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Post by Deleted on Dec 5, 2008 8:09:58 GMT
In alot of cultures it was customary to bless or customize your sword after recieving it. The samurai believed a sword was an extension of themselves and would perform rituals to bind there sword to there soul. I know it sounds foolish but I have heard of people etching or otherwise customizing there sword so it feels more attuned to the wielder. So the question is, have you ever done it, or thought about doing it before?
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Post by Deleted on Dec 5, 2008 9:33:28 GMT
Yes I do this......In a Norse way......SanMarc.
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slav
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Post by slav on Dec 5, 2008 10:02:34 GMT
Many people customize their swords with fittings and mountings that are to their own preference. These might represent a theme, or merely be pleasing to the owner. In fact, I have customized a few swords for members who wish to make their katana more personalized, and more reperesentative of themselves or their preferences. You can see my work here. Notice that each sword can be seen to have a unique style or theme that sets it apart from just the plain black-and-white katana seen for sale everywhere: /index.cgi?board=swordcustom&action=display&thread=6796 And here you can see the work of a professional sword polisher/mounter, Keith Larman: www.summerchild.com/MyWork.htmlDoes that help answer your question, or did you mean something else?
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Post by salvatore on Dec 5, 2008 10:07:06 GMT
I do this as well, I don't this it is foolish in the least, I (Among many others on this forum) have great respect for the Japanese sword, I don't think there is anything wrong with the way you phrased it.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 5, 2008 10:25:24 GMT
I just wanted to have a discussion about how you bless your swords or personalize them. Maybe even show some pictures of some blades you have etched or otherwise customized. I know the sword im getting today will be getting a custom scabbard I am going to make.
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Post by salvatore on Dec 5, 2008 10:29:48 GMT
I just wanted to have a discussion about how you bless your swords or personalize them. Maybe even show some pictures of some blades you have etched or otherwise customized. I know the sword im getting today will be getting a custom scabbard I am going to make. I'd show if I had a camera...hmm...Dammit. A shame, huh? Sal
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slav
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Post by slav on Dec 5, 2008 10:32:56 GMT
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Post by salvatore on Dec 5, 2008 10:39:46 GMT
Damn slav, I don't remember the 2nd sword on top there. I like it... I'll offer you what I offer everyone, a shiny nickel! What blade is that?
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Post by k on Dec 5, 2008 10:47:51 GMT
Im the type that like customization and personalising. So the answer is yes. About rituals and such, it´s my belive that if you do things like that you should not talk about it or tell anyone. That could possibly have an influence on the result
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Post by Deleted on Dec 5, 2008 11:22:54 GMT
I'm the type that like customization and personalising. So the answer is yes. About rituals and such, it´s my belive that if you do things like that you should not talk about it or tell anyone. That could possibly have an influence on the result A good reply, When I get a blade, I will modify it to my liking if it needs it, my Cold Steel Kobun, does not need modifying, just my use, for my Norse reenactments, I need to modify my swords to be more period, so things like the hilt and pommels have to change, as does the scabbard, when I was into Japanese swords, having studied the way of the sword, that in it self gives reverence to the sword.......SanMarc.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 5, 2008 11:29:36 GMT
The samurai believed a sword was an extension of themselves and would perform rituals to bind there sword to there soul. Do you have any evidence of this?
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Post by Deleted on Dec 5, 2008 12:17:09 GMT
It says it in many books that I have read. If I can find a link to some info you can read online I will be more then glad. Also armor and swords were customized specifically for a particular samurai. A samurai with frog themed armor would have a frog themed sword as well. Heres some info if you want to read something about it. www.historynet.com/weaponry-samurai-sword.htm
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Post by Tom K. (ianflaer) on Dec 5, 2008 15:26:44 GMT
I haven't done much in the way of modification but I polish all my blades to meet my preference. the process of polishing and maintaining my blade bonds me closer to it and gives me more intimate knowledge of its every aspect. I believe you cannot be too familiar with your weapons.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 5, 2008 16:46:20 GMT
By the very nature and connotations of your question, it could easily fall into religious overtones - so let's all take care to not have that happen in this thread. How we 'bond' with a new weapon, as stated by Tom K., may be a friendlier approach.
That said - yes. Although, I do hold in my heart the desire that my weapon will never need to draw the blood of another human being.
Anecdote: When I was a young swordsman, and filled with more 'enthusiasm' than a sense of my own mortality (feel free to point fingers, cluck your tongues or laugh), I would wait for a dark lightning storm to take a new blade to a lake, where I would offer it to the sky. It still amazes me that I did not become a human lightning rod. I don't know why I thought this was a thing to do - and please do not do this! I'm not making a suggestion, but simply sharing some imagery of a young idiot with a sword.
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Post by YlliwCir on Dec 5, 2008 16:51:11 GMT
I have never blessed my blades tho they have all been "baptized".
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Post by Deleted on Dec 5, 2008 16:57:40 GMT
Hey Rick, show us some vids of you Baptizing them...
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Post by YlliwCir on Dec 5, 2008 17:19:46 GMT
Hey Rick, show us some vids of you Baptizing them... You've seen them. ;D
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Post by Deleted on Dec 5, 2008 17:32:59 GMT
I dont mean to suggest a religious ritual, your religious beliefs are your own and I wont judge you for it as I dont expect you to judge me for my beliefs. I am so excited though, just got my new sword in the mail and took some time to clean the grease off and inspect it. Not ready to do any cutting due to it being winter here in Michigan. I think the first thing I will do to personalize my sword is make a custom wooden scabbard, it came with a really bad leather scabbard. Not to say I dont appreciate the extra but its just not my style. The sword is a Valiant Armory Black Prince.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 5, 2008 18:37:50 GMT
Ok, now that we know you have a "western sword" that makes it a bit different! I wouldn't worry about taking it out side to test cut, just cleen and oil it off after.
First thing besides making a new scabbard, is I would tone down the cross piece and pommel, and probably would change the color of the leather handle to brown...... JIMO
.............SanMarc
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Post by Deleted on Dec 5, 2008 19:11:30 GMT
I might need to do something with the handle on this sword as well. The handle is made from some type of dark ebony and has a smooth finish. Seems if my palms get sweaty or otherwise wet, it might become slippery. Another thing I noticed is that its not balanced very well and is much heavier then I expected it to be. Maybe a full pound and a half too heavy. Not sure the exact weight but from my estimate its close to four and a half pounds total. Didnt see a review for it so when the weather clears I might have to do one.
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