Hi guys,

Just picked up this one at kult of Athena during my trip to chicago (among other things...).





I have to say it is an extremely well made and attractive for the price. It is also sure to impress (probably way more than more deserving items in your collection) because of it's trident button feature (clic...clic....clic...I don't get tired of it either :) )

I bought this one also because it was very true to the original...the thing is, I can't remember where I saw the damn thing.

If you know where the original is kept and if you have pictures of it don't hesitate to let me know.

Cheers,

J

That looks really interesting: How robust is the mechanism ? Do you think that this example or even the period original was sturdy enough to be used vigourously or was it a clever idea in " theory " but too fragile to survive heavy fighting and a hard parry ?

Even if it broke down if it saved your life in it's one and only use, once, I guess that would be enough for it to be worth while and the " surprise factor " also comes into play trapping an opponent's rapier long enough for one's rapier to dispatch him. ( Rapier the most likely weapon it would face along with maybe some other of the cut and trust military swords of the period )

Obviously one wouldn't expect to successfully parry a twohanded sword or even a longsword with a hard stop ! Even less a heavy polearm ! ( But then one wouldn't expect even a more conventional left hand dagger to stop the heavier weapons easily ! At best maybe deflect a not to extreme one. ;) :?: ).

I envy your being able to visit Kult of Athena, did you get to meet and talk with Ryan ?

I'm fairly certain photos of the original are published in the German book Kombinationswaffen. I am not at home right now, but will check when I get a chance (or perhaps someone else who owns the book will).

According to our Spotlight Article on Combination Weapons, it's in the Historisches Museum in Dresden.

[ Linked Image ]

Great stuff Chad...thanks for that!

This pict below shows quiet well that Hanwei reproduced the hilt cast in great details. With some light antiquing and a new tooled leather wrap for the scabbard and this could look awesome.

[ Linked Image ]

Ah, Chad posted while I was typing. :)

Just a thought about usage: The obvious way to use it is to spring it open just before parrying and trapping the opponent's blade between the central blade and one of the spring blades, but I wonder if one might not also use the dagger closed and if one had the opponent's blade down at the guard and then sprung the spring blades it would trap the blade between the spring blades and the quillons.

Depending on spring strength pulling the sword out could be difficult or merely slowed down ! But in a fight if you can trap the opponents weapons for even 1/4 second it's enough to have a great advantage.