pgandy
Moderator
Senior Forumite
Posts: 10,296
|
Post by pgandy on Sept 12, 2023 0:29:05 GMT
Your question(s) can best be answered by KoA.
|
|
pgandy
Moderator
Senior Forumite
Posts: 10,296
|
Post by pgandy on Sept 11, 2023 23:05:37 GMT
It would be helpful to photograph any stampings such as the manufacturer’s markings. No doubt someone more knowledgeable will chime in, until then it appears to be a Spanish rapier known as a cup hilt rapier. They are commonly associated with the Spanish, but not necessarily restricted to Spain. Dimensions would also help. The scabbard appears to be a replacement.
|
|
pgandy
Moderator
Senior Forumite
Posts: 10,296
|
Post by pgandy on Sept 11, 2023 17:44:22 GMT
Are the Windlass spearheads 1065 steel @50hrc like the swords or something else? Because the more I look at it the bigger my need for it gets. :D Windlass appears to be somewhat secretive as to the material used. Their Yari is of T-10. My personal thoughts are not to worry. My guess would be 1060-1065 steel @≈50hrc. I have no complaints with my spearhead and have heard of no complaints other than one about the weld between the blade and socket. The only thing stopping me from ordering is our law. I declared the javelin head as sport and hand carried the other. I can’t think of an acceptable reason for say importing a hewing spearhead. I’d love to have another CS head more so than a Windlass. I doubt if customs would buy “weed cutter”.
|
|
pgandy
Moderator
Senior Forumite
Posts: 10,296
|
Post by pgandy on Sept 11, 2023 0:22:30 GMT
I have 3 CS machetes and find them well constructed and durable. Some hitting the 2-decade mark. I was concerned at first about the lack of a hand guard for combat but as I intend to use a shield, I now consider that of little importance.
|
|
pgandy
Moderator
Senior Forumite
Posts: 10,296
|
Post by pgandy on Sept 9, 2023 20:27:06 GMT
I have spears using rattan and wax wood both. Both have a single taper that aids in their handling. The rattan is on top and is flexible making it harder for the eye to following with a small Chinese spearhead, and is definitely the faster of the two. The bottom has a wax wood haft. It’s heavier and is the more powerful of the two. The head is a Windlass javelin head. Rattan especially comes in various forms of stiffness and I believe the wax wood also. Both handle very well. So, insure what you order, if you go that route, is of the desired stiffness.
|
|
pgandy
Moderator
Senior Forumite
Posts: 10,296
|
Post by pgandy on Sept 9, 2023 13:05:35 GMT
Yet another that thinks we have a crystal ball and announces that he has a sword with the only the question, I have a sword, what is it? ?????????? Welcome to the forum.
|
|
pgandy
Moderator
Senior Forumite
Posts: 10,296
|
Post by pgandy on Sept 8, 2023 19:56:40 GMT
I do not recommend a poll arm for skunk killing. Especially “Ideally the length would be 5-8 feet” as you stated. Assuming it’s a spear at 8’ and used as a thrust to achieve the maximum reach you can expect is 10’, based on my 8’ reach with a 6’ spear. Now reduce that by ≈½’ for penetration that would leave you 9½’ feet. With a cut you will need to be even closer. No estimation there as the spear head has not been determined. Judging from my CS Assegai that will add about 7” OAL to my 6’ spear over the present configuration making it ≈ 6½’. Remember, you lose some length due to penetration. Now, take the same spear with the CS Assegai head installed to cut; you’ll probably have to stand about a foot closer to get the leverage needed for the cut plus another ≈8” more for the sweet spot. A SKUNK SQUIRTS 10’. As for other poll weapons, I’d say the ones for a thrust, including a hewing spear, would be questionable except for a thrust as the animal will run before you complete your chop. And if you connect with anything the chances of the skunk squirting is excellent as it well may not be an instant kill. A firearm is the only way I’d go after one. My dad would drop one every time with a shot from his High Standard .22. The last one I killed was back in ’74. And that was with a .30-06 loaded with a 130 gr. HP. That was my ground hog load and it screamed. I’ve forgotten the velocity but was on the other side of 3,000 f/s, seems like 3,200. It was dead before hitting the ground.
Getting back to your questions. I would not use either of the spear you pictured. They’re overpriced and have a jointed haft. The people who bought weren’t overly impressed giving 3 stars.
