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Post by Arthur Dayne on Jul 11, 2021 4:14:41 GMT
As indicated, the past twenty posts have simply been a repeat of the quite obvious. I have not overlooked your wants, nor the videos presented. I found nothing comedic in the imbecility of production for either video. I watched a few seconds of each. Again, the last couple of pages showing only common sense factors pretty much covered long before page 2. Will UC use 10mm or 3/8" threads on full tangs? Will UC use steel for the fittings (truly unlikely)? Will Kit Rae or other talking heads produce the most noble and best handling fantasy sword yet? Stay tuned. Oh, in the meantime, do compile videos showing swords of torture being destroyed. I have spent thousands of dollars on period swords that will never be used as swords again, aside from study and appreciation. Just as quite a few hang an Albion on the wall, waxing them religiously and spending even more for a never to be used scabbard. while, perhaps, buying a less quality beater. I am not nay saying the potential of a UC effort, just as the 20 year (and counting) growth of useful Deepeeka swords still shows interest. Frankly, 20 posts of elaboration is what prompted me to write something but I doubt the words mean much aside from wasting time. Cheers GC Hahahahahaha Comedy Gold right here |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 11, 2021 4:34:12 GMT
Glad to oblige.
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Post by Kane Shen on Jul 11, 2021 4:45:35 GMT
As indicated, the past twenty posts have simply been a repeat of the quite obvious. I have not overlooked your wants, nor the videos presented. I found nothing comedic in the imbecility of production for either video. I watched a few seconds of each. Again, the last couple of pages showing only common sense factors pretty much covered long before page 2. Will UC use 10mm or 3/8" threads on full tangs? Will UC use steel for the fittings (truly unlikely)? Will Kit Rae or other talking heads produce the most noble and best handling fantasy sword yet? Stay tuned. Oh, in the meantime, do compile videos showing swords of torture being destroyed. I have spent thousands of dollars on period swords that will never be used as swords again, aside from study and appreciation. Just as quite a few hang an Albion on the wall, waxing them religiously and spending even more for a never to be used scabbard. while, perhaps, buying a less quality beater. I am not nay saying the potential of a UC effort, just as the 20 year (and counting) growth of useful Deepeeka swords still shows interest. Frankly, 20 posts of elaboration is what prompted me to write something but I doubt the words mean much aside from wasting time. Cheers GC Yes, you have overlooked the reality. You have "watched a few seconds of each" (verbatim), yet you can judge them to be not-funny and imbecile. Lots of complaint, not a single argument. UC has been consulting the communities including this one to design and implement functional swords, currently not in this product line yet, but they have worked with manufacturers like Windlass to release new models and continue asking for advice so they can improve on the historicity as well as handling. The latest Scottish two-handed sword is quite on point in terms of weight and balance, as it incorporates a distal taper per community advice. Waste of time? To most, not really. Will they be able to do the same for the licensed LOTR line? That is our hope. If not, at least the community is aware what having a carbon steel blade alone would or would not accomplish. That's the spirit of any discussion. What are YOU saying? That anyone interested in a functional LOTR theme sword should just shut up and commission from Christian Fletcher, Brendan Olszowy or John Lundemo. We are aware of those options. That the regular LOTR theme fans don't have the intellectual capacity to tell the difference between a wallhanger and a truly functional sword, so they deserve nothing better? |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 11, 2021 4:57:48 GMT
Someone wrote what I am more, or less expressing in fewer words. www.swordforum.com/vb4/showthread.php?117444-All-swords-are-a-fantasyI had simply pointed out that the video, to me, showed a limit of rational discussion on developing a worthy Anduril. IIRC, and I could dig up old discussions from before some of here were born, the Ranger sword from UC was actually fairly handy and had a good tang. 420 J2 may seem lacking but look for Bill Tsafa tire pell beating threads using a UC 420 J2 katana www.unitedcutlery.com/ProductDetail.aspx?itemno=UC1299&cat=LR<shrug>I am somewhat only repeating other thoughts in this thread</shrug> You gentlemen have a good learning/teaching experience and do ignore those watching this for a few decades. Cheers GC |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 11, 2021 5:09:45 GMT
Kind of how you have categorized my thoughts. Who is complaining? You are, in your repetitive nature of information. Ad nauseum. I listed the Lundemo fanboy rush and showed the Cashen sword as inspiration any could aspire that UC might take to task. Ie; creating a "useful" Anduril. One might do better than misunderstand my own viewpoint. I did and again mention, I have little more to add. You may follow with a bunch of wasted electrons  Cheers Bombadil from the old UC forum a couple of decades ago |
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Post by Lionhardt on Jul 11, 2021 7:19:23 GMT
As the author of this thread I will chime in. What was the original point of the thread? For fun! To mention the rumor I heard about a high carbon Anduril and get conversation flowing about it. See what people heard and let it go where it will.
