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Post by Deleted on Nov 9, 2008 18:00:48 GMT
I'm new to medieval swords, and I would like to know what types ( if any) have a blade length of 40" or longer. Thank you.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 9, 2008 19:51:01 GMT
hello Tenken ..
If you looking at blades of 40" or longer we are talking about two handers .. mostly of those swords owns 40" or 42" blades. For example the two handed scottish claymores (40-42" blade length) , german flamberge swords (42-46" blade length), Swiss -german zweihander (40-46" blade length) and some swiss sabers..
These swords were designed basically to break lines of pikemen in the late XV cent. and XVI cent. and later become a ceremonial swords just to indicate some kind of grade or power in royalty and ceremonial rituals. (am talking about zweihanders and flamberges).
Just to share .. there was a warrior named Pier Gerlofs Donia of the north of Germany in 1517 strong as an ox, of dark complexion, broad shouldered, with a long black beard and moustache, he used the zweihander and has a length of 213 cm (84") and a weight of over 6.6 kg.
Hope this helps! ;D
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Post by Deleted on Nov 9, 2008 20:07:49 GMT
Thank you very much Mordrent! +1 Karma to you. Listen, that zweihander seems to be exactly the type I am looking for. Where might a fellow go to procure one of those?
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Post by Deleted on Nov 9, 2008 20:26:14 GMT
Well unfortunately, there isn't much in the sub 300 group that is very good for that style of sword. The cold steel one is really heavy and unweildy. The windlass one has a limp noodle for a blade. The hanwei bastard sword(don't let the name fool you, it's not a bastard sword) which really is probabaly the best bet...but honestly, if you want this style of sword, staying sub 300 might not be the best of ideas.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 9, 2008 20:56:47 GMT
I agree with Cold Napalm ,.. Tenken there's no much good swords in sub300 area .. but you can start with the cold steel .. I think it's not much heavy , and well the other option is the hanwei bastard sword .. there's other sword the windlass English two hand sword .. if you want it don't worry about the whippness of the blade I heard good comments on the new windlass blades . And of course the Generation 2 swords a great manufacturer . Let me tell you options. Hanwei Lowlander sword Hanwei bastard sword hanwei claymore sword Windlass english two handed sword Windlass italian hand and half Gen 2 Wallace sword GEn 2 15th. two handed sword (stills in kultofathena.com) gen 2 claymore sword Cold Steel two handed sword And there's other choices but not for cutting test and things like that .. I think they are just for sword play forms .. Ritter Steel Landsknecht sword Ritter steel two handed bastard sword And the Deepeeka swords .. not recommendable for cutting tests ... these swords are more ceremonial and not for sword play , because of their size and construction .. but they are the best example of a zweihander and ceremonial sword . THe german two handed sword Brunswick State guard two handed sword the beer brewers two handed sword Two Handed Scotsman Broad Sword (the closest replica of the real william wallace sword ) Two Handed Large Sword I know about two handers because I like to practice with these swords and I feel confortable with these swords , I think it is more technique than strenght . Again hopes this helps ! .. and don't hesitate in ask !
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Post by Deleted on Nov 9, 2008 21:30:14 GMT
Thank you very, very much Mordrent and Cold Napalm! You two have given me a plethora of good information to sort through. It is much appreciated. One more thing though. Can you guys give me some links to websites that offer these blades? I think Mordrent mentioned one, Kult Of Athena. Any others? I thank you again.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 9, 2008 21:45:25 GMT
KoA has some of the best prices on the web and good CS and a huge selection so that should be the first place to hit up for shopping around. After that, it'll take some in dept searching and ebaying to find better .
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Post by Deleted on Nov 9, 2008 21:54:15 GMT
Will do. Thank you. +1 ;D
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Post by Deleted on Nov 9, 2008 22:31:05 GMT
I have a Windlass Flamberge(more correctly called a Flammard, from what I've read).
It was my very first sword, and I'll never get rid of it.
That said, yes, it's rather flexible, but this isn't necessarily a bad thing. People are quick to dislike this about Windlass blades, though it's not as bad as they want you to believe.
The thin cross-sections, and resulting "noodliness", helps Windlass blades remain balanced and weighted better then some other production swords, which are like crowbars.
It only becomes a real issue when the sword is meant to have an effective thrust. Cut-and-thrust swords from Windlass suffer, but dedicated cutters are serviceable pieces. Thoough my Flammard is quite a bit mroe flexible than one might expect, it feels great in the hand. The only thing she needs it a new grip, or epoxy to sturdy up the one on it. This is a pretty average problem with ALL Windlass pieces.
