How would you go about designing a folding sword?

hank_rearden

hank_rearden

Joined
Jun 7, 2002
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for a rapier-type weapon, a slim locking folder or balisong-type set-up might work (if overall length isn't too great, say 24 inches?), or a telescoping design with a metal tube 20 inches long, concealing an 18-inch blade that will extend out and lock.

what about a two-handed cutting sword? would a heavy duty folding mechanism work? let's say a titanium-lined carbon fiber handle 22 inches long, with at least a 3/8 inch diameter pivot rod, an out-sized tri-ad lock or a sturdy liner lock. i've a feeling that with a cutting sword, the most critical part would be the stop pin, to resist over-extension.

care to pitch in?
 
How fast does it need to unfold?
Would you have time to stick and screw things together like in a segmented Billard stick for example or something faster?
 
i would think speed is not important but reliability is. i mean, sword fights (based on accounts) are either wrapped in ceremony with both fighters having the luxury of preparation, or in a battlefield situation wherein you can hold back before drawing and plunging in. but driving in pins and screwing parts together could cause problems.
 
hank_rearden said:
concealability, ease of transport, storage, any advantage it might give you.
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IMO, any long bladed weapon that's not fabricated from one, solid full-tang piece of steel would have SERIOUS joint strength issues. Think 10 dollar hollow-handled survival knife...only longer.

Nope, sorry dude...BAD idea imo.
 
Paul_Atreides said:
IMO, any long bladed weapon that's not fabricated from one, solid full-tang piece of steel would have SERIOUS joint strength issues. Think 10 dollar hollow-handled survival knife...only longer.

Nope, sorry dude...BAD idea imo.
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I have to agree, there's always been a huge demand in the sword community for reliability. I can think of one well known maker who has lately been getting a lot of heat for what is considered by many to be inferior tang construction- building something that can't take the stress can make a break an entire company, much less a sword. That being said, if this was a prop, or for you personally as an experiment, just something to play with, you could try to emulate an OTF knife/ Assassin's Creed Wristblade (it'd be short, bladed at whatever you want to maybe a max of 18 inches), you could try to figure out something that snaps or screws together - ala' "The Kurgan Sword" from Highlander I, you could check out the guy who sells "belt swords" (Google it) for some inspiration on concealment, or you could just plain build a big, thin, jacknife that would fold into a baton with some sort of locking collar (think Opinel). None of these are very realistic for actual use or combat, but it would be something to play around with if you were careful.
 
navajero_carlson_library_university_of_toledo.jpg


It sounds like you are suggesting something along the lines of a large navaja. The larger of these were for all practical purposes concealed swords.

449897217_0b119c8934.jpg


ph-0.jpg


The bottom one has an open length of 73 inches!

Link:
http://www.oriental-arms.com/item.php?id=2241

n2s
 
It is an interesting thread starter. At least it is not another "which Samurai sword is best thing." Due to the stresses a sword undergoes during use one that comes apart is likely to come apart at an I opportune moment.
 
not2sharp said:
navajero_carlson_library_university_of_toledo.jpg


It sounds like you are suggesting something along the lines of a large navaja. The larger of these were for all practical purposes concealed swords.

449897217_0b119c8934.jpg


ph-0.jpg


The bottom one has an open length of 73 inches!

Link:
http://www.oriental-arms.com/item.php?id=2241

n2s
Click to expand...
Neat! Did not know such a thing existed. The bottom one would have around a 36 inch blade I guess. Basically a regular size sword with an inconvenient handle.😃
 
Full tang is complete overkill for a sword. I'm doing Hema and if one of our sword breaks it's never at the tang which is inside the handle and screwed at the pommel.
 
Something more like a folding yari might have more strength. Put the pivot in the shaft, and you can use something bigger and bulkier than if you are trying to incorporate it directly on the blade. Or have a long-ish blade with a hilt that sockets in its own sheath, with some spring pins in it to hold it in place. An 18 inch blade like this would give you about 3 feet of reach but cost you the cutting edge in the forte section of the "sword." It's an amusing engineering puzzle.
 
looks like that belt sword is a development from the indian urumi, or spring sword. i guess no one makes it anymore, after beds have all adopted coil springs. :D
tumblr_m42wirnFgG1rrjmgoo1_1280.jpg


i think a rapier-type weapon is feasible. it'll just feel funny compared with a conventional rapier.
 
that's not a folding sword. it's an energy weapon. you can get the same effect by producing a 36-inch tongue of flame from an acetylene torch.
 
hank_rearden said:
looks like that belt sword is a development from the indian urumi, or spring sword. i guess no one makes it anymore, after beds have all adopted coil springs. :D
tumblr_m42wirnFgG1rrjmgoo1_1280.jpg


i think a rapier-type weapon is feasible. it'll just feel funny compared with a conventional rapier.
Click to expand...

Oh, Belt-Sword guy gave it up? I thought he had defense contracts from highly elite units... ;)
 
I'm going to have to echo here. What would be the point? The only way you're going to conceal a sword is to disguise it as something else; because anything that folds needs to be as long as the blade so you save a couple of inches of handle and trade off for something flimsy and unwieldy. You might be able design something that telescopes using a welding technique like an axe but it'd be pretty heavy and no idea how you'd keep it from folding up or flying apart. I just don't see any advantages without resorting to sorcery or technology from Star Trek.
 
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