[Hector A.]

I have been very intrigued with Peter Johnsson's findings on sword harmonics.











I can attest that my own Alexandria and Cluny have the exact same harmonics present and I have a Munich on order that I would be intrigued to test and see if the harmonics follow those of the Bayerische museum sword that we all find so beautiful.

I have several questions and requests from Peter if he can find the time to answer them on the forum, I believe they will benefit a great deal of people here.

The first would be more pictures like the above, especially for swords in the Museum line, like the Brescia Spadona, the Svante etc... Failing to have pictures then average stats for there pivot points and vibration nodes.

Second would be how he views these different things interact with one another within a swords function.

And third of a more personal nature, if the Albion Munich which the blade is millimeters within the originals has indeed the same balance, pivot points and vibration nodes as the Bayerische Museum original. Which would be intriguing to see what influence a different pommel and guard design have on the exact same blade.

Further i call all fellow foromites to measure there own Albion's and post said stats here for the benefit of all.

[Peter Johnsson]

Hector, thank you for kind words.
I am glad you find this stuff useful and interesting.

I publish details on dynamic properties from time to time, but it is not possible for me to serve everything on one plate so to say.

There is hope however. This year I am involved in organising an exhibition at the Deutsches Klingenmuseum:
"The Sword: Form and Thought"
There will be a catalogue published together with the exhibition that will present all swords that are on display.

My intention as curator and art director for the exhibition is to make available a nice set of data for each sword: measurements, dynamic properties and an analysis of proportions to show if there may be a structure or system underlying the design.
All swords will be presented with photos and drawings to give a good idea of their form and character.

I think this is the kind of work you are interested in?

The exhibition will open in September 2015 and the catalogue will be available at that time.

[Mark T]

Hi Peter,

Thanks for this information - I've been curious to see where these ideas have taken you in the meantime!

If you happen to remember, if you could post a link here for where to order the catalog when it's ready, I'm sure many of us would be interested.

[J.D. Crawford]

[Peter Johnsson]

There is a Facebook page for the exhibition, where new info on the various projects that will combine into the final exhibition will be presented:

https://www.facebook.com/SwordExhibition

Some 40+ swords will be displayed, mostly focusing on the medieval and early renaissance period. The swords come from the collection of the Deutshces Klingenmuseum, but many important swords are also loaned from other museums and from generous private collectors.
All the swords that are to be displayed in the exhibition will be published in the catalogue with photographs and clear line drawings, to present their form and character in a rich and unambiguous manner.
Together with the images, measurements and details about dynamic properties will be noted.
Our ambition is to provide a basis of understanding of the sword with a perspective from many points of view.

I am very happy that we have been given permission to illustrate the role and importance of the sword in medieval society by the use of high quality reproduction prints and close up photos of period art work.

The making, function, design and use of the sword will be shown through analysis of all the swords included in the exhibit. Several original edition fight manuals that are in the museum´s collection will be on display.

Four contemporary sword makers (me included) are invited to create original work on a shared theme: four new swords will be made to express the idea of the sword as an object of "penetrating light" from the ancient Greek word "Xiphos". These timeless new creations will be exhibited in a special section alongside with photos of the work and the artist´s own sketches and notes, to show the craft and design but also to highlight the creative, artistic aspect of the work that goes into the making of a sword.

For me, this project is a dream come true.
I hope that many Forumites will be able to make the trip to Solingen to see the exhibit.
In October there will be an international seminar on the Sword. The papers of this seminar will also be published as a second part of the catalogue, to provide a range of contemporary scholarly work in the field of Spathology.

[Hector A.]

[Peter Johnsson]

Hector, I understand your thirst for knowledge.

In regards to the Brescia and the Munich, I can say that they are indeed very close to the original swords. That is the whole idea with the work I do for Albion. The NG Munich sword is not an exact reproduction of the original in the Bayerisches Nationalmuseum, but the differences are of an aesthetic nature. In handling and function it is very close to the original sword.

I cannot show a graphical representation of the dynamics at this time.

My work for Albion is indeed under copyright, but that is not always a guarantee it will not be copied and plagiarised.
This kind of detailed data on the dynamics of original swords that you ask for is as a rule only available if you take the trouble to document originals yourself. It is powerful information for a sword maker, in that you can take it and design a new sword that feature the exact same dynamics, even if it looks different.You will then have a sword with authentic and functional dynamic properties, instead of a sword that is based on conjecture and preconception.

I have learned that I must be careful with what I share and I hope you understand.

[J.D. Crawford]

Edit: since Peter started another thread on the Solingen exhibition, I will am moving my original post post to the more appropriate thread.

[Hector A.]

[Peter Johnsson]

[Mike Ruhala]

Like most Western swords longswords were used with a variety of grips depending on circumstance. One of those grips is the so-called "saber grip" which does indeed put your dominant hand some distance from the guard.

I find the subject of harmonics very interesting but at the same time I wonder how much practical effect it really has when you consider all the different gripping techniques that will be used, some even move one or both hands off the grip and onto the pommel or blade. As well cleaving cuts are only 1 of 3 chief methods of attack with the blade and the entire sword has to be considered from a tactical perspective as well since ultimately it is meant to fight. Hilt configuration has a clear and immediate impact on a sword's value as does blade shape. The effects of mass distribution on dynamic handling are readily felt as well and I know this is tied to harmonics but I'm fuzzy on whether this is where most of the harmonics fine tuning comes from or if it's got a bit more to do with geometry.

[Hector A.]