- Joined
- Apr 22, 2004
- Messages
- 878
One of my clients designed a tactical short sword (JSTacKat) a few years ago. Recently he decided a more tactical scabbard was required (we had agreed I would not be building a scabbard so I made a quick one for transport) and since nobody else was available apparently (hint, any Southern Ontario Kydex workers pm me), I have the sword back to bend some Kydex over. My client also sent along his United version of a tactical short sword as he likes the carry options.
Seeing them together I was struck by how different they are (not trying to slag United; I'm sure for the $$ there is value there).
First, the United is tiny. I thought my JSTacKat was small. Here are some numbers:
----------------- JSTacKat-----------------United
OAL---------------31"----------------------26 7/8"
Blade--------------20 3/8--------------------17 3/8 (to the choil)
balance------------1 3/8" in front of knot-----3" in front of spur
weight-------------1lb 14.5oz-------------------1lb 3.7oz
thickness----------0.265"----------------------0.195"
blade width--------1 1/4"----------------------1 1/8"
handle thickness---1-1 1/8"------------------0.41 (soft cord)
steel---------------S-7 ----------------------"stainless"
If you look at the pics you can see a huge amount of steel is removed on the JSTackat, which is why it is less than 11 ounces heavier despite being wider, much thicker, and significantly longer and having a real handle. The balance points surprised me too
The United is wrapped with a single strand of soft cord which really doesn't weigh anything and I feel it would be barely usable with gloves on. It's less than 3" in circumference which is about like my wedding band on the outside. THe JS is a little over 4" (by request; I usually make them bigger). The JS is mostly cord with leather wrap, and vacuum impregnated with marine epoxy.
Neither has a combat guard but the JS has the turks head knot which is over 1 1/2" thick and about 2 1/8" wide. The United has a spur to keep the index finger from sliding into the choil
The edge on the JS is thinner, but I'm sure for some cutting media the united might do better owing to being thinner overall... but I won't be the one to push unknown stainless and unknown heat treat to the limit!
The main point I reported to my client was this: I can't squeeze the JS into the United package... it's bigger in every way. It's a real short sword. It won't lie flat.
However, I do see the practical appeal of a flat, light blade in the large knife category (17" blade). It's a slightly thicker, narrower machete.
Seeing them together I was struck by how different they are (not trying to slag United; I'm sure for the $$ there is value there).
First, the United is tiny. I thought my JSTacKat was small. Here are some numbers:
----------------- JSTacKat-----------------United
OAL---------------31"----------------------26 7/8"
Blade--------------20 3/8--------------------17 3/8 (to the choil)
balance------------1 3/8" in front of knot-----3" in front of spur
weight-------------1lb 14.5oz-------------------1lb 3.7oz
thickness----------0.265"----------------------0.195"
blade width--------1 1/4"----------------------1 1/8"
handle thickness---1-1 1/8"------------------0.41 (soft cord)
steel---------------S-7 ----------------------"stainless"
If you look at the pics you can see a huge amount of steel is removed on the JSTackat, which is why it is less than 11 ounces heavier despite being wider, much thicker, and significantly longer and having a real handle. The balance points surprised me too
The United is wrapped with a single strand of soft cord which really doesn't weigh anything and I feel it would be barely usable with gloves on. It's less than 3" in circumference which is about like my wedding band on the outside. THe JS is a little over 4" (by request; I usually make them bigger). The JS is mostly cord with leather wrap, and vacuum impregnated with marine epoxy.
Neither has a combat guard but the JS has the turks head knot which is over 1 1/2" thick and about 2 1/8" wide. The United has a spur to keep the index finger from sliding into the choil
The edge on the JS is thinner, but I'm sure for some cutting media the united might do better owing to being thinner overall... but I won't be the one to push unknown stainless and unknown heat treat to the limit!
The main point I reported to my client was this: I can't squeeze the JS into the United package... it's bigger in every way. It's a real short sword. It won't lie flat.
However, I do see the practical appeal of a flat, light blade in the large knife category (17" blade). It's a slightly thicker, narrower machete.
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