LeMal
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Post by LeMal on Nov 10, 2023 16:13:41 GMT
While sling blades are typically overweight as weapons it can be an easy fix to bring them to spec with an angle grinder by trimming off half or two-thirds of the socket and if need be a bit off the back spine. One of my favorite "plowshares to swords" projects from about a decade ago.
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LeMal
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Post by LeMal on Nov 9, 2023 10:54:51 GMT
Oh, I'm definitely not saying that wood in general is better than bottles! I'm only talking of the thickness used in shields, which is pretty thin, and I'll only strike it with/into the grain, again like the edge of a shield. :)
The other thing that makes those 2L carbonated soda bottles porentially nasty, especially cap-on, if the blade is not "sharp sharp" in a way that historical blades weren't always kept but meat doesn't require, is back to the simple physics. IF that plastic ISN'T immediately sliced, you've got not only an incompressible block of fluid, but one of well over 4 pounds. Against a blade whose mass is a LOT more extended around the impact point, and, since it's traditional "design" preferences speed over torque... is at a severe leverage disadvantage.
As the saying goes, "something's gotta give." And it has to be either the target (and you're right, softer plastics can make a huge difference too) or it's gotta be the blade. Which you might get away with, spring temper, softer tang, other reasons... but you might not.
The irony though, again, being most a "real" or "historical" target *would* give enough not to worry. That target might not be cut or sufficiently damaged, but still, give.
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LeMal
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Post by LeMal on Nov 9, 2023 0:08:47 GMT
Too facile answer: It depends. (A lot.) :p
Not just on steel and heat treatment. On target. (And sometimes environment. And exact matchup with target and blade geometry. And strike angle. And... Well, you get the picture.)
But that's life. Why did pothole (A) snap my axle when "worse" pothole (B) it weathered just fine? Why will making seatbelt X "give" by a few mm too little still pulp your insides while a few mm more and it'll save your life?
Just as a concrete example, I've had the exact same sword on (notoriously finicky) 2L plastic bottles cut through effortlessly, bottle after bottle, because once the "skin" is sliced it's a done deal, then lose a *smidgen* of sharpness--and get bent. A couple of times even snap the tang of that very same sword.
Which, to be fair, is why I HATE 2Ls. Because a feces-ton of testing I've done over decades on various targets but especially comparing them to meat cuts? Not only is the latter FAR more forgiving--even with bone (and, though it might stifle the cut, even more forgiving with fabric armor!). Cuts/swords that "fail" with bottles and/or tatami often are just damn fine on actual flesh.
In fact, this is one mountains-out-of-molehills thing I clearly see over the years in sword-geeking; not only do we misinterpret abusing testing (though for the record I'm actually a fan of it--knowledge IS a good thing) we don't realize that a lot of our "regular" testing materials can, with small differences in circumstances, *become* abusive in a non-realistic way.
Seriously though, it sometimes doesn't take a lot to damage a blade, which we then erroneously might label a "bad" one. Nowadays, I pay attention with curiosity to people's reviews testing all the way up to abusive, and all encourage it to indulge that curiosity, but if it's something I bought as primarily a weapon? It'll only touch smaller plastic bottles, cuts of meat, fabric, and wood consistent with shields, occasionally mail or plate over small bottles or meat.
At least until I have reason to fear the Ents' attack. *rofl*
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LeMal
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Post by LeMal on Nov 8, 2023 23:47:15 GMT
Not only polearms in general but shortened ones that can give swords a run for their money in use (even if just shortened ostensibly to protect our ceilings ;) ) need a LOT more love. :)
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LeMal
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Post by LeMal on Nov 7, 2023 15:02:33 GMT
I actually like the black on mine so I'm not about to remove it. ;) But yeah, by FAR my favorite rondel dagger--that triangular blade is WICKED! :P
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LeMal
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Post by LeMal on Nov 5, 2023 3:16:06 GMT
I will never begrudge anyone for paying top dollar for craftsmanship on a scabbard and/or charging top dollar for their work on a scabbard. It's all in your individual call on value. I have a couple nice ones.
That said, do I overall give a rodent's posterior on scabbards? No.
Been collecting antiques and repros since 1980, and all a scabbard is to me IS something to safely and effectively carry a sword. (And which, depending on context, might just as well be a rifle case or such; or a storage rack in stationary.)
