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question on rattan
Posted: Mon Dec 16, 2002 7:13 am
by captain_america
Is there a major difference between rattan with skin and without? I'm looking to buy some, and I'm wondering if I should get it with skin or without.
Thanks
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Brian
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"by hammer and hand all arts do stand"
English: May the malevolent hedgehogs lick your cornflakes.
Irish: Go là na gráinneoga cealgrúnacha do chuid calóga arbhair.
http://www.angelfire.com/rebellion/blackflailarmouries
Posted: Mon Dec 16, 2002 8:52 am
by Patin Windward
I recomend WITH skin. About 40% (or so I am told) of the rattan s strength is in the skin.
Peeled cane will be lighter but don't expect any long lasting weaponds from it.
Get it with the peel still on un less you want to make an extremly light weapon that will not live to long.
Posted: Mon Dec 16, 2002 9:48 am
by Sixtus_Goetz
Greetings,
If you use strapping tape your skinned stick should last a bit. Unless you are going 2-3 practices a week and are in a very hard hitting Kingdome < ie. West, Atlantia >. In Drachenwald, I've used my skinned stick for almost a year with no noticable dammage. Of corse I may just need to get good enough to actually HIT someone
.
Again, this is all a personal taste type thing. I would recommend using the Skin On at first. If its too unwieldy, then switch or skin it down.
Saranac Goetz
P.S. For pole-arms and such, use kind with the husk still on.
Posted: Mon Dec 16, 2002 1:16 pm
by Ulfbjorn
I get the rattan with skin then shave down the "flat" sides of my swords. This leaves the blade lighter but keeping the strength on the edges. They last longer than the shaved blades i've used.
Posted: Sat Dec 21, 2002 8:47 am
by Konstantin the Red
Keep the skin on, and if you plane your rattan down, keep it on the striking edges like Ulfbjorn does. Spirally wound filament tape also helps, I believe. Ask for "yellow rattan."
Posted: Sat Dec 21, 2002 11:38 am
by Christopher Starling
Skin On! The rattan is much more durable that way. Also pick the lengths that have the rings (growth sections) closer together, they will be tougher still.
Posted: Sat Dec 21, 2002 2:37 pm
by Constancius
Keep the skin on the Rattan. I"ve used the same piece of rattan for 3-4 years. It is just now finally starting to die. It still hits good though.
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Constancius of Lincolnshire
animis corporibusque
Posted: Mon Dec 30, 2002 5:04 pm
by Trystan von Adler
I agree, skin on. I must say, I shave mine down, leave the skin on, wrap with strapping tape, coat with duct tape, and fight at one practice a week. The result, I pulp a sword in three weeks. I don't hit that damn hard! I have been making them the same way for twelve years and have the same result. And siloflex isn't allowed in Meridies!
But the answer is the same, skin on.
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With regards and wishes of health, Vivat!
Trystan