interesting Arthurian read

[Sir Wolf]

http://forums.armourarchive.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=128483&highlight=

[Sir Patrick]

I had not heard that the mortal blow dealt by Mordred was from the sword Arthur pulled from the stone.  I'll have to check that out.  Interesting discussion on the whole, however.  Good find, Sir Wolf!

[Sir Edward]

This is cool:  http://www.sangalgano.org/ENG/photo_sword%20_in_the_stone_big.htm

http://www.sangalgano.org/ENG/swordinthestone.htm

It looks like it could be limestone or something similar. The swords back then would survive the elements a lot better than modern steel would, since the steel back then had a lot of silicate inclusions, which are less ideal for durability in combat, but prevent rust from penetrating deep into the iron.

I think if you could wedge a sword made with period steel into a crevice of such stone, it wouldn't take long for the surface rust, and the runoff of the stone, to glue the two together. Softer stones like these tend to more easily dissolve and deposit material lower down over time. I'll bet this is what has happened.

Very cool. It makes me want to try it. But you need metal with silicate inclusions or else it'll just corrode away in no time. A wrought iron (bloomery iron in this case) SLO (sword-like object) shoved into a piece of limestone or marble would be pretty cool.

[Sir Wolf]

alrighty. lets set this up in your living room Sir Edward!

[Sir Edward]

Don't tempt me! I have a feeling you'd have to answer to the wrath of Kat if you talked me into that.

In the garden, however... that's a different story... one that will have to wait until I have a house with a yard.

[Sir Wolf]

well ok. lets do the stone first and then i PROMISE to help you move it into the garden when you get the house

[Sir William]

Oooh, I want one!  Just so I'm clear...it would be best if this were done with a stainless SLO, no?

LMAO @ promise all in CAPs...do I detect the faintest bit of wheedling in that tone? 

[Sir Edward]

If it's going to be outdoors, I have no idea how long stainless holds up actually. That's a good question.

Period swords are still being dug up in rivers and the like because of the steel being made from bloomery iron. It's the silica in it that keeps it from rusting through, but silica also makes the steel more brittle, which is why modern steel doesn't have it. I know there are modern alloys that also are highly resistant to deep rust (rust at the surface only), but I'm not sure what they are.

EDIT: I need to find a blacksmith that will work with bloomery iron and make a SLO for me that way.. muahaha

[Sir Wolf]

try Baltimore knife and sword. they might be able to help you.

or what about purchasing the hardware etc for a handle and putting it on a mile steel blank from Tractor Supply? we can grind down the end and the part of the blade that would show.

or! you could get a cheap version of Excalibur and then what would you really be out? 100 bucks?

[Sir William]

BKS makes good stuff...just make sure you're clear on delivery times.  Since it is a one-off, shouldn't be too much trouble.

You can get a really cheap version of Excalibur for around $50 on eBay, like this one:  http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Medieval-39-King-Arthur-Excalibur-Sword-w-Sheath-/260723799108?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cb4597444

[Sir Patrick]

Now you just need to figure out a way so that only you can pull it out! 

[Sir William]

It would work, with a high-power magnet and a remote shut-off device.  Kat could turn it on anytime someone ELSE tried to remove the sword, and then turn it off when Sir Edward had his turn.  Unless he's made her mad, in which case, he might not be able to draw it either.  lol

[Sir James A]

Now you just need to figure out a way so that only you can pull it out! 

We halfway covered it in the "funnies" thread.