Optimal balance point?

[Artisan]

Originally Posted by qatet

I don't know if they still exist, but fishing supply stores used to carry what looked like a matchbook full of twist-on lead strips. You would twist them around your fishing line to make it sink. These might be a good option if you need a way to add weight in there.

Lead Wool: wonderful stuff
http://www.mcmaster.com/
part # 9021K11 five pounds for $18.27 Each

You stuff it into the space available, pound down with a hammer, and it becomes solid. Wear gloves.

[MyraTrue]

Oh my... I WONDERED who had designed that style of French grip! We've got one in that armory, and threading is a pain in the neck, so its ALWAYS been a French grip epee. I've never seen the system before... thats who's to blame!

And that makes better sense about why you can't change over pommels!

[grotto]

I had this pommel for a stripped tang I just ground down the tang to fit the slot and presto, favorite epee is back in action.

[o4aversob]

I use depleted uranium in the space of my pistol grip. Say sianara to tip heavy blades!

[vraptor]

Originally Posted by o4aversob

I use depleted uranium in the space of my pistol grip. Say sianara to tip heavy blades!

While you're at it, say sayonara to your kids having the requisite number and configuration of limbs. Oh, and hello leukemia.

About the only real thing you can say about any sword is that is should balance somewhere in front of the guard. Just where this point is located will give the weapon different properties when in use. A lot also depends on your game. If you like to in-fight and mix it up at close quarters, then moving the balance point BACK makes the tip livelier and much more moveable. You can do this several ways while not necessarily making the entire weapon heavier. One way is to add some washers or a lightweight spacer just aft of the grip. This moves the pommel back and adjusts the balance point (center of mass) of the weapon. If you have good point control, you're gonna love a weapon like that.

A lot of epee fencers like the droopy tip as it makes it easier to come down on the opponent's wrist. Flickers like the droopy tip because it makes flicking easier and quicker. If you want to deliberately move the balance point forward for that reason, then shorten the handle so that the pommel moves toward the guard. It doesn't take a lot either way to affect the balance of the weapon.

Either way, what you do depends on your analysis of your own game.

[Inquartata]

Originally Posted by vraptor

While you're at it, say sayonara to your kids having the requisite number and configuration of limbs. Oh, and hello leukemia.

Actually, depleted uranium is not much of a radiation hazard. Most of the particles it emits would be blocked by clothing or even skin, much less a metal grip. As long as it is not breathed or ingested, where it poisons chemically ( like any heavy metal ) it's fairly innocuous.

Getting your hands on some might be difficult, though.

[Artisan]

Originally Posted by Inquartata

Getting your hands on some might be difficult, though.

Apparently there's plenty of it in Iraq and Bosnia - though in the form of fine dust- hard to collect. Some opine it will be as big a third world problem in the future as old land mines are today. The military assets that its harmless, some vets claim multiple health issues are due to it.

[Inquartata]

In particulate form it probably IS a hazard---it can be inhaled or ingested, get into the roots of food plants and into livestock, etc. Then it works like any heavy-metal poison. The radioactivity is still negligible, but much even negligible amounts are more dangerous from inside the body than outside.