It had zero intent or requirements beyond that. I knew it would take shape and ebb and flow from there with all kinds of thoughts, opinions and knowledge about the question.
Now, I never said I expected it to be "fully functional". All I was hoping for in this launch was the exact same UC Anduril but with a carbon blade. Because that IS enough for many of us LOTR fans. Now, sure a more functional sword would be great, but that is just a bonus. There are plenty of us that will immediately buy the carbon version even if that is literally the only difference between it and the past versions. And basically almost no matter what the cost is...because we need it! Just like I needed the MC Glamdring and MC Sting.
So again, as far as I'm concerned, wherever the conversation went from there is fair game. Because it is all in good fun. I loved that ridiculous video. I watched ever second of it! It was VERY relevant!
What I do not care for the fact that there is a definite trend how some particular members decide to post on some threads declaring they are stupid unnecessary threads or that what some commentors say is stupid. No one was being negative. Everyone was having fun, until all of a sudden someone had to turn it negative...
So let's turn this around. Contribute to the positivity and humor of this and other threads or stay quiet and move along.
As you were...
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Post by Arthur Dayne on Jul 11, 2021 7:38:28 GMT
Oh you mean edelweiss? That Matthew Jensen Anathar video triggered him and he went on warpath from there being a condescending semprini and all.
I guess that also proves that Anathar is so awesome it triggers people like him and draws out negativity into the open heh. I'm hoping the future UC High Carbon Anduril and other updated releases will possess similar features.
his reaction comment after that video post also brings back memories:
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Post by Deleted on Jul 11, 2021 16:35:37 GMT
Oh you mean edelweiss? That Matthew Jensen Anathar video triggered him and he went on warpath from there being a condescending semprini and all. I guess that also proves that Anathar is so awesome it triggers people like him and draws out negativity into the open heh. I'm hoping the future UC High Carbon Anduril and other updated releases will possess similar features. his reaction comment after that video post also brings back memories: Oh be cereal  My post was met with initial laughter and then now "attacked" in defense of the videos while continuing to press for elucidation and amusement. For crying out loud. If Peter Lyon got involved with such a production effort, I'm sure Kane might still look for advancement. My response was to the video, not a maxim for a treaty to be signed. Get over yourself, yourself  Cheers Bombadil; if one is looking for bitterness, taste one's own tongue |
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Post by Kane Shen on Jul 11, 2021 17:42:19 GMT
Arthur Dayne, Lionhardt, thanks guys for steering the conversation back on track. Up until certain point, the thread was still about the functionality of the new offerings in this LOTR product line. Before chiming in, I was aware that having a carbon steel alone would be enough spur some consumers AKA Peter Jackson trilogy fans into action, which is why I tried to call for actually functional incarnations to be considered for production through our community liaison from UC here dhallI believe having carbon steel blades switching out the stainless steel alone is a direction toward functionality, but having a full revision would truly satisfy the market, as anyone would be able to tell the differences in both handling and aesthetics including the proportions and dimensions between the new functional line and the old strictly decorative line, when he lays hands on the sword. The specific modifications would include: - Beefing up the tang's dimensions including the width and thickness to functional medieval swords' standard. Have it heat treated. Eliminate square shoulders at the transition between the blade and the tang; - Introduce a distal taper to the blades, the degree of which should vary from model to model based on its type; - Revise the blades slightly to have profiles and fullers that make more sense; - Have a single primary bevel from either the central ridge or the fuller to each edge; - Improve the grip's ergonomics. Eliminate the cylindrical grip cross section. Have an oval or hexagonal cross section on the grip, depends on the shape of the pommel and crossguard on the specific model; - make the crossguards and pommels from mild steel or at least stainless steel, instead of the cheap zinc alloy, while still keeping the inlays and decorative elements; also revise some of the fittings' dimension to be less chunky so they won't affect handling; - have a contract forge that's familiar with the heat treatment of the said steel, and give it a proper spring temper so dynamically it won't be wonky. This sounds like a lot and may potentially increase the cost, but consider for a maker like Hanwei, a good number of their offerings retailed at $220-350 (the Tinker Pearce line, the Rhinelander, the Albrecht, the Cawood, and the Saint Maurice) can achieve ALL of these while still making a handsome profit. I know UC has some contact in China that should be more than capable of fulfilling requirements in these criteria, and I don't believe offer the new functional models at a higher price point ($300-$500) would cripple its commercial potentials. While I'm not sure of the new Amazon series' quality (I suspect it would exceed that of Peter Jackson's trilogy), it will surely rekindle the interest in the IP. While they are reviving the older line, why not go all the way towards functionality?
