Sword by Mike Rader

Michael Rader said:
And, Dave will actually get to hold the sword, as I am having my friend, and Kydex master, Brian Wagner make a scabbard for it. I'll be getting it back for a brief moment for some better photos as well.

In addition, Dave and I have not even really started yet - it's only going to get better. Thanks again guys for your support. -m
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The chef's knives are inspired, but as you really haven't changed your approach to sword handles since we talked at BladeWest, you already know how much I dislike them. That is a really nice piece of steel that Dave turned out, though.

Kydex for a damascus sword? Have not seen ONE sword scabbard of kydex that didn't scratch up the damascus. Be really interested to see how that turns out.

Regardless, what you and Dave are doing is fascinating, and fully worthy of support.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Ouch, Garsson. My customer absolutely loves the handle on that sword. Are you calling him a complete idiot? And the scabbard isn't for you. Again, do you really think my customer is a fool? And is it really a problem for you if he is? ....interesting comments on this friendly forum...

So, please make a sword for the forum with a perfect handle and perfect scabbard and post it in, say, two weeks from now - is that enough time? I would love to see what a perfect sword handle looks like. I'll be sure to check in on you. Many thanks.

-m
(...okay, I'm not really trying to start a fire here... I'm done now.)
 
Michael Rader said:
Ouch, Garsson. My customer absolutely loves the handle on that sword. Are you calling him a complete idiot?
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Not sure Michael, guess it depends upon who it is.;) The comment needed making, so it got made. You don't have to like it. I'm not trying to hurt you, nor am I THE Sword Authority....but....what works on knives might not always translate(does not, imo) to sword handles. The customer might just as much have been "buying" you and Dave as they were the work. You are both very charismatic....that said, this is all just one man's opinion....not writing anything I wouldn't say to your face, or even say at a show, although Jon C. has asked that I give him my thoughts face-to-face without others around, and that request has been honored since it was made.

Michael Rader said:
And the scabbard isn't for you. Again, do you really think my customer is a fool? And is it really a problem for you if he is? ....interesting comments on this friendly forum... ?
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I think someone who chooses kydex for a damascus blade may not have a lot of experience with what happens to the damascus.....education is a big part of what we do at BladeForums.....if the customer is educated to what happens and doesn't care....that is their (and your) business.

Michael Rader said:
So, please make a sword for the forum with a perfect handle and perfect scabbard and post it in, say, two weeks from now - is that enough time? I would love to see what a perfect sword handle looks like.
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I'm a collector, Michael. I haven't MADE the perfect sword, but I do OWN the perfect sword for me(no kydex:)), took me almost a year to pay for it:



Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
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Informed advice can be handled one of two ways. Listened to and learned from, or defended against and ignored. I'm guessing that Steve is the only sword arts practitioner in this thread. Why take umbrage at his advice?
 
Triton said:
Informed advice can be handled one of two ways. Listened to and learned from, or defended against and ignored. I'm guessing that Steve is the only sword arts practitioner in this thread. Why take umbrage at his advice?
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I have felt free to ignore STeven's advice on several occasions.

But I wouldn't in this case.

-Nick
 
Rossi Knives said:
I have felt free to ignore STeven's advice on several occasions.

But I wouldn't in this case.

-Nick
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:) I hear his taste in wine, women and song is indeed questionable so no harm no foul there, but yes when an informed opinion is given it's usually a good plan to listen, even though it's tough on the ego. Been there done that. Still trying to learn.
 
To put a nice piece of steel in a kydex sheath with out a lineing really would be foolish. notice i didn't say idiotic but than again I did not notice where STeven did either :D
 
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At the risk of being too "kumbaya" :D

let me say that I like BOTH the Lisch/Rader and the Cashen blades!

Kevin's is a beautiful and historically accurate blade and Michael and Dave's is a beautifully rendered example of THEIR vision of a sword !

I seriously doubt either of them will be used in battle anytime soon :p

Bill
 
billf said:
Kevin's is a beautiful and historically accurate blade and Michael and Dave's is a beautifully rendered example of THEIR vision of a sword !

I seriously doubt either of them will be used in battle anytime soon :p

Bill
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Bill,

If someone challenged me to a sword duel and I accepted, would grab the Cashen small sword for service, even though I am significantly more competent with a katana...it ain't just for pretty...it has edges(is NOT blunt on the edges, will cut paper), a point, wonderful balance and stout, thoughtful construction.

By outfitting the Lisch/Rader in kydex, it is assumed to be for some sort of use, rather than to hang on the wall, and use is what my comments were predicated on, even if the owner only uses it as a machete.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
STeven

you are a hoot - if I were challenged to a sword duel.....I would run away with my sword as fast as I could, since I have NO expertise in that regard at all :p

did run a 4.45 40 in college, which is pretty fast for an Irish guy, though !

I've never handled that Cashen sword - have handled a couple others of his, though, and he really does have the geometry/balance thing down.

I agree that a kydex scabbard wouldn't be my choice.....but I would be happy to own that sword;)

Bill
 
for the record I saw STeven first post as a nod of support for the work Mike and I are doing and not an attack on Mike IT is ok that STeven dose not care for the way Mike dose his handles when it comes to swords Steven is a purist and thats ok to . Mike makes a fine sword the way that he likes to make them and from what I know he has sold all that he has made.
 
D lisch said:
for the record I saw STeven first post as a nod of support for the work Mike and I are doing and not an attack on Mike IT is ok that STeven dose not care for the way Mike dose his handles when it comes to swords Steven is a purist and thats ok to.
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It was a nod of support, I love what you two are doing as a team.

I am a purist when it comes to swords, and as unapologetically so as Michael is about his handles.....he is the one who was quoted in Blade magazine as saying “Don’t laugh but my goal, as written in my business plan, is ‘to make the most sought after, modern-made swords in America."

http://www.blademag.com/article/TheManWhoWouldBeSwordKing/

If one can't take some fairly gentle critique, that person sure as Hell ain't gonna be numero uno. I would expect that they would not just be sought after because they are pretty(which they are).

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
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