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Post by Deleted on Jul 31, 2008 20:29:40 GMT
Let me start by saying my collection goes back a ways, to when I was still 17 (After LOTR came out I started grabbing whatever I could afford or locate for free). I suppose a summery of my swordlike object history might be nice before I get to the goods...
My first sword was a cheap Glamdring that, upon close inspection, used english letters instead of runes and was obviously "crafted" out of sheet metal. It also had "MADE IN PAKISTAN" stamped on the blade...which I promptly scrubbed out. Thankfully it was free, a 'friend' (I don't talk about him anymore, I think he's in prison now for being a dumbass) gave it to me.
Later I aquried cheap "MADE IN PAKISTAN" versions of the witchking sword, the Samurai 3000 katana (broken), and some ornate plastic-hilted katana (broken), which my 'friend' left here when he was moving from one place to another. He seems to have forgotten them when he went to prison...almost makes up for my PS2 games he pawned. No, not really...
I purchased on my own a cheap katana, and a strange version of the UC ceremonial tachi (the hilt was on backwards, which actually feels nice). I have them in a stand on top of my computer desk...cheap swordlike objects that make a nice display. Later I aquired an odd all-metal longsword, which I won't describe in detail because I have no idea what to compare it to.
My first "official" sword was the first Elexorien, which we found super cheap somewhere (it's not a bootleg version, but I can't say much for quality). Later I got a few LOTR replicas (official) including Sting + Scabbard, Strider Sword + Scabbard, and the Elven Knife of Strider. I also got a limited edition museum collection Sting, which is hanging on our dining room wall in it's display case.
But now...now I'm getting my first REAL sword. In fact, I just checked the tracking number from Kult of Athena...and it should be delivered shortly. A long time favorite of mine, I will soon own my very own Scottish Claymore, from Hanwei. For someone who owns a Romanian AKM and an old Czech made vz.52 handgun that can penetrate level II body armor, I must say I'm finally getting a REAL weapon!
Pictures when it arrives!
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Post by YlliwCir on Jul 31, 2008 20:38:09 GMT
Congratulations on your purchase, Orc. I look forward to seeing the pics. Is a possible review in the future?
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Post by Deleted on Jul 31, 2008 20:59:07 GMT
Oh of course, though I don't have any experience with real swords aside from research...I'll give it my best shot and try to do a worthy review! Once I get comfortable with handling it, I'll give it a go with some water filled bottles. Ironically, that's my favorite target for guns too. I haven't plinked in ages though, no place to shoot in this state Oh well, at least a sword you can wield in your own back yard... *UPDATE* The sword got here about a minute after I posted this last message...have it unpacked next to me right now, an amazing blade and in perfect condition. Thank you Kult of Athena for the quick shipping and great price on a pre-inspected piece! I'll be examining it in more detail soon...but first to find a place where my ferret can't reach it. It's a bloody big sword...
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Post by 293master293 on Jul 31, 2008 21:29:42 GMT
*Sigh* If you want to deal with a semprini tang.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 31, 2008 22:12:43 GMT
*Sigh* If you want to deal with a semprini tang. What's wrong with the tang? Is this based upon personal experience? I'm not arguing the point, but details are more helpful than a vague statement.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 31, 2008 22:43:40 GMT
I think he said he had one snap on him...but he said it may have just been a lemon after reading a review on here...
I wonder if he's had another fail on him...which I would find rather disheartening as it would then become a major concern. As is I don't intend to EVER use it on anything too hard, like the shield the guy hacked up in the review we read. That looked brutal...
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Post by oos3thoo on Aug 1, 2008 0:45:11 GMT
*Sigh* If you want to deal with a semprini tang. What exactly did you do it it again to make it snap?
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Post by 293master293 on Aug 1, 2008 3:30:01 GMT
I was cutting some weeds when the tip barely hit a tree. This bent the tang out of shape and upon bending it back, it snapped. The blade, though, is killer! Since I still had the blade after the tang broke, I did some destructive testing. One of the toughest BLADES that I have ever owned.
