The Armour Archive

Thomas MacFinn

The fuller was cut with a chisel.

Thomas MacFinn

I thought I would throw up a work-in-progress photo of my latest project, a basket-hilted sword. http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5108/5574431949_779c04bb66_z_d.jpg I still need to do treat the handle, final shaping and tape it up, but I thought I would snap a photo while I am waiting for the weather ...

Thomas MacFinn

... I practice with it. Just practice drawing and firing. If you've got a backup on you can't draw without thinking or fumbling... it's useless. During the time an opponent has let go of his main weapon to grab the dagger, I have always been able to do violent things to him, and feel quite the same...

Thomas MacFinn

I would also note that you may wish to have more than one tabard: one with your personal device and one for each of the units that you fight with. No ally should ever have to hesitate to figure out who you are before deciding whether to rush to your aide.

Thomas MacFinn

There is (or at least was) a wolf pack household in Atlantia that also used red, black and silver. My own device has red, black and white and has a fox head on it. Despite this, the only person to ever mistake me for wolf pack had never seen their device. Above all, make your display distinctive - m...

Thomas MacFinn

Minimum standards means to me "to keep me from getting permenent injury". I armor to minimize bruising instead.

Thomas MacFinn

... and will cut rattan to length to help out on shipping costs. That is a good point. If you order a nine foot pole because it is cheaper than three "sword length" pieces, it has been my experience that most places will not charge more to chop it down for you before shipping if you just ...

Thomas MacFinn

m 3.4.6 Authorization for Minors In order for anyone who is 16 or 17 years old to become an authorized fighter in Atlantia outside of Youth Combat, the following procedure must be followed. 3.4.6.1 The candidate must have either a Minor waiver on file at SCA Corporate Headquarters (blue membership c...

Thomas MacFinn

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5015/5467710963_702e48dca0_z_d.jpg Sir Vitus just posted up some pictures of a scabbard he made for that same sword. http://forums.armourarchive.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=131252 We are local to each other. Sets like this save on shipping costs.

Thomas MacFinn

AndrescalledAJ wrote:+1
Hell +100

This is one of the best shaved swords I have ever seen. Period.

Then what do you think of this:

Two extra-long examples of my type 12 swords custom made for Darkwood Armory.

Thomas MacFinn

I know Icefalcon and Baron Erik both sell rattan, can anyone else post some links? If you have two (or one good one, for that matter), why do you need more? Eirik's phone number is 317-460-7333. I know he had a few tons of rattan shipped to Gulf Wars, so he probibly has a few sticks left. His old w...

Thomas MacFinn

How is the balance on the blade in your hand, outside of the scabbard?

Thomas MacFinn

I'm thinking about deleting that video. Did anybody get any value out of it?

Thomas MacFinn

Thomas MacFinn wrote:For those at Gulf Wars with internet access and a facebook account, I'd love to see more reviews at the foxknife armory page. The last review is from my son, who is possibly biased.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Foxknife- ... 8301863787

Not one? I'm disappointed.

Thomas MacFinn

Do you use a 45 degree bevel or a sharp 90 degree angle where the tang meets the blade?

Thomas MacFinn

If I had been a little less annoyed at my tools (this was during the push to get a big order ready for Gulf Wars), I would have put the extra layer of tape on that piece that it needed to pass inspection and saved that piece for my personal use, instead of tearing it up and throwing it away. After t...

Thomas MacFinn

I went to Project Gutenberg and did a title search for "norse". Below are a couple of the results:

http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/28497

http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/8933

Thomas MacFinn

I don't know if this video proves anything one way or another (other than that my desk job is taking a toll on my physique).

http://www.flickr.com/photos/50288439@N03/5532997715/

Thomas MacFinn

I agree steel and rattan handle much differently, especially on the rebound. However, I have also heard that (in addition to the obviously improved appearance), nearly everyone using carved swords have reported better recognition when they have accidently thrown a flat shot. With a carved sword, edg...

