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Post by Aeliascent [defunct] on Nov 25, 2016 6:30:54 GMT
Hi folks, I just got my hands on the Hanwei Practical Tai Chi Jian. It's my first ever steel sword, after my self-made bronze khopesh  When I got it, it felt a lot more solid than the reviews made it sound, so I'm beginning to believe that I received a totally different product than those who gave it "eh" reviews. I named it "Angelfish," lol long story... It'll deserve the name after I re-hilt it. Firstly, I've read that a few owners of the Hanwei Practical Tai Chi Jian described the blade as having a flat, rather than diamond shaped, top 1/3rd section towards the tip. The entire blade is diamond shaped in the case of Angelfish. When I ordered from KoA, I did ask really nicely for them to help me pick out one with a "good blade." Could it be that they chose one with a diamond profile through the entire blade? Secondly, how do I remove the plastic (fiberglass?) handle? I've read that it it is epoxied onto the tang, and that would make removal difficult. I'm trying to give it an ebony grip, and cast a new bronze pommel and guard. Thanks for sharing your wisdom |
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Post by Timo Nieminen on Nov 25, 2016 11:14:04 GMT
I've seen people say it's thinner and more flexible in the distal third, but not "flat". Photos where I can tell show it's diamond all the way. The earliest (like over a decade ago) models might have been flat in the distal third - there have been a couple of different variations of this sword.
You can try heat - reach the right temperature, and epoxy softens. Exactly how hot depends on the epoxy. A hair dryer on high can usually do it.
Otherwise, if you're happy to destroy the existing grip, you can get rid of the grip (maybe using a chisel?) and then you can see what you're dealing with.
I'd be wary of making a new pommel and guard too heavy. It's a light blade and a heavy pommel can do bad things to the balance. (But a thin-walled enough hollow pommel should be OK.)
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Post by Aeliascent [defunct] on Nov 25, 2016 12:50:27 GMT
I've seen people say it's thinner and more flexible in the distal third, but not "flat". Photos where I can tell show it's diamond all the way. The earliest (like over a decade ago) models might have been flat in the distal third - there have been a couple of different variations of this sword. You can try heat - reach the right temperature, and epoxy softens. Exactly how hot depends on the epoxy. A hair dryer on high can usually do it. Otherwise, if you're happy to destroy the existing grip, you can get rid of the grip (maybe using a chisel?) and then you can see what you're dealing with. I'd be wary of making a new pommel and guard too heavy. It's a light blade and a heavy pommel can do bad things to the balance. (But a thin-walled enough hollow pommel should be OK.) Interesting thoughts about the blade. "Distal third," gotcha. Vocabulary for the win! I might just keep the current guard, since its already in an angelfish like shape. But I want to do a flat circular pommel, kind of like on the "Han Jian(s)." I'll definitely weigh the stock pieces before I make the newer ones so I can keep the target weight in mind throughout the entire process. |
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Post by Timo Nieminen on Nov 25, 2016 23:16:28 GMT
You usually only see "distal" used with reference to swords in the term "distal taper", but "distal" is useful otherwise ("furthest away"), as is the opposite, "proximal" (closest). The balance on the Hanwei jian I've played with has been excellent (Adam Hsu 1H + 2H, Rodell), and hopefully this one is similar. So, the big balance question: where is the pivot point? The easy way to find the location of the pivot point is the waggle test. Otherwise, pendulum test. See: Waggle test video at blog.subcaelo.net/ensis/dynamic-method-weighing-swords/ Waggle test, figure 5 in www.thearma.org/spotlight/GTA/motions_and_impacts.htmPendulum test, figure 6 in the same article. |
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Post by Aeliascent [defunct] on Dec 5, 2016 3:30:30 GMT
Interesting. I can't really say for sure since I don't know much, but the pivot point seems to be a little bit above the point of balance.
After about a week of owning the sword, I'm beginning to love it more and more. I did a bit of research, and I've learned that the later Hanwei Practical Jian are a bit like the Rodells. They're thicker and though the blade geometry isn't exactly a clamshell, it's not a perfect diamond either. It's slightly rounded. It's also thicker than the older versions of the model.
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Post by Timo Nieminen on Dec 5, 2016 20:28:08 GMT
The pivot point can't be close to the point of balance. (And if by "above", you mean between the POB and the hilt ("above" and "below" are usually used assuming that the point is down and the hilt is up), that's doubly impossible.)
The waggle test to find the pivot point is only easy once you've learned how to do it, and isn't easy to explain with written instructions. The pendulum test is much more foolproof, but takes more effort. You might like to try to find the pivot point with a pendulum.
Are the newest models heavier than the older ones?
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Ifrit
Member
More edgy than a double edge sword
Posts: 3,284
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Post by Ifrit on Dec 17, 2016 21:15:32 GMT
Interesting. I can't really say for sure since I don't know much, but the pivot point seems to be a little bit above the point of balance. After about a week of owning the sword, I'm beginning to love it more and more. I did a bit of research, and I've learned that the later Hanwei Practical Jian are a bit like the Rodells. They're thicker and though the blade geometry isn't exactly a clamshell, it's not a perfect diamond either. It's slightly rounded. It's also thicker than the older versions of the model. are all the new practical Tai chi made this way? |
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Post by Aeliascent [defunct] on Dec 18, 2016 2:13:47 GMT
Interesting. I can't really say for sure since I don't know much, but the pivot point seems to be a little bit above the point of balance. After about a week of owning the sword, I'm beginning to love it more and more. I did a bit of research, and I've learned that the later Hanwei Practical Jian are a bit like the Rodells. They're thicker and though the blade geometry isn't exactly a clamshell, it's not a perfect diamond either. It's slightly rounded. It's also thicker than the older versions of the model. are all the new practical Tai chi made this way? I think so. Aikidoka has a few videos and comments on the sword that leads me to believe that the newer ones are made this way. |
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