Belegarth

So in the time i've battled with my group i went through so many weapons that i cant decide my favorite type until now. I love the short spear, I love the sword(sometimes short sword). Thats when i came across pics of the Naginata Sword. short spear length but also can be handled like a sword. Materials is not an issue i have access to many types of materials but i need help really from all you experience builders and warriors as to what is the best solution to create this weapon.

http://www.kaswords.com/browseproducts/Handmade-Japanese-Infantry-Battle-Worn-Naginata.HTML

hopefully the link works but thats the cleanest pic i could find to describe the Naginata Sword. All comments will be taken into consideration.

Also this Weapon is to be my main weapon. so i want to get this perfect.

The only way I can see emulating that is making a small glaive.

this prob should be in the Foam Smithing forum.

anywho, i have had some fun with a weapon like this, mine was a 72" glave that was half blade. fun little thing. it was on band shop and was built for a red so it was fairly hefty.



i had origionaly split the handle from right below the blade, incidental in the middle and then some more handle right before the pommel

O--====--IIIIIIIIIIII

but at chaos 14 they failed it for being unsafe. cant have handle below the blade. i am re building it when i get back to the states, streamlining it and putting a counter weight in the back.

hope that helps'

ps sorry for the **** pic, it was taken at night in kuwait....stupid sand

Yeah i just realized i didnt put this in the foam smithing. pic does help(food for thought) my main goal is to creat a long handled sword in a way with a blade to match. I wish not for a heavy weapon but for as little of bending as much as possible and to be light. that is my goal. Hope things are well in Kuwait i envy you for being able to spar there. here in Okinawa, Japan. well just say marines here just dont give a d*** pretty much sh***y for me. so instead i take advantage of the dojo's that the locals provide with for their martial arts. In the Dojo is where i started thinking of the idea using the Naginata. then my sensei gave me an opportunity to practice with one. that is why i wish to make this weapon.

The problem with a "long handles sword with an equal length blade" is that it'd be difficult to do legally. I'd say go with as close to a min glaive as you are comfortable, and don't forget you can choke up on haft padding.

Build a Min. glaive with only blade on one side. Listen to Vaelun.

Driger, you'll need to say how long (aprox) that you want your weapon to end up being. A naginata was traditionally a polearm; effectively a sword on a stick. So the build will end up being different based on whether you want a blue, a min. red, or a full sized red.

(Also I'll message Galya about moving the thread.)

Keep in mind, that traditional Naginata were around 9 ft. 3 ft blade, 6 ft handle/shaft. This would pretty much be a glaive. The more modern ones tend to be a bit shorter. Now to hand it off to people who know less of Japanese history, and more on foamsmithing.

Make it like a lot of skirmishing glaives. 2' handle, 2' haft padding, 2' blade.

Caleidah wrote:Make it like a lot of skirmishing glaives. 2' handle, 2' haft padding, 2' blade.

This.

Or 2' handle, 1' haft, 3' blade. Or 2' handle, 1.5' haft, 2.5' blade.

Also, the weapon you're probably thinking of is not a traditional Naginata, but instead a Nagamaki. (or Japanese pole-sword)

The Nagamaki sounds more like what im looking for. i trained with the Naginata was what my teacher trained me with but i i always loved swords and the Naginata was a little like what i wanted i never learned te name of Nagamaki. i researched and failed at finding the name so thank you for the help on that. but yes the Nagamaki is exactly what im looking for a sword with a long handle to summarize it pretty much.

Stop being hung up on the exact Jaanese name for what youwant and READ what these kind folks are saying.
the weapon you want, a 4-4.5foot weapon that is about 1/3 blade and 2/3 handle and haft padding is perfectly legal in this game and we call it a GLAIVE. so asking about and looking for information about how to make a 50" glaive will get you all the infomation you need.
We do not use the exact name for any real weapon. there are limits to the details one can work into a foam weapon, making them pretty much all the same, the only variables being overall length, handle length and haft padding legnth(if needed).
it's basicly like this:

( )---(blade))))) =sword
( )--------======(blade)))) =glaive.
Got it?
FB

Fork has a perfect point I've been building weapons for at least 8 years now and is all the same it the best thing to do is find someone in your area explain what you want and see if they'll help you likewise find someone online working to build it and hope for the best

I understand now. i was hung up over the name because i felt like i wasnt explaining myself on what i wanted. until black Cat threw the name of the weapon i really wanted out. Thats the only reason why. i understand the whole glaive. i just never made one before. like what type of Core what type of foam to use for it.

If money is a issue pvc 3/4 inch should work i think the gray colored one just don't expect it to last to long I'd recommend a band shop pole or maybe a 3/4 inch thick fiberglass rod I've been meaning to try that out and see if it works use blue foam that's a given unless you can get something better look around on the boards there's plenty of ways to get materials for a good price and there basic tutorials on the bele wiki page whatever it's called I'll look and provide a link for you but whatever you do don't use spray glue that **** breaks down way to fast

Here it is i agree with the page start with a single blue and work your way up to the glaive or whatever you call it it can be dangerous and if i can remember you're in the corps of so semper fi brother http://geddon.org/Constructing_a_Glaive

Semper FI. that correct. and no money ain't an issue so buying the best supplies to make my armory last is my priority. i've had my share of epic failures with PVC. not that best idea fiberglass has been a personel fave but like i said before ive never made anything like a glaive. so itll be new and im just asking advice for average measurements and what not and so far y'all been great help and i think i should start constructing it soon once i buy the materials.

If you want the best materials pm barley on here. He makes the best blade foam and will most likely know where you can get the solid fiberglass core you need.
FB

I appreciate the help from all of you and thanks FB i will.

I know mcmaster-carr has fiberglass rods and tubes here's the link http://www.mcmaster.com/#fiberglass-rods/=fqy51k they also have eva foam decently priced but i agree with fork message the other guy first on the foam