Balance

Walosi

Walosi

Joined
Jan 10, 2001
Messages
2,618
"Balance", the "feel" imparted to a blade by a master bladesmith had been harped upon endlessly throughout the forums. I thought I had been given an empirical example once, when a bladesmith handed me two knives from the same pattern, one "usual" and the other distally tapered. The DT knife was alive, and shamed the other with its' handling qualities. Yesterday I bought a small kitchen scale at Wally World, on impulse, since I had no means of weighing my knives. First immediate need, was to weigh my two UBEs. One is a carved, silver-mounted 18". The other is the "humungoid" 19.5", with the deep belly and huge burlwood handle, both by Sanu. With one in each hand, the big one is lighter by one or two ounces than the smaller one, probably due to what appears to be deeper fullers, and thinning the blade out to the deeper diminsions. Changing the blades to oposite hands does not change this feeling - the smaller knife still feels slightly heavier. TO THE SCALES :) The smaller, carved, heavier UBE weighs 31oz. The larger, lighter-feeling UBE weighs 40oz. - - - Yeppers, 2.5 lbs.
I've wondered what Sanu had in mind when he made the departure from the "norm" on this larger knife, and while I don't know all of it, he must have been doing an exercise in balance - at least in part. Only a master, even with a blade of his own design, can achieve something like this.
 
Balance can make a knife come alive. But, also important for a knife that rely on momentum is where the kami places the center of precussion. It should be right at the start of the forward curve, about 1/2 way up the blade.

If I remember correctly the way to check your knife or sword for CP is to suspend it by the hilt, measure the length from the knife point to the point of suspension, and swing it. Then count the number of times the knife swings by a center line within a given period. Once you have that you suspend a small weight and swing it at various lengths until you see that it is crossing the center line at the same rate as your knife did. You then measure the distance from the weight to the suspension point. Now go to the pivot point and overlay the distance you measured with the weight down to your knife. That point is your center of precussion.

n2s
 
Wal,

I think the oversize handle also contributes to the sense of it being lighter.

Not2sharp,

Thats a hell of a lotta work.
 
Finn,

It's not that much work. You can cheat a little because you already know where the center of precussion should be. Think of it as a way to help you confirm it. It does help if you can get a second pair of hands, someone to work the pendulum and someone to track the time.

N2S
 
Finn -
Hadn't thought of that, but it is true. I haven't even thought of taking the circumference down (although it would be a bit easier to handle) because of the quality of the wood. I'd love to be able to weigh the wood seperately - that is a DENSE chunk of burl. Even though I suspected that the larger knife couldn't possibly be lighter, regardless of "feel", the actual difference in wieght was a shocker. Still is :) I re-zeroed the scale several times, and even went into the closet and dug out some check weights, and everyhing came out the same. N2S, even if I had the extra hands, on a UBE the "belly" is the percussion point, and nothing could persuade me otherwise.
 
I consider the UBE to be a semi straight blade and the AK Bowie a straight blade. If you give Sanu free rein he can make these two models better than anybody in the shop.
 
Not2sharp,

The way I have always located to optimal area of percussion ( right or wrong) has been to let the blade hang down from one hand and lightly strike the blade flat with a wooden dowel until the spot that produces minimum vibration is found, usually around 2/3 of the way distally. You can listen also for when the ringing dampens.

Wal,

I think the oversize handle simply distributes the pressure felt in the hand holding the overall weight of the knife, over a substantially larger area, giving the "sense" of being lighter. Of course, the added weight of the handle/pommel will in and of itself tend to counter-balance blade weight. Thats the take I get when I use mine.
 
Thanks for input, Finn. You've been pretty quiet lately. What are you up to? Cat got your tongue -- or fingers? (Private joke -- a little private, at least.)
 
Uncle,

The cat's been around but has not made off with anything just yet.

As to my laying low, I've been immersed in school and getting my state real estate license - which has finally happened. I really haven't done much else, and other than quick perusals have missed the Cantina. Thanks for asking.

Back to those humungoid UBE's - I can't help but think Sanu had something very specific in mind when he put those big handles on them. It seems a pretty good idea as long as it doesn't cross the line where a loss of control is caused.
 
I can't spin mine from forward to reverse grip, (nor on the smaller one) but aside from that the handle is just below the edge of any control problems so far (still getting used to it). It gets easier with practice (let the Khuk teach you :)) and I'm with you - Sanu is definitely fishing for something. I'd love to see the blade he makes when he feels he has found it :eek:
 
Definately - the blade will teach you how it is to be used. I haven't worked up the nerve to try any rapid grip changes - will have to have a mattress handy that isn't air-filled.
 
When he does find what he is looking for...can you guys notify me?;)
My funding is short enough and I can't be looking for it too. :p
 
Maybe I'll ask Sanu to make a straight blade -- period. Just let him design and make what he wants and see what he comes up with.
 
Uncle,

It might be worth giving the Kamis a free hand on like 1 out of every 20 khkuries. Just do it once a month and tell them that the guy who makes the best original design gets a bonus. You will probably end up with some real interesting stuff.

n2s
 
It is late, I am up studying and thinking about future knives.

Uncle,
After I have payed for everything I have ordered, and Yvsa's bowie.
I know I would love to have whatever Sanu would produce.
Of course...what would Bura produce, and Kesar, Durba?

Oh my! Sanu, and Bura, and Durba, Oh my! Sanu, and Bura, and Durba, Oh My....(and off he went into a deep deep sleep, only to dream of knives that he could not yet afford)
 
..that Kesar is hiding some original ideas under that steady, calm exterior. I'd pay to see what he would come up with if given a free hand :D
 
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