How to measure curved blades ?
 

I know this is a recurrent question but ...
How should i measure the length of a sword (sabre) blade ... straight from point to hilt or along the curvature ?
Also, is there a term for the curvature 'sharpness', that is, the distance of a line perpendicular to a straight between both blade ends ? Something like 'sori' in Japanese swords lexicon ?
Apparently when they talk geometricaly (?) of an arch in my language this is called 'flecha' (fletch) but, would it be acceptable to call it 'depth' in english ?
Thanks for the enlightenment .

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Hi 'Nando,


Very good question :eek: ; I've often had this problem when setting up inventories for museum collections.

The same question has occurred on yahoo, and this was chosen as the best answer:
'Measure along the curve. Police will take any vagueness in the law to their advantage and will make the measurement as long as possible, so go with worst case.'


Best,
Michael

I have spotted that one too, Michl ;) .
But the approach in it is that of being prepared to face the law with a knife in your pocket and not one of swords tech. definitions.
Perhaps the answer resides elsewhere :o .

Hi Fernando,

you should messure in a straight line from point to cross(hilt) or extension of the cross so that you have a 90 degree angle there.

Fe a flamberge blade will be very long if you messure along the edge :)

best,

Hi Jasper,


I do not think that Fernando meant the slightly wavy edges of a Flamberg when he was talking about curved blades.

What I always did: I measured them both ways and mentioned the fact in the inventory.


Best,
Michael

flamberge ? of course not, this was my (Dutch) Joke.
please see

http://japaneseswordindex.com/measure.htm

The Nagasa is the length of the blade, measured in a straight line with a 90 degree angle at the cross.
The same method is done for European curved blades.
the sori length in Europe is called THE BOW.
also the postition of the max BOW is important to describe the curve.

hope all clear.
Jasper

You were faster than me, Jasper; i was gonna call it Dutch humour ;)

Thank you for that; BOW it will be :) .
Soon i will post my sabre with a parabolic blade; i am trying to improve the pictures. I know it is 'too modern' for you (and Michl), but I will be delighted if you have a look to such bizarre specimen :o

... and here it is:

LINK

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