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Post by Deleted on Feb 25, 2009 0:34:13 GMT
I bought a Pirate's Companion sword from Windlass at MLR. The handle seems to have been milled out a bit too much and as such shifts around side-to-side, front and back, and in a twisting motion.
As well, it makes a very concerning popping noise when swung. I'm working on a review, and before I moved on to cutting, I was wondering if I should send it in for another one.
The guard gaps are tiny, too small to insert shims. I considered pouring in some kind of adhesive, but that just doesn't seem right to me.
I've seen others here keep much worse swords (and aside from this problem the sword is great) and part of me keeps saying "Stop being such a delicate flower and just live with it."
On the other hand, there's not much I can do to fix it. I can't tell is it's threaded or peened. I have fairly strong hands but can't turn the end cylinder thing at all. Also, I think I can see a hammer mark on the cylinder leading me to believe that it is peened.
I heard MRL's return service was almost no-questions-asked, but I'd feel like a jerk sending it in if I could fix it myself. Any thoughts appreciated.
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Post by hotspur on Feb 25, 2009 1:32:29 GMT
There is an old pictorial showing the basics of re-peening. I approach it a bit differently but that is are basics in one spot. bjorn.foxtail.nu/bonk_eng.htmThe problem with an ill fit of the grip itself is going to be a continuing shift until the void is filled, or the grip replaced. Using the bored plank shown in the above link, you might be able to raise enough of the tang peen to cleanly grind or file the peen off. Then, once apart, shims or epoxy can be pretty easily secure the existing grip. Either way to approach getting it apart, the tang will need to be ground off some on the end. if carefully and straightly drilled in the center of the peen, one might be able to drive out the peen with the rest supported but it is likely easier for many just to grind off the peen. The grip will then have to be shortened just a tad, or the shoulders of the blade to hilt seat need to be moved up the blade (if this makes any sense at all at this point in my thoughts). I have occasionally wound dental floss or thread between blade shoulders and hilt, or between grip and hit (some use fishing line). This will though not remain stationary if the grip bore is oversize to the tang. You could also split the existing grip off and then make a new grip by sandwiching two pieces and gluing them together. In doing that method (or even if someone is making a katana tsuka) think of one side of the bread as having more of a channel than the other. This will help offset the seam from the centerline of the tang, thus supporting the grip with less stress on the mess. Have I lost the train of thought yet?  Chances are that if you went for a return, the replacement would suffer from the same types of difficulties. Glue around the outside will fail in time as well. Cheers Hotspur; pictures of the cutlass would be great |
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Post by hotspur on Feb 25, 2009 1:45:09 GMT
You know what though? It almost looks like the tang has a nut on it. If the tang protrudes a good bit from the pommel, a pair of padded vise grips (or unpadded even) and lefty loosen if looking towards the assembly.
Can you post a picture of the end of the pommel?
Cheers
Hotspur; don't beat on it with a hammer if it will unscrew from the tang
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Post by Deleted on Feb 25, 2009 2:38:33 GMT
I'll see if I can get a picture up tomorrow (kinda late now) and I'll try unscrewing again. Also, I thought about splitting it, but I kinda like the grip (except for the problem we're talking about).
Are you sure the problem isn't isolated to this specific one? (Lemon). KoA has been carrying the German Hunting Saber for awhile now, and only just recently they added one to their scratch and dent for "a loose handle". I mention this because the GHS has exactly the same kind of wood grip as the Pirates Companion, so maybe it might just be mine?
On a sidenote, in all the pictures I've seen of the Pirate's Companion it had a white plastic ring around where the blade met the guard, mine does not.
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Post by hotspur on Feb 25, 2009 3:04:37 GMT
The blade washers seem to vary sometimes. My Patton came ith just a thin piece of plastic as a washer. Historically, many later swords had a thick (or thinner) buffer that was actually set between the blade shoulders and the guards.
I wouldn't gamble with a return being a better sword unless a seller is willing to inspect one and make sure it won't loosen. Windlass is not known for tight fits, rather quite known for rattles. If you can unscrew it easily, it should fall apart easily enough to shim or glue the grip. I used paperclips inside another Windlass grip to remove the twist and slop there and used a metal wedge (a dime) in the cross from the the grip side. Compression of a threaded tang tightened that one up nicely for me.
Cheers
Hotspur; Good luck with it either way.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 25, 2009 3:18:20 GMT
Thanks alot, I'll try some stuff you mentioned.
But if sending it in WOULD (hypothetically) remedy the situation, would it be worth it? Most of the things you suggested seemed fairly technical, and require tools I don't have access to.
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Post by hotspur on Feb 25, 2009 4:11:34 GMT
I would say it is your call. I don't have the sword in front of me and you are not sure if you can deal with the issue if it arises after a replacement wears in. A picture might make for more possibilities for tools. If it is a cylindrical nut, sometimes the round cut-out of needlenose pliers are just the trick to grasp with these nuts. If it is square, an open end or adjustable wrench. A lot of possibilities depend on one's own experience with tools and/or the readiness to purchase small tools one might need.
The Patton I own is pretty much bullet proof in construction, as the build is quite different. Most of the compression type sword I own do loosen some, even if the grips don't slop around laterally.
This is true even of a couple of Arms & Armor swords I own and maintain through tightening. Both of my Gus Trim swords settled once and have been fine after addressing that. Two Del Tins and that other Windlass I own the same way. Compression type fitments loosen over time, be it peened or threaded.
I do have some swords that are more than one hundred years that are rock solid but they are not the norm and even some of them have seen work to tighten them.
Cheers
Hotspur; Me? I'd have a go of it on my own but it doesn't suit for all to noodle with stuff
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Post by Deleted on Feb 25, 2009 4:34:54 GMT
Well, noodling around suits me just fine ;D So much so in fact, I got a little impatient (which is abnormal for me) and called upon my freakish hand-strength. And it is threaded. Huzzah! I swore I saw a hammer mark! Bad call I guess, and this is my first "real" sword. Had a quick look under the hood, and then retightened it (better than it had been on before, with my bare hands! Muh wah ah ah!) And then a bit more with some pliers. The noise, the rattle, everythings like it should be. To quote Drop Dead Fred: "When something's not working right, break it and make it better!" Geez, I feel sheepish now. But a sheepish person, with strong hands. The review must go on! Edit: Whoops time for bed I guess. (Had to modify 3 times  |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 25, 2009 11:46:25 GMT
Orimus and Hotspur, thank-you both! I have one of these waiting for me in New Zealand (my wife's picking it up for me at easter), and this will be valuable information for me if my sword suffers from the same fault. Knowing that it has a threaded tang is also useful, since I'm considering doing some modifications to it. I can't karma Hotspur, since he doesn't do that stuff, but +1 to you Orimus! Mind you, I've been planning on doing a review of this sword too, so it looks like you're going to beat me to the punch!  If they still had the "smite" function on SBG, I might have to give you one of those as well ;D Cheers Marc E |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 27, 2009 21:45:41 GMT
Idunno, you might beat me to it. I've been really distracted what with the four zillion college letters I'm getting for no reason. Either way, you should do your own review anyway, two is better than one right? And thanks for the karma.
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