Spartan Sword

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gatorforge

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I was trying to gauge interest for a project I was working on with a friend. We were considering producing a modern tactical variant of a Spartan sword. It would likely be from 1095 steel and mid-tech production, having both machined and hand worked parts. We'd Cerakote the blade and use machined micarta for the handle, full tang of course. The blade would be approximately 18" long by 2.5" wide by 1/4" thick and have Molon Labe in a contrasting color down the fuller. What do you guys think? What would you be willing to pay for something like this? What questions do you have, what suggestions? Thanks
 
gatorforge said:
I was trying to gauge interest for a project I was working on with a friend. We were considering producing a modern tactical variant of a Spartan sword. It would likely be from 1095 steel and mid-tech production, having both machined and hand worked parts. We'd Cerakote the blade and use machined micarta for the handle, full tang of course. The blade would be approximately 18" long by 2.5" wide by 1/4" thick and have Molon Labe in a contrasting color down the fuller. What do you guys think? What would you be willing to pay for something like this? What questions do you have, what suggestions? Thanks
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By "Spartan sword" do you mean a historical xiphos similar to this? 'Cause that's what a Spartan would have most likely used.

xiphos5.JPG


Or did you mean one of the crazy Frank Miller's 300 comic book type doohickies? :p
 
There is a certain awesomeness to Frank Miller's interpretation. I had assumed the Spartans would have ued a kopis variant - I do enjoy being surprised by what I learn though :)

Back to the OP. I think a kopis or Iberian falcata variant could be useful. I am currently having a custom knife vaguly reminiscent of those made.
 
Dont call me a machaira! Thats disgusti...ohhh the SWORD...gotcha :) I havent heard that name before either...it looks like a kopis to me. Or is Kopis a general term?
 
Differing geographic and cultural terms for closely related weapons. The terms as we understand them today are actually fairly loose as well. There were lots of swords within the general class that could be dubbed a makhaira. As far as we're able to tell a makhaira simply denoted a single-edged sword. :)
 
Gotcha. I think the design has merit for modern use (chopper and camp use), much like a kukhri. Back to the OP, personally if it was a basic 5160 job without much artistry I would want it under $100. Cold Steel have a cheap kopis machete and you probably couldnt compete with them on price. Use thicker stock and better materials and aim at a mid range price, or if youre up to it do some beautifying and up the price.
 
Actually just re read your specs. If your work is quality in my opinion you would be in the $150 to $250 range, more if its an exclusive or very well crafted piece. Just my opinion
 
Chris Larrikin said:
Gotcha. I think the design has merit for modern use (chopper and camp use), much like a kukhri. Back to the OP, personally if it was a basic 5160 job without much artistry I would want it under $100. Cold Steel have a cheap kopis machete and you probably couldnt compete with them on price. Use thicker stock and better materials and aim at a mid range price, or if youre up to it do some beautifying and up the price.
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The Kukri is a copy of the Kopis that Alexander carried to India.
It's amazing how many things come back to the classical world (Greece/Rome). The mexican hacienda is simply a Greek/Roman house (with courtyard in the middle), and the Tortilla is Roman army flatbread that the Spaniards adopted after the Romans brought them (the ideas anyway) to Spain, and the Spaniards brought them to Mexico. Alexander taught Grecco Roman wrestling to Indian monks, which trained Tibetan monks and the Chinese, which brought it to Japan during several invasions. Wrestling was refined along the way, of course, the Japanese call it Jiu-jitsu. The Gracies learned jiu-jitsu from the Maeda family, which emigrated to Brazil, and now everyone knows about Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, which is refined Greco-Roman wrestling (unarmed ground fighting taught to Greek and Roman soldiers, a combat form).
 
Chris Larrikin said:
Actually just re read your specs. If your work is quality in my opinion you would be in the $150 to $250 range, more if its an exclusive or very well crafted piece. Just my opinion
Click to expand...

