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Post by Deleted on Apr 10, 2009 3:34:27 GMT
I want to write my impressions of the Guardian I recently purchased from Darksword through SBG. This wont be a typical review with measurements and so on because that information is available in several different places and easy to find. I'm not a sword expert and haven't been around many real swords, that being said I do know how a sword is suppose to handle, I have read many reviews and read a lot of literature and throw in a little common sense for extra measure. My impression of the Guardian fresh from the box was that it had some heft and was very solid. But after close inspection I did also notice that the grip was already coming loose from the handle. Not a big deal as this can be re wrapped or simply glued. I also noticed some scratches on the pommel. Also not a big deal as this can be buffed out. I did however find something on the sword that could not be easily fixed and did take away from its aesthetics. The area where the hilt meets the blade was about an 1/8th of an inch from the blade. The other side is flush with the blade. I believe a little more attention to detail could have been used on this sword to make it truly a wonderful weapon. Other than these flaws I could not find anything visually wrong with the sword. The wrapping on the handle did begin to unravel on the pommel end after about 10 min of sword swinging. I would suggest taking the handle wrap upgrade when purchasing this sword as you will be dealing with this issue anyway. ****Handling**** This sword is heavy around 4.5lbs unless you are a hulk of a man you will be keeping 2 hands on this monster. I have read reviews that say this sword can be handled with one hand, sorry but I do not agree. Swinging the Guardian around with one hand will wear you out quick or you will loose your grip and send it flinging across the yard. This is heavy even for a 2 hander so be warned. I did find this sword to be extremely solid. I did not stress it to the point of breakage but I did beat it on an old stump in the yard to feel it against some resistance. I got the impression that it can handle some serious abuse and come out on top. I had this sword sharpened by Darksword and was not impressed as it arrived fairly dull. More specifically the blade closest to the hilt was somewhat sharper while along the blade towards the tip was very dull. This is my first sword from Darksword so I'm not sure if this is standard for them. I'm comparing the edge to a sword I got from museum replicas that was EXTREMELY SHARP. The sharpening service from Museum Replicas was outstanding while Darksword fell short. There was one more thing that bothered me about this sword, and that was the scabbard that came with it. The metal throat of the scabbard came in contact with the metal of the sword hilt. If I were to strap this sword to my belt and climb onto my horse and go for a gallop the racket would be deafening. The sword is very loose in the scabbard so I would also be worried about losing the sword on the run. I was a little disappointed in the Guardian overall in both the out of the box un-raveling of the grip and that ugly gap between the blade and the hilt that did not match the other side. I was impressed with its solidness. It is a bit blade heavy and weighs in at 4.5 lbs. This sword looks great and is serviceable and although it won't be the favorite sword in my collection it will remain in my collection. UPDATE: 4/13/09 Eyal of Darksword Armory was more than willing to correct any problems with my sword and went to great lengths to ensure I was satisfied. I'm very happy with customer service at Darksword Armory.
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Post by shadowhowler on Apr 10, 2009 3:53:04 GMT
Major bummer... I love the look of the Guardian sword and vry nearly bought one myself just becuase of it's looks. However the issues yours has are unacceptable. Did you contact Eyal at DSA and speak to him about these issues? I have found Eyal to be VERY attentive to customer service and a great guy to deal with... I am sure he would work with you on this. I would re-do the grip or have Brian of DBK re-do the grip... but it should not be unravling out of the box and then unravle at the other end after swing it around for 10 minutes. Thats just sad. +1 for sharing your bad experince with us... I hope you get ahold of Eyal and work out something.
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Post by YlliwCir on Apr 10, 2009 4:04:36 GMT
Thanks for a sraightforward review, Bullvine. +1
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Post by alvin on Apr 10, 2009 4:06:30 GMT
Informative post Bullvine ! I'll second Shadow's comments. Too bad about those issues. But, one can improve on most of them, except for that weight ! One might say, that through use, one could build up some muscle strength. But I'd be worried about throwing out my back ! + 1 2 U.
