holy [insert explicative here]
well, i took the practice swords out for a test run yesterday at megan's. within 15 minutes, the sword I was using had broken. The way it broke now makes me believe we were doing something disasterously wrong, because it broke from a blow to the flat of the blade. Megan wasn't doing any serious swinging and wasn't generating that kind of force, so I must have struck at her with the flat of the blade... a seriously bad thing to do.
anyway, i was so amazed at this because not only did the wood slats that make up the core break, the aluminum bar between those slats bent. yeah, about a hands-length from the top of the aluminum too... not exactly a weak spot.
here are some pictures to corroborate my story...
this is just to show the whole length of the blade as it is now. needless to say, the wood is only 1/2 to 2/3 it's original length. the metal didn't reach all the way to the tip for safety reasons.
and here is the full profile with the bent bar. I mean, seriously... it's only aluminum, but fuck! 15 minutes!
a profile shot. doesn't really show a whole lot, just overall depth vs thickness
here are a few close-ups of the bend, just to give you an idea of the damage done.
methinks I'm going to read my swordsmanship book before I build another sword and try this again. the good news is that with a few alterations and some recycled foam, i can turn this thing into a slightly-disproportionate short sword. that way I can wear two swords to the renfest :P
anyway, i was so amazed at this because not only did the wood slats that make up the core break, the aluminum bar between those slats bent. yeah, about a hands-length from the top of the aluminum too... not exactly a weak spot.
here are some pictures to corroborate my story...
this is just to show the whole length of the blade as it is now. needless to say, the wood is only 1/2 to 2/3 it's original length. the metal didn't reach all the way to the tip for safety reasons.
and here is the full profile with the bent bar. I mean, seriously... it's only aluminum, but fuck! 15 minutes!
a profile shot. doesn't really show a whole lot, just overall depth vs thickness
here are a few close-ups of the bend, just to give you an idea of the damage done.
methinks I'm going to read my swordsmanship book before I build another sword and try this again. the good news is that with a few alterations and some recycled foam, i can turn this thing into a slightly-disproportionate short sword. that way I can wear two swords to the renfest :P