The Armour Archive

What is unique and special about your sword that makes it better than everybody elses?

It's the one in *my* hand.

Can't get too attached to them. Their lives are so short.

I was thinking much of the same thing Nissan.

Yet, there is a sort of reencarnation aspect to it, as parts of the sword carry through to the next incarnation (ie, basket, taping method, trigger, etc...)

Do you try to shape the rattan in a certain way, etc, to make the new sword as close to the last as you can, and in that manner, each new sword is just a clone of the last, so you do, sort of have a continuous "sword" that is in effect, yours.

Or, do you make a new one, in a different style, length, with different hardware every time one wears out?

I try and make my swords precisously the same each and every time. Same weight, same length, grip, etc. It's an art...

It's an art...

Kinda like finger painting?

They are pretty similar. The hardware is the same. I have these bronze guards I made on the metal lathe at work that should last forever. They are all the same length, they just clear the ground when in my hand. But they all are a little different and there is an adjustment period I use as an excuse for my failings as a fighter.

Dante della Luna wrote:What is unique and special about your sword that makes it better than everybody elses?

Its made to fit my hand. Its weight is right for me. When I make a sword, I spend a great deal of time shaping the pommel so its perfect in my hand.

Then, I name it. A sword with no name is like a cat with no hair...

Then, I name it.

I have two matched swords right now... I named one "Right" and the other "Left". Then I etched their names down the length of the blade with black magic marker.

"A sword with no name is like a cat with no hair"

... A shaved pussy?

Nissan Maxima wrote:"A sword with no name is like a cat with no hair"

... A shaved pussy?

Actually, I was thinking along the lines of kinda ugly and no fun, but....

Mine's made of steel

~Wil

I'm in the "I make my sword the same way each time" group. I use the same length, shape the blade and hilt and use the same hardware for every sword I make. I try to get the balance and weight the same. This way, the shots I know how to throw do not have to be compensated with different techniques, I am very aware of my range, which can be deceptive.

All of my swords are named "love"...As in, "got nothin but love for ya!", or "feel the love?"

So what makes it special is that it is mine, made for me.....

This is my sword, there are many like it but this one is mine...

The shape of my handle is what sets mine apart from many others. A draw-knife is a wonderful thing.

tlast wrote:This is my sword, there are many like it but this one is mine...

'

Thank you, Private Pyle!!

Every one of my swords has been different from every other. Each one gets better with only one or two exceptions. I like to experiment with my gear.

Current one is a few inches longer than the last one. Has a Mandrake thrusting tip rather than my own canvas & foam thrusters. Bought an aluminum basket at Pennsic this year - gonna see what that's like.

My grip stays the same though - I'm happy with what I do with those. Shave a bit off with a tile knife to make them oval, and wrap 'em in baseball bat grip tape.

it started as a 3 inch around piece of rattan. I shaved it down to about 1-3/4inch on the side wrapped it in black and gold leather and counter balanced it with a lead counter balance.it weighs just under 6 pounds but floats when you hold it by the ricasso.....

I call it log

my friends all sigh when it comes out...

I love my sword
oh single handed sword whats that for???it can hang next to my shield on the wall.

crit

critter wrote:it started as a 3 inch around piece of rattan. I shaved it down to about 1-3/4inch on the side wrapped it in black and gold leather and counter balanced it with a lead counter balance.it weighs just under 6 pounds but floats when you hold it by the ricasso.....
I call it log
crit

OUCH

Melisent wrote:

Nissan Maxima wrote:"A sword with no name is like a cat with no hair"

... A shaved pussy?

Actually, I was thinking along the lines of kinda ugly and no fun, but....

Damn that was good

My sword is made the same every time, so even when it breaks i can have it back with a few hours effort, Otters Den Bronze gaurd and pommel, shaped grip, proper length, it feel the most sword like of any rattan ive picked up. In the past they have had siloflex, but to to the state of flux siloflex is in ive made the last few without it

Everybody hates my swords but me.

I use a rasp to shape the grip, and then sandpaper to smoothe it.