But then, why I be very romantic on scabbards--when, if it's in any way a viable weapon--I've never been on any sword? :p
If--or rather when--you're willing to pay someone's asking price, do it. When you're not, don't. Doesn't seem that complicated to me.
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LeMal
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Post by LeMal on Nov 1, 2023 17:59:26 GMT
For a while I've stuck with USPS. Far from perfect--I could relate a few--but least problems overall. Never had a great experience with UPS, and they're often slower than molasses. And using FedEx has always been horrible.
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LeMal
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Post by LeMal on Nov 1, 2023 17:55:41 GMT
Ach, damn Honshu! I'm still trying to catch up on some of the Boshin stuff I've been pleasantly surprised with. ;)
Seriously, I loved the Spartan--then some a*****e broke into my van and stole it; just got the Saber and it's blowing me away; and that Khopesh looks like great fun.
Now they're tempting me with new stuff, especially that Viking? UN. FAIR. :p
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LeMal
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Post by LeMal on Oct 31, 2023 22:54:59 GMT
I've very much come to prefer using Zelle these days myself.
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LeMal
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Removed!
Oct 27, 2023 13:08:20 GMT
via mobile
Post by LeMal on Oct 27, 2023 13:08:20 GMT
As much as I would LOVE this one, wouldn't have the funds w/o parting with something I can't bear to. BUT, if you can be kind to those of us just appreciating it... can you share the full stats? Weight and PoB?
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LeMal
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Post by LeMal on Oct 26, 2023 17:20:32 GMT
Don't thank Him yet--I only wanted the Shinwa. :p
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LeMal
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Post by LeMal on Oct 26, 2023 16:24:59 GMT
PM sent ;)
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LeMal
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Posts: 1,091
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Post by LeMal on Oct 26, 2023 14:20:24 GMT
Hey that looks really nice and I bet it feels good too! If you wanted to make sure it stayed stuck down you can spray it with clear polyurethane spray paint, when that soaks in it really hardens up the wrap. Jon Or Titebond! I've become a huge fan of wrapping grips with hemp or jute, and (in fact every 2-3 layers) soaking in diluted Titebond III. (Or, a little more historic, hide glue, then waterproofing the top layer with shellac, maybe linseed oil if I'm ambitious.) But in any case I like low-toxicity, low VOC stuff these days. The upshot though being I've really come around to like the more "rustic" look to visible cord wrapped grips I loved when a kid, reminiscent of images from Conan comics, etc., compared to really pretty leather wraps. And as long as they hold up and hold together, hey, why not?
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LeMal
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Post by LeMal on Oct 25, 2023 11:45:16 GMT
It'd definitely help if they published weights (and PoB). Their "grosse messer" certainly seems horribly heavy. Maybe, now that they're pushing this "Historic Line" that I see on BudK, they can be nudged into listing more stats.
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LeMal
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Post by LeMal on Oct 25, 2023 3:32:31 GMT
Then I was wrong with the weight You were even one of the commenters on that thread! Well you know what they say, memory's the first thing to go. (rofl) (Especially in my case--but I attribute that to the bourbon. ;) )
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LeMal
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Posts: 1,091
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Post by LeMal on Oct 25, 2023 2:37:52 GMT
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LeMal
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Posts: 1,091
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Post by LeMal on Oct 24, 2023 17:43:51 GMT
Whoever sniped this from under me, message me--I might have a trade possibility you'd like. ;) :p
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LeMal
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Post by LeMal on Oct 19, 2023 17:43:09 GMT
Have to run atm but will have pics up later this afternoon. Good piece, just not my cup of tea. An even hundred bucks American, shipped CONUS. Paypal or Zelle, prefer Zelle.
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LeMal
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Post by LeMal on Oct 9, 2023 15:50:23 GMT
Very cool. If I might ask (and impetus for those of us who might want to start saving up ;) ) for reference how much would a bare blade from the elvish sabre you pictured run?
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LeMal
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Post by LeMal on Oct 9, 2023 3:16:27 GMT
Sounds like a great idea.
And if I also might suggest it, if you and John make your bare blades and his fittings in this line separately available, it'd give another price point that would very much interest those of us who like to customize our stuff.
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