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Post by YlliwCir on Sept 3, 2007 21:37:37 GMT
The Rittersteel Competition Katana-reviewed by Richard Williams of Evansville Indiana USA. I was asked about Rittersteel swords and taking note of the absence of reviews on these products and being in possession of two such items, I decided to undertake said endevor. The rittersteel competition katana was the first real sword I aquired. I don't recall where I bought it but I paid around $150 for it. Swords of Might has it for $139.40. I was attracted to this sword because of its simple yet strong looking design. My first impression of the sword was how sturdy it appeared. The blade is sandwiched between two pieces of wood with brass pins and has a brass guard. The finish was a bit rough so I refinished the grip for comfort. The site I bought it from claimed it was made from recycled truck springs which at the time seemed like a good idea to me. By appearance this could or could not be true. In any case the blade is stout and has sufficient flex. It arrived with somewhat of an edge but not real sharp. It came with a wooden scabbard. Here are some stats; overall length-38 1/2 in. blade length -28 in. hilt -10 1/2 in. blade width -1 1/2 in. at the guard to 1 in. two inches from tip. distal taper -1/25 in. at the guard to 1/8 in. near the tip. P.O.B. -3 1/2 in. from guard. weight -3 1/2 lb. My attempts to cut with the sword using the edge it arrived with met with frustration. It could have been my inexperience tho I have been practicing of late. I sharpened the blade and it makes a passable cutter. This blade will cut okay when a good edge is applied. I then hacked on some firewood to test the structual integrity. The sword held up well, is very tough, and sustained no damage beyond surface scratches. To sum up. Historical accuracy- 0/5 Fit and Finish - 3/5 Handling - 2/5 Structural Integ. - 5/5 Value for money - 3/5 I would recommend this sword to anyone wanting to cut rough targets with it. If someone would need a sturdy sword to bang around with this would be good.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 3, 2007 22:48:15 GMT
Thanks again Ric . this review clear my mind completly ... so the sword came with a little edge ?? or none... I mean have you see the factory edge of the Windlass swords? it was like that? NIce review again !
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Post by YlliwCir on Sept 3, 2007 23:31:17 GMT
Thanks Mordrent, Yeah I got a couple of Windlass blades that came with no edge really, the two Rittersteels I have came with an edge, just not real real sharp. They appear to be strong swords, tho the other one is a gladius and I have no idea what the tang on that one looks like. If anyone knows what kind of tang Rittersteel uses I'd be interested. In reguards to our communication about Valiant armoury, I saw where Paul says they are making improvements there.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 4, 2007 5:55:46 GMT
Thanks, RicWilly. Could this be the source of your sword www.mwart.com/xq/ASP.product/pid.137/qx/martial-arts-competition-sword.htm? This is the first place I saw it back when I got my Windlass 1860. I've looked at this sword several times since, but I could never convince myself to part with the dough for one. Too bad to hear it doesn't handle very well. I certainly love the super heavy duty appearance. On the flip side, I'm glad to hear it actually IS super heavy duty.
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Post by YlliwCir on Sept 4, 2007 6:22:25 GMT
kriegschwert, could very well be, it's been a few years and I really can't be sure. Yeah it's a tough beastie, Someone with more skill may have better luck with the cutting.
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Post by Matt993f.o.d on Sept 4, 2007 17:25:31 GMT
Wow, I see what you mean about historical accuracy being a zero! This sword would get the SFI nutters howling "Its not a real katana!!!". I've never cared what they think, though.
Great review, Ric. +1
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Post by YlliwCir on Sept 4, 2007 17:38:12 GMT
Thanks matt, yeah historical accuracy isn't an issue for me, I got this one because it looked durable and it is that. Some get their nose in the air about such things, I say to each their own. Anyhow I didn't call it a katana, rittersteel did and I still don't know what competetion they are refering this to. ;D Thanks for the karma.
