Bend Test

[Saddle tree maker]

I've said all I'm going to say on this subject and as Cardiffbloke rightly pointed out to me on another thread - Collecting is subjective - so you continue to collect the badges you think are right and I'll continue to collect the badges I think are right and when we're dead, it will be our relatives who will discover if either of us really new what we were talking about.
Happy collecting.
STM.

[Cardiffbloke]

Originally Posted by Saddle tree maker

I've said all I'm going to say on this subject and as Cardiffbloke rightly pointed out to me on another thread - Collecting is subjective - so you continue to collect the badges you think are right and I'll continue to collect the badges I think are right and when we're dead, it will be our relatives who will discover if either of us really new what we were talking about.
Happy collecting.
STM.

Ha Ha ... huge Grins!! So you actually listened to me then....
I actually use the bend test but do not apply it religiously as i think it is only a guideline. I have in my collection badges i absolutely know to be correct as they came from the individuals who wore them in both conflicts; Some bend some don’t. I think though that it most certainly is a 'truism' that older metals are more brittle and therefore not easy to flex. I have a very early Bays badge that when pressure is applied one way, bends fairly easy. But when 'bent' in another way does not, indicating inherent weaknesses in the badge's design.
So.... I think the bend test is valid but should be done as an amber light warning and not a red light!

[Saddle tree maker]

Cardiff,
Yes, telling people what's right and what isn't and what should or shouldn't be collected is a bottomless pit that I always have a habit of falling into !
I just can't help myself at times.
STM.

[Diehard]

Just to add an another point, you do get genuine victorian items that are quite thin and bend easily (for example the Rifle Vols bugles/helmet plates etc).

[Saddle tree maker]

Will,
If you have Victorian HP's that are easy to bend, IMO, they are not right.
STM.
PS: You see cardiff, I told you I can't help myself.

[Diehard]

Originally Posted by Saddle tree maker

Will,
If you have Victorian HP's that are easy to bend, IMO, they are not right.
STM.
PS: You see cardiff, I told you I can't help myself.

STM,

I know most of the star type H/Ps are quite sturdy, but some, like the malteses cross rifle vols helmet plates,for example are a bit on the flimsy side.

Will

[Luke H]

Originally Posted by Diehard

STM,

I know most of the star type H/Ps are quite sturdy, but some, like the malteses cross rifle vols helmet plates,for example are a bit on the flimsy side.

Will

Good point Will, when you bend those things all the force is going on the small area where the cross arms join the central device (and maybe the tiny area adjoining the laurel to the crown on certain rifle brigade style badges) so you're talking about an area of brass 10mm across on a KRRC cap badge being bent by a big pair of hands. I even know a friend who broke a cross arm of his grandfathers KRRC which was issued in WW1. It just shows that its all about how much 'meat' there is on a badge and how large the area is where the actual stress will be exherted.

Luke

[Diehard]

Originally Posted by Luke Halls

Good point Will, when you bend those things all the force is going on the small area where the cross arms join the central device (and maybe the tiny area adjoining the laurel to the crown on certain rifle brigade style badges) so you're talking about an area of brass 10mm across on a KRRC cap badge being bent by a big pair of hands. I even know a friend who broke a cross arm of his grandfathers KRRC which was issued in WW1. It just shows that its all about how much 'meat' there is on a badge and how large the area is where the actual stress will be exherted.

Luke

Luke,

I was at farnham fair, last year and a bloke next to me was bending a maltese cross style badge, probably one of the london regts, and the dealer went mad tried to make him buy it. I suppose youve got to try and be sly about it

Will

[Saddle tree maker]

The dissapointing part of this thread is that I can't tell my dad about it yet - he's just had a heart by-pass and I don't think uncontrollable laughter is the best medicine at the moment, but it is certainly worth keeping till he's fit and well.
STM.

[ard-ri]

Guy was bending one of my badges I'd put my boot in his ass. You want to bend it, buy it first. Bending is only one of many way's to tell if it's original.

Michael

[Alan O]

Originally Posted by Saddle tree maker

The dissapointing part of this thread is that I can't tell my dad about it yet - he's just had a heart by-pass and I don't think uncontrollable laughter is the best medicine at the moment, but it is certainly worth keeping till he's fit and well.
STM.

I am not sure that I appreciate the tone of this comment. If find other people's opinions so laughable please find another forum to mock members.

[Diehard]

Originally Posted by ard-ri

Guy was bending one of my badges I'd put my boot in his ass. You want to bend it, buy it first. Bending is only one of many way's to tell if it's original.

Michael

Michael,

I totally agree - I think in most cases just holding an item gives an indication as to whether its sturdy or not. There are so many instances of badges that can be bent easily due to nature of their design, youv'e got to be subjective about this, as others have already said. I wouldn't do to someone elses badge. Please dont kick me

Will

[Peter Brydon]

Can we please keep comments on this forum to ( informed ) opinions or factual matters regarding badges.

I personally think the bending test leaves more than a little to be desired but I would not like to see any any more acrimony between members and would most definatly not like to see any more members disappearing without trace.

P.B.

[ard-ri]

Diehard, no worries mate. My legs aren't long enough to go from here to there.

Cheers, Michael

[Diehard]

Originally Posted by ard-ri

Diehard, no worries mate. My legs aren't long enough to go from here to there.

Cheers, Michael

Thats a relief