What On Earth Pt. 2

[katana]

Originally Posted by fearn

Wanna bet that the pommel is lead? That weight is high for steel.

Hi Fearn,
working from the dimensions given....and scaling the hilt so as to be able to get the dimensions of the grip and pommel...I have roughly deduced this ...

The hilt is approx 30cms long, therefore the blade is 100cms (1m). Density of steel is 7.8grams per cubic centimetre.

Blade 100cms x 6cms x 0.6cms ( 1/4") should be approx 6.2 lbs. (as the edges taper it would be less than this, so probably nearer 4 lbs would be more accurate)

If the blade was slightly thicker (at the mid rib )

100 X 6 x 0.8 (1/3 ") the weight should be approx 8.2 lbs again due to blade taper to the edge would mean 5 lbs or slightly less would be more accurate.

The hilt is approx 30 cms long, handle section 24 cms the pommel 6cms diameter. The volume of the hilt is approx. 328 cms cubed.

If solid steel it should weigh 5.5lbs (which would include the tang as it would be the 'same' material)

If solid lead it should weigh 8.2 lbs (because it would not be 'solid' lead because some of the volume would be taken by the tang which would be the lighter density steel/iron......lead is 11.4 grams per cm cubed....so would be less than 8.2 lbs dependant on the size of the tang)

So....if the blade is around 1/4" thick at the midrib.... the hilt would have to weigh around 8 lbs

if the blade is 8mm thick at the mid rib, the hilt should weigh around 7lbs


So if a betting man.....its a sure fire bet that the hilt is completely or substantially composed of lead.

Have Chinese swords ever used lead for hilts, if not, Africa (possibly) could be the source... as I have seen a 'status' sword with a lead hilt.

All the best
David