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Post by musicalpoo on Apr 10, 2009 4:06:57 GMT
woohoo! I believe I have seen enough reviews on this sword now to understand that if I do indeed buy it, it will be through AoV (Sorry Paul!) so I can customize the grip. Great review, and +1 to you mate!
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Post by Dave(utilityslave) on Apr 10, 2009 15:59:44 GMT
I also second Shadow's comments. I have been thinking a long time about buying one of these through AOV and gettng a DBK customized treatment on it as in Brian's current thread at; /index....lay&thread=9560 The only thing holding me back was availability and now the swords mass. It's so heavy! +1 on an honest review on an attractive sword!
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Post by Deleted on Apr 10, 2009 19:43:37 GMT
Does anyone know if all the Guardians have this Gap between the blade and the hilt guard? or did I just get a special one?
Maybe I should speak with Eyal on this matter. Thanks guys.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 13, 2009 19:59:13 GMT
UPDATE: 4/13/09 Eyal of Darksword Armory was more than willing to correct any problems with my sword and went to great lengths to ensure I was satisfied. I'm very happy with customer service at Darksword Armory.
-Bullvine
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Post by shadowhowler on Apr 13, 2009 21:15:14 GMT
UPDATE: 4/13/09 Eyal of Darksword Armory was more than willing to correct any problems with my sword and went to great lengths to ensure I was satisfied. I'm very happy with customer service at Darksword Armory. -Bullvine I have found that to be very true... dealing with the less expensive hand made swords, I think problems do come up a bit more often then on the higher end, machine made stuff. However, Eyal has ALLWAYS stood behind his product and brand, and every time I have talked with him he has been generous and helpfull to a fault. That goes a LONG way with me.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 13, 2009 21:40:14 GMT
Review unrelated, but your facial hair is awesome.
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Post by Dave(utilityslave) on Apr 13, 2009 21:46:53 GMT
UPDATE: 4/13/09 Eyal of Darksword Armory was more than willing to correct any problems with my sword and went to great lengths to ensure I was satisfied. I'm very happy with customer service at Darksword Armory. -Bullvine I had no doubts!
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Post by shadowhowler on Apr 13, 2009 22:41:55 GMT
Review unrelated, but your facial hair is awesome. Uhhh....
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Post by Dave(utilityslave) on Apr 13, 2009 23:37:38 GMT
Review unrelated, but your facial hair is awesome. Uhhh.... Yeah........I didn't have a response for that so I chose to ignore it.........I think you put it pretty well Sean!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 14, 2009 21:53:21 GMT
Oh, I was referring to bullvine, not you guys.
Its the truth.
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Post by shadowhowler on Apr 14, 2009 22:22:49 GMT
Oh, I was referring to bullvine, not you guys. Its the truth. I KNOW you were referring to him and not I or Utilityslave... his picture was the one in the thread. What I was confused by is why you felt the desire to comment on his facial hair at all... just a little weird.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 15, 2009 0:17:49 GMT
Oh, I was referring to bullvine, not you guys. Its the truth. I KNOW you were referring to him and not I or Utilityslave... his picture was the one in the thread. What I was confused by is why you felt the desire to comment on his facial hair at all... just a little weird. But we can both agree, it IS awesome, yes?
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Post by shadowhowler on Apr 15, 2009 0:53:16 GMT
But we can both agree, it IS awesome, yes? I'm a little worried about you, pirate...
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Marc Ridgeway
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"The best cost less when you buy it the first time." - Papabear
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Post by Marc Ridgeway on Apr 15, 2009 0:55:47 GMT
Hmmmmm that was a pirate like comment for sure .... but not an Omegapirate ... an entirely different kind of pirate ... LOL
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Post by shadowhowler on Apr 15, 2009 0:58:56 GMT
Hmmmmm that was a pirate like comment for sure .... but not an Omegapirate ... an entirely different kind of pirate ... LOL Hhheheehehe... ;D Shiver me Timbers...
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 15, 2009 1:36:55 GMT
Hmmmmm that was a pirate like comment for sure .... but not an Omegapirate ... an entirely different kind of pirate ... LOL Yarr, ect.
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