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David White




Location: Stanardsville VA
Joined: 23 Aug 2003

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PostPosted: Tue 13 Sep, 2005 3:15 am    Post subject: Production vs. Custom Baskethilt size pictures         Reply with quote

Here are two shots of swords in hand showing the size difference
between production baskethilt and a custom baskethilt.

The first picture is of a Cold Steel baskethilt.
If I did the measurements correctly they are as follows:
At Guard: 4 3/4" wide
At Additional Guard: 4.5"
Length of Basket: 5.5"

It is very roomy-one size fits nearly all.

dave



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David White




Location: Stanardsville VA
Joined: 23 Aug 2003

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Posts: 47

PostPosted: Tue 13 Sep, 2005 3:17 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

The second picture is of my Erik Stevenson baskethilt.
Erik took measurements of my hand so it would fit snugly.
The measurements are as follows:
At Guard: 3 3/4" wide
At Additional Guard: 3 1/2"
Length of Basket:4.5"

As you can tell from the photograph this basket fits my hand
like a glove.

dave



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J. Padgett




Location: In a comfy chair
Joined: 17 Nov 2003

Posts: 137

PostPosted: Tue 13 Sep, 2005 8:14 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Nice. If I ever decided to add some baskethilts to my collection I'll definitely go for custom simply because I'm left handed. That goes for rapiers too. Seeing a baskethilt that actually fits the hand makes the idea of having one much more attractive. Cool
"The truth shall make ye fret."
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David Black Mastro




Location: Central NJ
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PostPosted: Tue 13 Sep, 2005 11:11 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Not to mention that a too-large "one size fits all" basket-hilt adds unnecessary weight...
"Why meddle with us--you are not strong enough to break us--you know that you have won the battle and slaughtered our army--be content with your honor, and leave us alone, for by God's good will only have we escaped from this business" --unknown Spanish captain to the Chevalier Bayard, at the Battle of Ravenna, 1512
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David White




Location: Stanardsville VA
Joined: 23 Aug 2003

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Posts: 47

PostPosted: Tue 13 Sep, 2005 11:21 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Hi David-

I would agree about the weight. Also when the excess is taken out by having a basket measured for your
hand it seems to have a better balance IMHO.

dave

On Ne Passe Pas
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David Black Mastro




Location: Central NJ
Joined: 06 Sep 2005
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PostPosted: Tue 13 Sep, 2005 11:41 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

David White wrote:
Hi David-

I would agree about the weight. Also when the excess is taken out by having a basket measured for your
hand it seems to have a better balance IMHO.

dave


Hello Dave,

Yeah, that's been my experience too, with the originals I've been fortunate enough to handle (I've never had the opportunity to handle any high-end historical replicas of basket-hilts).

Best,

David

"Why meddle with us--you are not strong enough to break us--you know that you have won the battle and slaughtered our army--be content with your honor, and leave us alone, for by God's good will only have we escaped from this business" --unknown Spanish captain to the Chevalier Bayard, at the Battle of Ravenna, 1512
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Allen Johnson





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PostPosted: Tue 13 Sep, 2005 10:38 pm    Post subject:         Reply with quote

I also posted this at the 'other' place but I thought I'd submit it as well. Here's my MRL in comparison with my Eljay S Hilt. Not the best angles but its easy to see the difference.


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Thomas McDonald
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PostPosted: Thu 15 Sep, 2005 5:49 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Hi Guys

Yes, there certainly is a big difference when you go the custom route, especially if it's made to suit !

Do keep in mind though that even originals came in a variety of sizes, and some baskets were purposely made larger !
Many of the cavalry /military basket hilts of the 18th century ( production ?) tend to be larger & heavier than ones that the infantryman carried, and no doubt had some extra room in there (liners & gloves probably helped fill the voids).

Charles Whitelaw's 'Scottish Arms Makers' writes :
The horseman's form of basket-hilted sword was used in Scotland probably by yeomanry regiments as well as by other mounted men. This has a larger and heavier basket than the sword used by the infantryman, and often has an oval ring about 3 inches by 1 1/2 inches in diameter on the inner thumb side where it takes the place of the usual pierced rectangular plate.

and continues ......

Basket hilts of this period are sometimes made heavier than previously, probably owing to the custom in vogue at the beginning of the 18th century of parrying on the basket, and not on the blade, a practice condemned by Sir William Hope in his book on fencing ("Hope's New Method of Fencing, by Sir William Hope of Balcomie, Bart., Late Deputy-Governour of the Castle Edinburgh, 1714.")

Mac



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David White




Location: Stanardsville VA
Joined: 23 Aug 2003

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Posts: 47

PostPosted: Thu 15 Sep, 2005 11:54 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Hi Mac!

Thanks for the imput and information.

I've always wondered if there were size difference between standard "issue" hilts and
those that were "commissioned and custom" hilts carried by the upperclasses and elite.

dave

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