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Post by steelhound on Jun 13, 2013 4:54:57 GMT
Wow, that's impressive. I've done some minor cutlery before but never messed with the temper of a blade, or even researched how to do so. Does the whole pommel get annealed, or is it a more localized section where you want to drill?
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Post by Larry Jordan on Jul 28, 2013 16:07:26 GMT
What you've done is first rate. Barry Dawson has done something similar for his modern Kats/Waks--nicely shaped panels. He has added grippy cord overwrap for a taste of the traditional. You have no such concerns.
Are the panels grippy enough as is? Are you pleased with their outer shape (not too blocky?)
Thanks for sharing this labor of love.
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Post by ShooterMike on Jul 30, 2013 16:20:34 GMT
If I were doing it over, I think I would use slightly thicker material for the panels. That would allow me to get a totally oval-shaped grip (in cross section) like a normal medieval sword grip. And I would recess the screws. These slabs round off nicely for the most part, but there's still a flat spot about the width of the screws on each slab. I can get used to it. But when I use swords with normal grips the way I like them, then go back to this one, it takes a little conscious change to make it work.
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Post by johnwalter on Jul 30, 2013 16:24:40 GMT
Very nice Mike!
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Post by steelhound on Aug 5, 2013 7:44:34 GMT
Hey Mike, was wondering where your Willowleaf's POB is with the full micarta scales? I used dymondwood for my 25" Tac Saber since it's slightly lighter than micarta, and it balances out around 3.5" while still having a pretty neutral bias.
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Post by ShooterMike on Aug 5, 2013 18:52:35 GMT
It didn't change much. Maybe moved back a quarter-inch toward the guard, making it even more neutral. Which I don't like. Thinking now of cutting off some of the "pommel" area to move the balance back a bit forward. Thanks for reminding me.
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Post by steelhound on Aug 5, 2013 20:12:15 GMT
No worries, I started off with full pommel coverage as well before removing some material for the POB. Now it's partial coverage with a fuller added, to keep the grip thick at the base of the pommel swell. Here's a pic to be clearer: (edited for better pic) Attachments:
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Post by HazMatt on Sept 24, 2013 23:20:26 GMT
I like it. IMO that is the perfect form for a tactical sword. I can't quite tell from the pictures, are the handle slabs removable?
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Post by ShooterMike on Oct 1, 2013 17:38:32 GMT
Yes, Torx head screws with a barrel nut inside.
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