longswords, buying or making UK

Subject: RE: longswords, buying or making UK
From: gnomad
Date: 13 Jan 12 - 06:48 AM

All the longsword teams I have known but one use metal swords, for which a sword-maker such as detailed above would be appropriate, however they were all adult teams, and what suits adults may well be unsuitable for children of primary school age.

Wooden swords were used only for the Flamborough dance, but for your purposes would certainly seem to be the way to go for reasons of safety, handle-ability, and economy. They would, I am sure, be perfectly satisfactory for other dances than Flamborough, if slightly inauthentic.

The wooden swords with which I have danced were only swords in the simplest of senses. Laths would have been a closer description, with the simplest of grips fashioned by shaping one end, no hilt or guard, rounded tip. Even the most basic woodworking skills would be enough for you to make your own. (Sudden idea on the side; have you a craft department which might make a few as a project?) Making your own would mean that any (probable with children?) breakages could be replaced without too much bother/cost.

I would estimate that ours were a 3' length of a lath 2"x0.25", but these would almost certainly be too long and too heavy for your children to handle, I would suggest starting at say 32" long, and 1.5" wide, and being prepared to shorten more if necessary. All corners will need a good sanding to avoid possible splinters, and I would suggest a light oiling rather than any form of lacquer/varnish.

As ideal material a timber such as ash would be good, but decent-quality red deal or similar would do. Maybe start with some unshaped pine from your local DIY supply, get the dimensions right for your particular size of child, then do a proper job with hardwood. Whatever wood is chosen it should be knot-free, not given to excessive splintering, and non-toxic; a decent hardwood supplier should be able to advise.

Subject: RE: longswords, buying or making UK
From: GUEST,Frank Lee
Date: 13 Jan 12 - 06:22 AM

I'm busy with a set of wooden longswords for a school near Bristol right now. I use beech, linseed oiled, and it does the job fine. Ash is good too if you can get it with sufficiently straight grain.

Subject: RE: longswords, buying or making UK
From: Dead Horse
Date: 13 Jan 12 - 05:27 AM

We used to have a full set of ash swords but it only takes one fool to step on one while doing an Over-your-neighbours for your set to be one short!!! That can prove expensive over time.
Plywood can make a suitable alternative, but steel will last a life time.
I remember being at CSH at the same time as Grenoside and them being extremely proud of their old original set.
I tut tutted and boasted that ours were NEW :-)

Subject: RE: longswords, buying or making UK
From: selby
Date: 12 Jan 12 - 02:32 PM

you can get from DIY shops strips of wood for decoration and finishing, at a local store (no longer there I am afraid) there was some wood that was ideal for school longswords and the owner gave us some discount for school. I have seen a similar display at homebase, but not looked at it as we have some, it may be worth a look and a talk to the manager.
Keith

Subject: RE: longswords, buying or making UK
From: Mo the caller
Date: 12 Jan 12 - 02:14 PM

Sorry. I did look but the only sword pictured for sale is a steel rapper, not a wooden longsword. I'll pass the email addresses to the teacher who asked about them.
I'm not talking about swords with hilts, I think you'd have problems getting the 'wasters' to lock together. And I assume dancers longswords need a certain degree of flexibily.

Subject: RE: longswords, buying or making UK
From: Manitas_at_home
Date: 12 Jan 12 - 01:40 PM

Mo, please look at the link I gave you. The site clearly states that Frank has been a maker of longswords for over 30 years. The site is therefore pertinent to your search. If you can't be bothered to look don't blame me for giving you irrelevant information - it is relevant.

Subject: RE: longswords, buying or making UK
From: Rapparee
Date: 12 Jan 12 - 09:13 AM

You can get "wasters" from several sources. These are wooden swords used for practice by folks who were born 600 years too late. One source in the UK is the Knight's Shop. A little paint and you could fool the boys.

Subject: RE: longswords, buying or making UK
From: Mo the caller
Date: 12 Jan 12 - 08:56 AM

Thanks Paul. It was English Longswords (wooden for use by a primary school) that I was thinking of. I should have been clearer.
Nigel and Manitas have linked to Scottish and Rapper swords.
John, are you suggesting that we will dance so fast that are swords will turn to dust and damage our lungs? :)
Someone suggested using metre rulers, would that work, do you think. (mind you, 'ruler dancing' might not attract the boys the way 'sword dancing' would)

Subject: RE: longswords, buying or making UK
From: Mr Happy
Date: 12 Jan 12 - 08:50 AM

Tee- hee!

Subject: RE: longswords, buying or making UK
From: Geoff the Duck
Date: 12 Jan 12 - 08:37 AM

NO! Long Swords not Long Words...
Quack!
GtD

Subject: RE: longswords, buying or making UK
From: Mr Happy
Date: 12 Jan 12 - 06:48 AM

Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis!

Subject: RE: longswords, buying or making UK
From: Manitas_at_home
Date: 11 Jan 12 - 04:03 PM

Rapper swords are indeed different but Frank has also been making longswords for 30 years so may be able to quote for a set.

Subject: RE: longswords, buying or making UK
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 11 Jan 12 - 02:51 PM

Manitas is right but the type of steel matters too.

Subject: RE: longswords, buying or making UK
From: Paul Davenport
Date: 11 Jan 12 - 01:58 PM

The most usual wood for a wooden longsword is ash. Hazel will work too.
try contacting the Sword Dance Union.

www.sworddance.co.uk

Subject: RE: longswords, buying or making UK
From: Tootler
Date: 11 Jan 12 - 12:17 PM

Rapper swords are different from longsword. The rapper sword is flexible and has a handle at each end, where the longsword is more rigid and has a handle at one end only.

The dances are different as well.

Subject: RE: longswords, buying or making UK
From: Manitas_at_home
Date: 11 Jan 12 - 11:59 AM

The majority of longswords used in English dances would be steel although a couple of traditional teams did use wood. EFDSS ought to be able to help find a supplier but here's one to be getting on with

http://www.rapper-swords.co.uk/

Subject: RE: longswords, buying or making UK
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 11 Jan 12 - 10:34 AM

There are several different types, even assuming you are talking about longsword morris, rather than any other type of dance involving swords.   If you contact Bishop Gundulf's Morris they should be able to to tell you.   They have tried several types including for "biggest lock" record attempts.

Subject: RE: longswords, buying or making UK
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 11 Jan 12 - 09:31 AM

It seems that this may be the place to start.

Picked up from a discussion at Dance.Net

Cheers

Nigel

Subject: longswords, buying or making UK
From: Mo the caller
Date: 11 Jan 12 - 09:16 AM

Any bright ideas what sort of wood they are made of. Or where you could get a set - the EFDSS only has a book about the dances.