It comes out in a sort of S shape, and everybody thinks it feels wierd. To me, it just feels like a natural extention of my hand.

In addition, I use safety orange tape for the edge. It is offensive to, for instance, our Kingdom Earl Martial, who has spoken to me about it. It seems to be jarring for him to see orange rather than black tape on a sword.

But my swords rarely go home with other folks who somehow think that they are loaner armor. I hate that.

f

Freiman,

About two swords back, I used white duct tape for the sides and safety orange for the blade on my sword.

I called it the "Citrus Avenger +5" and wrote that on the side in black magic marker.

Dante della Luna wrote:I was thinking much of the same thing Nissan.

Yet, there is a sort of reencarnation aspect to it, as parts of the sword carry through to the next incarnation (ie, basket, taping method, trigger, etc...)

Do you try to shape the rattan in a certain way, etc, to make the new sword as close to the last as you can, and in that manner, each new sword is just a clone of the last, so you do, sort of have a continuous "sword" that is in effect, yours.

Or, do you make a new one, in a different style, length, with different hardware every time one wears out?

for broadswords - I measure the rattan in my hands, and cut. I've been doing this for long enough that the sword blanks don't vary by more than 1/4 of an inch. Oddly enough I have no idea how long they are in inches

I try to keep them the same length. I use a rasp to shape the handle, smooth it, and attach the basket. I then practice with it to get the feel of it. I then do a ritual and name it. My current one I made a few months back, is "Inn Schwartz" ie: "The Schwartz" !

hehehe cause mines a paul binns and a lutel, not a bloddy piece of grass

What makes my sword different is that my sword hits the other guy much more often than the other guy's sword hits me.

(Maybe they oughta learn to make swords).

Oh, and

freiman the minstrel wrote:Everybody hates my swords but me.

It comes out in a sort of S shape, and everybody thinks it feels wierd. To me, it just feels like a natural extention of my hand.

I had a sword that was vaugly S shaped.

The tip curved back towards me, and the end of the handle curved out. It was almost like a shamshir.

I loved that sword.

Otherwise.... Generaly my swords Are the same length. I basicly cut the rattan so that when my hand is at the top of my basket, it will JUST clear the floor next to my foot. I tend to like fatter sticks for singlehanded swords. I tape the sides blue, and the 'edges' in standard grey. My new 2 hander has a snazzy Mandrake hilt and pommel.

freiman the minstrel wrote:Everybody hates my swords but me.

It comes out in a sort of S shape, and everybody thinks it feels wierd. To me, it just feels like a natural extention of my hand.

I had a sword that was vaugly S shaped.

The tip curved back towards me, and the end of the handle curved out. It was almost like a shamshir.

I loved that sword.

Otherwise.... Generaly my swords Are the same length. I basicly cut the rattan so that when my hand is at the top of my basket, it will JUST clear the floor next to my foot. I tend to like fatter sticks for singlehanded swords. I tape the sides blue, and the 'edges' in standard grey. My new 2 hander has a snazzy Mandrake hilt and pommel.

It's my first. That means it is the best one so far (at least better than the 30" loaner sword).

Mine is 39.5" long, 1 3/16 wide, carefully carved grip, friction tape over the grip, any curves are pointed to the down side of the blade.

Named it "whacker" and I keep a "tally". I bet I have one of the longest whacker tallys on the board.

Falcone

I aim for consistency, now that I've found what I like - 38.5" overall length, slightly tip-heavy, shaved to about 1.5" x 1.25", with a Baldar hilt and homemade thrusting tip. I use gaffer's tape instead of duct tape, and 3M Scotch 'Extreme Application' strapping tape.

My handle shape, balance, and taping strategy I have copied from Earl Gar, so they're not unique. Duke Edric showed me the method I use for taping hilts in place, so that's also unoriginal.

I guess there are two things I do differently: I make thrusting tips that last until the rattan breaks down, and I attach my lanyard to a D-ring screwed into the pommel (keeps it out of the way).

Wolf wrote:hehehe cause mines a paul binns and a lutel, not a bloddy piece of grass

And mine are wicked sharp.