materieals for a fast lightweight sword - 2005/11/13 15:46my question is this is it better to use a golf shaft made of fiberglass or a bamboo shaft?without foam this would really hurt
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Azrael
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Re:materieals for a fast lightweight sword - 2005/11/13 16:14Hands down graphite golf rod will make the lightest ultralight, bamboo and carbon fiber kite spar just can't stack up. I however have never seen a fiberglass golf rod.Revelation 6:8 - And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. "Death is no respector of persons, it takes the babe and the mother, the flower and the tree."
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Indy
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Posts: 49
Re:materieals for a fast lightweight sword - 2005/11/14 09:32The truth, it all depends on how you make them. I have made bamboo weapons that are as light and as tough as golf shaft. Depending on how much tape you use, and the type of noodle, you can get good results out of anything. Fiberglass is light as hell, but the few fiberglass weapons i have seen, they break pretty easy, then again, my buddies and I tend to hit harder than most. Bamboo is easy to replace and is pretty light on its own. But, when it comes down to it, i think Azrael has a point, for a newbie weapon smith, golf shaft is probally for the best. But also keep in mind, if use use to much tape, or bog it down with alot of padding, it will slow even the fastest sword. Happy to help.
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Rewth
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Re:materieals for a fast lightweight sword - 2005/11/14 11:49remind me to hand you my shortsword Indra. the same core has survived 3 years of use now, and i've yet to see a bamboo sword that can match its weight (or lack there of).
carbon graphite golf shafts will be the lightest core you cna find, pretty much hands down. and while some people claim the break easily, they are somewhat mistaken... most hte golf shafts we find are second hand, they have been broken before. there are likley small imperfections in them to begin with. i have found that a golf shaft will break sometime in the first 5 or 6 days of use, or it will live for frikkin ever. the one i use for my faovorite short sword has blocked solid swings from axgar's pole arm and survived. it's good to go. o nthe other hand, i've had two shafts snap the first day on the field with just normal every day blocks.
side note. for super ultra light, holy crap i'm not even holding anything swords... expect to be rebuilding them all the frikkin time. my shorts swords need repaired roughly ever 6 weeks depending on how often and how hard i fight. heaver, more solid constructed swords can last a year or more. hell, some of loyal's oldschool swords have never been rebuilt (camp pad and duct tap) after multiple years of heavy use in neverwinter.
so if money is an issue for you, or you are simply too lazy to constantly be rebuilding swords... you may want to look at sacrificing a little bit of weight in exchange for durability.
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you will also find that "fun noodle" is a huge variable. there are multiple brands, and even within the same brands there are differences from year to year. some are great, lightweight and durable... others suck for one reason or another... be it they are too dense, break down to ofast, heavy, not wide enough, etc etc etc. time will help you determine this, but initially you are prolly gonna be at hte luck of hte draw. espeically since at this time of year you are looking at using whatever you can manage to track down.
some folks are shifting away from noodle, and are using either rolled sheets of MC foam or multiple layers of pipe insulation. both are supposedly more durable. but i think they are little heavier. i personally have very little experience with either."But right now I'm a little concerned about my pants, since I don't know where they are." - Valathina Nailo
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Grendel
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Re:materieals for a fast lightweight sword - 2005/11/14 16:29weight shouldn't be so much of an issue as long as the sword is built well.
a bamboo sword might weigh more than a golfshaft, but if the sword is better balanced I'll use the bamboo,
I recommend seeking out folks to teach you how to build the sword, find someone who has a sword you really like, and ask them how they did it.Dragoon Strike First. Strike Hard. No Mercy. Hús Vetra Skald IMU
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Indy
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Posts: 49
Re:materieals for a fast lightweight sword - 2005/11/15 15:48One of the ways i learned to build my weapons was asking others, Grendel is right. The only way you are going to be able to make these light swords is to learn and experiment.
Rewth is right as well, depending on the luck of the draw, you can get light cores that last forever, and you get the ultra lights that will break the first day on the field. So with a little bit of skill, taught skill, and luck you will have the ability to build some of the lightest swords on the field. If you ever get the chance to travel, do. You learn so very much you will no be able to imagine. Whether your fighting skills, or you A&S skills increase, you will have fun as well.
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kyo
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Re:materieals for a fast lightweight sword - 2005/11/16 12:29hey guys thanks for the info i found it really helpfull a would also like to know how would i balance a long bamboo sword or any other sword for that matterwithout foam this would really hurt
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Grendel
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Re:materieals for a fast lightweight sword - 2005/11/16 14:16balancing the sword involves making a balance point, basically the point where you can put your finger on the sword and balance it on that spot.
some folks like tip heavy swords, for thrusting, and sometimes on longer swords, so a sword with a bit more tape on the core tip can achieve that.
I like a sword that is balanced a little bit above the handle, if I put my hand on the handle, down by the pommel, I like the balance point to be about a hands width and a little bit more above the top of my hand, I find the easiest way is to add a bit of weight to the handle by either using a piece of pvc to cap the handle, or some extra tape to widen the handle to a comfortable grip. I find with the handle a little heavier it draws the balance point further back, making the sword easier to swing faster, and easier to throw wraps.Dragoon Strike First. Strike Hard. No Mercy. Hús Vetra Skald IMU
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