Just Messin’ Around
Jan 4, 2020 22:11:38 GMT
Post by pgandy on Jan 4, 2020 22:11:38 GMT
I got a wild hair to try something different yesterday. With long cavalry sabres I knew leg strikes possible and intended to do so if the event occurred and had practiced, but never did an actual cut. I did it yesterday afternoon with my M1860 OM and CS Backsword. I placed denim over a gallon plastic jug. The first was with the M1860. One cut only, a #5. I drew blood (water). The cut was small and I don’t think it would have had much stopping power, but that in the end would depend on my opponent. I think the accompanying blunt trauma might have had more affect especially if I had gone for the knee. As it was that would have been the thigh. Not being satisfied and the likelihood of me using that sword in an emergency isn’t likely as the CS Backsword hangs over my head board and there are others closer. So I broke out the second piece of denim as the first was soaked by this time and went at it with the Backsword, taking two cuts. Actually two swings would be more accurate. The first did nothing other than rotate the jug. After reviewing this event in my mind I decided that I needed more power and make the point work more. With that cut I scored about 2-3” from the tip and I think the same with the M1860. With the M1860 I remember drawing the blade across the target after impact, the difference between a curved vs straight blade can make. The M1860 never stopped and was immediately ready for a second cut, whereas the Backsword stopped losing all of its momentum. It’s possible to get the blade moving with a straight blade but much easier when it’s curved. The second cut was a tip cut cutting about a 2” gash in the bottle as it passed by which looked encouraging. But thinking on it I doubt if it was very deep. I’ll be back at it tomorrow, I hope, after the denim dries.
OK, it’s tomorrow and I went back. This time I used only the M1860 as I had little hope of the Backsword cutting through the denim with that cut, maybe so with a #1 or #2. It was a repeat of the previous day. I made a small cut in the bottle and a larger one in the denim. And believe the blunt trauma may have had more affect than the laceration. That brought back memories of the rats and a few mice I killed with a machete. I found great sport in running one down then giving a whack. One strike was all that was necessary to kill them. Indoors it was with the spine as not to damage the cutting edge nor my floor. Outdoors the cutting edge. I killed all with one strike but never broke the skin. The last one I killed was with my cane when I gave point sandwiching his head between the rubber tip and pavement. I was somewhat disappointed in the results but it reinforced my desire to give point, which I’ve always advocated. If I gave a cut in anger I surely would target an exposed area. Before packing it up I gave point, a sort of afterthought. The M1860 is not the greatest for point work but I had figured with normal attire it would just fine, which it did and went clean through exiting on the far side making a larger hole the any cut from either sword.
It's with heavy clothing that the 1860 gives me a problem.
I do have planes on reworking the foible on the M1860 after finishing the hilt on my M1913. I plan on reducing the thickness, sharpening the false edge, and possibly putting a spear point on it. Both swords would have easily passed through by giving point and is the reason I prefer a thrust to a cut.
OK, it’s tomorrow and I went back. This time I used only the M1860 as I had little hope of the Backsword cutting through the denim with that cut, maybe so with a #1 or #2. It was a repeat of the previous day. I made a small cut in the bottle and a larger one in the denim. And believe the blunt trauma may have had more affect than the laceration. That brought back memories of the rats and a few mice I killed with a machete. I found great sport in running one down then giving a whack. One strike was all that was necessary to kill them. Indoors it was with the spine as not to damage the cutting edge nor my floor. Outdoors the cutting edge. I killed all with one strike but never broke the skin. The last one I killed was with my cane when I gave point sandwiching his head between the rubber tip and pavement. I was somewhat disappointed in the results but it reinforced my desire to give point, which I’ve always advocated. If I gave a cut in anger I surely would target an exposed area. Before packing it up I gave point, a sort of afterthought. The M1860 is not the greatest for point work but I had figured with normal attire it would just fine, which it did and went clean through exiting on the far side making a larger hole the any cut from either sword.
It's with heavy clothing that the 1860 gives me a problem.
I do have planes on reworking the foible on the M1860 after finishing the hilt on my M1913. I plan on reducing the thickness, sharpening the false edge, and possibly putting a spear point on it. Both swords would have easily passed through by giving point and is the reason I prefer a thrust to a cut.