Review - Gen 2 Joan of Arc Sword
Nov 20, 2008 21:36:53 GMT
Post by Deleted on Nov 20, 2008 21:36:53 GMT
Generation 2 Joan of Arc Sword
Charles A. Appel – Marietta, Georgia, USA
INTRODUCTION
When I started looking at swords about a year ago, I decided to concentrate on lightweight models. I visited the websites of many sword makers and sword dealers, writing down the weights and other particulars in a small notebook. One of the items that caught my attention was the Generation 2 Joan of Arc sword. Some vendors call this the “Christian Warrior” sword. It was listed on Generation 2’s web site as weighing an incredible 1.5 pounds. (As of November 19th 2008 at 5:10 pm, it was still listed at this weight. More Later.) Naturally it was one of the first swords I ordered. It arrived quickly, carefully packed in plastic wrap.
INITIAL IMPRESSIONS
I seriously considered sending the sword back. When I first picked it up, I was very disappointed. The sword was obviously much heavier than advertised. A quick weight check on my Escali scale indicated that the sword was a rather hefty 2.73 pounds. Now I knew why there was a large empty bag of jelly beans among the packing materials.
In addition, the enamel in the pommel had not been well applied. You can see this in the picture below. The other side has a similar flaw.
On the good side, the handle fit my hand very well. The sword fit the scabbard and didn’t fall out when inverted. All fittings were tight. There is no looseness in the guard, grip, or pommel. And furthermore, the sword was paper cutting sharp. Weighing the good against the bad, I decided to keep the sword. I’m glad I did.
Statistics
(1) – Measured at the guard.
(2) – Measured at ricasso.
(3) – Measure three inches from end of blade.
(4) – Best estimate by an amateur.
Above you can see the sword with the tools used to measure it.
DESIGN, FIT & FINISH
The Blade
The blade has a soft sheen instead of the mirror finish found on some swords. I could not find any hammer marks on the blade. Over all, it looks strong and well finished. They did a nice job.
Above is a close up photo of the ricasso. Compared to other swords, there is very little gap between blade and guard.
Above is a picture of the tip. This was taken after two cutting sessions.
The Grip
The grip of this sword is made of wood with a dark finish and a medium level of polish. It looks like it could become slippery, but in actual use this did not happen.
The Pommel
The pommel is of the wheel type. Each side contains a brass cross filled with red enamel (?) set in a field of white. As you can see in the photo below the pommel is peened in place.
The Guard
The guard is a simple brass cross piece that flares at the ends.
In the photo above you can see “G2” stamped into the guard. Also note how small the gap is between guard and blade.
The Scabbard
The scabbard is typical of swords in this price range. It is not particularly attractive. The brass chape and tip match the sword hilt. The balance of the wooden scabbard is covered in thin black leather. As you can see in the photo below, the dye comes off if you get the scabbard wet. This happened on my last cutting session.
The scabbard’s major positive feature is that it actually fits the sword. As you can see from the picture, the sword does not fall out even when inverted.
Above is a close up of the brass tip.
Above is a close up of the scabbard mouth.
TESTING
Thrusting & Cutting
Cutting and thrusting tests were conducted using water-filled containers, cardboard, and 5/16th inch plywood.
Handling
The sword is blade heavy but handles well despite this. It did a good job of cutting when I did my part (which was not often). There is a lot of momentum in the blade and I damaged my cutting stand several times when cutting light targets.
Historical Accuracy
There is no evidence that I could find that Jeanne d’Arc/Joan of Arc ever carried a weapon like this one. In several paintings she is shown carrying a sword with forward curved quillions. Others show straight quillions. None of the paintings shows a sword like the Gen 2 Joan of Arc. This is not surprising because her sword is said to have been destroyed.
For more information on Joan:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joan_of_Arc
www.distinguishedwomen.com/biographies/joanarc.html
www.jeanne-darc.dk/p_jeanne/brief_biography.html
www.jeanne-darc.dk/p_jeanne/sword.html
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Jeanne_d%27Arc
The last site contains a multitude of pictures.
CONCLUSION and SBG Ratings
I like this sword despite the fact that it is much heavier than advertised. It is very durable. It handles reasonably well. It is a good cutter and a good thruster when I use it properly. The wooden grip is not very attractive but it is functional and it does not get slippery.
I don’t much care for the scabbard. When wet the dye comes off. Its sole redeeming feature is that it fits the sword quite well.
Historical Accuracy: 2/5
Fit and Finish: 3/5
Handling: 4/5
Structural Integrity: 5/5
Value for Money: 4/5
OVERALL: 4/5
Charles A. Appel – Marietta, Georgia, USA
INTRODUCTION
When I started looking at swords about a year ago, I decided to concentrate on lightweight models. I visited the websites of many sword makers and sword dealers, writing down the weights and other particulars in a small notebook. One of the items that caught my attention was the Generation 2 Joan of Arc sword. Some vendors call this the “Christian Warrior” sword. It was listed on Generation 2’s web site as weighing an incredible 1.5 pounds. (As of November 19th 2008 at 5:10 pm, it was still listed at this weight. More Later.) Naturally it was one of the first swords I ordered. It arrived quickly, carefully packed in plastic wrap.
