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Post by YlliwCir on Jun 29, 2008 18:40:36 GMT
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Post by alvin on Jun 29, 2008 18:59:53 GMT
Thanks for the review Rick. 1/8 inch blade thickness ? It appears huge compared to the specs. When can we expect the cutting video ? PS I like the pell.
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Post by YlliwCir on Jun 29, 2008 19:10:27 GMT
Hmmm, Jim, I rechecked the thickness, I'm gonna change it to 3/16 in. along the spine, it's diamond cross section and I was measuring at the juncture of the tang, so I didn't really get the thickest part.
As to the cutting I do plan on sharpening and maybe modifying the hilt a bit, tho it may take me awhile, I tend to go off in a lot of directions at once.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 29, 2008 20:10:17 GMT
Great review Ric! I like the target you made from the old tire! I might have to steal that idea from you sometime soon! Sorry to see that about the bone grip; total bummer. Are you going to make a new grip for that sword? +1 my friend!
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Post by Deleted on Jun 29, 2008 20:11:07 GMT
BTW, Evansville huh? We aren't too far apart; Im right next to Bloomington!
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Post by YlliwCir on Jun 29, 2008 20:35:18 GMT
Yeah, I saw you were up north a ways, CJ, you're jumping right in with the reviews, good deal. Ritter Steel hasn't been getting a lot of press. I got a couple their blades myself.
I'll probably try epoxing the bone back together, it broke pretty clean.
I got the tire idea from a couple guys on this forum, works real good.
Thanks for the karma.
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Post by admin on Jun 30, 2008 2:16:45 GMT
That's a shame about the blade being a bit soft like that - pity, it looked pretty promising... (I am convinced that Deepeeka MUST have at least 2 or 3 good value for money swords out there, though we haven't found it yet!). P.S. I didn't know you had a Strongblade Gladius! Did I miss the review. Lol. + 1 Karma, will see if we can get you a better sword next time. ;D
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Post by YlliwCir on Jun 30, 2008 2:38:50 GMT
Thanks, Paul, I think I still may be able to do something with this blade. I looked around Deepeeka's site and I don't see where they claim their swords are "battle ready" tho I may just have missed it. It appears they are catering to the reenactor crowd, nothing wrong with that. I think the distributors shouldn't claim these are functional from my limited experience with them. Just my opinion.
As for they Strongblade piece, I put the fittings on another gladius I got from ebay, Sussen if I recall correctly. In any case Strongblade stopped carrying that particular sword. They do have a couple gladii that may have possibilities.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 30, 2008 14:56:39 GMT
In the picture with all three swords, is that the scabbard that comes with the gen2 or did you fix it up?
Nice review by the way!
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Post by YlliwCir on Jun 30, 2008 16:09:15 GMT
Ncavin, thanks. That's the old style Gen2 came with crappy leather sheath. The scabbard shown came with a Strongblade gladius that I cannibalized the parts off of. (thats the tang of said blade in one of the pics). It just happened to fit the Gen2. I added the leather thongs and baldric.
The newer Gen2 Gladii come with a wood core scabbard.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 30, 2008 21:32:49 GMT
Oh ok. Thanks for clearing that up.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 2, 2008 7:05:18 GMT
Better late than never (I guess ;D). I have recently been doing a ton of reading on gladii and Roman weapons in general, and it may surprise many to know that this particular model is rather highly thought of in serious Roman reenactment circles. As indicated in my "thoughts on steel" thread, I am becoming increasingly aware that many of our impressions of historical weapons are quite often mistaken. Such may be the case here. As with any other historical European weapon, there were many variations on themes, and some historical Mainz pattern swords did actually have fairly large hilts, much stockier than the subsequent Pompeii style. I'm no expert here, but these do get the seal of approval from some pretty finicky and well-versed-in-history reenactors.
As to functionality, there's no question a Gen2 or Windlass would fit in more with our modern idea of "functional," but the Deepeeka could certainly be considered quite functional by ancient Roman standards, were one to put edges on the blade and radius the tang/shoulder transitions. Certainly, there were rather stupendously-made Roman swords at that time, but the Deepeeka looks very much like what the rank-and-file Legionnaire may have received as a "munitions-grade" sword, with the exception of the threaded tang, although I've seen pics of relics with tangs equally skinny in proportion to the blade. I guess it's a matter of asking oneself if they want modern functionality or historical functionality, as the two are quite different.
