I was able to pick up the wonderful package from UB yesterday containing the Bura Tibetan Sword AND the Sher Aluminum Handled Chitlangi. Unpacked in the garage about 12 noon, WHAT BEAUTYS!. Left them in my garage for security reasons until Mom went to bed. My 2 car insulated garage is separated from the house by 30 feet and at this time of the year maintains a pretty steady temperature of 55-60 degrees F.
About 9PM while Mom was in her bedroom, quickly moved the two blades into the house and into my bedroom, hoping to give them a chance to warm up. I initially grabbed the Chitlangi by its aluminum handle, quickly changing my grip to the scabbard. It was like grabbing a block of ice.
About 10:15 P.M. Mom was settled in and I could play with my treasures. For reference purposes only - I keep the heat register closed in my bedroom, for better sleeping, only receiving heat that drifts from the adjacent bathroom. Last night my bedroom was maintaining 66F temperature.
Took the Chitlangi to clean up, and put some preservative wax on. Handle was still extremely cold. NOT RECOMMENDED FOR A USER ON A COLD DAY! During the cleaning, waxing, rubbing process the handle appeared to warm to the soul. Guess it liked the TLC massaging.
Took my pencil telescoping magnet retriever and placed all over the handle to the blade. Magnet only started to drag and pull at the very edge of the blade side of the bolster. I took my leatherman, completely folded up and used as a light tapping instrument. You may have to refer to handle design above. From the check marked design up to the butt cap area, including the butt cap, I would get a dull, dead, solid response, as if it was very solid. Between the two handle designs, I received a higher tone, a little taste of ringing, much lighter tone. From the design to the bolster, a slight deader tone.
My LIGHT tapping, well, maybe I got carried away with the repeated tapping.
I realized that I was leaving little ding marks on the areas tapped upon. Very soft aluminum. I counter checked with an aluminum handled knife. (I have a 12" OAL 7.5" blade knife, double edged made by my Step Dad in WWII , from a propeller. Blade is steel, handle Aluminum. ) I repeated the process with it and received no dings and the ding sound was in between the two I mentioned on the Chitlangi . CG appears to be about one and a quarter inches forward of the Cho, so the handle has some solid weight in it. Handle feels very solid. Don't know where the tang extends to, as my magnet would not pick anything up. If I had the magnaflux capability (used to have MB3A bomb racks periodically checked to detect cracks not visually seen) I would be able to verify where the tang extends to.
AS UB stated, a collectors item. However, I now understand why Aluminum Handles are not liked very well.
Sword of Shiva is extremely well done, with the inlay shining brightly, but not crass, nice color tone. Fullering is well done, allowing the blade to shimmer from different angles.
Having put the Chitlangi aside to work on the Bura Tibetan Sword, for an hour or so, went back to the Chitlangi. It had resumed its cold, cold characteristics. Love it, caress it, treat it right and it warms up. Leave it alone, without kindness and communication, look out. Sound familiar to anyone?
About 9PM while Mom was in her bedroom, quickly moved the two blades into the house and into my bedroom, hoping to give them a chance to warm up. I initially grabbed the Chitlangi by its aluminum handle, quickly changing my grip to the scabbard. It was like grabbing a block of ice.
About 10:15 P.M. Mom was settled in and I could play with my treasures. For reference purposes only - I keep the heat register closed in my bedroom, for better sleeping, only receiving heat that drifts from the adjacent bathroom. Last night my bedroom was maintaining 66F temperature.
Took the Chitlangi to clean up, and put some preservative wax on. Handle was still extremely cold. NOT RECOMMENDED FOR A USER ON A COLD DAY! During the cleaning, waxing, rubbing process the handle appeared to warm to the soul. Guess it liked the TLC massaging.
Took my pencil telescoping magnet retriever and placed all over the handle to the blade. Magnet only started to drag and pull at the very edge of the blade side of the bolster. I took my leatherman, completely folded up and used as a light tapping instrument. You may have to refer to handle design above. From the check marked design up to the butt cap area, including the butt cap, I would get a dull, dead, solid response, as if it was very solid. Between the two handle designs, I received a higher tone, a little taste of ringing, much lighter tone. From the design to the bolster, a slight deader tone.
My LIGHT tapping, well, maybe I got carried away with the repeated tapping.
I realized that I was leaving little ding marks on the areas tapped upon. Very soft aluminum. I counter checked with an aluminum handled knife. (I have a 12" OAL 7.5" blade knife, double edged made by my Step Dad in WWII , from a propeller. Blade is steel, handle Aluminum. ) I repeated the process with it and received no dings and the ding sound was in between the two I mentioned on the Chitlangi . CG appears to be about one and a quarter inches forward of the Cho, so the handle has some solid weight in it. Handle feels very solid. Don't know where the tang extends to, as my magnet would not pick anything up. If I had the magnaflux capability (used to have MB3A bomb racks periodically checked to detect cracks not visually seen) I would be able to verify where the tang extends to.
AS UB stated, a collectors item. However, I now understand why Aluminum Handles are not liked very well.
Sword of Shiva is extremely well done, with the inlay shining brightly, but not crass, nice color tone. Fullering is well done, allowing the blade to shimmer from different angles.
Having put the Chitlangi aside to work on the Bura Tibetan Sword, for an hour or so, went back to the Chitlangi. It had resumed its cold, cold characteristics. Love it, caress it, treat it right and it warms up. Leave it alone, without kindness and communication, look out. Sound familiar to anyone?