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Post by randomnobody on Aug 1, 2008 3:58:16 GMT
Hanwei's big Euro swords (claymore and lowlander especially) have had some problems with their tangs. Of course, a sword that big is bound to. Though, let's face it, a tang bending when the tip of the blade whacks a tree isn't exactly unheard of, and bending it back is a good way to break it. Bearing this in mind, go easy on it, but don't be afraid to touch it. It should still manage the regular targets (bottles, tatami) but was never intended to go against trees, even accidentally. I'd have thought Master would have learned a lesson in minding his surroundings when cutting.
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Post by 293master293 on Aug 1, 2008 4:30:34 GMT
Dude, when I say barely hit a tree, I mean BARELY hit a tree. Since the edge was not very sharp, the blade got caught in the weeds and it slowed the blade down substantially before the last inch of it hit the tree. And another thing, the leather wrap came off the first day I owned it.
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Post by randomnobody on Aug 1, 2008 4:34:21 GMT
The longer the lever, the greater the force. Tip cuts are brutal things for swords. Especially if there's something tugging against it the whole time.
How'd you manage to get the wrap off? Isn't it stitched? Or do they just glue this model?
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Post by Deleted on Aug 1, 2008 5:01:40 GMT
From my initial handling of it, even what seems to be a slow hit will be a great deal more potent, I think. Still, it's good to know the blade is awesome.
Also, I'm keeping in mind that I intend to make this a project sword, something I will be keeping in the family. My initial intents include engraving on the crossguard (and is it perfect for that, eight flat surfaces all facing out), and I want to do something about that grip...
As Master said, his came off the first day. Mine hasn't budged, but it doesn't feel as 'sturdy' as it should be. I was wondering, would it be reasonable to do something similar to the Hanwei lowlander grip? I saw the closeups Fatecaller took, and it just caught me as really striking. I can't say for sure, of course, but I think it would look (and feel) great on the claymore.
Oh and in case anyone is wondering...any engraving I plan on having done in Cirth. That will be a long ways off...I'm learning to write it properly and I don't think that will happen overnight.
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Post by 293master293 on Aug 1, 2008 5:51:06 GMT
The longer the lever, the greater the force. Tip cuts are brutal things for swords. Especially if there's something tugging against it the whole time. How'd you manage to get the wrap off? Isn't it stitched? Or do they just glue this model? It is just glued on.
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Post by randomnobody on Aug 1, 2008 5:56:30 GMT
Fun. I wonder why Hanwei is the only company (that I can think of) that just glues their handle wraps. Windlass etc. all sew, no?
Oh well. Glue is easy to fix: more glue.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 1, 2008 20:52:31 GMT
I would have kept the blade, worked down the shoulders to make a new tang, and rehilted it. Of course, you have to have the tools and the room to do so, but that would have been a fun project.
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Post by 293master293 on Aug 1, 2008 21:04:41 GMT
I would have kept the blade, worked down the shoulders to make a new tang, and rehilted it. Of course, you have to have the tools and the room to do so, but that would have been a fun project. I still do have it. Though, I will have to re-grind down the whole blade to get it back in working order.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 1, 2008 21:31:00 GMT
Cool. I thought you might have tested it to destruction and then gotten rid of it. Depending on how hard the tempered part of the blade is (and how much tang is left), you might be able to shape a new tang by cutting away steel from the shoulder area with a carbide hacksaw blade and finish up with a file. I did this on my old Windlass Shrewsbury (removed about 2" on each side) and it was fairly easy, but the Shrews was pretty soft. It'd be worth a shot at least.
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Post by 293master293 on Aug 2, 2008 4:41:23 GMT
Well, I have made the old blade from my claymore into a ninja sword. When finished, it should look very muck like Raidens sword from MGS4. I would post pictures, but my camera is broke.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 3, 2008 5:41:13 GMT
Turning a claymore blade into a ninja sword...now that's something I didn't see coming. Would be interesting to see how that turned out.
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Post by jasmineleaf on Aug 4, 2008 2:07:06 GMT
Congratulations! I sure know the sheer excitement and anxiety that is involved with receiving your first functional sword. Remember though, because you're inexperienced with functional weapons, accidents are bound to happen. Be very careful with it and do not let your friends play with your weapons unless you are there supervising or they are trained very well in a Japanese sword art.
Either way, I hope you enjoy it! I sure enjoyed my first sword even though I wish I could just throw it away now (it's a horrendous Musashi).
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