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Post by Deleted on Aug 29, 2008 18:27:42 GMT
;D ;D ;D ;D I went outside to take out the trash, and the wonderfully sword-shaped box was happily waiting by my doorstep. I was speechless to say the least. Utterly speechless. Though one thing about the sword bothers me. Whenever I'm holding it the tip of the blade itself does shake. Not shake like a wushu sword would shake, but it's noticeable. Noticeable enough that when I cut paper I can feel it reverberate through the top portion of the sword. Which is to say a little disconcerting. The blade also appears to be rather thin. Aren't these supposed to be forged from 3/16'' 5150 virgin spring steel? It's very thin. Bear in mind that I'm far more experienced with katanas than I am with medieval swords so all this worrying may be due to nothing more than mere inexperience, but I've read the reviews for many medieval swords and this one just seems a bit off. I've provided a picture of the blade to show you the thickness. Also, it's not perfectly straight either. In all actuality it appears to be fairly warped. It appears that the blade has a very dramatic distal taper, but in my opinion it's almost ~too~ much so. This makes it real flimsy much like windlasses longer offerings. Again, tp me this looks almost too thin. I'd be happy if clyde or anyone else were to correct me on this. This is what I was referring to when I meant the blade appears to be warped, and finally...because it's so thin near the tip it's thrusting ability is very limited. See photo while flexing the sword on bed. (not pictured, sword easily going through bed, after flexing it.)
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Post by Deleted on Aug 29, 2008 18:45:33 GMT
Ok first of all without experience should not flex test your blades, it is easy to bend them and cause them to take a set. Second of all that isn't actually that abnormal that there is a little vibration in the blade, as long as it is too much flex when just tapping the pommel of the sword with the flat of the hand then it is fine. It looks like the usual thickness of a sharp sword, having said that if it is paper cutting sharp it is too sharp for a medieval sword in my own opinion, I hope that helps. Euro swords are a lot more flexible than their japanese counter parts. Hope this helps ease some worries mate, congrats on the blade.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 29, 2008 19:00:29 GMT
Thanks bloodwraith, it is quite sharp indeed, and a very uniform and smooth sharpness as well. The blade is somewhat warped though, and no; I'm not talking bent. I mean that when I lay it flat on a table the first 18'' or so are about 2/16'' of an inch off the surface. When it should be be perfectly flat no? I am aware however, that such things are common in our price range, and even more so among hand-forged sword in our price range. So it's something I probably shouldn't worry about. I appreciate your input. ^_^
~J
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Post by YlliwCir on Aug 29, 2008 20:36:54 GMT
I differ with Wraith on how sharp a sword should be, euro or otherwise. Most of my euro swords have come papercutting sharp, that includes my Albion Poitiers. The exceptions being the Windlass and Hanweis. Most have a bit of play when layed flat also, that doesn't include the Albion.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 30, 2008 7:20:50 GMT
I agree with ric on sharpness. I've read Peter Johnson and Ewart Oakeshott described swords (moon brand, the Saint Maurice of Turin come to mind.) after several centuries of either laying in a river or a monastery, respectively, come out still very sharp. Knights had polished armor, it makes sense to polish his sword as well. And a sword polished sharp, will be very sharp indeed.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 30, 2008 10:49:03 GMT
That's why I said in my opinion, I know that some swords were designed to be sharp enough to cut paper. Japanese katana should be sharp enough to cut falling silk.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 30, 2008 11:25:45 GMT
I have a hard time believing that anything could cut falling silk, except maybe a laser! Having never handled a nihonto in a manner to deduce its sharpness I have to get my impressions from people who have... From www.ksky.ne.jp/~sumie99/sharpness.html - a Japanese sword dealer's website.
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Post by Brendan Olszowy on Aug 30, 2008 12:12:08 GMT
Id like some measurements taken with a caliper before commenting on the thickness. Swords are meant to be thin. And distal taper should be around 45/50%, taking you down around the 2.5/3mm mark at the tip. This is a cutting profile blade, NOT a thruster.
I'd love some more photos.
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Post by hotspur on Aug 30, 2008 12:51:13 GMT
Sections of some sword blade types are meant to be thin. I'd be interested in measurements too. Some blades have considerably more than 50% distal taper. It is not unusual to see 50% distal taper in the fist half of some swords and then more gradually thinning to the foible. but hey, we're looking at the lower end of the reproduction market here. Some swords are quite limber and very thin out towards the point. Even a little sag is not necessarily a sign of something wrong.
However, a warped blade is a warped blade. Not to heap more on anyone's customer service table but problem swords should be returned. It it was apparent before any cutting or bending while doing an initial inspection, that is the time to just box it back up and call the seller. Warped blades can happen after initial QC and it shouldn't be the buyer that has to live with that.
Who made this sword? Is this what is supposed to be the limited re-release of G2? It certainly doesn't look like G2's Excalibur. Someone else's?
Can we get an overall picture of the sword to show the blade profile? A complete view of the hilt? Who made this? Who sold this?
Cheers
Hotspur; curious minds and all that
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Post by YlliwCir on Aug 30, 2008 16:49:38 GMT
I thought that was enquiring minds but ya, more pics. I ain't cutting up my silk shorts neither.
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Post by alvin on Aug 30, 2008 16:55:27 GMT
I ain't cutting up my silk shorts neither. If you're gonna do the famous "falling silk" sharpness test, at least don't be wearing them at the time.
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Post by 293master293 on Aug 30, 2008 21:22:15 GMT
That's why I said in my opinion, I know that some swords were designed to be sharp enough to cut paper. Japanese katana should be sharp enough to cut falling silk. *Smacks forehead* No sword, no matter how sharp can cut a piece of falling silk. Silk is just to light. If it was weighted maybe.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 30, 2008 22:45:10 GMT
That's why I said in my opinion, I know that some swords were designed to be sharp enough to cut paper. Japanese katana should be sharp enough to cut falling silk. *Smacks forehead* No sword, no matter how sharp can cut a piece of falling silk. Silk is just to light. If it was weighted maybe. Master, I really dont think that a "smacks forehead" is the proper way to conduct yourself. To do so is to act as though bloodraith is a simple child to which you are trying to explain something very basic- neither of which are the case.
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Post by hotspur on Aug 30, 2008 23:47:28 GMT
When I first heard the mythology, it was a pillow whacked in half by a crusader and a silk scarf by the sultan. I have read several versions of that one presented.
With katana, I was under the impression it was the leaf floating downstrem being parted by the blade.
Cheers
Hotspur; Then there is the tale of a rapier in a hat and other tip to hilt tales.
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Post by YlliwCir on Aug 31, 2008 0:15:38 GMT
I heard it was King Richard and Geghis Khan. Iron bar and silk repectively. Actually I read it on youtube, was a response to one of Pauls vids. A real hoot, tho I think the guy really believed it.
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Post by alvin on Aug 31, 2008 0:41:13 GMT
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Post by YlliwCir on Aug 31, 2008 0:47:56 GMT
Well, as long as it cuts a water filled bottle, I'm happy.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 31, 2008 19:40:22 GMT
smacks master in the forehead
First of all, I am not simpleton kindly refrain from treating me as such. Second of all there are swords that are historically recorded as being able to cut through falling silk, such as Saladin's sword and several samurai sword, the other one was to put the blade in the path of a water lily floating downstream and expected it to split the lily with just the motion of the water.
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Post by YlliwCir on Aug 31, 2008 19:48:38 GMT
Okay now, kids. Play nice, no hitting.
slaps Alvin on the ass
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Post by Deleted on Aug 31, 2008 22:35:32 GMT
ah..this is why I love the SBG forum.
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