Sword Tang and False edges

Ok I'm gonna buy Anduril the sword from United Cutlery, but just to get this strait, what does it mean to have a Rat-Tail tang construction, and what is false edged? Please let me know cause I bought one sword and its tang was just a little 1 cm thick metal rod that just snaped off when I was swinging it in the air! And I was out of $40 there, Thanks

SM

(Edit: Clarity)

 

The tang is the part of the blade that extends into the hilt. I have never heard of a "rat-tail" tang, but I assume that means it tapers.

I don't know what "false edged" means, unless it refers to an non-sharpenable blade.

Seriously though, if you're going to buy a sword for more than decoration, you need to spend more than $40. Generally, anything under $200 is a display piece that was only intended for show.

 

Belive me I won't be hitting Aduril around, the other one was just a pice of crap. Anduril (its from LOTR) costs about 180-200 dollars

So what I'm sayin is, will it break if I twirl it? AND is it sharp?

here is a picture of the tang
[image=http://www.ninecompanions.net/swordproject/hilt.jpg]

 

From the Blades by Brown site, "False edged swords have a distinct edge, but the edge is dulled a few millimeters to make it less sharp."

 

If all you're going to do is swing it, I'd take a guess that you're okay. I sure wouldn't hit it against anything, or be too excited with it.

To be safe, I'd just put it on the wall and call it good. Then go buy a $100 stage combat sword and go to town with that one. But that's just me, and I may be overly cautious. Most of my swords are old an from other countries my Family and I have been to, and I have no way to replace them. That makes me a little over protective I guess.

 

"Rat-tail tang" means that the part of the blade that goes into the hilt is quite thin.
It implies that you if you hit anything hard enough with this sword, the sword breaks. It is a wall-hanger and should not be used for stage-fighting.

 

I personally have the Strider's Ranger Sword from that collection. Good for hanging on the wall, and a nice looking piece. Not for swinging/striking.

Rat-Tail tangs start out at a relatively narrow width and then taper in sharply to a very thin rod for the rest of the tang (like the tail of a rat). These are not strong enough to endure striking objects, and in some cases even swinging the piece hard and abruptly stopping it can be detrimental.

The pieces look sharp, but have not edges, hence the "false edge".

As I said, nice looking pieces...all depends on what you want it for. Look great as a decoration, or prop, but definately not a true weapon.

~Kai Rhann

 

thanks people!

 

so it won't break if I lightly swing it in the air?

 

No, swinging it lightly in the air won't break it. Not unless there is a serious, serious flaw in it. Of all the swords I've ever broken (not many) they've only broken when striking something, and striking it pretty hard.

~Kai Rhann

 

its also stainless steel not carbon or spring steel. the blade is not flexible enough to be struck as it would in battle. it would shatter.

also there is a distinct difference in craftsmanship between a sword that you drop 200 bucks on and one you drop 40 bucks on. the UC stuff is very well put together.

 

I'm a renaissance re-enactor and do a bit of stage combat / dueling myself... I'll tell you of a company that I would trust over most any other when it comes to swords. (mind you I am not advertising...I don't work for them, I am just giving advice)

blacksword.com I know has replicas of LOTR swords, armor, helms etc. All of my blades come from them, actually, including an old saber (about 33 years old) that I still fight with today, a few daggers and a set of bodice daggers...all which have never let me down. They are very reasonably priced too, but mind you, although most are combat worthy, their swords are not perfectly balanced. But I don't think that should really be a problem for your purposes, it's just an obsession of people like me *shrug*