Sword makers who do distal taper

BlackKnight86

BlackKnight86

Say my name, cheesers!
Joined
Oct 14, 2003
Messages
54,702
Hi, guys!

Was wondering if there's a list anywhere of smiths who do swords with a distal taper, and especially if any of the larger/more common companies sell ones with distal tapers?

Thanks!

BK86
 
I distally-taper my swords. The taper doesn't just change the point of balance, it totally alters the feel of the blade in motion, like a "three-dimensional" balance, and changes the way the blade bows under flexion. It changes the harmonics when it's vibrating or forces are reverberating along the blade.
 
Actually, I'm glad you answered, Mecha! My daughter and I were just watching your cutting vid....she requested a replay four times! We've both decided we want one of your Beta Ti blades. How do we go about ordering from you?
 
The simplest way would be to click on his name and then click "send email" or "send PM".
 
BlackKnight- Good move. You will love your Ti sword. Just ask Lorien.
rolf
 
Why am I not surprised Mecha does a distal taper? It certainly does make a difference.

Gotta get a Mecha!
 
As far as production swords, Kult of Athena measures the distal taper at both hilt and point for most of the swords they sell. It is good for getting a rough idea of production swords but measurements at three or four points along the blade can be telling.

Cheers

GC
 
horseclover said:
As far as production swords, Kult of Athena measures the distal taper at both hilt and point for most of the swords they sell. It is good for getting a rough idea of production swords but measurements at three or four points along the blade can be telling.

Cheers

GC
Click to expand...

Thanks, horseclover!

They are a retail outlet, right? Or do they also make their own?
 
Ha! :D

Not that a big blade sans taper isn't capable of handing some serious business, but for quickness, accuracy and control, a sword that narrows from guard to point lends itself easily to crisp and adroit movements. It really helps to give a sword that "live" feeling.

BlackKnight86 my email is klsamee@yahoo.com, and I'll send you a message.
 
BlackKnight86 said:
Thanks, horseclover!

They are a retail outlet, right? Or do they also make their own?
Click to expand...

They are a brick & mortar store with an internet persence. They sell from both production companies and individuals, such as Scorion Swords, , Armour Class, Baltimore Knife&Sword, etc. kultofathena.com

Cheers

GC
 
Does a distal taper narrow or widen the area of concussion (I know it moves it towards the handle for sure) or does it depend more on other factors?
 
Mecha said:
Ha! :D

Not that a big blade sans taper isn't capable of handing some serious business, but for quickness, accuracy and control, a sword that narrows from guard to point lends itself easily to crisp and adroit movements. It really helps to give a sword that "live" feeling.

BlackKnight86 my email is klsamee@yahoo.com, and I'll send you a message.
Click to expand...
They also cut better, with less resistance than an untapered sword.
 
Jens Schuetz said:
Does a distal taper narrow or widen the area of concussion (I know it moves it towards the handle for sure) or does it depend more on other factors?
Click to expand...

Distal doesn't necessarily move the cop towards the hilt. It will affect changes in points of rotation (hilt and forward points of rotation). Some swords cut better to either side of the point of percussion, it depends on the cross section and profile of the blade. Ideally, one may prefer a neutral feeling sword. If one is simply chopping heavy targets, radical distal tapers may not be the best bet for short blades. A basic machete is a fairly neutral cutter, with zero distal taper. My longest medieval type sword has negligible distal taper but the long hilt on a long blade works to make it lively in two hand and not extreme in one (Del Tin 5157). I used to love my A&A Black Prince as a superior can opener with some cutting ability but a counterpart Albion XVA can dance circles around it with better cutting. The difference? The Albion has a good amount of mass distribution through distal taper. In that case the cutting ability of the Albion is closer to the point than the A&A Black Prince. The A&A still a better can opener, which is what they were meant for, finding openings in armour. The Albion a better overall fencer with a blade thinner at the foible.

In the end, it just depends ;)

Cheers

GC
 
This is definitely interesting to me. I've been working on distal taper as I've transitioned into longer blades. Some designs want it, as you say, to feel lively. Others don't, or want much less of it. I'd be curious to learn more about the science behind it.
 
horseclover said:
Distal doesn't necessarily move the cop towards the hilt. It will affect changes in points of rotation (hilt and forward points of rotation). Some swords cut better to either side of the point of percussion, it depends on the cross section and profile of the blade. Ideally, one may prefer a neutral feeling sword. If one is simply chopping heavy targets, radical distal tapers may not be the best bet for short blades. A basic machete is a fairly neutral cutter, with zero distal taper. My longest medieval type sword has negligible distal taper but the long hilt on a long blade works to make it lively in two hand and not extreme in one (Del Tin 5157). I used to love my A&A Black Prince as a superior can opener with some cutting ability but a counterpart Albion XVA can dance circles around it with better cutting. The difference? The Albion has a good amount of mass distribution through distal taper. In that case the cutting ability of the Albion is closer to the point than the A&A Black Prince. The A&A still a better can opener, which is what they were meant for, finding openings in armour. The Albion a better overall fencer with a blade thinner at the foible.

In the end, it just depends ;)

Cheers

GC
Click to expand...
Interesting!! Thank you.
The way point of concussion is calculated in wooden beams it would for sure move towards the fixed point (handle) if a distal taper is applied. Maybe they compensate by tapering the tang as well? I always thought best chopping performance would be at the concussion point itself.

Is the point of rotation simply the balance point or balance point minus the handle or something completely different?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top