DSA Ranger Sword And Dagger
Feb 14, 2008 5:27:44 GMT
Post by Deleted on Feb 14, 2008 5:27:44 GMT
Review by Steve Walls, Atlanta, GA USA
This is my 1st "real" sword, as a result this review will not be able to compare this sword to others. I will share my impressions but i am by no means an expert.
I really like the lines of this sword. I was looking at a list of 7 or so different blades, and couldn't get it down to less than 3.
I ordered 3 swords from Swords of Valor, 2 are back-ordered. They have been very prompt and courteous with e-mail responses, and even handled my "i just wanna know when" phone call really well( i got it the next day).ordered late on a Friday night and delivered the following Thursday, UPS ground $24. I know its only 1 state away, but they get good points anyway.
I really wasn't expecting to do a review when i got the blade so i don't have packaging pics. The box was a little beat up but no tears in the cardboard. Inside both blades were coated with preservative? and separately wrapped in plastic then plenty of bubble wrap, scabbards also wrapped separately. All 4 pieces were taped together. the whole thing packed in the box with filler paper.a plastic point protector on the sword was split, with a very slight bend at the very tip of the sword. (#@%!* UPS guys)as the sword was shipped unsharpened i don't view this as much of a problem. I will fix it with a file when i sharpen it.
Yes its heavy 6lbs 2+3/8ozs (2.791 kg)
And Big:
blade length: 35 7/8"
overall length: 47"
width at base: 2 19/64"
thickness at base across fuller: 7/32" note-no distal taper
edge thickness: fluctuates between 3/64" & 1/4"
Quality
Given that this is supposed to be hand forged and is unfinished(unsharpened) i will give Darksword 4 out of 5 for overall Quality.
The Blade
is straight and has a consistent polish. no scratches or grind marks. some waviness from hammering. overall the blade dimensions transition smoothly. the only visual that i am less than happy with is the blade edge. the waviness at the edge is visible enough that even if i was not intending to cut with this sword i would file a bevel to give it a consistent line.
Temper
Again i am not an expert. It takes 2 hands on the grip to flex the blade 7" after which it returned to straight with no set. unfortunately i didn't get a picture. and i am not going to bend it like that again on purpose.
The Grip
is 1 piece of cast steel wrapped in 2 pieces of leather. the leather is glued and stitched to the handle. nicely done. a small amount of glue on the center ring, came off with a little elbow grease. The grip fit to the tang is very snug. It requires gentle persuasion(wooden mallet)to go on and off. held to the tang with a thick steel washer and nut.
The Pommel
cast steel screwed to the tang. the casting looks like hand work. fit and finish is good but not perfect. consistent with the hand done concept. I like it. polish is again consistent, not as bright as the blade.
The Guard
cast steel with a tight fit on the tang. some grind marks.fit and finish match the pommel well.
The Scabbard
wooden scabbard with leather cover. sword fit is loose. the steel neck piece edges are not smooth and the glue holding it to the scabbard had come apart by the time i got it. DSA does warn that the scabbards are not of the same Quality as the swords . They are not kidding. It's not terrible, just not great.
I have had the sword for a couple of weeks now but have not gotten a chance to finish sharpening it yet. i will post videos of the cutting part as i am able. I have seen several people express interest so i am putting up what i have. hope this helps.
The dagger got sharpened right away. the reason is that it has the same wavy edge as the sword but on the smaller scale of the dagger it was really apparent. i was initially disappointed in the dagger because of this and it feels very blade heavy. i decided to modify it rather than return it mostly because it matches the sword, which i like a lot. so i sharpened and polished the blade,fabricated an extension for the tang, turned a new wooden handle, and braided the handle with black kangaroo hide. Now i love it! it takes a fair bit of work to get a good bevel on the blade but to me it is definitely worth it.the pictures on line show really nice lines and they are there ,you just have to uncover them. aside from the blade issues, the only other fit and finish issue is that the guard is too loose on the tang.when i was putting it back together i had to really work to get it to stay lined up as i was tightening the nut.
If my opinion of the sword improves as much as it did for the dagger, it will be fabulous.
Handling
Again ITS HEAVY. The balance is very good. It pivots a lot better than i expected.I don't have any trouble returning to guard position after a swing. It doesn't exactly feel light when its in motion, but it flows really well. The only time i really feel the weight is when trying to stop the blade, and short change of direction. OH YEAH and when i put it down
Overall
I should probably tell you that i am 6' 7' tall and weigh 220lbs.
This sword is really solidly built. I love the way it handles. The fit and finish of the sword exceeded my expectations for a hand made sword under 300 bucks. The scabbard will be quite serviceable wilt a small amount of work. So Definitely recommended.
The dagger looks great in the picture but was disappointing for the price. Although as i have an anduril on backorder i have asked for the free one as offered ;D ;D ;D
Sword
Historical Accuracy: ?/5 Have to ask Aragorn lol
Fit and Finish: 4/5
Handling: 4/5
Structural Integrity: 5/5
Value for Money: 5/5
Overall:4.5/5
Well there it is, My 1st sword review. Let me know what you think. Commentary ,Criticism, suggestions are all welcome.
