Test cutting: rolled up newspapers

[David Kite]

Quick question:

So far my test cutting experience has lacked using real meat as a test subject, and said lack of experience may be the cause of my problem.

But in the "Bent Albion" thread, Gary Grzybek mentioned he thinks a large rolled up newspaper will weigh six pounds and be about three inches around. Either Gary is being ironic and I just missed the irony (which is possible), or my using rolled up newpapers have been WAY overkill.

When I've been rolling and soaking newspapers I've been making the rolls as thick as my arm or sometimes my thigh, and once they've soaked they're a pretty good-sized handfull.

I've been unable thus far to completely cleave through one of my rolls. Am I using too much newspaper? Would less newspaper still be realistically suitable?

Another observation I've had is that I can cut more strongly using a single-handed sword than with a longsword. Has anyone else had this "problem"? Or does my longsword technique need a LOT more work than I thought?

thanks
David Kite
GFS, ARMA in IN

[Jaron Bernstein]

Interesting. We used my Albion Sempach on heavy cardboard shipping tubes and maybe cut 1/2 -3/4 throught, with a big zornhau. That same sword cuts through flesh (ham with a bone inside) and melons like butter with much lighter cuts.

[GaryGrzybek]

Hi Dave,

In many cases we were able to cut clean through these heavy thick and very dense rolls. When a sword and user accomplishes this it's very impressive to say the least. With practice it's not incredibly difficult. The problem is, when a cut is a bit off or not carried through things can go wrong. In this case the blade stuck half way and got pulled to the ground with the newspaper roll hanging off the end. This imediately puts a heavy load where you don't want it <img src="/forum/images/icons/frown.gif" alt="" /> In the future I will make my rolls a little smaller so they're still a challenge but put less stress on the sword. These aren't water bottles or wara mats my friends <img src="/forum/images/icons/tongue.gif" alt="" />

[Matt Bryant]

Yeah, we have done the overkill with rolled up newspaper as well. We have found that it is actually harder to cut through it than actual flesh. About three to four inches sounds about right though. (We did have one of our guy cut through about six inches though. It was very impresive, especially after he was able to do it about three times in a row.)

Also, you should not be able to cut better with a one hander than a two hander. That is very odd. Are you getting proper extension?

[Bill Tsafa]

Another observation I've had is that I can cut more strongly using a single-handed sword than with a longsword. Has anyone else had this "problem"? Or does my longsword technique need a LOT more work than I thought?

Funny thing is that I think this indicates you are using proper form with the longsword. Let me explain. The one hand sword is used with a shield usualy. So you can safely bring the sword back and bring your chest, shoulder and hips into the swing. With the longsword you do not have a shield usualy. The sword is your shield. Most of those blows come from the elbows. You would normaly becareful not to overpower the swing and leave yourself open. Of course some strikes like the squinting strike do involve the hips. But you quickly bring that in to an ox guard which I thinks cuts some of the power then if you followed through like a bat swing.

Another factor may be that your one hand sword may be more blade heavy. Your longsword my have a more tapered blade with less weight on it for higher agility and thrusting ability. The cross-section on your tappered blade may be thicker, as I think it should be to facilitate thrusting. This must psuh aside more material and the resistance will hinder cutting ability.

Try the same experiment cuping your off hand over your sword-hand on the single-hand sword, see if you cut better. Try cutting one handed with the longsword. If you cut is even less effective one handed on the longsword , I definelty think it is just a matter of blade weight distribution. If you find that you one-hand cut is more effective then you two-hand on the longsword, then it is a matter of how you are cutting rather then the blade.

[TimSheetz]

HI Dave,

Relax your grip and just don't try too hard. You want focus and intent but with technique. When I ahev stepped it down a few notches my cuts have always tended to be better.

Tim