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Sean D.
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 Posted: Sun 15 Jun, 2008 4:42 pm Post subject: A few brief questions about Cold Steel Shamshir |
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Hello, I'm new to the forum, but have read around a little and really enjoy it.
Before I get to my questions I just want to state I know that this sword isn't historically accurate or top end. I am more or less interested in a sword that is fairly durable at a reasonable price (for an 18 year old) and the shamshir appeals to me. And I have read some other threads on the CS Shamshir but none have really answered my questions.
Now, forgive me if any of these questions are unclear and I will be happy to try and reword them better.
SBG declared this sword to be comfortable in the hand with tight fittings that don't loosen from average use (backyard cutting on tatami and even branches) DO any of you agree/disagree with this?
How much abuse do you think a sword of this type could handle? To clarify I am talking like backyard cutting. Just to give examples, do you think it could handle things like pumpkins or watermelons.
Since it comes with a leather scabbard would it be best to store the sword outside of it? I hear that leather scabbards can really trap moisture and add to rusting of the blade even if oiled.
How does the sword handle? People seem to say that it is light and glides, while others say it is unbalanced.
And finally, I ordered the Solid Proof video from CS for kicks, and I was wondering (google searches turned up nothing) if they tested the shamshir in the video.
Thanks in advance. Additional comments on the sword are more than welcome. I'm trying to do as much research as possible.
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P. Cha
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| Posted: Mon 16 Jun, 2008 12:11 am Post subject: |
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The leather WILL rust your blade if you store your blade in it. Leaving it there for a weekend should be okay in MOST leather, but for weeks...not a good idea at all.
Cold steel swords are what I would call iffy. I don't trust them. I don't trust their tangs. I don't trust their fittings. And for that amount they charge, I can get MUCH better. Their MSRP is along the lines of an atrim sword. Now honestly, you can find cheaper because just about everyone other then them has already figured out their swords aren't worth anywhere near an atrim level, but still...kinda irksome. Their swords also tend to be unbalanced in many cases. This is more alongs the in general of their swords and not this one in particular however as I haven't seen this one yet. In general I don't like their swords. Their knives are great, but for a sword, I'm looking elsewhere.
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Chad Arnow
myArmoury Team
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| Posted: Mon 16 Jun, 2008 5:01 am Post subject: |
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| P. Cha wrote: | The leather WILL rust your blade if you store your blade in it. Leaving it there for a weekend should be okay in MOST leather, but for weeks...not a good idea at all.
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Not entirely true. I stored a fairly expensive custom knife in its leather sheath/scabbard for months, at the smith's suggestion, with no ill effects. It really comes down to the environment you're in and how the leather was tanned.
If you live in a humid area, it may not be a good idea since the leather may trap humidity. That said, it can be pretty humid where I live and I had no problems with that custom knife.
A bigger factor can be the tanning method of the leather. Others are more knowledgable than me on this one, but I believe vegetable-tanned should be safe, whereas chrome-tanned or sulphur-tanned is not.
If you don't know how the leather was tanned or if you live in a humid environment or if you just don't want to risk it, don't store it in the scabbard.
For what it's worth, I also stored an Arms & Armor knife in its leather sheath for weeks with no problems.
ChadA
http://chadarnow.com/
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Jean Thibodeau
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| Posted: Mon 16 Jun, 2008 8:14 am Post subject: |
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| Chad Arnow wrote: | | P. Cha wrote: | The leather WILL rust your blade if you store your blade in it. Leaving it there for a weekend should be okay in MOST leather, but for weeks...not a good idea at all.
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For what it's worth, I also stored an Arms & Armor knife in its leather sheath for weeks with no problems. |
A & A swords in their leather scabbards for YEARS in my case without any rust with the occasional checking and waxing or oiling.
But climate and leather type might make this different for you.
Oh, if the blade is stored with moisture on it them maybe the scabbard will promote rust. Obviously if your scabbard gets any water inside it the sword should not be stored in it until it is 100% dry !
If the sword is taken outside in cold weather and then brought back indoors condensation can form on the surface and the sword shouldn't be put back into the scabbard until it is back up to room temperature. Oh, going into an air-conditioned room and them into a warm humid one could do the same in a warm climate or season.
You can easily give up your freedom. You have to fight hard to get it back!
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P. Cha
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| Posted: Tue 17 Jun, 2008 12:52 am Post subject: |
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The cold steel leather scabbard is chrome tanned. So yes, it is basically a BAD idea to store the sword in this scabbard for longer periods of time.
BTW, why does chrome tanned leather cause rust anyways?!? I thought chrome was the stuff that prevents rust in stainless steel.
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Sean D.
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| Posted: Tue 17 Jun, 2008 2:39 pm Post subject: |
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I just heard from someone that the Cold Steel Shamshir scabbard was wood core, so it should be fine to store in the scabbard I suppose.
And just curious still if anyone knows what would be safe to cut with such a sword. I obviously don't think it should be used for wood chopping  but I'm curious as to what it could handle.
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Al Muckart
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| Posted: Tue 17 Jun, 2008 5:52 pm Post subject: |
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Greetings,
| P. Cha wrote: | The cold steel leather scabbard is chrome tanned. So yes, it is basically a BAD idea to store the sword in this scabbard for longer periods of time.
BTW, why does chrome tanned leather cause rust anyways?!? I thought chrome was the stuff that prevents rust in stainless steel. |
It's the difference between Chromimum the metal, which is alloyed with steel to make stainless steel, and Chromium salts which are applied to leather to "tan" it. It's like the difference between Sodium metal; unstable, toxic, and flammable, and Sodium Chloride (table salt) which is tasty and nutritious.
The chromium salts used in tanning are pretty nasty, they are both corrosive and toxic.
Leather is a complex and very variable substance though. When you think "leather" equate it with "metal" and you'll see what I mean. Metals come in all sorts of hardnesses, finishes, colors etc. So it is with leather.
There is more to the issue of whether a given sheath or scabbard is safe to store a blade in though. The finishing of the leather is just as, if not more important than the original tannage. Vegetable tanned leathers are full of tannins, which are acidic, but most are curried and finished in such a way as to stabilise the leather. The same is true of some chrome tanned leathers, they are finished in a way that means they are stable and safe for contact against corrosion-prone metals like carbon steel.
Different metals react differently too. I have an old Cold Steel TrailMaster knife that lives in it's sheath. The blade is unaffected by contact with the leather but the brass guard goes all green and manky where it's touching the sheath.
--
Al.
http://wherearetheelves.net
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Shahril Dzulkifli
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