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Post by glendon on Jul 12, 2021 14:54:06 GMT
Well, well. Here's a coupla thoughts from a recently-admitted member:
Regarding the discussion: It is interesting to me, as a casual student of human behavior, to see similar phenomena repeated across different groups, when those groups are comprised of people with only one or two things in common. Behold, the Elephant! Some takes its pulse, some measure its girth; some fear its immensity, some assess its capacity for work; some swear the most distinctive feature is its ears, some swear by the proboscis; and in the midst of it all, there are a couple of gleeful children running around screaming "Yay, its an elephant!" and laughing as they get sprayed with water, not giving a tinker's damn that its coming out of somebody's nose--its just glorious to be in the presence of something so marvelous.
Don't piss on the children in their joy, just to show off your PhD in biomechanics. Aragorn wouldn't approve of being snotty with each other.
Regarding the sword: Its a movie prop. Its an interpretation of a literary work's artifact, for use in a visual work, and making a "working version" becomes a third-order reproduction, otherwise known as a steaming congealed pile. "Getting it right" cannot be done--it was never right to begin with. Aragorn was true Dunedain, traces of Elvish blood and all. He was 6' 5" at least, preternaturally strong, determined, and indefatigable, as were his forebears. Anduril was the reincarnation of a fabled blade from a fabled race. Viggo Mortgenstern didn't swing Anduril: If ever a reproduction were made, identical to the "original", nobody here, or on set, could wield it properly-- even though it must undoubtedly have had dancing distal tapering, beauteous bevel, precise peen, and heavenly harmonics, seeing that "...Telchar wrought it in the depths of time."
Having written this, please understand I am a huge Tolkien fan, and I'm not trying to piss on the kids having a good time imagining getting to use Aragorn's sword. Joy is joy, and all-to-often the adults in the room miss that very valid and fundamental point. If you cannot pick up even a Rankin/Bass version of The Hobbit lunchbox (I'm that old, yep) without being transported to that mystical realm, well, you've missed more than the boat, and a "fully-functional" LOTR-movie Anduril won't ever get you a ticket, baby.
But boy is it fun to be in community who talk about such things. Keep up the joy. Cheers. |
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Post by Kane Shen on Jul 12, 2021 19:03:49 GMT
Well, well. Here's a coupla thoughts from a recently-admitted member:
Regarding the discussion: It is interesting to me, as a casual student of human behavior, to see similar phenomena repeated across different groups, when those groups are comprised of people with only one or two things in common. Behold, the Elephant! Some takes its pulse, some measure its girth; some fear its immensity, some assess its capacity for work; some swear the most distinctive feature is its ears, some swear by the proboscis; and in the midst of it all, there are a couple of gleeful children running around screaming "Yay, its an elephant!" and laughing as they get sprayed with water, not giving a tinker's damn that its coming out of somebody's nose--its just glorious to be in the presence of something so marvelous.
Don't piss on the children in their joy, just to show off your PhD in biomechanics. Aragorn wouldn't approve of being snotty with each other.
