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Knives

G30

I'm Pretty Popular
12/1/11
2,785
3
0
Here it is... The only thing holding me up is the price tag.

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[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]The Augustus
Limited Edition Roman Gladius

(Mainz style II)
[/FONT]The Mainz type gladius is an iconic Roman sword. This is the sword famously used by Roman soldiers in the early Imperial period. Our Augustus Mainz is a typical example of the classic subtype, with its broad base, gently waisted profile and long strong point. It saw use in the period from about 25 BC (or slightly earlier) to around 50 AD.
The Roman Legions were renowned for the brutal fighting spirit of individual soldiers as well as the discipline and organization of the army units. Romans were ever keen on adapting successful ideas and tactics of their enemies. Over the centuries the arms and armor of the Roman armies changed as tactics evolved and were refined. After experiences in the Punic wars, where the Romans were impressed with Iberian warriors who used a medium length La Téne II sword (a weapon that survived in active use in the northern part of Spain long after Celtic warriors in other parts of Europe were favoring longer blades), Roman troops started using a sword they named the "gladius Hispaniensis". Over time this sword became shorter and broader into the sword we know recognize as the Mainz type, (with its various sub types) and later culminated in the pragmatic and eminently practical"Pompeii" style stabbing sword.

The change of the longer Gladius Hispaniensis into the Mainz pattern is possibly as an adjustment for more efficient use in the Republican Legions and their specialized tactics. Rather than fighting as individual warriors (like the Continental Celts or warriors of the Germanic tribes) the Roman legions used a way of fighting where a relatively open formation allowed individual fighters room to effectively use their swords, while still benefiting from the support from comrades on each side. This tactic made good use of the ferocious fighting spirit of the individual legionnaires as well as the discipline of a highly trained army.

An enemy was initially met with a volley of javelins, dealing pain, panic and death to the front ranks, testing their resolve and possibly slowing the advance. While the enemy was reeling from this first blow, the broad and short sword could be put to effective use in close quarter fighting that diminished the efficiency of the longer blades often favored by Celtic and Germanic warriors.

The Greek historian Dionysus of Halicarnassus (contemporary to Emperor Augustus 63 BC-14 AD) describes Roman tactics with swords against the Gauls in the 4th C BC. Dionysus describes events that is some 300 years earlier than his own times, but we might perhaps presume that the fighting techniques he describes were not anachronistic to his own period. The longer Gladius Hispaniensis was still in use by Romans in Dionysus time, but gradually gave way to the shorter Mainz type gladius. They were both effective cutting swords, even if thrusting was a favored tactic in close formations.
"...Holding their sword straight out, they would strike their opponents in the groin, pierce their sides, and drive their blows through their breasts into their vitals. And if they saw any of them keeping these parts of the body protected, they would cut the tendons of their knees or ankles and topple them to the ground roaring and biting their shields and uttering cries resembling the howling of wild beasts…"
From the quote we can clearly see how the cut was accepted as a perfectly viable method to dispatch an opponent, if the thrust did not prove effective. Vegetius describes how recruits are trained using wooden swords against stout posts, as though attacking different parts of the opponents body. A crippling cut against the backside of the leg was included in these techniques.
The wide blade and long point of the Mainz pattern is a clever combination of qualities, allowing both to be strongly established in the design. The wide blade together with the long point section results in an effective distribution of mass, allowing powerful cuts as well as lightning fast and precise thrusts. The hilt works perfectly together with the blade. The facetted grip provides a clear indication of the direction of the edge and a reliable hold. Pommel and guard adds an ergonomic quality, providing both secure purchase and good control. In the thick of a fight when adrenalin surges though the veins and stress levels are sky high, a design like this helps a fighter retain a good awareness of the sword.
The hilt of our Augustus is crafted completely out of walnut. When bone was not used for the grip, a uniform use of wood like this would have been the norm. Pommel and guard locks on to the grip through lugs on the grip. This is a design that can be seen on surviving Roman hilts. It results in a very robust construction.

The inlet guard plate and rivet button are bronze. The wood is treated by soaking in linseed oil for 24 hours, and then set aside for hardening over 48 hours. This seals the wood against moisture and hardens the surface somewhat. After polish it shows a deep luster that reveals the grain and color of the wood.

A Limited Edition Hand Crafted Collectible Sword
This sword is offered in a limited edition of only 500 collectible swords worldwide.

