Need to make a quick Bastard Sword for Birka

MJBlazek · Post by **MJBlazek** » Wed Jan 27, 2010 11:10 am

*caveat* All of this hinges on the presumption that you can figth Bastard Sword with a Great Weapon auth**

OK so.. I fight Great Weapon, it is the only weapons form I am authed in.

I am going to try to get down to Birka early to auth in S&S, if I can't get down there early enough, I will have to fight Great Sword... did that last year... not terribly fun for Birka.

However I do have a length of rattan I was going to fashion into a Bastard Sword.... Nor I usually want my weapons to look fairly pretty.... I just didn't have the time or money to order a Windrose hilt and pommel...

So I need a quick way to make a hilt for a Bastard Sword... I guess I could take the hilt off my GS, but I really don't want too..

So I need ways to make a quick cross hilt....

white mountain armoury · Wed Jan 27, 2010 11:14 am

Just swing by my place and grab mine, leave it with Fredrick or someone and Ill grab it from them at a later date.
I would bring it but I have to be somewhere else that day.

MJBlazek · Post by **MJBlazek** » Wed Jan 27, 2010 11:30 am

white mountain armoury wrote:Just swing by my place and grab mine, leave it with Fredrick or someone and Ill grab it from them at a later date.
I would bring it but I have to be somewhere else that day.

Just going to be Day tripping... leave Union around 6:00am Should get to the site around 9.. travel permitting.
How much more to the trip do you think it will add? I usually come down 95, then cross over to Manchester on 101.

MarkH · Post by **MarkH** » Wed Jan 27, 2010 12:48 pm

If you end up needing a quick hilt, go to the hardware store, get two pieces of 10" (or whatever length you like) 5/8id washing machine hose. Sandwich them together to make a hilt. Using strapping tape rope and strapping tape for strength, tape 'em down as tight as you can, compressing the hose. Then wrap the hilt in electrical tape several times for stiffness and looks. Make sure to build up bulges in some way (tape, leather, etc) at the ends to make it list legal. Made correctly, a hose set of quillions is plenty stiff. It's actually what I use all the time.

white mountain armoury · Wed Jan 27, 2010 12:53 pm

I have to go through Raymond NH to get to where I am going, you could take the Raymond exit, ext 5 on 101, take a right at the bottom of the ramp go to the first light and turn left into the citizens bank, state liquor store parking lot and Ill just hand it to you.
It will add about 5 min to your trip.
8:30 would be good as you would be about 25/30 min from the event.
Grey Full size Toyota Tundra.
Call me tonight if you want to iron out the details a bit, or in the next few min as I am killing time waiting for steel to cool

MJBlazek · Post by **MJBlazek** » Wed Jan 27, 2010 1:01 pm

white mountain armoury wrote:I have to go through Raymond NH to get to where I am going, you could take the Raymond exit, ext 5 on 101, take a right at the bottom of the ramp go to the first light and turn left into the citizens bank, state liquor store parking lot and Ill just hand it to you.
It will add about 5 min to your trip.
8:30 would be good as you would be about 25/30 min from the event.
Grey Full size Toyota Tundra.
Call me tonight if you want to iron out the details a bit, or in the next few min as I am killing time waiting for steel to cool

Sounds good.. I'll give you a call tonight.

Owyn · Post by **Owyn** » Wed Jan 27, 2010 2:07 pm

If that doesn't work out for some reason, I can bring mine. I'll be at the event.

I have to say though... Using a great weapon in a Birka bear pit will be an "experience".

My own bastard sword style is too dynamic to be very effective in that ring size. They *are* doing authorizations that morning, starting at 9am though - have you thought about bringing a sword and shield and authorizing in that form?

MJBlazek · Post by **MJBlazek** » Wed Jan 27, 2010 2:37 pm

Owyn wrote:If that doesn't work out for some reason, I can bring mine. I'll be at the event.

I have to say though... Using a great weapon in a Birka bear pit will be an "experience". My own bastard sword style is too dynamic to be very effective in that ring size. They *are* doing authorizations that morning, starting at 9am though - have you thought about bringing a sword and shield and authorizing in that form?

First sentence second paragraph....

I fought with my 6 foot Great Sword last year... lost mostly.. Won 1 bout... Tied one bout... I think i made it through 7 fights in my 15th century rig before I felt I like I was going to puke... then I got smacked in the nuts on my 8th fight and did puke....

This year, in a different kit, my goal is no less than 15 fights.

Tailoress · Post by **Tailoress** » Wed Jan 27, 2010 6:33 pm

MJBlazek wrote:
This year, in a different kit, my goal is no less than 15 fights.

Aim higher, Matt.

You have three hours in the bear pits at Birka. You can fight a lot more than 15 fights. I'll check in during the last hour and make sure you're still there.

-Tasha, who is Marcele at Birka

Owyn · Post by **Owyn** » Wed Jan 27, 2010 7:00 pm

Even if you lose every match and take regular breaks, you should be able to pull 30-40 matches in the day.

Remember to drink plenty of water, rest for a few minutes (no more than five - then get back in there!) when needed, and have fun.

Don't sit when you rest, especially if you're tired. Kiss of death right there.

MJBlazek · Post by **MJBlazek** » Wed Jan 27, 2010 7:45 pm

I havent fought since August. I am so out of shape I think 15 should be attainable...hence it is the minimum I am shooting for. I hope I can do more, but will do no less than 15

Rudolph · Post by **Rudolph** » Wed Jan 27, 2010 8:24 pm

MJBlazek wrote:. I hope I can do more, but will do no less than 15

I'm sure you can, just pace yourself and you'll get there. I'll be there with my mace and 19" round. Just going to push until I can't go further. Should be fun.

Joseph · Post by **Joseph** » Wed Jan 27, 2010 9:05 pm

15 fights in 3 hours? thats one fight every 12 minutes.
Considering your admitted lack of practice and your form being bastard sword, most fights will be over in less then 2 minutes with many of your opponents(majority fighting sword and board) closing fast (8 x 8 is it? ) and legging you or wrapping you with their shield blocking your bastard sword.
You could probably do at least 10 in the first hour alone.

Owyn · Post by **Owyn** » Wed Jan 27, 2010 10:10 pm

Butt of weapon up, blade slanted down over the shoulder closest to their sword arm, close as fast as they do, pray they go for the head shot instead of the leg, hilt over their shield, crank down on shield top and drive pommel into their face.

Iffy, but it works. =)

I love bastard sword form. I'm not fighting it at Birka. Although if you get Magnus's sword and I have mine along, I might just have to pick it up for a round or two, so I can show that I too am mildly touched in the head.