sharp pointy things

[yoippari]

I will be going to blade show west on saturday and hope to meet Angus there. Actually several people from swordforum will be there. I of course will be kilted and another sword nut said he will be wearing his buchanan. Unfortunately I can't afford even one of Angus' swords, let alone the custom makers I have been following.

All of you in the portland area (or people willing to travel) Blade Show West starts friday and goes through sunday. It is at the Portland Airport Holiday Inn Conference Center. Here is the only page I found on it.
http://www.collect.com/krause/shows....id=CCKS&Page=1

[jfellrath]

Awhile back I was invited to a "test cutting" of some Angus Trim blades. I had the opportunity to try a variety of blade styles against water bottles and reed mats.
I've done a little research on Western Martial Arts, but don't own a "real sword." If I do, I will most certainly be something from Angus.

I encourage you to check his wares.

Among the best American sword smiths are Albion Swords and Arms and Armor. One of the four tools that ARMA uses is a real sharp blade for test-cutting - it's not as easy as you might think it is, and test cutting using proper technique is one of the best ways to test your blade accuracy and edge alignment. And these two smiths are, as far as I have been able to tell, the most highly regarded smiths among our group.

[David White]

Sorry guys but I have to go to the other side of the world. Been making them longer and better than europe ever thought of. I can do much more with my training and bokken than you can with your broadswords. A Katana is just so much lighter, faster and sharper.
I own a 18c. No Dachi that I practice with about 3 times a week in addition to practice with the bokken. This little jewel weighs in at just a bit under 4 pounds, is 5' 6" in length and will easily cut through all but heavy plate armor. It is fought very low so that all the power comes from the hips instead of the arms/shoulders.

Otherwise I carry an Oldtimer with a two inch blade that serves me very well. :smile:

Mike

I folks-

Some people like JSA some don't and like to train in Western style. It doesn't make one better.

The BIG mistake people make about western swords is what they have
seen in the movies-wrong!

Baskethilted Broadswords typically weighed in at under 3 pounds and
alot were in the 2.5 pound range-very, very fast and effective.

I suggest to folks wanting to learn more about swords and sword arts to
check out this following link, one of many:

www.swordforum.com

dave

[Archangel]

My, how this thread has grown since I last saw it.

I own several swords and bokkens. The swords are low quality katana copies which, I think, is best since I can play with them. Too expensive and they'd be a wall ornament, too cheap and they'd break. The bokkens are kept near the door, the live blade is beside the bed. I feel safer that way.

Some of the previous discussion ignores the application of the sword. There is no best, no secret of steel. It's all in the user's hands and skill. It doesn't take much study to see the differences in application. For example, Dread is right in his discussion of hammers. Paintings show that hammers were used in Europe and Asia against armour, not swords. Curved swords are for cavalry against ground, long swords for ground against mounted. Finer blades are for the gaps in lighter armour.

Guns level the field, in more ways than one. Even Musashi says to use a gun.

[Mike n NC]

I folks-

Some people like JSA some don't and like to train in Western style. It doesn't make one better.

The BIG mistake people make about western swords is what they have
seen in the movies-wrong!

Baskethilted Broadswords typically weighed in at under 3 pounds and
alot were in the 2.5 pound range-very, very fast and effective.

I suggest to folks wanting to learn more about swords and sword arts to
check out this following link, one of many:

www.swordforum.com

dave

Please folks don't get the wrong idea...just for general info, not to upset anyone...I fought swords from 1976 until 1998 when my back was no longer capable of the gymnastics required for fighting. I have used them both in sport and for defense in actual combat and I am just as comfortable with a two handed broadsword as any two handed asian blade. Please don't get the idea that I am a neophyte that needs be instructed in the weapon or its many styles/uses. Most of you are spot on in your views however I am getting the occasional good chuckle from this thread but again please, don't treat me as a know nothing.

and BTW dave 2.5-3 pounds is quite heavy for a one handed sword.

Mike

[David White]

Yes hammers were used against plate armour. So were very stiff
thrusting swords, that were rammed into weaker parts of the armour, ie., armpits, joints, between the legs etc...

Even slashing types of swords would be devastating against malle. Not the
cut, but the blunt trama.

Alot depends on the culture and military/tactics in using them.

dave

[David White]

and BTW dave 2.5-3 pounds is quite heavy for a one handed sword.
Mike

Hi Mike,

Well alot depends on blade type.

I was talking about baskethilted broadswords in the historically accurate range. And 2 1/2 pounds in right on target as average. some western swords ie., Side swords are much lighter of course. Some such as hand and halfs are within the 2 1/2 range plus. Two handed are heavier. Rapiers can be heavier than a baskethilted back/broad sword.

The point I was trying to make is that "western" style swords are not
heavy clubs as Hollywood and most folks think. Most are very light and
can cut just as well as the fabled katana. Just different targets.

I'm not taking any offense Mike. Just giving some facts.

yours,

dave

[Mike n NC]

dave, on sword weights; the nodachi I have was forged sometime in the mid 1700s, that based on the markings and the family history of the man that gifted me with it. It is 5'6" (66") and weighs in at 3.8 pounds. Granted the nodachi was a weapon of an earlier time and had been quite refined by the time mine was made. Katana of the same period generally go around 2 to 2.8 pounds. Two handed swords all.

Please also note, all of my statements are based on MY personal preference and MY level of training (Me, Me, Me. It's all about Me! ), not to be considered law...unless we should meet in a match, then this old man would sitll give you a run for your money with my walking stick.

Mike

[David White]

dave, on sword weights; the nodachi I have was forged sometime in the mid 1700s, that based on the markings and the family history of the man that gifted me with it. It is 5'6" (66") and weighs in at 3.8 pounds. Granted the nodachi was a weapon of an earlier time and had been quite refined by the time mine was made. Katana of the same period generally go around 2 to 2.8 pounds. Two handed swords all.

Please also note, all of my statements are based on MY personal preference and MY level of training (Me, Me, Me. It's all about Me! ), not to be considered law...unless we should meet in a match, then this old man would sitll give you a run for your money with my walking stick.

Mike

Very Cool Mike!
I missed the nodachi part I reckon.
I just wanted to dispel the myths about WMA and western swords in general.
Post a picture of your nodachi I'd love to see it, also when I get my info together I'll
post weights and such......don't have time right now.

peace,

dave

dave

[David White]

Hi All,
I double checked my numbers and was alittle off. Here is one
bit of information.

I stated that baskethilted broad/back swords averaged about 2.5 pounds,
if the math is correct it should be 2.2558 pounds.

George C. Neumann's "Swords and Blades of the American Revolution"

Publisher: Scurlock Pub Co; Rev/3rd edition (October, 1991)

ISBN: 0960566694

34 examples (in Neumann's book) have a combined weight of 76.7 lbs. which would average out at 2.2558 lbs. apiece !

1 @ 1.3
1 @ 1.8
5 @ 2.0
7 @ 2.1
2 @ 2.3
5 @ 2.4
2 @ 2.5
4 @ 2.6
2 @ 2.8
3 @ 3.0
1 @ 3.1
1 @ 4.4
_______

34 @ 76.7 lbs.

dave