Please rate my first sca sword

[somomailler]

Ok so I finally got around to making a sword for myself. First one ever. Let me know what you guys think. its in the links cause my computer is ungodly slow at uploading
http://www.flickr.com/photos/45955730@N05/4305296473/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/45955730@N05/4305296475/

[Owyn]

First one? That's a nice job. You've certainly gotten a good start.

My one caveat is the tape looks very shiny - is that the shiny-silver colored duct tape I've heard about but never managed to find? 'Cause there's some issues using with the actual metallic tape.

[somomailler]

that would be the shiny silver duct tape have 6 stores in this little hillbilly town that have it for $3 a roll

[Milan H]

I love the silver duct tape, but be warned it will very quickly not be silver anymore. For whatever reason, the silver flakes off rather fast, even though the tape is still all there. However, its not that big of a deal since I redo my fashion tape before any special events anyway.

Nice job!

[somomailler]

yeah, i figured as much, so I put a layer of clear packing tape over it to try and "seal" the look in.

[Euric Germanicus]

Very cool! Looks awesome

[InsaneIrish]

Looks VERY good. Well done.

"mega low profile thrusting tip"

How so and what did you make it out of?

[somomailler]

The thrusting tip is just off camera, its one of baron eriks from here on the archive, the rattan was hand work with a file to achieve the grip taper and remove the burn ridges along the blade.

[zippy]

nice looking sword
but one thing i have to say is
if that is your first sword, how did you know what you wanted?
i see a lot of people making AWESOME first items with the inspiration of the archive
but i haven't seen the experimentation that some of us have gone through
i hope it is a good weapon for you
but how does it work for you?
why that length?
why that style?
and why that handle?
i am not discouraging, i just want to know the process that made you determine to put that much effort into a temporary item and why?
have fun
zip

[somomailler]

Well it actually only took 3 hours to make it . And I've used lots of other peoples swords. I absolutley hate basket hilts. Toyed around for about 20 minutes and was able to get the balance point an inch and a half from the quillions.

[zippy]

awesome
when is your next practice?
give a review of how it fights, that is really what matters to me
right now i can only rate it on how 'pretty' it is
hunt me down at estrella if you are there
zip or sir zhigmun'

[Baron Eirik]

Looks VERY good. Well done.

"mega low profile thrusting tip"

How so and what did you make it out of?

MGA low-profile tip

Die-cut neoprene. See my store link in sig line.

[Leo Medii]

Sweet. Better than others I've seen...lots of others...

[somomailler]

I will definetly be back for more Baron Erik . Ill let you all know how it performs next week when I finally get to a practice this year

[Kilkenny]

It looks very nice. I think you will find that the clear packing tape idea is one you won't need to repeat, but I may be wrong and you will find it worth doing again

How long is the sword over all ?

You say it balances an inch and a half ahead of the quillons. I'm going to say that's 2 and a half inches closer in than it ought to be

But Zippy has the truth of it - "right" is very much a matter of what works well for you and you are going to spend some time learning what the combination is that gives you the best balance of various qualities.

Most important advice - have fun with it

[somomailler]

Sword is 39 inches from pommel end to tip of thrusting tip. Now time to make my bastard and arming sword just finished a makeover on a used mace I got can't wait to try em both out next wednesday.