Ok people I have a problem. I've been a sword enthusiast for a very long time and have gotten to know the odd bit or two. Now a friend of mine is slowly getting into it and is now coming to me for assistance. No problem there at all.

Okay, he hates baskethilts and I love Schiavonnas.... minor conflict but nothing major.

Well, yesterday we got onto the topic of swords again and I asked him why he hated baskethilts so much. His answer was that he simply found them ugly as hell. I, being ever the optimist started showing him pictures of several antique baskethilt swords which are absolutley in beautifull condition.

His response? "Well, I guess they're okay. I'd just cut off that fugly basket with a hacksaw and they'd be fine. Might have to stick some of the leftover bits in a grinder though."

I damn near had a HEART ATTACK! (I started hyper ventilating actually.) For the rest of the evening I had the picture of these 400-300 year old sword being stuck into a grinder and being mutilated. This was the point at where I was now rocking back and forth on my ass bones while he continued to talk about blade mutilation.

We're still friends buuuut...... have any of you had a similar problem? And if so how did you convince your dumbass friend not to stick a sword into a grinder? :confused:

lol :lol:
your relationship with your friend sounds exactly like my relationship with my best friend.
Hopefully you don't have to put up with being called "silly Joel" every time you voice such an opinion though.
I suppose you could just smack him upside the head and ask what the hell is the matter with him. That is what i have done on occasion. :lol: good luck

Well this only illustrates that your pal is to immature to appreciate baskethilts. I'd just ignore the guy and not give him the pleasure of winding me up. Discuss your interests with someone who treats you with more respect.

Is your friend's interest aesthetic or functional? Personally, I used to find Scottish basket hilts extremely ugly but having held a few they are now my preferred single hander. If he cares about weapons as weapons and you can get him to the blade show, Vince Evans' table will solve your problems.

I think you're over reacting.

If he does not like basket hilts, don't try to force them on him.

Maybe you should spend some time trying to find out what HE likes and helping HIM explore HIS preferences instead of merely exploring your preferences with him? Or does he have to like everything you like to be your friend?

Good point Joe F.

Learn from one another and grow in your knowledge & friendship.



William
aka Bill

The answer is simple: Get him to take up WMA! Enough raps on the hand will make him see the error of his ways, and make him fly to more perfect weapons! ;)

*glances at Max, leans close, and makes grinder noises...*

BZZZZZZRRRRRRRROOWRRRR!

hehe...

Perhaps he is having some fun at your expense. If I was in his shoes and noticed you getting as worked up as you describe it would be hard to resist temptation.

Then again if its a reproduction and he buys it who cares?

If its an antique I can see getting upset. But is he really likely to spend a significant amount of money to buy a real baskethilt then destroy it? He could save himself time by burning or eating his money.

Are you calling me an attention whore?

And yes, he DOES have the means. And YES the guy is serious. I've known him for sixteen years now and we've been through thick and thin. I know when he's kidding and when not.

..... I think I'll borrow his dremel for a while, just in case.

Imagine if you brought this guy to Vince Evans table at some knifeshow and he bought a few. Next day he'd invite you over and just to see the look on your face grind them to pieces before your eyes. I think your pal watches too much MTV.

Then you could show him your new torture rack...

People: chill out and talk about something of substance.

Mea Culpa, Nathan. Sorry.