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Post by YlliwCir on Aug 2, 2008 14:33:08 GMT
Krieg, I tend to agree with your opinion here. I included a link to a reenactment type forum that discussed this blade and they weren't put out about the historical accuracy of this piece. I let my personal tastes cloud my judgement on the original rating and have changed it to reflect the opinion of those more informed.
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Post by wiwingti on Aug 2, 2008 18:09:12 GMT
nice review ricwilly, bad for you that it is in pieces
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Post by YlliwCir on Aug 2, 2008 21:11:52 GMT
Not in pieces anymore, Marc. That epoxy is good stuff.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 2, 2008 21:40:14 GMT
Well Kriegschwert, you made me think my statement over again... I have never seen or heard of such large gladii but that does of course not mean they never existed. I mean, I'm certainly no expert on Roman weaponry. I'm not an expert either, and I was equally surprised to see the reaction of the reenactment guys. But, according to the reading I've done so far, around 28" would be average for early gladii (such as the Mainz pattern), while later "Pompeii" patterns tended to be shorter by several inches, and were far more slender and compact. By the way, Skallagrim, I noticed you have an Albion 1st Generation Spatha in one of your youtube videos. Very nice!
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Post by Deleted on Aug 2, 2008 22:21:52 GMT
I should have added that you are right, Ric, Deepeeka does say that their swords should not be used for full-contact sparring or other similar use. They are really designed for display and reenactment purposes. I agree that retailers should make this more clear on their sites. Despite what I've said recently about my opinions on the differences between modern functionality and historical functionality, I know that many people are going to see "Battle Ready" next to a Deepeeka sword on a website and assume they can beat the hell out of it without concern. That could prove disappointing in some circumstances and downright diastrous in others.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 3, 2008 16:55:44 GMT
So if Deepeeka swords are not designed to be used other than to dry swing or hang on the wall, why do any companies state battle ready at all? They should really be called out on it.
By the way, AoV will not sell Deepeeka in any way shape or form. It just goes against every fiber in my being. ;D
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Post by YlliwCir on Aug 3, 2008 17:26:02 GMT
I saw a program on the history channel about Ancient Rome. I noticed they used a lot of Deepeeka gladii in their reenactments. I think that type of thing is Deepeekas niche, historical re-enactors.
Kreig, you got me thinking tho. I may expect too much from some blades. I'm used to some pretty tough beaters thanks to people like Jason and Clyde and others.
I think Deepeekas may well be as good as average gladii from ancient times. I could be wrong as I'm not really a student of such.
While this particular model doesn't appeal to me, I am condidering getting some of the other models as prodject blades. Deepeeka does have the largest variety of gladii I've seen so far.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 3, 2008 21:43:46 GMT
I saw a program on the history channel about Ancient Rome. I noticed they used a lot of Deepeeka gladii in their reenactments. I think that type of thing is Deepeekas niche, historical re-enactors. From my recent reading, this definitely appears to be the main market for Deepeeka goods, particularly ancient Roman reenactors. There's a whole Deepeeka section here: www.romanarmy.com/rat/viewforum.php?f=41. There's also a gentleman there named Gagan Agarwal (screen name: Deepeeka) who is a marketing director from Deepeeka. He (and Deepeeka in general) does seem to do an excellent job of working with reenactors one-on-one, so to speak, to make stuff as aesthetically accurate as possible within the price range. As far as blade functionality, they seem to be in a sort of gray area. Most of their blades, according to them, are made of EN-45, which is a high carbon spring steel alloy: www.westyorkssteel.com/en45.html, and they do heat treat to some degree or another, though I haven't found any specifics on that yet. They also use integral, non-welded tangs of a reasonable width on most blades. On the other hand, their hilt assembly methods and blade tempers do seem to be hit-and-miss, as Paul put it in his write-up at SMG, based upon the few reviews I've read (including this one).
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