Cold Steel is generally accepted as solid, and tough as nails. On the downside, the weight sucks.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 9, 2008 22:44:56 GMT
Thanks HR. How much flexibility in the blade is acceptable? As for weight, that's no problem. I'm 6'2" and 235lbs of solid muscle ( I'm a contractor, practice kenjutsu five days a week, and go to the gym six days) ;D! I think I might actually check out one of those "crowbars". Thank you very much.
By the way, HR: Manly Eater Of Steaks is one of the, if not THE best and funniest names on here!!
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Post by Deleted on Nov 10, 2008 1:19:05 GMT
I'm unaware of ANY production sword with enough flexibility as to SERIOUSLY detract from its cutting ability. Well, except for the Windlass cane sword. That thing is a POS in the highest degree,
And weight doesn't sound like an issue, but it is. If a sword is too heavy, enough cutting practice can mistrain muscles and give you bad habits which would show through in your Kenjutsu. Besides, you have to remember that a sword is meant to be used in war for long periods of time. Light weight is important, regardless of your strength. Strength really isn't as important as stamina in proper swordsmanship.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 10, 2008 1:39:31 GMT
Hey, HR. Thank you again for your input. You are right about the weight promoting bad habits to those who practice kenjutsu. I have double-digit years of experience under my belt though, so my good habits are pretty much set in stone. Now with regards to those grips on the Windlasses, how bad are they? An easy fix, or not? Thank you very much.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 10, 2008 2:07:22 GMT
The grips are often a little wobbly, particularly after use.
Since most Windlass models involve the pommel or a pommel nut screwing onto the tang, they're tightened to the point of keeping the grip sturdy. A little use, and you notice it'll shift.
Most people who buy a Windlass do 2 things immediately after purchase. 1) Remove the clear, rust-preventative coating on the blade and apply oil. 2) Strip the hilt, peen the grip-side tang-hole to tighten it against the blade(some people will just use JBWeld), and fill the grip hole with epoxy before putting everything back together.
This sturdies up the sword, making it far better with minimal effort/cost. And the coating just detracts from the way light reflects off the steel, and some people prefer a little natural patina to form over time.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 10, 2008 2:27:42 GMT
Hey, HR. Thank you ever so much. Your knowledge has assisted me greatly. +1 to you.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 10, 2008 9:22:23 GMT
Cold Steel is generally accepted as solid, and tough as nails. On the downside, the weight sucks. Well... until the pommel falls off!
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Post by Deleted on Nov 10, 2008 10:07:32 GMT
Hey, HR. Thank you again for your input. You are right about the weight promoting bad habits to those who practice kenjutsu. I have double-digit years of experience under my belt though, so my good habits are pretty much set in stone. Now with regards to those grips on the Windlasses, how bad are they? An easy fix, or not? Thank you very much. Your muscles are trained for JSA. When using western sword, you'll find those muscle training working against you half the time. So basically you need a proper weighted sword because your learning something new and different and you will develop bad habits otherwise. In fact your JSA training will probably build bad habits anyways so don't make it worse with a badly weighted and balanced sword .
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Post by Deleted on Nov 10, 2008 13:45:23 GMT
I have the Gen 2 wallace claymore and like it pretty well. The ballance is good it is just kind of heavy. Reviewed here /index.cgi?board=swordreviews&action=display&thread=2162&page=1
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Post by Deleted on Nov 10, 2008 15:38:16 GMT
There are also some swords with 40 or more blades that are not real two-handers but rather big hand and a half swords. A few of them are in Oakeshott's "Records of the medieval sword". I think they were types XIIa, XIIIa, XVIIIa and XX. My Del Tin 2142 is a big hand and a half sword with a blade just a bit shorter then 40 inches (it's blade is 99.5cm long). But unfortunately it's not a $300 sword.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 10, 2008 16:44:33 GMT
Yeah my del tin is very similar to Luka's...but is an older discontinued model. Probably the precuror to his actually . I mean at 48 inches overall length, I find it VERY difficult to use one handed. However del tin can be had second hand for 300...ish at time. Actually, that is an option...the second hand market. Assuming a really big longsword is acceptable. But I get the feeling tenken wants a bigger sword .
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Post by Deleted on Nov 10, 2008 19:50:41 GMT
I humbly thank all of you for your experience and insight in this matter. You have all been very helpful to this medieval rookie ! I visited Kult Of Athena, and one particular sword caught my eye. It called the English Two-Hand Sword from Windlass, they say it is based on a type IV. Does anyone know about this sword? Again, you guys have been really awesome. Thank you very much.
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