Gen 2 Templar Sword Review (some big pics)
Dec 13, 2009 2:46:06 GMT
Post by Deleted on Dec 13, 2009 2:46:06 GMT
Gen 2 Templar Sword Review by george300
Blade length: 34.5"
Handle/Hilt length: 8.5"
Overall: 43"
PoB: 5" from hilt
CoP: 10" from tip (small mistake in measurement possible)
Weight: 3 lbs. 1.4 oz.
Initial Remarks
I really had no remarks at first. It came rolled up in newspaper, then plastic and had a massive amount of lard all over. I am not gonna include any pics from the 1 hour process of unwrapping, because I let my Viking side do the work, causing anywhere from 1/4 to 1/2 of my room be covered in trash... BUT, the sword was safe and sound, which is less then I can say for the Henry V (which was the original order, long story). Anyway, after cleaning it up, this is what came out... it was the first time I gazed at the true nature of this sword .
Historical Accuracy
Just to clarify some points on the Templar swords historical accuracy Clyde and I pulled out the book "Record of the Medieval Sword" by Ewart Oakeshott (right in front of me as I type this). On page 104 Type XIIIA. 9 (this version also made by Arms and Armor) the pommel type is 1.1 and the crossguard style 1 dates from c. 1200 - 1250 or 1100 - 1150 more likely is nearly identical to the 12th century. The original is hanging in the Museum and Art Gallery in Glasgow. Showing that the 12th century by Legacy Arms/Gen 2 is not only historically feasible, but based on an actual sword as can be seen by the picture in Oakeshott's book. Therefore, one would conclude that this is a historically accurate sword and a style of sword that could have been used during the crusades.
The original blade is 35 inches in length and the Gen 2 blade is 34.6 inches. You will also note the slightly long handle for a single hand sword, which would allow for a mail clad hand to grip securely with out interference of the guard/pommel.
(Thanks to Jason for the info
Fit and Finish
Perfectly tight i all areas, there is no rumbling, or any loose parts anywhere to be found. The blade, guard, and pommel are brightly polished, but not mirror polished, which would make it look rather bad. The tang is peened to the back of the pommel and done so nicely, without any hammer marks anywhere. By looking at it, I could find no major flaw anywhere, it's just great.
The grip itself is a different story... it's nice and everything, but whatever they use to dye the leather is of poor quality... I have had this sword for 3 or so days and my right glove has already been colored black . Other than that, I have no complaint...
The Blade
Oakenshott type XIIIa, this is a "no nonsense" blade in its fullest meaning. Has a broad fuller coming down to 2/3 of the blade and the rest turns to a diamond cross-section, which makes it suitable for thrusting as well as cutting.
Comes to an acute point (as a good type XIIa should) and has a wicked stab (can't tell you about how it feels to be stabbed with this one though, i take extra caution when sheathing it, cause it would probs go right through my hand). It came sharpened right out of the box and has a nice apple-seed edge cros-section although it's pretty sharp. In other words, I love the sharpening . The blade does tapper, although it's prety hard to see it from the pics, which is accurate once again with history. I don't know how to "measure" distal tapper (I was talking about from site to side tapering till now) but from looking at it it looks as if there is some distal tapering going on, though, take this with a grain of salt, it might just be my eyes playing games on me (though i seriously doubt it). I can't say how much it is, because I wouldn't know the figures I would be giving you.
The Scabbard
I wasn't exactly expecting what I got. At first I though it was leather only, but touching it proved me wrong. It's really slim, lacquered wood core, with a VERY tight leather wrap on the outside. Has a nickel(?) chape and locket, which are quite plain, but go well with the rest of the sword. Fits the sword tightly, too tightly at first, but after a few manly thrusts it became fine (that didn't sound right... I hope no one here knows what the Latin word for "sheath" is). Anyway, I like the scabbard, it's sturdy, slick, and slim (there's an alliteration for ya
The Hilt
Wood grip covered in leather, as I said before, the dye on the leather being rather poor, but oh well... The pommel is octangular, with a cross engraved on it and then then colored red, which has an awesome look it it. The guard is less awesome, very simple and straight, but it's not overcomplicated and does its job of protecting the hand of its bearer rather well, so no complaints there, and other than that is follows through with the plain-yet-beautiful look of the sword. All in all, sweet package.
Handling
I'm sorry for not including a video here... a videocamera donation would be welcome...
It is just awesome. This is a pretty heavy sword, so holding it with one hand is rather awkward, but doable, though I wouldn't recommend going full strength with it unless you have a shield with you, the power generated is too big and you might not be able to stop it before it cuts off one of your limbs. It cuts really well (ask its box it you don't believe me) and pierces efficiently, but given the PoB a stab would probably not be a good decision in battle... but it could be done. With two hands, it's quite manageable, despite the weight and can go up against some pretty hard targets without any damage (I have only tried wood so far, not even a scratch). Sweet deal if you are looking for a big, mean, "no nonsense" war sword, which would be the scourge of many Saracens (DISCLAIMER: No Saracens, Arabs, or Turks were harmed after the above statement.), but if I were someone in the Crusades, I would feel much safer having this strapped to my waist.
The Verdict
I really love this sword. It's strong, durable, heavy (yes, that's a good quality), and generally bad-ass. Alright, I'll quit babbling and give you the verdict.
Pros:
Historically accurate
Very tight construction
Nice scabbard
Handles like it should
Apple-seed bevel
Cons:
Leather in the grip
Scabbard needed to be rebuked to fit properly
Old Verdict:
Historical Accuracy: 4.5/5
Fit and Finish: 4.5/5 (leather problem)
Handling: 5/5
Value for money: 5/5
Overall: 4.75/5 (Buy, NOW)
Would I buy this sword again if I had to? Definitely. It handles well, looks wicked, feels great, and makes you feel indestructible, I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a big cutter, especially for the price.
Blade length: 34.5"
Handle/Hilt length: 8.5"
Overall: 43"
PoB: 5" from hilt
CoP: 10" from tip (small mistake in measurement possible)
Weight: 3 lbs. 1.4 oz.
Initial Remarks
I really had no remarks at first. It came rolled up in newspaper, then plastic and had a massive amount of lard all over. I am not gonna include any pics from the 1 hour process of unwrapping, because I let my Viking side do the work, causing anywhere from 1/4 to 1/2 of my room be covered in trash... BUT, the sword was safe and sound, which is less then I can say for the Henry V (which was the original order, long story). Anyway, after cleaning it up, this is what came out... it was the first time I gazed at the true nature of this sword .
Historical Accuracy
Just to clarify some points on the Templar swords historical accuracy Clyde and I pulled out the book "Record of the Medieval Sword" by Ewart Oakeshott (right in front of me as I type this). On page 104 Type XIIIA. 9 (this version also made by Arms and Armor) the pommel type is 1.1 and the crossguard style 1 dates from c. 1200 - 1250 or 1100 - 1150 more likely is nearly identical to the 12th century. The original is hanging in the Museum and Art Gallery in Glasgow. Showing that the 12th century by Legacy Arms/Gen 2 is not only historically feasible, but based on an actual sword as can be seen by the picture in Oakeshott's book. Therefore, one would conclude that this is a historically accurate sword and a style of sword that could have been used during the crusades.
The original blade is 35 inches in length and the Gen 2 blade is 34.6 inches. You will also note the slightly long handle for a single hand sword, which would allow for a mail clad hand to grip securely with out interference of the guard/pommel.
(Thanks to Jason for the info
Fit and Finish
Perfectly tight i all areas, there is no rumbling, or any loose parts anywhere to be found. The blade, guard, and pommel are brightly polished, but not mirror polished, which would make it look rather bad. The tang is peened to the back of the pommel and done so nicely, without any hammer marks anywhere. By looking at it, I could find no major flaw anywhere, it's just great.
The grip itself is a different story... it's nice and everything, but whatever they use to dye the leather is of poor quality... I have had this sword for 3 or so days and my right glove has already been colored black . Other than that, I have no complaint...
The Blade
Oakenshott type XIIIa, this is a "no nonsense" blade in its fullest meaning. Has a broad fuller coming down to 2/3 of the blade and the rest turns to a diamond cross-section, which makes it suitable for thrusting as well as cutting.
Comes to an acute point (as a good type XIIa should) and has a wicked stab (can't tell you about how it feels to be stabbed with this one though, i take extra caution when sheathing it, cause it would probs go right through my hand). It came sharpened right out of the box and has a nice apple-seed edge cros-section although it's pretty sharp. In other words, I love the sharpening . The blade does tapper, although it's prety hard to see it from the pics, which is accurate once again with history. I don't know how to "measure" distal tapper (I was talking about from site to side tapering till now) but from looking at it it looks as if there is some distal tapering going on, though, take this with a grain of salt, it might just be my eyes playing games on me (though i seriously doubt it). I can't say how much it is, because I wouldn't know the figures I would be giving you.
The Scabbard
I wasn't exactly expecting what I got. At first I though it was leather only, but touching it proved me wrong. It's really slim, lacquered wood core, with a VERY tight leather wrap on the outside. Has a nickel(?) chape and locket, which are quite plain, but go well with the rest of the sword. Fits the sword tightly, too tightly at first, but after a few manly thrusts it became fine (that didn't sound right... I hope no one here knows what the Latin word for "sheath" is). Anyway, I like the scabbard, it's sturdy, slick, and slim (there's an alliteration for ya
The Hilt
Wood grip covered in leather, as I said before, the dye on the leather being rather poor, but oh well... The pommel is octangular, with a cross engraved on it and then then colored red, which has an awesome look it it. The guard is less awesome, very simple and straight, but it's not overcomplicated and does its job of protecting the hand of its bearer rather well, so no complaints there, and other than that is follows through with the plain-yet-beautiful look of the sword. All in all, sweet package.
Handling
I'm sorry for not including a video here... a videocamera donation would be welcome...
It is just awesome. This is a pretty heavy sword, so holding it with one hand is rather awkward, but doable, though I wouldn't recommend going full strength with it unless you have a shield with you, the power generated is too big and you might not be able to stop it before it cuts off one of your limbs. It cuts really well (ask its box it you don't believe me) and pierces efficiently, but given the PoB a stab would probably not be a good decision in battle... but it could be done. With two hands, it's quite manageable, despite the weight and can go up against some pretty hard targets without any damage (I have only tried wood so far, not even a scratch). Sweet deal if you are looking for a big, mean, "no nonsense" war sword, which would be the scourge of many Saracens (DISCLAIMER: No Saracens, Arabs, or Turks were harmed after the above statement.), but if I were someone in the Crusades, I would feel much safer having this strapped to my waist.
The Verdict
I really love this sword. It's strong, durable, heavy (yes, that's a good quality), and generally bad-ass. Alright, I'll quit babbling and give you the verdict.
Pros:
Historically accurate
Very tight construction
Nice scabbard
Handles like it should
Apple-seed bevel
Cons:
Leather in the grip
Scabbard needed to be rebuked to fit properly
Old Verdict:
Historical Accuracy: 4.5/5
Fit and Finish: 4.5/5 (leather problem)
Handling: 5/5
Value for money: 5/5
Overall: 4.75/5 (Buy, NOW)
Would I buy this sword again if I had to? Definitely. It handles well, looks wicked, feels great, and makes you feel indestructible, I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a big cutter, especially for the price.