02-11-2014, 04:27 PM
It is indeed all about blade geometry, not just edge, but as Dave has correctly pointed out, there is a HUGE range in what you can make and still have a sword so blunt you can give it to a toddler. For the thickness of a toddlers spoon (or theespoon) is 0.5 mm. At 0.5 mm, a blade will NOT cut anyone handling it. So the whole legal issue does not occur with a correctly made blade either. All it takes is the will to produce a decent blade.
The point of distal taper ... well, get a copy of Miks, visit a few musea and you can see for yourself Roman swords did often have distal taper. The spine goes down to 3 or 4 mm. I do not recognise that statement of "archeologists" in any of my practice of looking at and at times even handling swords. But the best way to tell is to get a good replica made to the archeological data and fit that with a period hilt of the correct dimensions and feel how that handles. For a museum piece lacks the hilt, which also to some part determines the feel of a sword. And they do not take kindly to me or you taking a few practice swings with their relic, even wearing white cotton gloves :wink:
The point of distal taper ... well, get a copy of Miks, visit a few musea and you can see for yourself Roman swords did often have distal taper. The spine goes down to 3 or 4 mm. I do not recognise that statement of "archeologists" in any of my practice of looking at and at times even handling swords. But the best way to tell is to get a good replica made to the archeological data and fit that with a period hilt of the correct dimensions and feel how that handles. For a museum piece lacks the hilt, which also to some part determines the feel of a sword. And they do not take kindly to me or you taking a few practice swings with their relic, even wearing white cotton gloves :wink:
