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Main => The Courtyard => Topic started by: Sir Edward on 2012-06-12, 21:40:58

Title: Broke a Meyer!
Post by: Sir Edward on 2012-06-12, 21:40:58

So our combat demos went pretty well this past weekend at VARF, but we did have one casualty. My Albion Meyer snapped when I was straightening the blade. I knew it would happen eventually, I was just hoping it would be a while.

I've had several hard thrusts over the years (accidentally, usually when the other person steps in and I'm not expecting it), that have required some straightening. Once this happens the first time, it's much easier to repeat it in the future, as the steel weakens. And it'll only take so many permanent-bends and straightenings before it breaks.

Inside the break, the grain looked good, and there were no rust spots migrating in. So it looks like normal wear and tear.

I still think these are some of the best trainers out there, so I've ordered the replacement. It'll take a few months to get here, so I'm back to using my A&A Fechterspiel until it arrives. This is fine, as it's a good trainer too. I just prefer the balance of the Meyer.

Title: Re: Broke a Meyer!
Post by: Sir Wolf on 2012-06-12, 22:36:02
somewhere i think you made an angel cry
Title: Re: Broke a Meyer!
Post by: SirNathanQ on 2012-06-13, 00:09:05
Or a Mike Edelson... :o
Title: Re: Broke a Meyer!
Post by: Sir William on 2012-06-13, 13:26:38
I'm glad it didn't fail you mid-duel, although that would've been a crowd pleaser most like.
Title: Re: Broke a Meyer!
Post by: SirNathanQ on 2012-06-13, 14:16:38
I think the thrust that did it in was enough for the crowd. According to our squire, there was a collective gasp and everyone stopped and stared...
Title: Re: Broke a Meyer!
Post by: Sir Brian on 2012-06-13, 15:03:54
I think the thrust that did it in was enough fro the crowd. According to our squire, there was a collective gasp and everyone stopped and stared...
… and having been on the receiving end of that particular thrust I can confirm that it was well executed!  ;)

Actually I had stepped into that thrust too late while I was attempting to void the thrust and cleave your head as I did to end our duel from the previous day when I sidestepped into your thrust to my chest and let the point pass beneath my arm. :)
Title: Re: Broke a Meyer!
Post by: Sir James A on 2012-06-13, 17:14:05
I think the thrust that did it in was enough fro the crowd. According to our squire, there was a collective gasp and everyone stopped and stared...

I saw their faces, it was a rather inspiring moment.
Title: Re: Broke a Meyer!
Post by: SirNathanQ on 2012-06-13, 17:24:33
I think the thrust that did it in was enough fro the crowd. According to our squire, there was a collective gasp and everyone stopped and stared...
… and having been on the receiving end of that particular thrust I can confirm that it was well executed!  ;)

Actually I had stepped into that thrust too late while I was attempting to void the thrust and cleave your head as I did to end our duel from the previous day when I sidestepped into your thrust to my chest and let the point pass beneath my arm. :)

Which I must say was a fantastic play, Sir Brian! Even on the receiving end, I could do naught but admire!       
I think that and the Albion-rending thrust (Lord, I hope I never have to type the phrase "Albion-rending" ever again!  :o)  were our Mortal Combat style "finishers" for the day.  ;)
Title: Re: Broke a Meyer!
Post by: Sir Rodney on 2012-06-13, 21:33:02
Oh bummer...  :'(
Title: Re: Broke a Meyer!
Post by: Sir Edward on 2012-06-14, 03:08:05

These sorts of incidents just underscore how careful we have to be about power and control of the weapon. Ideally, even if the other person steps into it, we should be prepared to pull back on the sword so that it doesn't bend so hard.

Imagine doing this sort of thrust, where the sword bends, and actually snaps right then and there. Let's say the thrust was to the throat, and the recipient wasn't wearing a gorget. Scary things can happen.

Accidents can and do happen, of course, and we can't plan for every possible contingency. And clearly I've done exactly this sort of thing several times, or else the sword wouldn't have broken when it did.

But as I've said elsewhere, analyzing and discussing these things will make us safer swordsmen in the long run.
Title: Re: Broke a Meyer!
Post by: Thorsteinn on 2012-06-14, 04:17:07
Thus why Melees of Peace would sometimes ban thrusting.

Though when you ban thrusting it does change the nature of the game (ala BOTN).
Title: Re: Broke a Meyer!
Post by: Joshua Santana on 2012-06-14, 14:52:37
Quote
These sorts of incidents just underscore how careful we have to be about power and control of the weapon. Ideally, even if the other person steps into it, we should be prepared to pull back on the sword so that it doesn't bend so hard.

Imagine doing this sort of thrust, where the sword bends, and actually snaps right then and there. Let's say the thrust was to the throat, and the recipient wasn't wearing a gorget. Scary things can happen.

Accidents can and do happen, of course, and we can't plan for every possible contingency. And clearly I've done exactly this sort of thing several times, or else the sword wouldn't have broken when it did.

But as I've said elsewhere, analyzing and discussing these things will make us safer swordsmen in the long run.

Hear! Hear! Hear!
Title: Re: Broke a Meyer!
Post by: Sir Edward on 2012-06-18, 20:16:09

It's a shame I might have to wait 3 months for the replacement Meyer to get here, but that's part of the game. Albion doesn't typically stock swords ahead of time, so it's a matter of getting in the queue as with any other sword.

But I'll use the Fechterspiel in the meantime and it'll be fine. It's a good sword too. This is exactly why I always take both swords with me to events. I've always been terrified that one will break when I leave the other at home. :)

While I was at it, I reserved a Morozzo as well, which is still on the drawing board. I like this style of single-hander, with the finger rings. It's a little later period than most of the stuff I do, but if I'm going to add a single-hander in addition to the Messer that I have, I figure I might as well go for something a little different. No idea how long it'll be until these are released, but at least I can lock the price in before any other price changes might come up.

Title: Re: Broke a Meyer!
Post by: Sir James A on 2012-06-18, 22:36:37
This is exactly why I always take both swords with me to events. I've always been terrified that one will break when I leave the other at home. :)

So the lesson is, always buy swords in multiples, so you're never stuck with only a broken sword ... right? If it's fun for us to get someone to spend money on a sword, it should be, at least, *double* fun to get them to buy 2 or more at once. :)

Congrats on the pending new arrivals!
Title: Re: Broke a Meyer!
Post by: Sir Wolf on 2012-06-19, 01:12:28
amen to that! hehehehe
Title: Re: Broke a Meyer!
Post by: Joshua Santana on 2012-06-19, 13:50:38
Yep, it is god to purchase extras, you never know when you will break asunder.   ;)
Title: Re: Broke a Meyer!
Post by: Sir Edward on 2012-06-19, 14:02:48
So the lesson is, always buy swords in multiples, so you're never stuck with only a broken sword ... right? If it's fun for us to get someone to spend money on a sword, it should be, at least, *double* fun to get them to buy 2 or more at once. :)

Heh, that reminds me of a line in the movie Contact, talking about government spending. It went something like this:  "Why build one, when you can get two for twice the price."

:)
Title: Re: Broke a Meyer!
Post by: Sir William on 2012-06-19, 14:27:57
Who said that line?  That sounds like a McConaughey line...lol
Title: Re: Broke a Meyer!
Post by: Sir Edward on 2012-06-19, 20:11:29
Who said that line?  That sounds like a McConaughey line...lol

It was the rich dude dying of cancer (Hadden, played by John Hurt).
Title: Re: Broke a Meyer!
Post by: Sir Edward on 2012-09-06, 13:30:21

The new Meyer is on its way! It looks like it shipped yesterday.
Title: Re: Broke a Meyer!
Post by: Sir Brian on 2012-09-06, 14:12:03
Huzzah!  :)
Title: Re: Broke a Meyer!
Post by: Sir Wolf on 2012-09-06, 18:34:35
cool
Title: Re: Broke a Meyer!
Post by: Sir William on 2012-09-06, 18:40:59
Nice!
Title: Re: Broke a Meyer!
Post by: Sir Edward on 2012-09-10, 18:15:04

New one got here on Friday:

(http://ed.toton.org/photos/2012/weapons/b3557.jpg) (http://ed.toton.org/photos/2012/weapons/b3557b.jpg)
Title: Re: Broke a Meyer!
Post by: Sir James A on 2012-09-11, 15:18:10
Huzzah!
Title: Re: Broke a Meyer!
Post by: Sir William on 2012-09-11, 15:28:30
Won't be long before it looks like the one it replaced!  lol
Title: Re: Broke a Meyer!
Post by: Sir Edward on 2012-09-11, 15:59:21
Won't be long before it looks like the one it replaced!  lol

true dat..