Regarding the sword: Its a movie prop. Its an interpretation of a literary work's artifact, for use in a visual work, and making a "working version" becomes a third-order reproduction, otherwise known as a steaming congealed pile. "Getting it right" cannot be done--it was never right to begin with. Aragorn was true Dunedain, traces of Elvish blood and all. He was 6' 5" at least, preternaturally strong, determined, and indefatigable, as were his forebears. Anduril was the reincarnation of a fabled blade from a fabled race. Viggo Mortgenstern didn't swing Anduril: If ever a reproduction were made, identical to the "original", nobody here, or on set, could wield it properly-- even though it must undoubtedly have had dancing distal tapering, beauteous bevel, precise peen, and heavenly harmonics, seeing that "...Telchar wrought it in the depths of time."
Having written this, please understand I am a huge Tolkien fan, and I'm not trying to piss on the kids having a good time imagining getting to use Aragorn's sword. Joy is joy, and all-to-often the adults in the room miss that very valid and fundamental point. If you cannot pick up even a Rankin/Bass version of The Hobbit lunchbox (I'm that old, yep) without being transported to that mystical realm, well, you've missed more than the boat, and a "fully-functional" LOTR-movie Anduril won't ever get you a ticket, baby.
But boy is it fun to be in community who talk about such things. Keep up the joy. Cheers. The metaphor is an charming one, but not exactly analogous to the situation at hand. As someone fortunate enough to take on the responsibility to entertain a group of children once in a while, I am somewhat familiar with their behavior and mentality. While they are easily excitable about something, they are not necessarily interested in that thing. As you described they would scream "yay, an elephant" and then immediately got distracted by something else, without actual interests in any of its properties. They are perhaps more akin to casual bystanders, not really the people who participate in the discussion of threads like this. People who care enough to put down personal information on a registration chart of an antiquated form of communication AKA an Internet forum about sword buying are not the typical guests to your home that inquire about these peculiar objects you collect with a passing interest. People commit hundreds or thousands of dollars to purchase an item are presumably hobbyists that are interested in its properties. So the analogy kind of went awry when it misconstrued my intention of giving constructive advice (not even criticism) to the maker/license holder as "show off your PhD in biomechanics". Said advice was given completely within the context of the rumored upcoming new product line, which has all the indication of implementing functionality. I perhaps said it A DOZEN times, but here I have to say it again: I never criticize the lack of functionality of their stainless wallhanger line. If anything, I praised them for being honest of CLEARLY STATING IT IS FOR DECORATION ONLY [VERBATIM], and I praised the choice of use stainless steel blade on purely decorative piece as being appropriate. Very pro-consumer! Very good business! Neither did I ever try to semprini on the Tolkien or Peter Jackson fans and discourage them from owning these. As if that was not clear still. If everything else is being equal to the properties of the wallhanger line, WHY would anyone possibly want to switch out the low-maintenance of stainless steel blade into a steel you need to oil or coat with renaissance wax every couple months for something you will just hang on the wall for decoration? About the movie prop, it is a prop, not a sword. The challenge is to design something to look like a sword with the proportion and dimensions inspired by historical swords, yet can be made harmless so nobody will impale a production crew member accidentally during the filming and get sued for half a billion dollars. I hope this is clear: swords: deadly props for filming: harmless The designers hired by the film production company did a fantastic job on both fronts. In addition, the few props involved in the fight scene choreography actually have handling characteristics akin to real swords too, so the actors looked as if they were handling a fighting implement instead of a telephone pole. Now, this is the part where people who are not familiar with actual swords typically get wrong, particularly when the fantasy genre got involved so a number of quite illogical excuses get tossed around casually. When the fantasy universe has some down-to-the-earth settings so objects are affected by physical phenomenon like inertia and gravity identical to our universe--as is evidently shown in Peter Jackson's trilogy--weapon handlings also obey the same rules, otherwise it's inconsistent writing or in the context of filming, inconsistent portraying, which is typically avoided like a plague even by fourth-grade drama society members. Aragorn might be superman in ranger's outfit, he could have the might to cleave a planet in half, it does not matter. He doesn't wield the power of changing physics, does he? He's not NEO who can change the rules of the Matrix by rewriting the code on the fly, is he?? The common misconception is: "the sword is so great that it handles like a real sword only in the hands of a hero who's stronger than Haftor Bjornsson (but magically looks like your next door neighbor to be