Singing Swords

celtan · 31st January 2011, 07:37 AM

Yesterday, I was cleaning a group of blades which I kept close-by, stored vertically within a bucket. When I removed one, I was surprised to hear this very pleasant melodous tone, that lasted about 3-4 seconds.

The blade was a sword bayonet, yataghan shaped, a Swedish m/1867 to be more exact. It, and to a lessser degree, a similar yet longer Danish m/1859, very nicely rang whenever their blades were lightly beaten....

Most other blades simply respond with a dull, short-lived clang. Now, these two scandinavian blades sounded _remarkably_ different.

Prince Valiant and the legend of the Singing Sword inmediately came to mind...

: )

Battara · 2nd February 2011, 07:06 PM

I have a Philippine Mandaya short sword that also sings nicely...........

kronckew · 3rd February 2011, 01:03 AM

i have a moro kris that 'sings' when it is removed from it's wooden home.
my italian artillery sword also sings as it's unscabbarded.

there is a video on youtube by a somewhat eccentric englishman who insists swords do not sing. he is wrong.

Youtube re: Drawing a sword.

fearn · 3rd February 2011, 06:28 AM

My fencing saber originally rang like a bell. First time I blocked with it, all action in the studio stopped, it was so loud. Just like a tuning fork.

Fun stuff!

F

Pukka Bundook · 3rd February 2011, 03:37 PM

Fearn,

You say your fencing saber Originally rang like a bell. Has it stopped singing now?

Re. Swedish and Danish steel, I have an old Swedish gun barrel, messed about with and useless, but it rings like a glass wind-chime!

Richard.

31st January 2011, 07:37 AM	#1
celtan Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: PR, USA Posts: 679	Singing Swords Yesterday, I was cleaning a group of blades which I kept close-by, stored vertically within a bucket. When I removed one, I was surprised to hear this very pleasant melodous tone, that lasted about 3-4 seconds. The blade was a sword bayonet, yataghan shaped, a Swedish m/1867 to be more exact. It, and to a lessser degree, a similar yet longer Danish m/1859, very nicely rang whenever their blades were lightly beaten.... Most other blades simply respond with a dull, short-lived clang. Now, these two scandinavian blades sounded _remarkably_ different. Prince Valiant and the legend of the Singing Sword inmediately came to mind... : )

2nd February 2011, 07:06 PM	#2
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,220	I have a Philippine Mandaya short sword that also sings nicely...........

3rd February 2011, 01:03 AM	#3
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,183	i have a moro kris that 'sings' when it is removed from it's wooden home. my italian artillery sword also sings as it's unscabbarded. there is a video on youtube by a somewhat eccentric englishman who insists swords do not sing. he is wrong. Youtube re: Drawing a sword.

3rd February 2011, 06:28 AM	#4
fearn Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,247	My fencing saber originally rang like a bell. First time I blocked with it, all action in the studio stopped, it was so loud. Just like a tuning fork. Fun stuff! F

3rd February 2011, 03:37 PM	#5
Pukka Bundook Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 803	Fearn, You say your fencing saber Originally rang like a bell. Has it stopped singing now? Re. Swedish and Danish steel, I have an old Swedish gun barrel, messed about with and useless, but it rings like a glass wind-chime! Richard.