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Post by Lukas MG (chenessfan) on Mar 27, 2018 11:13:41 GMT
Hey, I recently got into bowies myself and find myself really liking them! Or this one anyway ;) Good combination of cutting, thrusting, chopping and slicing, not too much weapon to be useless as a tool but neither too much tool to be less efficient as a fighter. I find I prefer this over dagger-style fighting knives.
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Post by Lukas MG (chenessfan) on Mar 23, 2018 21:48:43 GMT
Yes. It seems counter-intuitive that hot oil cools metal faster than cold oil does but the reason for that is that hotter oil is less viscous and doesn't form a "protective layer" around the blade which slows down the cooling.
How much scale you get depends on your oven. Gas or electric (generally) makes for very little scale so I think your file test should be fine. I do run my blades across the belt nonetheless before checking for hardness. Also because I want to see the tempering colors afterwards, especially when I selectively temper.
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Post by Lukas MG (chenessfan) on Mar 22, 2018 22:24:29 GMT
I just quench several big steel bars in my oil tank before going to the blades. Works. Alternatively: gas torch (carefully).
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Post by Lukas MG (chenessfan) on Mar 21, 2018 16:54:33 GMT
That of course is no good. No matter the grip construction, it must be made well and that seems not to have been the case here.
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Post by Lukas MG (chenessfan) on Mar 21, 2018 13:02:42 GMT
Actually, the sandwiched/layered grip construction is fine or even better than having wood all around the tang because it allows for a wider tang and structurally, the wood should play no role in the hilt assembly but guard and pommel must be kept in place by their own tight fit. That being said, the scales should be better fitted, without gaps and soundly epoxied in place.
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Post by Lukas MG (chenessfan) on Mar 1, 2018 21:21:00 GMT
Honestly, I want nothing other than a large caliber gun if I'm anywhere near a bear. If it has to be a cold weapon, then most definitively a spear. A boar spear to be exact. There is a reason these were used for hunting, and still are. Though it it really is madness to expect to be able to go up against a large predator without a suitable gun (even then!) and think to have an actual chance if the worst happens (the bear decides to attack you). I'd rather carry a megaphone or pepper spray than a sword.
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Post by Lukas MG (chenessfan) on Feb 13, 2018 16:05:29 GMT
Didn't read the entire thread so I might not be the first one to suggest it but my current choice would be a Langes Messer, preferably in combination with a buckler. Something like this (work in progress): sbg-sword-forum.forums.net/thread/53305/messer-2Why? Long enough to be fenced with very effectively, short enough to be carried comfortably, Excellent cutting and thrusting capabilities against unarmored opponents, good hand protection, very durable with its full tang construction, usable as a tool and, very important in my mind, we have good sources on how to use it properly (can't be said for all swords). Why preferably with a buckler? Because a buckler pretty much always makes a single handed weapon so much more formidable. But even on its own, unlike many other single handed (medieval) weapons that originally require a shield to really work well, the Messer can do fine on its own, to a large degree thanks to its hand protection.
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Post by Lukas MG (chenessfan) on Jan 16, 2018 16:03:00 GMT
If the pommel already was in place, I would solder a ring to the tang (from two halves). Then add a wooden section on both sides.
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Post by Lukas MG (chenessfan) on Jan 5, 2018 23:37:13 GMT
I've heard this advice from a doc: There's nothing that helps really, so do that, what you like best! Only true thing to say about this.
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Post by Lukas MG (chenessfan) on Jan 4, 2018 16:59:55 GMT
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Post by Lukas MG (chenessfan) on Jan 3, 2018 15:01:15 GMT
If I were you I'd hunt the classifieds on myArmoury and put a "wanted" post there. With Albion's current wait times, chances are you'll find something quicker that way. And possibly to a very good price.
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Post by Lukas MG (chenessfan) on Dec 24, 2017 17:38:06 GMT
For the money, Albions are hard to beat as far as overall quality and aesthetics go. Some eastern European custom makers can do a more fancy and dressed up sword for the price (sometimes even with scabbard) but quality-wise Albion is still better. To get a custom sword that is actually higher quality, you need to pay twice as much or more.