relatable), but is totally a telephone pole in the hands of mere mortals". Wrong. If he can't rewrite the rules of physics, and Anduril in the PJ trilogy looks every bit like swords on planet Earth, it SHOULD handle like a sword and it should be built like a sword, which means it should have distal tapering, proper hilt construction, harmonic balance, etc. The hero won't use a telephone pole, because heroes (or strongmen, or body builders) are not intellectually challenged, and they would know if they try to defy physics to something stupid they would injure themselves before they accomplish those heroic deeds, or train to be ripped and join the Strongman Federation or something. They use the physics and biomechanics to their advantage, so if one is particularly strong, he would use a bigger and longer sword for better each and greater tip speed, not an unnecessarily heavier sword (for its size), or something balanced like an Olympic barbell. Now back to the topic of sword buying, once AGAIN for the ninety-seventh time, I have ZERO problem with a company or 50 companies making and selling decorative wallhangers, I have even less of a problem with people who buy them and hang them. My wish is when they try to release products clearly geared towards functionality (enlighten me if you think having carbon steel blade has intention other than functionality), they do look at all the criteria that ACTUALLY make swords functional, and make some modest modifications so the whole endeavor would make sense. If they had already taken steps without us knowing it, all the better! Now, on the theory of the entire story actually takes place in an alternative universe, where the same physical rules surely don't even apply, and in that Bizarro reality Aragorn actually looks like a rock (if "looks" is even a thing in that universe) and his weapon that got translated into English as "a sword" is indeed akin to an egg, well, it at least isn't what the people on this forum wants. So, out of the scope of this discussion. |
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Post by Lionhardt on Jul 12, 2021 20:07:47 GMT
Kane Shen, in response to this:
"If everything else is being equal to the properties of the wallhanger line, WHY would anyone possibly want to switch out the low-maintenance of stainless steel blade into a steel you need to oil or coat with renaissance wax every couple months for something you will just hang on the wall for decoration?"
As I said before, because we need it! Because it exists! Just like why I bought the MC Glamdring and Sting. Or the CB Swords Excalibur made from "Damascus". (Another one completely useless other than having a better blade on it )
I and many of us that bought them didn't expect them to be fully functional. It was just another version of the swords that were at least SLIGHTLY more real. So we need it! And there are plenty of people that feel that way about it. We are collectors. Specifically LOTR sword collectors. For many of us just having the carbon blade is plenty. They are quite well tempered actually. So I get quite the satisfaction out of taking it off the wall and bending it over my head every once in a while. That was worth the $1,200 I paid for it.
But also, it is not such a high carbon that it needs much love. Throw some oil of some sort at the blade after playing with it and it stays great. It doesn't require a fancy oil or a bunch of time to apply it.
I agree with most stuff you are saying. I just wanted to stress that point. Many of us that buy the official replicas don't need the carbon steel version to be fully functional. Sure that would be great, but it is slightly better than the standard version, so we needs it!! ; )
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Post by Kane Shen on Jul 12, 2021 20:28:56 GMT
Kane Shen, in response to this: "If everything else is being equal to the properties of the wallhanger line, WHY would anyone possibly want to switch out the low-maintenance of stainless steel blade into a steel you need to oil or coat with renaissance wax every couple months for something you will just hang on the wall for decoration?" As I said before, because we need it! Because it exists! Just like why I bought the MC Glamdring and Sting. Or the CB Swords Excalibur made from "Damascus". (Another one completely useless other than having a better blade on it ) I and many of us that bought them didn't expect them to be fully functional. It was just another version of the swords that were at least SLIGHTLY more real. So we need it! And there are plenty of people that feel that way about it. We are collectors. Specifically LOTR sword collectors. For many of us just having the carbon blade is plenty. They are quite well tempered actually. So I get quite the satisfaction out of taking it off the wall and bending it over my head every once in a while. That was worth the $1,200 I paid for it. But also, it is not such a high carbon that it needs much love. Throw some oil of some sort at the blade after playing with it and it stays great. It doesn't require a fancy oil or a bunch of time to apply it. I agree with most stuff you are saying. I just wanted to stress that point. Many of us that buy the official replicas don't need the carbon steel version to be fully functional. Sure that would be great, but it is slightly better than the standard version, so we needs it!! ; ) The "Damascus" version does make a difference as visually it's distinct, so even without the added functionality, it's an added bonus or at least an alternative visually. On the other hand, the stainless steel and carbon steel don't vary much if anything at all visually, unless I'm missing something. It's the polish (whether it's mirror, or satin, etc.) that makes the difference. "Many of us that buy the official replicas don't need the carbon steel version to be fully functional.” Thanks for clarifying that. If that is true, then it would make sense commercially for UC to release such products. However, I think it can easily be more. If they do make the revision to make the licensed swords functional, you can still use them as decorative pieces, you can occasionally take them off the wall, or out of the display case, and handle them to admire their beauty in terms of functional characteristics. |
