Some Mandrake Stuff In Stock again

[Johannes]

We just got the shipment of Black Lo Pro thrusting tips in, so they are available on both web sites. We also got a group of the cast aluminum sword fittings, notably the Small Square and Viking hilts, and the Wheel Pommel.

I also found a small group of the anthropomorphic Celtic pommels. I am not sure they were ever on the web site, but if anyone is interested, let me know.

[Ingvarr]

I've got a couple of questions. On the non-aluminum viking hilt, the title says "cast bronze", the desciption says brass. Which is it. Also, any plans for a matching pommel? The pewter one would work swell the aluminum hilt but would clash something fierce with the bronzeass.

[Johannes]

Brass is usually called a bronze in the casting industry, being a copper alloy. Hence the confusion. Really yellow bronze is generally considered brass, but when you buy it, it is frequently labeled bronze.

We will have the brass pommels back in stock when the large shipment arrives in a few months, it is just too expensive to have them cast locally. We have a solid foundry we use here, who helped Roderick put these into production when they were new, and we are working with them on some new things.

We will have the Viking Pommels in aluminum once I have a chance to really clean a master up for the cast. The pewter do work with the aluminum hilts.

The coolest thing we are working on is a Premium line of the aluminum hilts, which would be better castings from new masters, with cleaner lines, and also in a different alloy, which would be about 10% lighter, but 35% stronger. I have the first few pieces we will be testing as I have a chance to clean them up and get them ready.

[Glaukos the Athenian]

Axes,

Johannes, the axe looks awesome. How does it work in heavy fighting as opposed to a "sword"? I am salivating, as it was the weapon of choice of Richard III, The King.

Thanks

Rowan

We just got the shipment of Black Lo Pro thrusting tips in, so they are available on both web sites. We also got a group of the cast aluminum sword fittings, notably the Small Square and Viking hilts, and the Wheel Pommel.

I also found a small group of the anthropomorphic Celtic pommels. I am not sure they were ever on the web site, but if anyone is interested, let me know.

[Ceddie]

If this is the axe you are talking about, they are great!
I have the older style but a felow in my Barony has the newer one (pictured) and I have no complaints with it. We have both of them mounted on about 54 inch handles so they are close to matched and that makes for a FUN fight. The only thing I have notices with these (as well as all the other sockit type heads)is that thy tend to turn on the haft of you hook a lot with them, not a problem just something to be aware of in a fight so you don't whack someone with the flat.

[Johannes]

I am a little ashamed to say that while I love the look of them, and have no problems being hit with them, I don't have much experience with using them. My shoulder just won't take a weapon with that much mass. I have used them as a polearm and they work and hold up extremely well.

Ceddie, I haven't had that issue, but maybe I am using thicker rattan because it is a longer weapon. Next time I talk to Rod I'll see what he says.

[Jean Paul de Sens]

...not a problem just something to be aware of in a fight so you don't whack someone with the flat.

what's wrong with hitting them with the flat? They don't have to call it.


JP