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Post by Lukas MG (chenessfan) on Dec 23, 2017 18:05:47 GMT
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Post by Lukas MG (chenessfan) on Dec 13, 2017 22:10:22 GMT
A note on the Albions: the Bastard sword with its XVa blade shape requires more than just basic sharpening. Particularly in the upper third you need to re-grind the entire bevel to bring it down to the correct edge geometry. That's not a job for a slack belt sander, it will round it over too much, ending up with too convex an edge. The XII is different, the edge is shaped on a thinner body and simply smoothing out or blending in the secondary bevel is enough. blade runner: hope this is a helpful add-on to your pm ;)
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Post by Lukas MG (chenessfan) on Dec 9, 2017 3:35:45 GMT
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Post by Lukas MG (chenessfan) on Dec 4, 2017 17:37:02 GMT
Probably no sword. Very likely something for my shop. For the most part, I'm planning on getting my hunting license (which is a big deal here in Germany, it takes substantial money and effort). Then, consequently, the necessary equipment. Hunting rifle, etc.
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Post by Lukas MG (chenessfan) on Dec 1, 2017 20:46:15 GMT
I really like that.
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Post by Lukas MG (chenessfan) on Nov 29, 2017 21:19:44 GMT
Thanks for your write-up. I've been wanting to go to the BBB for some time, I'm really curious about how Roland's interpretations and his strong focus (at least that's the impression I get) on slow work and very little protection works against people not necessarily following his system. I do have my doubts but hey, only one way to find out!
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Post by Lukas MG (chenessfan) on Nov 17, 2017 21:17:23 GMT
"demonstration of a command of source material"
But isn't the best demonstration of this showing that you can do it against an uncooperative opponent in a stressfull situation? Showing it as a pre-arranged partner drill (as I understood that's what you would like to be in competitions) isn't all that telling I think. Of course you won't find as complex a sequence in free fighting as you will in a pre-arranged drill (like one of the Stücke) but I find a perfectly executed "simple" technique like an Absetzen against a guy really not wanting to play along much more impressive than a long drilled sequence between to cooperative partners.
I wasn't saying that if a technique fails in sparring you should swing faster or push harder... not necessarily anyway. There are plenty of reasons a technique fails. Lack of speed is just one possible reason. I don't see where I appealed to brute force. But I realize that brute force does in itself present a sizable challenge to deal with. And in my experience what really seperates the top guys from the ok ones is the sheer speed with which they operate. It's not that they use some really fancy and complex technique but they have impeccable timing, excellent basics and are blindingly quick.
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Post by Lukas MG (chenessfan) on Nov 17, 2017 14:04:22 GMT
Depends on what you want to achieve with a tournament. Usually the point of competitions is to find the best aethlet at a given time and place. The less luck is involved in the finding process, the better. In a fight to one point it is much more likely to have the worse fighter win compared to if you have multiple exchanges. Double hits are a big issue, too. If you're out after being hit once, every beginner can take out a top guy with suicidal behaviour. Now you can say "but isn't all that also the case in a "real" fight?". Maybe so, but I do not think tournaments can and should be expected to portray the reality of a sharp fight. They are sport and test a certain skillset. I find them very valuable as a fighter, even if tournaments themselves aren't the goal of your training because of the level of intensity and pressure they create. But I do not think they realistically depict an actual fight. Some aspects, yes. But not more. Yes, but I think it would be closer to reality that way. Skill does not always prevail in the real world. Oftentimes, aggressors can overwhelm a more technically competent fighter. You see this in MMA, boxing, fencing, and various other combat sports. The "puncher's chance" is a reality of fighting, and I would like to replicate that in HEMA. The stakes are extremely high - not one's life, per se, but one's tournament life hangs by a single move - and so I think it would make for a very exciting match. Of course, I'm saying this thinking that the tournament should try its best to retain whatever realism it can get. In jousting tournaments of old, getting knocked out of your saddle ends the match, perhaps because in battle it would most likely end the ability of the knight to fight further. So while the best jouster has the best chance of winning, anyone has a fighting chance. Again, it depends on what you want to achieve with a tournament. I do not think they should be expected to portray reality as much as possible. The fechtschul tournaments back in time didn't either. To me, tournaments are a high intensity testing ground for my own skillset and training. Fighting people who really do not hold back and do their best to win. That is the goal for me, not coming as close to reality as possible because I do not believe that is possible in a competetive setting. In the end, "reality" is a very foggy word anyway because we really don't kow what reality is regarding sword fighting. (also, tournaments are very intense experiences... I remember standing there on the mat at the Swordfish eliminations with the best fighters in the world around me and it was just super awesome.) "Oftentimes, aggressors can overwhelm a more technically competent fighter". Very true and you also see this is any HEMA tournaments, even when going for multiple exchanges. The good thing is (and this is what I like telling everybody who complains ;) ): nobody says a tournament must be "like this". Everybody can make his own tournament, invite people and have a go at it with the own ruleset.
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