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Post by admin on Sept 5, 2007 9:33:55 GMT
Hey Rick, Great to see some reviews of the less frequently reviewed brands. Seems to be a fair sword for the price - though it sure doesn't cut like a Katana should... +1 and x 2 (gift vouchers) for a job well done.
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Post by YlliwCir on Sept 5, 2007 9:51:26 GMT
Thanks, Paul, yeah it's not a bad sword, just depends on what a person wants. It's great for beating on stuff and not worring about damaging the sword. For cutting it would be more fun to review my Gen2 swords and my KC celtic, but they already been done, LOL. The cool part is getting to play with some of my less handled blades and maybe contributing some information on the less reveiwed brands as you said. I'm still gonna keep trying to get this beastie to cut.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 20, 2007 2:21:12 GMT
Thanks for the review,I was considering one to carry in the 4X4, guess not , I`ll continue to carry my Quma.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 20, 2007 4:44:07 GMT
how heavy is that beasty? One of my house mates has their celtic sword and it moves quite well, if a little heavy, i always liked the look of their moor scimitar (sinbad scimitar).
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Post by YlliwCir on Oct 20, 2007 9:39:59 GMT
Wraith, I put the weight at 3 1/2 lbs in the review, I just weighed it again and got 3 lbs. It's not the weight that makes it hard to cut with, imo, it's that it's real thick ( 5/8s on the spine near the guard, then it tapers to the tip) and it didn't come with a real good edge. My sharpening skills have improved and I plan on sharpening it and trying some more cutting, we shall see.
I also have their gladius, I'm thinking of reviewing. I haven't handled any of their other stuff, tho I like the look of their wallace sword. I'd like to know what kind of tang is on it.
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Post by randomnobody on Dec 7, 2007 23:29:00 GMT
Good stuff. I liked the part where the Tide bottle splashed you. Your reaction was great. Likewise when you noticed you'd left the bottom of that water bottle standing. Then the batted one at the end. I really need to get out and do some cutting, myself. I haven't even tried since I was at ShooterMike's. Still holding out for my 1315. Shouldn't be much longer. So, I'd hazard a guess that you now deem this sword as reasonably good with minor modification (sharpening)?
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Post by YlliwCir on Dec 8, 2007 10:18:02 GMT
Random, in my opinion, comparing this sword to a katana is like comparing a truck to a sportscar. Still they both get you where you want to go and sometimes you need a truck. This sword can cut if you sharpen it up, yeah it's not as smooth as a kat but it's tough as nails and I'm finding it fun to play with. I can't wait to hear how you like the AT.
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Post by randomnobody on Dec 8, 2007 15:03:31 GMT
Truck to a sports car sounds like a fair comparison, and you're right, there are tasks more suited to a big ol' truck. Think you'll ever break this thing? I can't wait to hear what I think of the 1315, either. Is it here yet? I forget, did you get one?
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Post by YlliwCir on Dec 8, 2007 20:01:00 GMT
The only way I can think of to maybe break this thing is to put it in a vise and bend it till it snaps and I'm not sure I could even do that. Time will tell as I intend to abuse the hell out of it just for kicks.
I missed the boat on the 1315, tho I wouldn't rule out an AT down the line somewhere.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 17, 2008 19:19:31 GMT
I saw the review but missed the part about wondering how the other Rittersteel tangs were made before. I called them once and they told me that they have the kind thats like half tang then ground out in the middle and a threaded rod weld between the two pieces than threaded pommel.
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Post by YlliwCir on Mar 17, 2008 19:57:06 GMT
That sounds like the way Lutel does theirs. They have a good rep for durablity.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 17, 2008 20:10:10 GMT
After reading this thread again I couldn't resist, I wnet out and tried cutting with my braided leather katana and great katana. Might try to make a review tonight or may just put together the video. Either way something Rittersteel this way comes.
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Post by YlliwCir on Mar 17, 2008 20:14:34 GMT
Did you have to sharpen it some, Firehand?. Mine wouldn't cut for crap till I did. Actually last august I'd a swore this one wouldn't ever make a cutter. I was wrong.
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