the coke test cutting challenge

[Ryan Ricks]

before i try the cut, i step through it in slow motion to make sure i'll hit at the point of percussion. that way i can be sure i'll hit it in the right place. \

actually, i just severed a dasani bottle with a zornhau from my one hand sword. i think my problem is specific to the hand and a half

[Scott Anderson]

I've had similar problems cutting bottles, and i've learned that an edge placement that is off by as little as half a degree of angle can cause it to knock the bottle flying without more than a minor dent or scrape.

SPA

[Ryan Ricks]

this must, then be an issue with me holding a weapon in two hands. studies show i can cut them fine with my one hand swords.

[Mike Sega]

I would also try some stout carpet roll tubes. They are quite thick and can tell you how well your swing was by how smooth (or not ) the cut is. At first we tried to hang the tube from a wire and weight down the lower portion, but when we let it swing, and cut correctly, the sword did what it was designed to. Diagonal cuts will cut better. Horizontal will fold halfway unless you have a properly honed blade.
Cutting practice is also a good excuse to have a barbecue, is it not? (Don't forget to clean your blade!)
<img src="/forum/images/icons/shocked.gif" alt="" />

[Ryan Ricks]

progress! i actually lacerated a dreaded 2 liter 3/4 of the way through with a zornhau. next time...

[Shane Smith]

Well done! I think you're going to have this whipped by the end of the weekend <img src="/forum/images/icons/cool.gif" alt="" /> Once the technique is good,the bottles will cut effortlessly on all but the shortest of cuts. <img src="/forum/images/icons/wink.gif" alt="" />

[Ryan Ricks]

some thoughts:

i noticed that once i held the hand and a half with the left hand directly under my right hand (like it says in john's book) that i had better results. it seems like this gives the swing more power, and it was easier to align the edge.

let me know if i'm wrong here.

btw, i just bought a tapered bastard sword, so more goodies to test cut with!

update: it slices through milk jugs quite well even unsharpened.

ryan

[Guest]

The Tatamie mats can sometimes be found at stores like Pier1 or Cost Plus; they are sold as beach mats but look carefully at the edge as these are sometimes reinforced with wire(!) which will damage blades. The "real thing" for test cutting is sold at www.bugei.com. They also sell some of the finest using katanas and other Japanese swords.

[Shawn Cathcart]

Coca-Cola bottles are different from other bottles. Look at a Pepsi bottle, its smooth right. A Coca-Cola bottle has ridges at the top and bottom (at least in Canada) and is only smooth in the middle. These ridges are hard to cut through especially at the top as they tend to want to shear rather than cut cleanly. You need a very well aligned cut with proper speed to cut cleanly through these sections of a Coca-Cola bottle. As an experiment try some Pepsi bottles and see if they are easier/harder to cut through. Pop bottles by nature are more rigid than milk jugs, and so less forgiving in a way. If you don't get your cut just right, you baseball bat the hell out of them <img src="/forum/images/icons/smile.gif" alt="" />.

Just my 2 cents (Having cut down many a pop bottle. Might as well have fun before I take them for recycling right? <img src="/forum/images/icons/smile.gif" alt="" /> )

[Ryan Ricks]

i can now sever coke bottles completely with my new bastard sword (vom tag over the head, with zornhau), however i can still get only a 3/4 dirty laceration with my hand and a half (it's much harder to manage).

however, yesterday two of my group members did the baseball bat thing with the bottles. i had to show them how it was done (sort of) <img src="/forum/images/icons/smile.gif" alt="" />

one hand swords are much easier to cut with i think. easier to align the edge, and much easier to aim.

[Shane Smith]

It sounds like you're on the right track. Don't worry,you will get the hang of cutting with the longsword and it will eventually feel as natural as the single-hander for you. <img src="/forum/images/icons/wink.gif" alt="" />

[Ryan Ricks]

yay! finally got a clean sever on a coke bottle with my hand and a half.

in other news: my group is working on single time offense/defense with the sword and shield.

we went over two hours tonight. all that in my 25 lbs of maille/helm. good grief i'm sore... so sore. strength and cardio-vascular fitness are improving though!

ryan

[Brian Hunt]

What type of helm, and what type of mail are you wearing? Also, what type of shield are you using? A round or a heater?

just curious.

Brian Hunt
GFS

[Ryan Ricks]

helm is my norman one about two lbs, pictured in my photo here to the left.

coif, 18g butted steel, made by yours truly, about one and a half lbs.

hauberk, 14 g butted steel. sleeves to the elbow, length to within 3 inches of the knees. 19 lbs, also made by me.

bracers, forearm length, 1/4 tough leather, also made by me.

complete the outfit with a gambeson (made by my neighbor), a surcoat (also made by me), and knee-high english riding boots.

shield is a heater type, plywood, unrimmed. also made by me

ugh. excuse me while i roll over and die now. *ices bruises*

ryan

[Brian Hunt]

Cool,

What is the inside diameter of your rings, and do you have problems with the butted rings seperating on you? Is your heater shield flat or curved? The reason I am curious is because the type of shield you use can affect the type of sheild techniques you should use. Also what type of a ward are you taking with you shield, are you using an open ward or a middle type ward.

Thanks for your reply and your info, good luck with the bruises and the ice. <img src="/forum/images/icons/smile.gif" alt="" />

Brian Hunt

GFS.