you modified it? Like I said, I think its fairly short now.
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Post by William Swiger on Mar 29, 2013 12:40:37 GMT
I personally do not like a viking grip to be any longer than 4 inches. I like them to be about 3 1/2 inches on average. On my HT viking, I filed down the pommel edges a little to keep it from biting me.
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Post by Bryan Heff on Mar 29, 2013 17:54:56 GMT
I agree. From the few that I have, the 3 3/4" handle seems to be just about right in terms of grip length.
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Post by Fifteenthirty on Mar 29, 2013 22:58:06 GMT
My HT Norman is right on 3 7/8". I'd like to take it down to 3 1/2. A slight difference, but significant, in my view. I have also taken the corners off mine! An advantage of cheap swords: you don't mind messing with them. Curious that several of us have done the same mod: I was almost reluctant to do it for fear of admitting failure in the face the mighty Brazil nut. I am much reassured that SBGs resident Brazil nutter has also taken the same step! (albeit with a different sword) I think that the shorter grip will allow my index knuckle to act as a fulcrum against the cross, with the pommel sliding freely across my palm. The slightly too long grip forces me to push my index finger higher than I would like, or have a gap, which I also don't like.
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Post by Timo Nieminen on Mar 30, 2013 0:04:16 GMT
Yes. Too long is normal. Snug is good. Vikings weren't stupid when it came to swords; their swords had short grips for sound ergonomics, not because Vikings had teeny tiny hands.
Too long is better than too short; it's easier to shorten a grip than to lengthen one.
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Post by Alex.Moranz on Mar 30, 2013 2:30:43 GMT
Well Mr. Swiger you have made me question why I got married... Just kidding. On a serious note though that is a phenomenal collection of steel you have.
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Post by William Swiger on Mar 30, 2013 7:29:25 GMT
I have one viking from Iron Age Armoury I bought that has a straight guard and straight pommel on the bottom. The grip is like 3 inches. Still have not found a comfortable way to grip it it. It is a Del Tin blade with hand made fittings. I can use with comfort a 3 inch grip if the pommel and guard are curved.
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Post by Timo Nieminen on Mar 30, 2013 10:47:36 GMT
Heh! That shows some "why" about Viking swords. Not just a random assortment of parts and sizes; there are reasons for the final numbers. Not everything works for everybody. Some combinations will work for almost nobody.
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Post by Fifteenthirty on Mar 31, 2013 13:59:12 GMT
Done. Cut through the grip near the pommel, the width of the riser. Bashed pommel down, cut off protruding tang and peened it. Regripped. Fits like a glove: about 3 9/16". Infinitely better feeling.
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Post by aaronfranzen on Mar 31, 2013 15:12:23 GMT
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Post by Bryan Heff on Mar 31, 2013 15:41:42 GMT
Nice work on the grip modification. Looks like its fitting your hand nice and snug.
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Post by Stromlo_Swords_USA on Mar 31, 2013 20:53:49 GMT
Hey aaronfranzen, how does the DSA viking handle?
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Post by Alfacentori on Mar 31, 2013 21:39:39 GMT
This thread has the potential to be very bad for my wallet.....
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Post by aaronfranzen on Apr 1, 2013 1:34:31 GMT
The DSA handles ok. Seems a tad heavy. I have no other viking sword to compare it to. I have my eye on this at the moment www.kultofathena.com/product.asp ... wood+Sword.
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Post by Beowulf on Apr 3, 2013 7:29:17 GMT
I'm getting a HT Norman this week. Very excited since it seems like a nice weapon for the price. Excellent thread!
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Post by Dave(utilityslave) on Apr 3, 2013 21:58:00 GMT
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Post by Huer-Ta on Apr 4, 2013 14:09:27 GMT
Sweet Lord Dave, that lightning sword is exquisite!!!
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