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Post by Deleted on Oct 23, 2008 6:57:05 GMT
Here is a purchase I recently made from Kult of Athena. I thought it was going to be a thick-bladed chopper, but the blade turned out to be fairly thin, with most of the weight in the solid metal handle. I ordered it sharpened, and I was able to slice a sheet of paper in two with it. I also managed to cut myself with it. I hooked the scabbard onto a baldric and slung the sheathed weapon over my shoulder and down to my side. I felt it shifting and went to grab it, but the heavy handle had flipped it upside down and it was already sliding out of the scabbard. Once I managed to get it situated, though, it stayed right in place at my side. It was also interesting getting used to drawing a sword from a scabbard hanging on a baldric. At first it was kind of frustrating, but then I got to where I could draw it straight out without it hanging up.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 23, 2008 7:03:26 GMT
Spartan Lakonian - 401178
The Spartan Lakonian short sword used by the Spartan Army, is very effective in close, hand to hand combat. The leaf shape blade is made of high carbon steel. The grip is bronze, with a wooden scabbard covered in leather. Overall: 19 1/4 In Blade: 14 1/2 In Wide: 2 3/8 In Weight: 2 lb
Retail Price: $129.95
Add Sharpening $18.00 (Adds Approx. 1 Week to Shipping Time)
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Post by YlliwCir on Oct 23, 2008 8:50:10 GMT
Archimedes, I've had my eye on that one for a year or so myself. Congrats on your purchase.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 23, 2008 13:33:40 GMT
Hi, I purchased one of these about a month ago. It appears to be solidly constructed. But, the scabbard on mine was also extremely loose. I've been considering gluing a piece of suede down one side of the scabbard (on the inside) and seeing if that will help. Hope you enjoy your new sword.
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Post by alvin on Oct 23, 2008 17:44:59 GMT
Congratulations on the buy Archimedes !! I've always thought that that sword - and story behind it - was cool.
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Post by YlliwCir on Oct 23, 2008 18:00:24 GMT
Well, do tell, Jim?
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Post by Deleted on Oct 24, 2008 4:30:29 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Oct 24, 2008 4:49:53 GMT
But, the scabbard on mine was also extremely loose. I've been considering gluing a piece of suede down one side of the scabbard (on the inside) and seeing if that will help. Mine has got a little play at the tip--if I hold the scabbard at the top and wiggle the swordhandle side to side, the point of the sword taps back and forth in the scabbard. The fit is more snug at the top, though, and overall there is no rattling or looseness when I wear it on the baldric. As I mentioned above, the sword will sometimes hang up if I don't pull it straight out of the scabbard--even with the play in it. If it were lined with something for a snugger fit, I think I'd have a problem with the scabbard hanging on the sword even with a straight pull. Was the purpose of the chape to add weight to the bottom of the scabbard to keep it from hanging on the sword?
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Post by Deleted on Oct 24, 2008 5:01:09 GMT
I've always thought that that sword - and story behind it - was cool. By the way, is this what you're referring to? Interestingly, such an observation was made by the ancient Athenians who often taunted the Spartans on the preferred lengths of their swords, saying they were so short that "a juggler could swallow them". And who could forget the famous old tale of a Greek son complaining to his mother that his sword was too short, where she dryly retorted for him to step forward to it...I heard a tale about someone whining about his sword being too short and some Spartan woman telling him, "Take a step forward and it'll be long enough."
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Post by alvin on Oct 24, 2008 14:58:00 GMT
Yes, those stories, and other modifications of the stories, are what I was referring to. Also, discussions that I've read about the tactical use of these shorter swords by the Greeks.
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Post by YlliwCir on Oct 24, 2008 15:31:23 GMT
Yeah, up close. It just seems so much more personal that way.
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Post by Brendan Olszowy on Oct 25, 2008 8:42:36 GMT
How is the grip? I wonder what it's like to grip a smooth metal grip. Also I wonder if the grip is hollow or solid; and how that related to weight distribution.
A 14.5" blade is really more od a seax / dirk size. Hardly a sword at all. I am a fan of such sized blades. I'd like to see a bottle chopping vid., especially given that it is paper cutting sharp. When you do you'll find the light blade hasn't got the inertia to throw it through the bottle. You'll find you have to grip it HARD and flick it fast and follow through that target. Have a go and get back to us.
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Post by Jeff K. ( Jak) on Nov 4, 2008 5:19:24 GMT
Not a bad looking sword. As to your problems drawing it from the baldric mount....I found with my viking sword, if I put a waist belt on (mines a later period long belt) over top of the baldric....just above the scabbard, it holds it tightly in place so that I dont have to grip the scabbard with my other hand.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 5, 2008 8:39:47 GMT
How is the grip? I wonder what it's like to grip a smooth metal grip. Also I wonder if the grip is hollow or solid; and how that related to weight distribution. A 14.5" blade is really more od a seax / dirk size. Hardly a sword at all. I am a fan of such sized blades. I'd like to see a bottle chopping vid., especially given that it is paper cutting sharp. When you do you'll find the light blade hasn't got the inertia to throw it through the bottle. You'll find you have to grip it HARD and flick it fast and follow through that target. Have a go and get back to us. The grip feels good, and the handle is apparently solid metal and as heavy as the blade. Although I currently don't have video capability, I'd like to get around to the bottle chopping test. What do you do? Fill a plastic bottle with water, stand it up, and try to slice it in two?
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Post by Deleted on Nov 5, 2008 8:55:19 GMT
Not a bad looking sword. As to your problems drawing it from the baldric mount....I found with my viking sword, if I put a waist belt on (mines a later period long belt) over top of the baldric....just above the scabbard, it holds it tightly in place so that I dont have to grip the scabbard with my other hand. The thing is, though, that Greek art simply shows swords hanging from baldrics with no belts to secure the baldrics. I guess they knew the secret of hitting the "sweet spot" every time they drew so it wouldn't hang up. Since they carried those big shields on their left arms, they probably wouldn't want to lower their shields to grab their scabbards with the left hand to assist in drawing the sword.
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Post by YlliwCir on Nov 5, 2008 9:47:38 GMT
Although I currently don't have video capability, I'd like to get around to the bottle chopping test. What do you do? Fill a plastic bottle with water, stand it up, and try to slice it in two? Something like this;
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Post by Deleted on Nov 5, 2008 19:04:25 GMT
So Ric, ya had to buy one just so you could show him how its done....right? Did the wife buy that excuse? ;D
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Post by YlliwCir on Nov 5, 2008 19:36:37 GMT
Ahh, that's the sweet part, Steve. I got it free as part of the SBG Review team program.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 5, 2008 21:39:58 GMT
So are ya trying to say I should get a couple of reviews done so I can get on the shortlist?............ ::)drools........
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Post by Deleted on Nov 24, 2008 6:11:11 GMT
Nice, and congratulations. As for me, that grip would be replaced in a NY minute with something hardwood and an oval cross-section. That one it came with would be waaaay too slippery once it was soaked with the blood of my enemies on the field of battle. Plus, I have a requirement with any swords I may own: If it's been dropped in the dark, I want to be able to pick it up by the handle and know from the shape of the grip alone that which way the cutting edges are facing. Because you never know.....what if you did drop it in the dark?
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