NK - rattan the basics

[Carl Chipman]

FYI (not that anyone cares) I pick up about 1 and 5/8" diameter rattan for 
my glaves.  This tend to be thick and stiff enough that I don't have 
problems with people not calling the blows, and heavy enough that I feel it 
moves kinda aproximately like the real thing would have.

Another note is "Don't fall in love with it. It will break"  Polearms and 
spears tend to last longer than swords, but they'll break or squish.

As for drying, yes you can dry them out in an oven or over a long period of 
time.  However, dry sticks tend to (in my experience) break down faster.

Finally,. just buy a peice.  It'll either work or it won't, but after that 
you'll have a better idea of what you want next time :)

Jean Paul de Sens
Drighton


Carl Chipman
Nomadics, Inc.
cchipman at nomadics.com
http://www.nomadics.com

On Wednesday, October 04, 2000 9:50 AM, Timothy Adams 
[SMTP:toadams at hotmail.com] wrote:
> >Most 9 foot sticks of rattan will run you in the 20 buck range.
> > >Handguards, or basket(hilts) will cost somewhere between the $10 and 
$25
> >range depending on quality, size and materials used.
> those numbers seem about right, but I have yet to find a basket on
> the net for less than 25 to 35.   and I have only found one site
> that offers Rattan (mandrake).
>
> >I would recommend that you pick up at least one 9 foot stick of >rattan 
and
> >a basket hilt at the next event and start experimenting >with sword
> >lengths, etc.
> I have a basket, just need to get a good piece of rattan.
> are you going to Namron this weekend???
> wantta buy me a piece of rattan?
> I of course will compensate you very well for it.
> (cash for the purchase, and a bottle of my better wine)
>
> >These days we have the delicious 7 1/2 foot unpadded glaives,
> I think evil is the proper word,  I am thinking those are going to hurt a 
> bit.
>
> >so now I look for a nice "mid" weight stick.  Rattan that is really 
skinny
> >(riding the 1 1/4 inch rule) and dry can be a really fast weapon,
> can you dry rattan??  to lighten it  or is this a how it is
> grown issue?    I can flatten the sides of a wider piece to
> lighten it if need be.  (have access to a very good sander)
>
> >but playing the glaive game (for me anyway), involves something I can
> >generate some oomph with. However, the really heavy rattan, >like the 
plus
> >2 inch stuff, is just too heavy for me, cause I need something that's 
going
> >to be used for a few hours at wars and melees so I don't want to lug 
some
> >log around with me.
> you play glaive so you want a light stick to keep it fast, this makes 
sense
> to me.   What about sticks for swords?  same thing, narrow and light 
means
> fast correct?   or do you need some weight to get the
> hit to count?
>
> >So I try and find something that is fairly straight, and has a nice 
"mid"
> >weight and comfortable thickness to it.
> sounds like I need someone with some experiance to go shopping with
> me for rattan.   Or buy my first piece.
>
> >My best advice I can honestly give you, is try out everyone's weapons at 
> >fighter practice.  That's the easiest, and cheapest way to determine 
what
> >you like before you go out and buy rattan, etc.
> yeah that is the current plan, also for shield rigging as well.
>
> >If you are at the same event with any of the Northkeep fighters, most of 
us
> >spend an inordinate amount brain capacity on checking out rattan stocks
> >that merchants have there, and most of us are more than happy to give 
our
> >opinions on which sticks of rattan
> >for sale are ok, and which ones suck.
> that is will help alot, I just need some guidance, as to what kind of 
stick
> gives you what kind of weapon.
>
> >hope this helps,
> >Alton
> This is a great help
> You are a service to your Barony Alton
> Thank you very much.
>
> Timothy
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