Specifications
Overall length: 27.625" (70 cm)
Blade length: 20.25" (51.75 cm)
Blade width: 2.625" (6.67 cm)
CoP: n/a
CoB: 4" (10 cm)
Weight: 1 lb 13 oz (810 grams)



The Augustus (Mainz Gladius II)... $700


http://www.albion-swords.com/





 

ThinkBachs

Mythical Poster
DO NOT TRADE WITH ME
9/2/09
8,915
84
48
More fun with newspaper...

[AME]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNFL4weTFZY&feature=related[/AME]

It's so cute! Might be effective on somebodies eyeball, maybe... if they were sleeping. :p
 

P4GTR

Banned member, the goat does not approve
Banned
9/9/07
3,460
3
0
It is what it is my friend. It's honorable that you're accepting your responsibilities as a new Dad and you do already own an original Lum tanto.

Then again, you're first baby is deserving of something celebratory... a new knife perhaps?? ;)

When Sal personally sees to it that one is set aside for you during a sprint run, then lobs $60 off the price.. You do what you have to do!

C46GPGY Spyderco Lum Tanto Sprint run (800 pcs), VG-10 blade, light gray G10 scales over skeletonized liners.

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G30

I'm Pretty Popular
12/1/11
2,785
3
0
Outstanding!! How exactly did you get Sal Glesser to reserve you that sprint run AND "lob $60 off"???
 

P4GTR

Banned member, the goat does not approve
Banned
9/9/07
3,460
3
0
Outstanding!! How exactly did you get Sal Glesser to reserve you that sprint run AND "lob $60 off"???

Awesome eh!? I emailed him, thanked him for finally doing the sprint run like i've been bugging him about for the past many years.. then complained that he did it when my wife was 9mo. pregnant and now its sold out and I couldn't afford it even if it wasn't! He put one aside at a discount for me. I was already a customer for life, this just solidifies it. :)
 

G30

I'm Pretty Popular
12/1/11
2,785
3
0
Thumb dagger/neck knife similar to what was used by the OSS during WWII.

Designed by Jeff Knox and produced by Tops Knives.

15641125-e71


O/A Length: 4 1/2"
Blade Length: 2 7/16"
Thickness: 1/4"
Steel: 1095 high carb.
Handle: Skeleton
Blade Color: Tactical Gray
Sheath: Kydex Neck Sheath
Designed by: Jeff Knox
Weight W/O Sheath: 2.6oz
Weight W/Sheath: 3.5oz
 

P4GTR

Banned member, the goat does not approve
Banned
9/9/07
3,460
3
0
Damn G, they just keep on coming!
 

G30

I'm Pretty Popular
12/1/11
2,785
3
0
As I said at the very beginning, I got a lotta' knives... ;)
 

G30

I'm Pretty Popular
12/1/11
2,785
3
0
Polymer/glass resin knives...

Yes, the knife isn't made of metal, therefore it's impervious to electromagnetic induction (metal detectors). Thought these were cool so I bought two. Relatively strong, extremely light and surprisingly sharp. Supposedly this is the model used by the Bulgarian Secret Police...

15680710-498


Pictured with my iPhone for a size comparison...

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Edited to keep this out of the Looney Bin. ;)
 

jfazioli

Getting To Know The Place
10/9/10
73
0
0
This is my go-to... Razor sharp and super, super light...

Not my photo, btw...


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Anopsis

I'm Pretty Popular
5/8/09
2,899
1
38
Took a pic of my letter opener and a poly/fiber neck knife. Placed my MOD auto next to them for fun.


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Sent from my Galaxy Tab 10.1 using Tapatalk
 

jiddy

Renowned Member
15/4/10
983
1
18
Got a few knives myself, used most of them during hunts even though some are more aimed at something else...

Not got em right here since I'm away for the weekend but a few Benchmade, fällkniven etc.

But I do have my daily shaving knife with me, a Thiers-Issard 6/8 blade sheffield steel, sharp as f#©k.

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Sent from my awesome Galaxy S2
 

MrYesterday

I'm Pretty Popular
3/12/10
2,360
12
38
Itinerant
These 2 have followed me around since Iraq. The small one use to hook to my molle gear, and was use to cut the zip cuffs, the larger was my SHTF knife... still serves that purpose today, along with being my letter opener. lol
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G30

I'm Pretty Popular
12/1/11
2,785
3
0
Took a pic of my letter opener and a poly/fiber neck knife. Placed my MOD auto next to them for fun.


8851e355.jpg



Sent from my Galaxy Tab 10.1 using Tapatalk

Cool! I've got about a half dozen of those little push knives...

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G30

I'm Pretty Popular
12/1/11
2,785
3
0
Actually, it's probably a great EDC philly.

You and I need to go shoot and drink beer my friend. In that order, of course. ;)