Thomas MacFinn

For those at Gulf Wars with internet access and a facebook account, I'd love to see more reviews at the foxknife armory page. The last review is from my son, who is possibly biased.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Foxknife- ... 8301863787

Thomas MacFinn

Benedek wrote:I wonder how man Calontirii I can convince should have them on the shield wall.

All of them! You can do it; I have faith in you.

Thomas MacFinn

White paint is still wet in the photos. I got the overall length up to 32 inches. Overall, I am happy with it except for the stain job. I rushed to finish it and the temperature and rain had an effect on my staining process, so I doubt I will sell this one. Although the stain isn't pretty, it still ...

Thomas MacFinn

I have several tools that need professional sharpening after a marathon carving session, but Eirik received the pictured stack of rattan wasters plus a few additional pieces for Gulf Wars on his way south last night. I have a few more gladii and some commission pieces that I am going to complete aft...

Thomas MacFinn

Since nobody grabbed it, the seax is on its way to Gulf Wars at full price. As the first person (other than me) to handle it, Baron Eirik said, "This is a real thumper. It will sell quick."

Thomas MacFinn

Yojimbo wrote:Nice work. handle is reminescent of a gladius.

A bit.

http://forums.armourarchive.org/phpBB2/ ... p?t=131215

The blade is quite different and hits with more authority.

Thomas MacFinn

I didn't like how the pictures came out, so I shot a video.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/50288439@N03/5516098069/

Thomas MacFinn

SCA legal solid rattan seax with a sheep's hoof thrusting tip. The wide back gives the edge a very nice thump, despite the overall length of only 28". I had planned on selling it for $100, but will go down to $75 if somebody jumps on this before Eric leaves for Gulf Wars tomorrow evening (Frida...

Thomas MacFinn

Thomas MacFinn

Nissan Maxima wrote:This may help:

http://forums.armourarchive.org/phpBB2/ ... p?t=100739

Cool thread. Have you ever received any greif over having the siloflex in strips?

Thomas MacFinn

How durable is the plasti-dip stuff that was discussed in a thread in Weapons & Combat? Could the blade above, or one similar be dipped in it to give it a smooth, almost metallic look? Plasti-dip is a high friction material created for tool handles. I know that plasti-dip has been used by some ...

Thomas MacFinn

I do not think you should keep your arm rigid. Through 90% of the arc of your swing, you should grip the sword with only your thumb and forefinger. At the end, tighten your grasp with the lower fingers, and the sword will snap forward. You want the motion to be fluid, not chopping. -Graedwyn That i...

Thomas MacFinn

Get an axe and split a load of firewood. Drive the blade into the wood instead of tapping the surface. The wood will let you know if you are swinging light. After chopping a cord or two of logs, I predict the problem will be gone. If not, repeat.

Thomas MacFinn

Some carved swords do snap off the first time they are used. There is definately an art to making them. Baron Eirik has a carved sword that he has used for a very long time that has held up to everything he has put it through. On the other hand, he recently got a very pretty sword ( not made by me) ...

Thomas MacFinn

I'll do you one better because my search-fu is strong. From m Those are actually mine. The pommel was a prototype that windrose was thinking about doing, that I bought from them at Estrella war last year. I saw it in their tent and I think I shocked Johnnas when I wanted to buy it undrilled and fini...

Thomas MacFinn

Thomas MacFinn wrote:I'm glad you like the sword. I'd love to see a picture with a person in it so people can get a sense of scale.

Has anybody gotten a picture of Eyvandr holding the taped and completed sword? He has had it for several months now.

Re: Carved sword with basket hilt (work in progress)

Carved sword with basket hilt (work in progress)

Re:

Re: On color choices.

Re: On color choices.

Re: Minimum Armor Standards

Re: links to sites that sell rattan

Re: Kid wants to fight.

Re:

Re:

Re: links to sites that sell rattan

Re: Evandyr's sword and scabbard- (War Bird?) (Blood Raven?)

Re: Breaking carved rattan

Re:

Breaking carved rattan

Gladius at Gulf Wars

Rattan Sheep's Hoof Seax