This is my 1st "real" sword, as a result this review will not be able to compare this sword to others. I will share my impressions but i am by no means an expert.
I really like the lines of this sword. I was looking at a list of 7 or so different blades, and couldn't get it down to less than 3.
I ordered 3 swords from Swords of Valor, 2 are back-ordered. They have been very prompt and courteous with e-mail responses, and even handled my "i just wanna know when" phone call really well( i got it the next day).ordered late on a Friday night and delivered the following Thursday, UPS ground $24. I know its only 1 state away, but they get good points anyway.
I really wasn't expecting to do a review when i got the blade so i don't have packaging pics. The box was a little beat up but no tears in the cardboard. Inside both blades were coated with preservative? and separately wrapped in plastic then plenty of bubble wrap, scabbards also wrapped separately. All 4 pieces were taped together. the whole thing packed in the box with filler paper.a plastic point protector on the sword was split, with a very slight bend at the very tip of the sword. (#@%!* UPS guys)as the sword was shipped unsharpened i don't view this as much of a problem. I will fix it with a file when i sharpen it.
Yes its heavy 6lbs 2+3/8ozs (2.791 kg)
And Big:
blade length: 35 7/8"
overall length: 47"
width at base: 2 19/64"
thickness at base across fuller: 7/32" note-no distal taper
edge thickness: fluctuates between 3/64" & 1/4"
Quality
Given that this is supposed to be hand forged and is unfinished(unsharpened) i will give Darksword 4 out of 5 for overall Quality.
The Blade
is straight and has a consistent polish. no scratches or grind marks. some waviness from hammering. overall the blade dimensions transition smoothly. the only visual that i am less than happy with is the blade edge. the waviness at the edge is visible enough that even if i was not intending to cut with this sword i would file a bevel to give it a consistent line.
Temper
Again i am not an expert. It takes 2 hands on the grip to flex the blade 7" after which it returned to straight with no set. unfortunately i didn't get a picture. and i am not going to bend it like that again on purpose.
The Grip
is 1 piece of cast steel wrapped in 2 pieces of leather. the leather is glued and stitched to the handle. nicely done. a small amount of glue on the center ring, came off with a little elbow grease. The grip fit to the tang is very snug. It requires gentle persuasion(wooden mallet)to go on and off. held to the tang with a thick steel washer and nut.
The Pommel
cast steel screwed to the tang. the casting looks like hand work. fit and finish is good but not perfect. consistent with the hand done concept. I like it. polish is again consistent, not as bright as the blade.
The Guard
cast steel with a tight fit on the tang. some grind marks.fit and finish match the pommel well.
The Scabbard
wooden scabbard with leather cover. sword fit is loose. the steel neck piece edges are not smooth and the glue holding it to the scabbard had come apart by the time i got it. DSA does warn that the scabbards are not of the same Quality as the swords . They are not kidding. It's not terrible, just not great.
I have had the sword for a couple of weeks now but have not gotten a chance to finish sharpening it yet. i will post videos of the cutting part as i am able. I have seen several people express interest so i am putting up what i have. hope this helps.
The dagger got sharpened right away. the reason is that it has the same wavy edge as the sword but on the smaller scale of the dagger it was really apparent. i was initially disappointed in the dagger because of this and it feels very blade heavy. i decided to modify it rather than return it mostly because it matches the sword, which i like a lot. so i sharpened and polished the blade,fabricated an extension for the tang, turned a new wooden handle, and braided the handle with black kangaroo hide. Now i love it! it takes a fair bit of work to get a good bevel on the blade but to me it is definitely worth it.the pictures on line show really nice lines and they are there ,you just have to uncover them. aside from the blade issues, the only other fit and finish issue is that the guard is too loose on the tang.when i was putting it back together i had to really work to get it to stay lined up as i was tightening the nut.
If my opinion of the sword improves as much as it did for the dagger, it will be fabulous.
Handling
Again ITS HEAVY. The balance is very good. It pivots a lot better than i expected.I don't have any trouble returning to guard position after a swing. It doesn't exactly feel light when its in motion, but it flows really well. The only time i really feel the weight is when trying to stop the blade, and short change of direction. OH YEAH and when i put it down
Overall
I should probably tell you that i am 6' 7' tall and weigh 220lbs.
This sword is really solidly built. I love the way it handles. The fit and finish of the sword exceeded my expectations for a hand made sword under 300 bucks. The scabbard will be quite serviceable wilt a small amount of work. So Definitely recommended.
The dagger looks great in the picture but was disappointing for the price. Although as i have an anduril on backorder i have asked for the free one as offered ;D ;D ;D
Sword
Historical Accuracy: ?/5 Have to ask Aragorn lol
Fit and Finish: 4/5
Handling: 4/5
Structural Integrity: 5/5
Value for Money: 5/5
Overall:4.5/5
Well there it is, My 1st sword review. Let me know what you think. Commentary ,Criticism, suggestions are all welcome.