question on rattan

captain_america · Post by **captain_america** » Mon Dec 16, 2002 7:13 am

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 lÃ na grÃ¡inneoga cealgrÃºnacha do chuid calÃ³ga arbhair.
http://www.angelfire.com/rebellion/blackflailarmouries

Patin Windward · Post by **Patin Windward** » Mon Dec 16, 2002 8:52 am

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.

Sixtus_Goetz · Post by **Sixtus_Goetz** » Mon Dec 16, 2002 9:48 am

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.

Ulfbjorn · Post by **Ulfbjorn** » Mon Dec 16, 2002 1:16 pm

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.

Konstantin the Red · Post by **Konstantin the Red** » Sat Dec 21, 2002 8:47 am

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."

Christopher Starling · Sat Dec 21, 2002 11:38 am

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.

Constancius · Post by **Constancius** » Sat Dec 21, 2002 2:37 pm

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

Trystan von Adler · Post by **Trystan von Adler** » Mon Dec 30, 2002 5:04 pm

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