Windlass makes a hewing spearhead that finds favour. For your intended use I’d recommend a Cold Steel Assegai spear head on a long haft. It’s not the best looking one but you won’t find one that will penetrate nor cut better. The CS Boar Spear is something to consider, but you’ll find the Assegai easier to handle, cheaper, and will get the job done. I can slice plastic bottles all day with mine and the point is wicked. You might consider a yari. It’ll cost more but give better pride of ownership. Sir Thorfinn’s suggestion of calling an exterminator is the best going. To try to kill a skunk with a pole weapon… Oh you might be able to trap or corner him, then try, but you’ll be sorry.
|
|
pgandy
Moderator
Senior Forumite
Posts: 10,296
|
Post by pgandy on Sept 8, 2023 16:09:17 GMT
😊 Glad you enjoyed it. I loved it. The CO at times was wearing a M1902 sabre. Fortunately, he didn’t try to use it. I found the scene where the ambushed detail tasked with blowing the dam was found with that CO, a LT, buried up to his neck leaving him for the ants was found interesting. That was an interesting scene. The camera doesn't focus on the LT and cuts away quick, but it's still definitely there. It was a good movie. Ya, if you blinked you would have missed the scene. I saw the York movie years back and liked it although disappointed later when I was to learn that he actually used a M1917 and not the ’03 as in the movie. I loved the ’03, it was my first rifle. As for the Chauchat, I’ve no experience with it but it couldn’t have been all that bad with that many countries adopting it. It was the most produced LMG during WWI. My guess is that it worked well for testing but malfunctioned in real life due to the muddy trenches. And arm chair experts played that up, probably committing some plagiarism. One must consider the need and what was available at the time. The BAR hadn't appeared.
|
|
pgandy
Moderator
Senior Forumite
Posts: 10,296
|
Post by pgandy on Sept 8, 2023 13:36:16 GMT
I can tell you are from the old school. They don't make them like that these days.
|
|
pgandy
Moderator
Senior Forumite
Posts: 10,296
|
Post by pgandy on Sept 8, 2023 10:00:12 GMT
😊 Glad you enjoyed it. I loved it. The CO at times was wearing a M1902 sabre. Fortunately, he didn’t try to use it. I found the scene where the ambushed detail tasked with blowing the dam was found with that CO, a LT, buried up to his neck leaving him for the ants was found interesting.
|
|
pgandy
Moderator
Senior Forumite
Posts: 10,296
|
Post by pgandy on Sept 7, 2023 19:41:18 GMT
My Norton Safe Web does not approve nor disapprove of the site, just gives a '?' mark.
|
|
pgandy
Moderator
Senior Forumite
Posts: 10,296
|
Post by pgandy on Sept 7, 2023 18:16:20 GMT
Looks like this thread has come to life again. I don’t heavily favour daggers as their blades don’t work the best for everyday chores. For combat my 15” antique kukri would be a favourite although I’d rather substitute a modern made example about equal. My favourite dagger would be Windlass’s now discontinued Poignard. The blade appears only good for penetration so forget GP. Those long quillons make it great for combat as they can be employed many ways. After recently reading about a Brit of some fame demonstration on his use of a dirk on request during a meeting of British officers during the 18th or 19th century my preface for the Poignard has increased. The Poignard can be used the same and perhaps a bit better due to those quillons.
|
|
pgandy
Moderator
Senior Forumite
Posts: 10,296
|
Post by pgandy on Sept 7, 2023 14:22:28 GMT
You are asking for finite answers where infinite ones exist. You might as well ask how long is a piece of string. You are right, there are leather conditioners, the trick is to get people to use them. but does it take decades or can it happen in months. ???
|
|
pgandy
Moderator
Senior Forumite
Posts: 10,296
|
Post by pgandy on Sept 7, 2023 14:14:42 GMT
You are asking for finite answers where infinite ones exist. You might as well ask how long is a piece of string. You are right, there are leather conditioners, the trick is to get people to use them.
|
|
pgandy
Moderator
Senior Forumite
Posts: 10,296
|
Post by pgandy on Sept 6, 2023 22:38:37 GMT
That was a good video. I’ve watched and gritted my teeth on some handlings of swords, in reference to maintaining the edge. If you don’t mind, I’d like to add something FWIW concerning western swords and this goes about as much for their sheaths. I frequently draw and return with gravity holding both vertically. This is more important the older the sheath is. Not all antiques have a wood core. With the blade in the sheath, it’s acting to support preventing the sheath from bending. If drawn horizontally the sheath has no support and is subject to bending without a blade, not good for the sheath especially for the older, dried out ones, resulting in cracking. Cracking is possible but less likely on the newer ones, but nevertheless. With the unit vertically and gravity doing its job there is less pressure on the edge resulting in a longer life for both. This works out well for double edged jobbies. For practicing a fast draw with a katana, substitute an iaito. It’s safer and there is no need to worry about the edge.
