Can I make a gladius out of hardtack?

[Max_]

I already have a hardtack pugio baking in my oven now, do you think it'll work?
They could make practice weapons if they do, do you think a hardtack gladius would work ok for that?

[jvrjenivs]

What do you mean by hardtack? I know about the Sea biscuit called like that, but I don't see why you would use that for a pugio...

As you mention about an oven I suspect something like clay? I wouldn't use it for any weapon. Maybe it's nice for a display pugio, but I would prefer the real metal blades! I also think that if it's something like clay a gladius wouldn't work, as the blade is very long en thus will break when you only do a soft hit against anything in the way of your 'blade'.

[M. Demetrius]

It will probably be too brittle, and break on first impact. Although I've tried to eat some hardtack I was sure could be used for ballista stones.

[Matthew Amt]

Stick with LEGOs. You can always put it back together if (okay, WHEN) it breaks!

I've heard of eating your words, but are you planning to eat your swords?

Bwa ha ha!

Matthew

[A_Volpe]

Whole new meaning to "Armed to the teeth"

and to fight "tooth and nail"?

[jkaler48]

"Eating a bullet" I have heard of but "eating your sword"?

Practice weapons are best made of wood or "needlefelt"
Rusty sells the needlefelt kits. Wood ones are availale from several retailers.
As far as know no one is making a serious plastic or rubber replica.

[Marcus Mummius]

As far as know no one is making a serious plastic or rubber replica.

Deepeeka makes some high density foam gladii I believe. But the do not look very acurate in shape.

You can see them on the armae website:

http://www.armae.com/Photos/GN/191PDGN102A.jpg

[Primvs Pavlvs]

As far as know no one is making a serious plastic or rubber replica.

Deepeeka makes some high density foam gladii I believe. But the do not look very acurate in shape.

You can see them on the armae website:

http://www.armae.com/Photos/GN/191PDGN102A.jpg

Pretty soon thats all re-enactors will be able to own in the UK :wink:

[Marcus Mummius]

As far as know no one is making a serious plastic or rubber replica.

Deepeeka makes some high density foam gladii I believe. But the do not look very acurate in shape.

You can see them on the armae website:

http://www.armae.com/Photos/GN/191PDGN102A.jpg

Pretty soon thats all re-enactors will be able to own in the UK :wink:

:lol: If it comes to that we will invade Britain

[jkaler48]

[/quote]:lol: If it comes to that we will invade Britain[/quote]

Not enough trees left in the Low countries to built the ships I think!
You would need at least three legions - that is a lot of wood for ships!

[Gaius Julius Caesar]

Max, have you looked at the needle-felt gladius on Rusty's site?

Also, there are decent wooden training gladii on Armillums site.

Just some hopefully interesting alternatives?

[Semisalis Abruna]

They don't need ships - the Batavians could swim!! hock:

[Robert]

Dear Max,

One may find this difficult to believe, but I have the distinct feeling you are not taking this re-enactment business very seriously! Although till now most have tried to respond to your posts in a somewhat serious manner, I do feel the need to point out that to be taken seriously on this forum, some form of restraint in posting questions should be exercised. If not, you will find yourself in the position of the boy who cried "wolf". By the time you get to the stage when you need serious information, the wish to respond to your questions in kind will have evaporated I suggest you use the search function on the forum for info and check the excellent legioxx site for info first, before you post a question.
On your gladius question, make one by stock removal and quit dabbling around with play dough and the likes. In short, grow up! This can be done by getting a two inch wide strip of 1/4 inch thick iron strip from a hardware store, taking out a common metal file or powertool and putting in a lot of grinding. The Pompey gladius is the best shape for that, straightforward work.

[muskitear]

Having experience of hardtack serving in the Royal Navy I can say with confidence that it would make a damn fine club!!!!

[Robert]

Ha, may lack the proper weight, though.

Max, if you are not allowed to have or make "real" weapons, like blades, perhaps you could consider the sling or become a spearslinger. You can carve the points out of wood. Silverpaint them and they will resemble the thing. Could also leave them black, like the ones I make (forge blackened and cooled in oil)
Making a good scabbard and handle to a well made rudis will also allow you to make a good impression, without having to draw your blade. Then, later on, you already have scabbard and handle and just need to replace the blade.