Back to Selecting a Sword

A dialogue regarding sword manufacture...

From: withheld
Subject: Rapiers aren't Swords
Date: August 4, 2005 1:37:29 AM GMT-04:00
To: rosteel@umich.edu

Not sure what you ladies are hitting, but I'm positive what I'm grinding isn't a "chunk of carbide".

HR 5160
Typical Chemistry: C .60 Mn .85 P .035 max S .040 max

http://www.admiralsteel.com/products/blades.html



Am I to take it that these weapons I've spent years creating are just chunks of carbon I've knocked out with my big club?

If you come across another well balanced sword shaped like fire that can chop stone, you may want to consider buying it.

From: maestro
To: withheld
Cc: rosteel@umich.edu
Sent: Saturday, September 24, 2005 7:44 AM
Subject: Re: Rapiers aren't Swords.

Hmm... On the off chance that you actually expected a response to your missive...

You're subject line does beg the question whether you planned to be taken seriously, however, please find some notes in line with your original message.

>On Aug 4, 2005, at 1:37 AM, withheld wrote:
>Not sure what you ladies are hitting,

Our organization is made of up men and women - just to be clear. Again, you make it hard to take you seriously if you intended this as some form of slight.

>but I'm positive what I'm grinding isn't a "chunk of carbide".
>
>HR 5160
>Typical Chemistry: C .60 Mn .85 P .035 max S .040 max
>
>http://www.admiralsteel.com/products/blades.html
>

Yes, HR 5160 isn't carbide -- what's your point? It is an excellent alloy for a sword blade - a little tough for a stock removal process but certainly a good starting point if you're starting with a steel blank. (and you consider grinding a piece of stock to be the best way to create a sword)

>Am I to take it that these weapons I've spent years creating are just chunks of carbon I've knocked out with my big club?

A rhetorical question, no doubt? We've described a general garment - you claim that it is cut to fit - I don't feel any particular need to say more.


>If you come across another well balanced sword shaped like fire that can chop stone, you may want to consider buying it.

The point of the article was that it wouldn't even occur to us to try chopping stone. This sort of behavior with a sword falls under the category of "users" who feel some inadequacy such that they feel they *need* a sword to chop stone. Folk who brag about such matters group themselves - no need for us to do so.

We're happy to provide an evaluation of any manufacturer's product should they care to provide an evaluation piece. We won't be testing it against any rocks but we will put it through a reasonable amount of fighting to determine durability and handling characteristics. Any results may be kept private or made public at the artisan's discretion.

Our thanks for your input. Best of luck in your endeavors.

--chris barbeau
Ring of Steel Action Theatre

From: withheld
Subject: Re: Rapiers aren't Swords.
Date: September 24, 2005 9:10:37 PM GMT-04:00
To: ringmaestro@umich.edu

Ok, some clarification, so you can follow me. I'll spell it out.

Rapiers are pathetic sticks. They're kind of a joke, but I personally despise them.

Actors are not fighters.

I take it you're tapping pointed steel rods against one another on stage.

Any of my weapons could obliterate your stage garbage.

You look down on people who can make true weapons, it shows in your writing. You may have a vague idea of the available weaponry online, but you have no clue how to make it. It would be a waste of time to explain to you, the art of swordmaking, or the hard, dirty, thankless work that goes into producing a weapon of superior quality. No need to reply on this, I can already tell the depth of your character and your knowledge on the matter.

Then along comes some yahoo fancying himself a connoisseur of the sword, and proceeds to demean the quality of people's hard work, based on the tools they use. It's absurd, and I'm tired of hearing about it. If you're going to represent yourself as a guide, take a few classes on the subject first. You don't even know when you're stepping on other people's toes.

Write back all you want, it will be auto-deleted.