|
|
pgandy
Moderator
Senior Forumite
Posts: 10,296
|
Post by pgandy on Sept 6, 2023 21:25:51 GMT
Googling "indian club" I did not expect this, in german they are called "Gymnastikkeule", gymnastics club. Thanks, you saved me the trouble.
|
|
pgandy
Moderator
Senior Forumite
Posts: 10,296
|
Post by pgandy on Sept 5, 2023 2:13:46 GMT
|
|
pgandy
Moderator
Senior Forumite
Posts: 10,296
|
Post by pgandy on Sept 4, 2023 16:50:31 GMT
You could post your grievances concerning William Scott Cardin in the Nihonto Group on FB. Show proof.
|
|
pgandy
Moderator
Senior Forumite
Posts: 10,296
|
Post by pgandy on Sept 4, 2023 2:11:54 GMT
Thanks. I’ve had several discussions with them and have always won. When mentioning canes on the forum people tend to sneer, underestimating them. And that is part of their beauty, people underestimate them and it’s always in my hand ready, no need to play fetch.
|
|
pgandy
Moderator
Senior Forumite
Posts: 10,296
|
Post by pgandy on Sept 3, 2023 22:02:27 GMT
You asked for it, a long story.
I use Cane Master canes as an edc cane. Partly because they make a good weapon, as intended, but they make a handy tool. It was a Saturday morning and I was out of eggs. I knew a mama-papa store farther down the mountain that sold them. So, I put on my hat and picked up a cane out of the rack and was off. I don’t know why, but I chose up a cane made of a light weight Chinese wood instead of a heavier oak jobby. I remember the company in their advertising stated while light they were fast. I still preferred my heavier jobbies. On the way in that direction I pass a storage area that has a large black watch dog that didn’t like me worth a diddly squat, and would try to make sport of me. Whenever he saw me, he would charge, slamming into the wire security fence with force. And I would normally say to myself damn, I’m glad that fence is there. On that morning I passed uneventfully going to the store. I bought the eggs, I can’t remember the number 8-10, 12? The store keep placed the individual eggs in a plastic bag. I paid and headed home, uphill. Since passing the bodega earlier someone did not completely close the gate. On approaching I saw the black dog setting outside of the building some distance away. There was a smaller dog in his company. When he saw me, he charged with the other dog following. During the whole affair the black dog was the leader and the small dog after exiting the gate stayed in the background as though to see how things were going before committing. I had completely passed the gate, and I think the property before Blacky caught up with me and attacked from behind. I watched out of the corner of my eye. I turned to face him making a clearing swing. At that point the charge ceased and we danced. I opened with a pair, 3(?), horizontal figure 8s (#1 and #2 swings). At that point we both paused, sizing the other up. I figure the dog thought that was all that I had. I had stopped with the cane in a down position, in place for a #4. I also extended the cane. I had shortened up to disguise my measure. If you have never noticed a dog reacts better to an overhead movement than from one come from beneath. I don’t know if that is because his snout partially blocks his view, or what. We stood there for a few seconds, 2, 3 I don’t know. Then I struck solidly scoring against his head with #4, sounding like someone hitting a home run. The speed that light cane moved surprised me. The dog yelled and made a fast retreat. At that point the smaller dog had made up his mind and followed.
To bring close the story, we had an understanding after that; the street side of the fence was mine and the other his. It wasn’t long after that I discovered the dog out. He had managed to find or make a hole under the gate. When he saw me, he ran and I declare tried to dig a hole through the sidewalk to escape. He would charge me from his side but always stopped at the fence, never hitting it as before. It wasn’t long after the first event, next day?, I was going down the mountain and passing the bodega there were two men on the outside of the fence working. They had neglected to close the gate and the dog charged. The men saw me, the open gate, and the charging dog. I could tell from the oh sh*t expression on their faces and conversation that they realized they screwed up. I was carrying a CS sword cane that time. However, the dog ran up to where the gate would have been if closed and stopped. I could also see the relief the worker’s faces. I didn’t bother to tell them of our conversation the day before and of our understanding.
|
|