Blade Length and Balance

[Old Stormtrooper]

OK, a little background here: I am familiar with medieval swords. I've played with the SCA rattan swords and wooden wasters. I am 5'10 with an inseam of 34". My saber hilt will be just under 11". What do you recommend for a blade length? I'm leaning towards 34", but would like a second opinion. What do you think?

MTFBWY

[Mineral]

I would think it depends on whether you are using thick or thin sided blade tube, as there is a weight difference.

Since you can feel the balance, because of your experience with swords, I'd recommend* getting the longest blade you can and cutting it down until it feels right. I cut down my kids' blades from longer tubes using a PVC pipe-cutter. Left me with lots of blade plug material!

[Old Stormtrooper]

I would think it depends on whether you are using thick or thin sided blade tube, as there is a weight difference.

Since you can feel the balance, because of your experience with swords, I'd recommend* getting the longest blade you can and cutting it down until it feels right. I cut down my kids' blades from longer tubes using a PVC pipe-cutter. Left me with lots of blade plug material!

I hate being hit with common sense and reason. Do you get any dust/residue from using the pipe-cutter? How difficult is it to get a clean even cut on the wrap?

[Sevinzol]

Welcome from Northshield.

A thin blade is very strong no real need to go with thick. There won't be any dust with a cutter (its not a saw) but I don't think it will cut the wrap and/or diffuser cleanly (if at all). Use a sharp knife or razor blade to trim the wrap, remember the first 1" will be inside the blade holder so it doesn't have to be perfect. Another thing you can do to change your center of gravity is to move the components around inside the hilt or add small weights (like decorations/greblies). Batteries are heavy, you can shift them to the back and have the speaker facing forwards. its not as easy as having the speaker go out the pommel but its not hard. You need a vent near the front or it will sound muffled.

[Noyl Wendor]

OK, a little background here: I am familiar with medieval swords. I've played with the SCA rattan swords and wooden wasters. I am 5'10 with an inseam of 34". My saber hilt will be just under 11". What do you recommend for a blade length? I'm leaning towards 34", but would like a second opinion. What do you think?

MTFBWY

I think 34" would do. I'm 6' 1" and I lean more to blade lengths around 33" to 35". Installed in most BH's it works out to around 32/34". Of course keep in mind the length and reach of your "opponent". If you're doing stage work then you'll figure that one out.
I also tend to "back weight" my hilts to off set the heavy blades. On an 11" hilt I usually find the best balance point at 3-4" down from the blade holder. Mostly with a 34" blade.
Really it comes down comfort on your part. I use the thin blades and get almost the same effect
This info comes from a former "wire weenie" located in Artemisia.
Schalagers are a bit of a different story when it comes to balance

[Old Stormtrooper]

I guess I'll go with a long blade and work my way shorter from there. I'm a little concerned about ending up saying: "hey, I think I liked it a little better with that extra inch." I'm pretty sure they don't make Viagra for saber blades. I've already planned out my build (mostly) and the battery sits back by the speaker. Although I realize that moving the speaker can be sound advise (pun not originally intended), I'm not really a fan of holes in my grip area. I also seem to have my heart set on a thick blade. I want to be able to spar with wooden wasters until I can convince some friends to build their own sabers or I can convince my wife to let me build sabers for our 4 kids who are in their 20's. (we raised them right)

MTFBWY