Aye, that's what I'd think too. Esee could probably charge $250-$280 for a Kopis style blade, and what you're describing is basically an Esee quality blade.
 
manowar669 said:
The Kukri is a copy of the Kopis that Alexander carried to India.
It's amazing how many things come back to the classical world (Greece/Rome). The mexican hacienda is simply a Greek/Roman house (with courtyard in the middle), and the Tortilla is Roman army flatbread that the Spaniards adopted after the Romans brought them (the ideas anyway) to Spain, and the Spaniards brought them to Mexico. Alexander taught Grecco Roman wrestling to Indian monks, which trained Tibetan monks and the Chinese, which brought it to Japan during several invasions. Wrestling was refined along the way, of course, the Japanese call it Jiu-jitsu. The Gracies learned jiu-jitsu from the Maeda family, which emigrated to Brazil, and now everyone knows about Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, which is refined Greco-Roman wrestling (unarmed ground fighting taught to Greek and Roman soldiers, a combat form).
Click to expand...
I love studying the Classical world. We really do owe a lot to the Greeks and Romans. I may be interested in what you're making OP.

Anyway, just a side note, you guys seen the preview to the "300" sequel? I don't believe it follows any factual events like the first movie (although I could be totally wrong) but it still looks pretty darn awesome....

[video=youtube;leXo4-QLNVc]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=leXo4-QLNVc[/video]
 
Not that the first movie and historical events had really much to do with each other either. :D
 
I would be interested in a high quality carbon steel short sword as you have described, would prefer a roman/gladiator sword design rather then the spartan sword.

I almost ordered a tops Armageddon, which is a short sword - but the steel quality is poor / heat treatment on the 1095 is poor. So I didn't buy it in the end.

Now I'm looking to buy an esee junglas, which has good quality steel- only issue is that it's more of a machete then a sword as its only 3/16 inch thick.





Roman/gladiator sword
R7zAhy5.jpg
 
Anarkistic said:
I would be interested in a high quality carbon steel short sword as you have described, would prefer a roman/gladiator sword design rather then the spartan sword.

I almost ordered a tops Armageddon, which is a short sword - but the steel quality is poor / heat treatment on the 1095 is poor. So I didn't buy it in the end.

Now I'm looking to buy an esee junglas, which has good quality steel- only issue is that it's more of a machete then a sword as its only 3/16 inch thick.





Roman/gladiator sword
R7zAhy5.jpg
Click to expand...

Rowen builds knives for both TOPS and ESEE last time I checked, from the same materials.
 
Rat Finkenstein said:
Rowen builds knives for both TOPS and ESEE last time I checked, from the same materials.
Click to expand...

Rowen used to do tops but not anymore apparently.

Most reviews of the tops knives that I have read state that the factory edge is blunt and the steel very soft / bend easily. Other reviews complain of a very brittle edge which fractures on sharpening. So I have concerns over their quality control process.

Can anyone recommend me a full tang knife similar to the esee junglas except with 1/4 inch thick blade ?
 
gatorforge said:
I was trying to gauge interest for a project I was working on with a friend. We were considering producing a modern tactical variant of a Spartan sword. It would likely be from 1095 steel and mid-tech production, having both machined and hand worked parts. We'd Cerakote the blade and use machined micarta for the handle, full tang of course. The blade would be approximately 18" long by 2.5" wide by 1/4" thick and have Molon Labe in a contrasting color down the fuller. What do you guys think? What would you be willing to pay for something like this? What questions do you have, what suggestions? Thanks
Click to expand...

I'd suggest that you check the Zombie Tools website. They are offering a sword called the xyphos, almost exactly what you want to do. It's priced around $400.
 
I know it doesn't fit your bill exactly, but Cold Steel does make a kopis and gladius currently, if you want a cheap way to get the design in hand. Maybe keep them if you want to do stupid stuff you won't want to do with a hundreds dollar version.
 
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