I'm trying to decide if I want to dye the grip again. It only half-worked. The cord is somewhat hydrophobic, so the dye doesn't sink in very well. I had to practically paint it on.

Title: Re: Broke a Meyer!
Post by: Ian on 2012-09-11, 16:09:36
Could you just re-wrap the grip with your own more 'compliant' cord? :)
Title: Re: Broke a Meyer!
Post by: Sir Edward on 2012-09-11, 17:17:42
Could you just re-wrap the grip with your own more 'compliant' cord? :)

But that would take effort. :)
Title: Re: Broke a Meyer!
Post by: Sir William on 2012-09-11, 20:05:27
Meant to tell you, I liked the new maille you were sporting there, Sir Edward...seemed to sit well on you too.  Sometimes it seems like coifs are only meant to sit on the helmet stand and approximate what a head might look like.  lol
Title: Re: Broke a Meyer!
Post by: Sir Brian on 2012-10-04, 13:17:54
Well I thankfully didn’t break my Meyer but I broke my spare steel Hanwei Tinker Pearce blade last night!   :'(

It was only Matt Lawrence and me at MASHS practice so we decided to do a little Longsword and then epee dueling. We had dueled for awhile with our aluminum blades when the unimaginable happened, I made a mittelhau at Matt and he went to parry like usual and his Swordcrafts aluminum blade snapped where the tang of the blade started!  :(

I felt really bad for breaking his sword but Matt assured me that if it wasn’t for my efforts over the past year or so he would have retired the sword long ago. Still I felt obligated to provide him at least a loaner for practice and so we could continue dueling so I loaned him my Hanwei Tinker Pearce and we continued. After several more exchanges I made anther mittelhau attack and Matt once more went to parry the attack and my HTP snapped right at the start of the tang!   :o

So last night was a BAD night for swords. Fortunately we didn’t snap our Epee blades!  :-\
Title: Re: Broke a Meyer!
Post by: Sir Edward on 2012-10-04, 13:34:34

Wow, you guys broke two swords, in exactly the same way? Geez. Glad no one was hurt! It does go to show how important that tang's construction is though.
Title: Re: Broke a Meyer!
Post by: Sir James A on 2012-10-04, 14:03:12
Well I thankfully didn’t break my Meyer but I broke my spare steel Hanwei Tinker Pearce blade last night!   :'(

It was only Matt Lawrence and me at MASHS practice so we decided to do a little Longsword and then epee dueling. We had dueled for awhile with our aluminum blades when the unimaginable happened, I made a mittelhau at Matt and he went to parry like usual and his Swordcrafts aluminum blade snapped where the tang of the blade started!  :(

I felt really bad for breaking his sword but Matt assured me that if it wasn’t for my efforts over the past year or so he would have retired the sword long ago. Still I felt obligated to provide him at least a loaner for practice and so we could continue dueling so I loaned him my Hanwei Tinker Pearce and we continued. After several more exchanges I made anther mittelhau attack and Matt once more went to parry the attack and my HTP snapped right at the start of the tang!   :o

So last night was a BAD night for swords. Fortunately we didn’t snap our Epee blades!  :-\


To quote Mr Lee:

Quote
Be like water making its way through cracks. Do not be assertive, but adjust to the object, and you shall find a way around or through it.

I see you chose the "through it" path. :D
Title: Re: Broke a Meyer!
Post by: Sir William on 2012-10-04, 18:00:06
You're a beast, Sir Brian, admit it.
Title: Re: Broke a Meyer!
Post by: Lord Dane on 2012-10-04, 20:41:32
You're a beast, Sir Brian, admit it.

Better blades than thumbs, Sir Brian. :)