A working bolo for your comments

Ian · 16th April 2005, 02:20 PM

Thanks Shelley.

Seems that the word espading (appears to be an adjective) could be related to espada (meaning Spanish in some local dialects). Would this imply locals describing swords or knives that were originally Spanish in their eyes and adopted for local use?

Ian.

LabanTayo · 16th April 2005, 02:57 PM

Ian,
could be...
maybe it came from when the spanish prohibited points on the swords, and all swords were square tipped..
any sword from that era could be called espading?
i'll find out more about espading next week in negros. thats where i heard the word espading.

tom hyle · 16th April 2005, 03:00 PM

Hmmmm Espada is Spanish for sword.
I once had a sword marked "en Toledo Espin".......Espania or Espagna or something (youse know I can't spell in English; what do you expect from Spanish?) is Spain in Spanish, no?

tom hyle · 16th April 2005, 03:12 PM

Conogre, you know where else I've seen that blade like yours? You will once I tell you, if not; with a brass Bonifacio type guard and hoof handle. It's always cool to see traditional PI styles done with flat tangs; one of those occasional things, at least for me, that I enjoy; watching the interactions of influences......

Conogre · 16th April 2005, 09:27 PM

Hi Tom, and sorry, it's 3/16" thick (one of my last posts, while the eyes were crossing instead of the T's **grin**), just shy of 1/4", thick enough that there is NO blade vibration, thus my using it for many traditional axe chores.
A friend gifted me with that one, and being viewed with collecting eyes at the time I wasn't overly impressed while over time it's become a user favorite, prompting closer examination.......familiarity does not always breed contempt!**grin**
Yes, it does have a basic Bonifascio flavor, by the way.
A few months ago, while parrying with a friend I parried a bit too hard and snapped the blade of a Pakistani shortsword without so much as putting a nick in this one.....oooops!
We often look at our pieces strictly through historic eyes, accidently putting on blinders and looking down our noses at recent items, particularly those with ethnographic origins, which often seems paradoxical to me and I find it refreshing to see that there is still much more than meets the eye in regions that have been using blades for centuries.
Mike

Ferguson · 17th April 2005, 08:12 PM

Well, it doesn't match the woven rattan, but a plain wrap beats cotton sash cord any day.

I soaked it for about an hour before wrapping, which makes it very pliable. Shrinks up when dry and seems pretty tight and durable. Now I just need to find some narrow rattan, and learn to weave it.

Steve

Rick · 17th April 2005, 08:29 PM

http://www.rasource.com/rattannational.htm

17th April 2005, 08:12 PM	#6
Ferguson Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Kernersville, NC, USA Posts: 793	Well, it doesn't match the woven rattan, but a plain wrap beats cotton sash cord any day. I soaked it for about an hour before wrapping, which makes it very pliable. Shrinks up when dry and seems pretty tight and durable. Now I just need to find some narrow rattan, and learn to weave it. Steve Attached Images

16th April 2005, 02:20 PM	#1
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,361	Thanks Shelley. Seems that the word espading (appears to be an adjective) could be related to espada (meaning Spanish in some local dialects). Would this imply locals describing swords or knives that were originally Spanish in their eyes and adopted for local use? Ian.

16th April 2005, 02:57 PM	#2
LabanTayo Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Kansas City Posts: 177	Ian, could be... maybe it came from when the spanish prohibited points on the swords, and all swords were square tipped.. any sword from that era could be called espading? i'll find out more about espading next week in negros. thats where i heard the word espading.

16th April 2005, 03:00 PM	#3
tom hyle Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Houston, TX, USA Posts: 1,254	Hmmmm Espada is Spanish for sword. I once had a sword marked "en Toledo Espin".......Espania or Espagna or something (youse know I can't spell in English; what do you expect from Spanish?) is Spain in Spanish, no?

16th April 2005, 03:12 PM	#4
tom hyle Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Houston, TX, USA Posts: 1,254	Conogre, you know where else I've seen that blade like yours? You will once I tell you, if not; with a brass Bonifacio type guard and hoof handle. It's always cool to see traditional PI styles done with flat tangs; one of those occasional things, at least for me, that I enjoy; watching the interactions of influences......

16th April 2005, 09:27 PM	#5
Conogre Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Clearwater, Florida Posts: 371	Hi Tom, and sorry, it's 3/16" thick (one of my last posts, while the eyes were crossing instead of the T's grin), just shy of 1/4", thick enough that there is NO blade vibration, thus my using it for many traditional axe chores. A friend gifted me with that one, and being viewed with collecting eyes at the time I wasn't overly impressed while over time it's become a user favorite, prompting closer examination.......familiarity does not always breed contempt!grin Yes, it does have a basic Bonifascio flavor, by the way. A few months ago, while parrying with a friend I parried a bit too hard and snapped the blade of a Pakistani shortsword without so much as putting a nick in this one.....oooops! We often look at our pieces strictly through historic eyes, accidently putting on blinders and looking down our noses at recent items, particularly those with ethnographic origins, which often seems paradoxical to me and I find it refreshing to see that there is still much more than meets the eye in regions that have been using blades for centuries. Mike

17th April 2005, 08:29 PM	#7
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,336	http://www.rasource.com/rattannational.htm