INITIAL IMPRESSIONS
I seriously considered sending the sword back. When I first picked it up, I was very disappointed. The sword was obviously much heavier than advertised. A quick weight check on my Escali scale indicated that the sword was a rather hefty 2.73 pounds. Now I knew why there was a large empty bag of jelly beans among the packing materials.
In addition, the enamel in the pommel had not been well applied. You can see this in the picture below. The other side has a similar flaw.
On the good side, the handle fit my hand very well. The sword fit the scabbard and didn’t fall out when inverted. All fittings were tight. There is no looseness in the guard, grip, or pommel. And furthermore, the sword was paper cutting sharp. Weighing the good against the bad, I decided to keep the sword. I’m glad I did.
Statistics
Handle Length: | 05.00 Inches | 12.70 cm |
Max Handle Circ: | 04.13 Inches | 10.49 cm |
Min Handle Circ: | 03.63 Inches | 09.22 cm |
Blade Length: | 27.13 Inches | 68.91 cm |
Hilt Length: | 07.86 Inches | 19.96 cm |
Sword Length: | 35.00 Inches | 88.90 cm |
Sword with Scabbard: | 36.50 Inches | 92.71 cm |
Scabbard Length: | 28.75 Inches | 73.03 cm |
Ricasso Width(1): | 01.53 Inches | 03.89 cm |
Ricasso Thickness(1): | 00.27 Inches | 00.69 cm |
Blade Width(2) | 01.53 Inches | 03.89 cm |
Blade Thickness(2) | 00.20 Inches | 00.51 cm |
Blade Thickness(3): | 00.10 Inches | 00.25 cm |
Guard Height: | 00.58 Inches | 01.47 cm |
Guard Width: | 06.13 Inches | 15.57 cm |
POB: | 03.13 Inches | 07.95 cm |
COP(4): | 18.00 Inches | 45.72 cm |
Sword Weight: | 43.60 Ounces | 01.24 kg |
Scabbard Weight: | 08.00 Ounces | 00.23 kg |
Total Weight: | 51.60 Ounces | 01.46 kg |
(1) – Measured at the guard.
(2) – Measured at ricasso.
(3) – Measure three inches from end of blade.
(4) – Best estimate by an amateur.
Above you can see the sword with the tools used to measure it.
DESIGN, FIT & FINISH
The Blade
The blade has a soft sheen instead of the mirror finish found on some swords. I could not find any hammer marks on the blade. Over all, it looks strong and well finished. They did a nice job.
Above is a close up photo of the ricasso. Compared to other swords, there is very little gap between blade and guard.
Above is a picture of the tip. This was taken after two cutting sessions.
The Grip
The grip of this sword is made of wood with a dark finish and a medium level of polish. It looks like it could become slippery, but in actual use this did not happen.
The Pommel
The pommel is of the wheel type. Each side contains a brass cross filled with red enamel (?) set in a field of white. As you can see in the photo below the pommel is peened in place.
The Guard
The guard is a simple brass cross piece that flares at the ends.
In the photo above you can see “G2” stamped into the guard. Also note how small the gap is between guard and blade.
The Scabbard
The scabbard is typical of swords in this price range. It is not particularly attractive. The brass chape and tip match the sword hilt. The balance of the wooden scabbard is covered in thin black leather. As you can see in the photo below, the dye comes off if you get the scabbard wet. This happened on my last cutting session.
The scabbard’s major positive feature is that it actually fits the sword. As you can see from the picture, the sword does not fall out even when inverted.
Above is a close up of the brass tip.
Above is a close up of the scabbard mouth.
TESTING
Thrusting & Cutting
Cutting and thrusting tests were conducted using water-filled containers, cardboard, and 5/16th inch plywood.
Handling
The sword is blade heavy but handles well despite this. It did a good job of cutting when I did my part (which was not often). There is a lot of momentum in the blade and I damaged my cutting stand several times when cutting light targets.
Historical Accuracy
There is no evidence that I could find that Jeanne d’Arc/Joan of Arc ever carried a weapon like this one. In several paintings she is shown carrying a sword with forward curved quillions. Others show straight quillions. None of the paintings shows a sword like the Gen 2 Joan of Arc. This is not surprising because her sword is said to have been destroyed.
For more information on Joan:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joan_of_Arc
www.distinguishedwomen.com/biographies/joanarc.html
www.jeanne-darc.dk/p_jeanne/brief_biography.html
www.jeanne-darc.dk/p_jeanne/sword.html
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Jeanne_d%27Arc
The last site contains a multitude of pictures.
CONCLUSION and SBG Ratings
I like this sword despite the fact that it is much heavier than advertised. It is very durable. It handles reasonably well. It is a good cutter and a good thruster when I use it properly. The wooden grip is not very attractive but it is functional and it does not get slippery.
I don’t much care for the scabbard. When wet the dye comes off. Its sole redeeming feature is that it fits the sword quite well.
Historical Accuracy: 2/5
Fit and Finish: 3/5
Handling: 4/5
Structural Integrity: 5/5
Value for Money: 4/5
OVERALL: 4/5