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Post by Kane Shen on Jul 12, 2021 22:07:51 GMT
To further elaborate this, Lionhardt, I think what you meant was you never planned to use it in sword-related activities. You are not going to take it to a club to spar with someone, you are not going to cut up some bottles or mats with it, you are not doing some Fiore or Meyer routines with it, and you are unlikely ever going to need to use it to defend against a home invader, which is totally normal. A good number of people who buy high end reproductions like Albion swords and custom swords are not fencing or fighting with them, either. But it is the characteristics that make them functional and beyond that are the attractive qualities on these collectibles. Several months ago, you were trying to purchase Christian Fletcher's Borderwatch from someone, but it was snatched sooner. Another Borderwatch popped up on Classifies a few weeks ago and it was "gone in 60 seconds". I think the reason it's so highly appreciated must be that it's made from an Albion Crecy's blade--fully functional, and mounted on well designed hilt components made by a respectable maker who understands swords. It's the reason LOTR fans including you value swords like this. When they pick it up and handle it, without any advanced knowledge about swords, one can tell this is a proper sword for a hero, instead of paper weight. |
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Post by Lionhardt on Jul 13, 2021 5:17:54 GMT
Very well said sir! I would say that all is quite accurate : )
I can't remember if you saw my comment on the latest Borderwatch ad where I stated how incredibly happy I am with my homemade version, so much so that I no longer need the real thing! It was with a h/t blade, not a Crecy, but I didn't need it to be an Albion at all. That is a pretty exciting place to be. Next two projects for me are a long-leaf in the fashion of Glamdring from scratch and making as close as I can replica to Excalibur from the most recent "King Arthur, legend of the sword." Pretty excited about both those projects.
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Post by Kane Shen on Jul 13, 2021 6:02:04 GMT
Very well said sir! I would say that all is quite accurate : ) I can't remember if you saw my comment on the latest Borderwatch ad where I stated how incredibly happy I am with my homemade version, so much so that I no longer need the real thing! It was with a h/t blade, not a Crecy, but I didn't need it to be an Albion at all. That is a pretty exciting place to be. Next two projects for me are a long-leaf in the fashion of Glamdring from scratch and making as close as I can replica to Excalibur from the most recent "King Arthur, legend of the sword." Pretty excited about both those projects. That is truly great to hear. See, this is exactly what I have been talking about. It doesn't have to an Albion blade, or Angus Trim blade, to be mounted by an expert like Christian Fletcher or Jesse Belsky onto professionally fabricated fittings (although all the bells and whistles would certainly make a difference). Something like a Hanwei Tinker bastard/longsword or Rhinelander blade has traits more than good enough for a functional project. They are made of good spring steel, reliably heat treated, designed by a renowned sword maker to have the proper distal taper and harmonic balance, not to mention the trustworthy tang. With the access of appropriate furniture, one can make a heroic attempt at doing a homemade project to replicate the LOTR swords without breaking the bank. For a company like UC with connections with capable manufacturers, it wouldn't be too hard to do on a larger scale at all, as long as they are willing. Who wouldn't appreciate this, even for just decorative and collectible purposes. Anyone with two arms and two eyes will pick such as a functional sword up, give it a few swings and say "gee this really feels like an actual sword that would be used by a capable swordsman to defend himself". A hero in any fantasy setting conjured up by human imagination would pick a capable implement for martial purposes, instead of going "psst, whatever, I am like the 'chosen one' and superhuman so I'd rather use a telephone pole". |
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Post by Arthur Dayne on Jul 13, 2021 17:52:06 GMT
When it comes to Fantasy Swords, LOTR in particular has a lot of beautiful source material for imaginative sword designs there's so much potential. Swords to me are a form of Kinetic Art that should not only look good but feel good in hand and able to move easily in the manner suitable for its intended purpose.
