MVF
Gold Member
- Joined
- Sep 2, 2005
- Messages
- 2,811
Hi all!
Between reading here and at Sword Buyers Guide I figured I had about as much "book learning" as I could hold without getting something real to start tying it to. As it turned out, I got lucky enough enough to find a store that had quite a variety of swords to check out (Grommet Collectables in the Moreno Valley Mall, SoCal- tell Andy Mike sent you
). It was about a 50 mile drive, but what could I do?
Andy was quite patient and fairly knowledgable (at least as far as I know) and after spending over 2 hours I ended up with a Cold Steel
Gim. I was looking for a European sword, but nothing else they had felt as good. I insisted on a "cut and thrust" blade and most of what else they had was too heavy, too long or too expensive. They do have a few others I will probably be going back for (HELP!) as swords now seem even more addicting than knives. Next up is a Typhoon Dahong Palay!
Anyway, as to the advice- what can I make/use as a practice sword? Having now experienced a real sword in the flesh (well, not "in the flesh "yet- that's what I'm hoping to avoid) I find that I have too much respect (fear) for 30" of very sharp steel to just run out in the backyard and start swinging it around without getting some idea of how it's going to act and feel. I even went back to the store, but all they had was either wood/bamboo swords that were way too light or unsharpened swords that were more than I can afford. So does anyone know how to make something with about the same weight and balance?
Also, I've been looking at books- any recommendations?
TIA, Mike
BTW I have never thought much of Cold Steel, but after handling and looking at all those swords, I must say this Gim really impresses me. The balance is 4 1/2" from the hilt, it weighs 2 lbs 4.2 oz according to my kitchen scale, and the handle feels pretty good. Fit and finish is better than most of what I saw anywhere near this price range and the blade is (to me) amazingly sharp- sharper than many of my knives were out of the box! The scabbard is also pretty nice. Unless this thing breaks the first time I use it, I'm a happy camper!
Between reading here and at Sword Buyers Guide I figured I had about as much "book learning" as I could hold without getting something real to start tying it to. As it turned out, I got lucky enough enough to find a store that had quite a variety of swords to check out (Grommet Collectables in the Moreno Valley Mall, SoCal- tell Andy Mike sent you
). It was about a 50 mile drive, but what could I do?Andy was quite patient and fairly knowledgable (at least as far as I know) and after spending over 2 hours I ended up with a Cold Steel
Gim. I was looking for a European sword, but nothing else they had felt as good. I insisted on a "cut and thrust" blade and most of what else they had was too heavy, too long or too expensive. They do have a few others I will probably be going back for (HELP!) as swords now seem even more addicting than knives. Next up is a Typhoon Dahong Palay!Anyway, as to the advice- what can I make/use as a practice sword? Having now experienced a real sword in the flesh (well, not "in the flesh "yet- that's what I'm hoping to avoid) I find that I have too much respect (fear) for 30" of very sharp steel to just run out in the backyard and start swinging it around without getting some idea of how it's going to act and feel. I even went back to the store, but all they had was either wood/bamboo swords that were way too light or unsharpened swords that were more than I can afford. So does anyone know how to make something with about the same weight and balance?
Also, I've been looking at books- any recommendations?
TIA, Mike
BTW I have never thought much of Cold Steel, but after handling and looking at all those swords, I must say this Gim really impresses me. The balance is 4 1/2" from the hilt, it weighs 2 lbs 4.2 oz according to my kitchen scale, and the handle feels pretty good. Fit and finish is better than most of what I saw anywhere near this price range and the blade is (to me) amazingly sharp- sharper than many of my knives were out of the box! The scabbard is also pretty nice. Unless this thing breaks the first time I use it, I'm a happy camper!
