Looking for Information on Aragorn's Sword

[Orangeblossom]

Hi! I am a grad student, and I am looking for some information for a project I'm doing for one of my classes. I want to structurally analyze Aragorn's sword (the one used in FOTR the movie). Can anyone give me or tell me where to find information about the sword? I need to know the dimensions of it and what material it was made of. Thanks!

[Orc]

I might be able to help you out with you question, but I need a bit more information on what exactly you are looking for.

Are you looking for specifics on the origional props that were used for the movie? Or are you looking for specs on the reproductions that should be coming out shortly? United Cutlery is slated to produce "Stider's Ranger Sword" early next year as a collectors item. Here's the specs that I have managed to dig up on the UC reproduction:

Overall Length: 47-1/4"
Blade Length: 36"
Blade Thickness: 1/4"
Blade Material: Tempered 420 J2 stainless steel, false-edged.
Handle Material: Solid metal crossguard and pommel, antique metal finish, genuine leather-wrapped grip, rat-tail tang construction.

I'm not sure how accurate this is as far as specifics go as to the best of my knowledge the Ranger Sword is not yet in production. United Cutlery creates display swords and typically uses a rat tail tang rather than a full tang as well as stainless steel rather than a high carbon or spring steel. They are not designed for combat by any means, but look quite nice on the wall. If the other swords created by UC are any indication, the weight of the sword will be rather excessive as their Glamdring and Narsil weigh in at about 8-10 lbs, rather than the 2-4 lbs you would expect from a real 'combat ready' sword of that style.

Let me know if this helps or if you are looking for more information. I'll see what I can dig up or at least point you in a direction to answer questions that I don't know the answer to.

:Orc:

[Orangeblossom]

Thanks for being so willing to help me out, Orc! : ) If possible, I would rather have the specs for the actual prop used in the movie. I plan to analyze stress and strain in the sword as it is used in battle. If the specs for the actual prop are too hard to find, I can just use the ones you listed for the replica. Thanks again for your help!

[Bonos-Girl]

wow...you get to do really cool stuff....i wish our teachers'd let us analyze stuff like that..

[Orc]

As far as the actual props go, as I understand it, there were apparently a couple of them. There was a rubber or aluminum sword for some of the fight scenes, though from what I here Viggo was adamant about carrying live steel throught the production rather than chosing to wield a lighter sword for the non-combat scenes.

Here's an interview with John Howe and Peter Lyon on Sword Forum International: SFI Interview (http://lotr.swordforum.com/lyon-and-howe.php) There is a small mention of Aragorn's sword early on in the interview.

Unfortunately, as I understand it, John, Peter and the rest of the crew that worked on the swords have signed a confidenciality agrements with New Line so they really can't give out much for details. According to United Cutlery the dimensions of the swords are identical to the props as they have strive for accuracy down to every detail. You might end up using the measurements from replica.

The big difference between the two would be the metal of the blades and the tang setup. UC uses 440J stainless while I know that they used tempered spring steel for the movie baldes. UC also uses rat-tail or partial rat-tail tangs in their designs. I'm guessing that the combat capable swords from the movie set would have been full tang, but have not been able to find any refrence to this.

Once you finish your report I'm sure folk here would love to take a gander at it (I know I would!) and we might even be able to find a corner in the armory for it.

[Orc]

OK, so I take back my earlier weight on the UC swords. Apparently what is listed is the shipping weight which includes the sword, plaque, packing material etc. Glamdring is supposed to weigh in at about 4 lbs on it's own, and I would guess that Aragorn's ranger sword would be pretty close to that in weight.

[Orangeblossom]

Fabulous! This information is exactly what I need! I think I can come up with a decent model using the info you've given me. I have to write a proposal and get approval from my professor before I begin, but he told us to do something interesting so I should get the ok. If everything works out, I'll be more than happy to share the results with you. Thanks again! :)

[Orc]

I also managed to find a bit more information, though doubt it will affect your analysis. The reproductions from both UC and Noble collection lack a distal taper - that is the blade does not get thinner towards the point.

[Aragorn68]

Orangeblossom,
I have been scouring the net for info on Strider's Ranger Sword. I was him on Halloween and won 2 costume contests...anyway, use the link below for 3 great pictures of the sword along with specs. The long paralell notch is known as a ferule or bloodgroove; it decreases the weight of the steel blade without decreasing the strength significantly (think of an I-Beam of steel used in construction). Hope this info helps!

One question for anyone; when will Strider's Ranger Sword be available? I hear late Nov or even into December but no sure date. Also, what's the best price? The lowest I have seen is about $178. Good Hunting!

http://www.bladesbybrown.com/lotr/strider.html

[Bonos-Girl]

wow..they're soo cool...i want one!!!

[Orangeblossom]

Actually, that information might affect my analysis, Orc. I'm glad you told me.

Thank you, Aragorn68, for the additional info.

I've been in contact with Blades by Brown Cutlery, and they've taken an interest in my project, too. They want to publish the results on their website, and they've been extremely helpful with all of my questions.

This is the first project I've ever had to do for school that I'm actually looking foward to! : )

[Orc]

Even yet more information for you Orangeblossom - this from the JOM: The Member Journal of The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society

http://www.tms.org/pubs/journals/JOM/0211/Byko-0211.html

[Orangeblossom]

Good news! My professor not only approved my proposal to do the sword project, but he said he's really excited about it and wants it to be a surprise for the class. That means I'll have to give presentation to the class (bleh - I hate giving presentations), but at least it's a subject I can really get into. I'll be starting the project soon, and I'll let you know how it goes. Please continue to let me know if you find any new info about the sword. Thanks! : )

[Orangeblossom]

Well, I've finally finished my sword project! I turned in my final write-up to my professor this morning. I have to give a presentation about it next week, and a couple of days after that I will post the results up on my website (http://www.ninecompanions.net) for all to see. I'll let you know when it's up.

Thanks again for all your great help, Orc! I would have never been able to get all information I needed without it.

[Orc]

Very cool. I can't wait to see it.

Glad to be of service!

:Orc:

[Orangeblossom]

I've posted the results of my project on my website. http://www.ninecompanions.net
Let me know what you think.

[Orc]

Very well done! I haven't had a chance to read the entire document, but did see what you had posted on your web site.

Did you play arround with different materials for the the blade composition? I.e. stainless vs. spring steel vs. mild steel? I loved stress images, it really shows how much stress is applied to the cirtical point on the sword where the blade joins the tang.

[Orangeblossom]

I only used the material the UC replica is made of for my analysis. For the stress analysis, the only two material properties that really matter are the Modulus of Elasticity and Poisson's Ratio, which are very nearly the same for all types of steel (as far as I know). The difference would be in strength testing, but, unfortunately, I didn't have time to include that in my analysis.