I do get annoyed when I see comments earlier like ""Getting it right" cannot be done--it was never right to begin with." I don't care that doesn't matter, I'm looking for Recreations not exact Replicas of what may or may not be this or that because it leaves a lot of flexibility in appealing product designs, this stuff is all interpretation anyway- I like seeing new variations of releases, updates, a new take on something i.e. wider blade base, pointier tip, wider cutting tip this edition etc etc so getting it right to me would be a nice compromise between an aesthetically pleasing form and good function.
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Post by Kane Shen on Jul 13, 2021 22:19:03 GMT
When it comes to Fantasy Swords, LOTR in particular has a lot of beautiful source material for imaginative sword designs there's so much potential. Swords to me are a form of Kinetic Art that should not only look good but feel good in hand and able to move easily in the manner suitable for its intended purpose. I do get annoyed when I see comments earlier like ""Getting it right" cannot be done--it was never right to begin with." I don't care that doesn't matter, I'm looking for Recreations not exact Replicas of what may or may not be this or that because it leaves a lot of flexibility in appealing product designs, this stuff is all interpretation anyway- I like seeing new variations of releases, updates, a new take on something i.e. wider blade base, pointier tip, wider cutting tip this edition etc etc so getting it right to me would be a nice compromise between an aesthetically pleasing form and good function. Well said! Exactly my thought. |
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Jash
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"Igitur qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum!"
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Post by Jash on Jul 15, 2021 1:40:05 GMT
As much as I would also love a truly "battle worthy" LOTR sword... I don't believe that's UC's primary goal. After hearing some of Kit Rae's thoughts on the matter (a link I posted on the first page, as well as other forum threads) - movie accuracy is by far the main concern. If they can't get it right, they don't want to settle for "close enough". Or if changes are to be made, no way can it be LESS accurate than the current display version. And also keep in mind that UC has to aim within a certain price point. So if every pommel and guard need to be hand ground, the fittings alone might cost more than the cost of the current issued sword lol. The vast majority of people that purchase LOTR sword replicas are.... not sword collectors  lol. And I think that's why they sell so well to begin with - catering to various hobbyists. That being said - this sword is far from being complete. It's still in R&D phase lol. I believe they found a forge that can do the blade, but they're still looking into the hilt components. (Last I checked, it's been a while). |
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Post by Lionhardt on Sept 16, 2021 12:15:29 GMT
I just had a good read of most of the proper UC chat about this project. Thanks for the link Jash!
I do wonder why they have to...."reinvent the blade" so much here. United cutlery has been putting out plenty of carbon blades over the years, some of which were quite good. Whether they were on the old MC LOTR sting and glamdring, the newest Honshu line, or, what I think to be the best quality, the lesser known "United Black" line of swords, it's not like this is their first time doing this. So moral of the story, why start from scratch finding a new smith?
And if you all are not familiar with the United Black line of UC, try to get a hold of a sword from that line. They were incredible. I have no clue how they did such nice steel for the price they were charging. I got a folded steel sword from them that is halfway between a katana and a Chinese sword. Basically a double edged straight katana. Anyway, it has real rayskin on the grip, real quality leather wrapped over it, and an incredible folded steel blade, that came from United literally razor sharp, with a nonexistent secondary bevel, and a beyond amazing temper/spring. By far the sharpest sword I own and one of the best overall quality. And the standard price was like $150. So they could do it before, do it again!
But also, as was discussed in the UC chat, why not team up with Windlass to make it? The reason given is that it won't be as exact as they want it.
I call hogwash on that. Take for example the Accolade sword or the newer Robin Hood sword (the Russel Crowe version, not the other silly Robin Hood one they made.) Or even the kingdom of heaven swords. All have incredible detail, especially the Robin Hood one. And I can attest that the blade they used on the Accolade is fantastic. Well above the standard Windlass quality. Probably why it was part of their Master Craftsman Collection. But both swords are still fairly inexpensive swords, in the $250-300 range; well within the estimated $400-600 range being thrown around for this new Anduril.
So to me detail is not the problem at all from windlass. I figure it must be more just licencing?
So figure out the licensing mess, stop messing around with zinc fittings, and make the fully functional version happen already!
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lol. And I think that's why they sell so well to begin with - catering to various hobbyists. 
