Kunena Site Syndication http://www.romanarmytalk.com/ Sat, 04 Feb 2012 21:23:54 +0000 Kunena 1.6 http://www.romanarmytalk.com/components/com_kunena/template/default/images/icons/rss.png http://www.romanarmytalk.com/ en-gb http://www.romanarmytalk.com/rat.html?func=view&catid=7&id=305756#305756 http://www.romanarmytalk.com/rat.html?func=view&catid=7&id=305756#305756 Off-Topic Sat, 04 Feb 2012 20:55:32 +0000 http://www.romanarmytalk.com/rat.html?func=view&catid=63&id=305746#305746 http://www.romanarmytalk.com/rat.html?func=view&catid=63&id=305746#305746 As background: a few years ago I was researching the types of Greek swords that were available and were being made at the time. Literature revealed 2 basic types: the kopis and the xiphos. The kopis is a real beauty of a weapon and was my 1st choice; the trouble was I didn’t like the inexpensive offerings. The best quality swords I could find were of the xiphos design made by MI but they were out of my price range and unfortunately had a long turnaround time; however, their work is so good I started to reevaluate the xiphos and at least to my mind it seemed to make more sense as a Hoplite side arm – more on reasons in a bit. Well, how about blacksmiths who just do blades and this search lead me to Kirby Wise whose home is in Arizona. I contacted him and after our 1st correspondence I felt pretty good about him. He was willing to try the xiphos style, his price wasn’t too bad and turnaround time fit my scheduled trip to the States. He was comfortable with the blade shape but neither of us was too clear on the design of the hilt, so he made the hilt with a lot of extra material and as rather generic. (See pic). I knew the hilt didn’t seem right but not until I saw archaeological evidence presented in RAT did a hilt design start to jell in my mind. This took some time, even put the sword away for some time until I had an idea of what to do and had built up the courage to tackle the job. With grinder in hand the cruciform hand guard was reduced to a smaller and slightly crescent shape, where the palm fits was shortened and a rounded, contrasting- color pummel affixed. No metal overlay – just olive wood stained with amurca (liquid dregs of olive oil pressings). A problem arose- the xiphos didn’t feel right in the hand – it was too blade-heavy – I had made the mistake of taking too much weight off the hilt. What to do? I then added a pummel of solid iron. Results- it metaphorically came to life, the balance point is now a palms width in front of the hilt and this xiphos graduated from just being decorative to being a true and dangerous weapon.
The xiphos I see as an all-purpose weapon and - as with a good farm tool – it is robust and perhaps not too elegant, but with it one can jab, slash, hack and hammer. The xiphos you will see in the accompanying photos I do not present as an authoritative or exact replica. As mentioned the blade, is worthy but my changes to the hilt are more to give it a Greek flavor with clean and simple lines and added functionality with a heavy pummel. It is an interpretation that I hope has captured the look and feel of what a xiphos might have been like.

Specifications: Length =68.3 cm’s – blade = 51 cm x 6 cm.
Weight = 1 kilo + 330 grams for wood & pummel - Total =1.33 kilo.
Material – 1060 steel, olive wood & copper rivets.

Blacksmith – Kirby D. Wise at www.kirbywise.com

Photos here: picasaweb.google.com/RoxanaDann/XiphosMa...&feat=directlink

John Dann]]> Greek Re-Enactment & Reconstruction Sat, 04 Feb 2012 18:49:04 +0000 http://www.romanarmytalk.com/rat.html?func=view&catid=7&id=305723#305723 http://www.romanarmytalk.com/rat.html?func=view&catid=7&id=305723#305723
I hope there are some larpers amongst us. I was on a game, where there is a health point system: you have 3 by default, arm damage is worth 1, legs worth 2 (feet, hands, groin, head and neck not to be attacked), torso is 3, while metal armour subtracts 2 damage, leather subtracts 1.

The thing is, there was a group of app. 20 men, who all wielded 2-2.5 m long spears, and a few of them big shields with them. There were ~8 of us with 4th century late roman equipment and they basically hacked us into pieces.

We are currently in the making of Xth century reenactment byzantine equipment, and we can make a larp version too, but even if we are shielded and armored, we will still be outnumbered, and I can't think of tactics, which could be successful.

Help me, would you kindly? (Obvious Bioshock-reference.)]]> Off-Topic Sat, 04 Feb 2012 15:01:15 +0000 http://www.romanarmytalk.com/rat.html?func=view&catid=69&id=305720#305720 http://www.romanarmytalk.com/rat.html?func=view&catid=69&id=305720#305720
I am looking to develop a range of cavalry saddlecloths in a variety of the usual colours - Madder, blue and pea green for cavalry with hand fringed edges. custom embroidery can also be done to order for parade purposes.

I can also make saddlecloths with modern gel shock absorber pads sewn in, therefore negating the need for additional numnahs under the cloth itself, thereby keeping contact with the horse to a maximum.

Could people give me some feedback as to how interested they may be in buying one, if I do a couple of prototypes in my diamond twill and herringbone fabrics

Cheers

Claire]]> New product news Sat, 04 Feb 2012 14:45:23 +0000 http://www.romanarmytalk.com/rat.html?func=view&catid=23&id=305696#305696 http://www.romanarmytalk.com/rat.html?func=view&catid=23&id=305696#305696 in our museum in Tolmin will be on thursday big opening of the celtic exhibition.
For the event i have only pdf docu of invitation: it is nice with celtic cavalry-man and foto of the excavation. In Kobarid near Tolmin found last year some new items (in the middle of the town), with swords, etc ... dating on Lt B2 - the earliest celtic time periode in Slovenia and 7 scelets of the horses without heads.
I will have my first museum's presenation in Slovenia ever at this opening, the opening act will do the Dr. Andrej Gaspari.
Link of the museum with some recos (Hallstatt-house, etc):
www.tol-muzej.si/eng/

Joze]]> Events Sat, 04 Feb 2012 11:38:53 +0000 http://www.romanarmytalk.com/rat.html?func=view&catid=71&id=305681#305681 http://www.romanarmytalk.com/rat.html?func=view&catid=71&id=305681#305681
Here are some torc we make.

Needs your valuable comments and suggestions.

These torcs are available in brass and brass with silver coating.

Regards,
Suhel]]> Product development Sat, 04 Feb 2012 09:23:18 +0000 http://www.romanarmytalk.com/rat.html?func=view&catid=17&id=305666#305666 http://www.romanarmytalk.com/rat.html?func=view&catid=17&id=305666#305666 ]]> Roman Military History & Archaeology Sat, 04 Feb 2012 03:27:21 +0000