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Post by Deleted on May 19, 2009 5:43:12 GMT
Greetings Euro sword nuts enthusiasts, I come to you from the dork dark side of the Japanese sword forum seeking your advice and wisdom (or your best approximation thereof).
I think I may finally be ready to dip my toe into the Euro waters and see what all the fuss is about. After much deliberation, I have determined that the sword I would be best suited to would be either a Type XII or Type XIV (mostly cut with a bit of thrust).
Seeing that there's no decent production Type XIVs out there (that I can find), that leaves me with a Type XII. So my questions to you are:
- Part of the reason I like Japanese style swords is due to the amount of control (and hence, safety) I feel I have with a two-handed grip. Tell me I'm being stupid, or tell me I'd be better off with a Type XIIa.
- If the latter, the decision's easy. Buy a Kriegschwert or (probably) wait for the Malatesta. If the former, that means choosing between either the upcoming VA/ATrim Crusader or the Hanwei/Tinker Early Medieval Single Hander. Leaving out the scabbard issue, does anybody have any opinions on which swords are 'better'?
- Or throw me for a loop and tell me Type XIVs are more fun and there is, in fact, a good source for one.
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Post by shadowhowler on May 19, 2009 5:51:09 GMT
Well, the Wildlass XIV Arming Sword is decent for the price... or you could pick up an Atrim XIV if you have the scratch and I'm SURE that would be a very lively and easy to control blade. The VA Crusader is going to be very nice, I expect. It's made from the same (or very similar) blade as to be found on the practical arming sword... which is a very easy sword to control well one handed... tho you will NOT see the same cutting performance your used to with a katana. It's really, REALLY hard to figure what you would like until you have it in hand, swing it, and cut with it. Thats why I buy/sell/trade so many swords... I buy a lot of things that interest me... but often once I have them in hand I can tell they are not quite right for me. I think a good XIV style sword is a great option for your first western style single handed sword. With the way the blade profile tapers it leaves a lot of mass at your grip, making for a very easy to control sword. Good luck steping over to the dark side...
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Post by kidcasanova on May 19, 2009 5:55:20 GMT
We're all out of cookies, so hopefully the people are friendly enough to convert you.
I'll second Sean's thoughts and add that if you want to go the longsword route for right around our price range, one of theVA longswords or the Hanwei/Tinker Great Sword of War will be right up your alley. Though the GSoW is a XIIIa, rather than a XIIa.
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Post by Deleted on May 19, 2009 6:19:05 GMT
I think a good XIV style sword is a great option for your first western style single handed sword. With the way the blade profile tapers it leaves a lot of mass at your grip, making for a very easy to control sword. I have to admit, I do find myself constantly going back to look at this baby www.christianfletcher.com/Christian_Fletcher/Angus_Trim_Makers_Mark/Pages/Type_XIV_-_Double_Fullered.html#0 and that would answer the question of how well it performs right there. My ATrim 'Little Tigress' tactical katana does leave my Cheness blades in the dust, for all that it's not 'pretty'. The only problem is not getting killed by my wife for spending $665 on a sword (with shipping and the current crappy exchange rate). It's really, REALLY hard to figure what you would like until you have it in hand, swing it, and cut with it. Thats why I buy/sell/trade so many swords... I buy a lot of things that interest me... but often once I have them in hand I can tell they are not quite right for me. I wish I could, unfortunately the local market isn't good enough for me to resell much. You Yanks and your free shipping don't realise how good you've got it. Hence another part of my hesitation in getting the ATrim, I'd make a massive loss if I decided to resell it (but I do want it - maybe if I use my 'stimulus' money on it - not that it would stop her from killing me...).
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Marc Ridgeway
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Post by Marc Ridgeway on May 19, 2009 12:47:34 GMT
Tell me about the buying and selling thing.... geez... i funded my hobby like that for years... and lately every deal is a $70 -$100 loss.... I can't afford that... this market has killed my collecting.
Anyway , I have been tempted by Euros for a WHILE... They were the first swords I fell in love with as a child... but when I finally got old enough to learn the sword, only JSA was availiable really....
With the recent influx of Longsword traditions and new sources for Western swords , I have found myself considereing the switch for a while.
Honestly, being a katana guy, you are going to probably want a two-hander... I have had a steady stream of one-handers and even a bastard or two over the years... but they never clicked... just got my first Euro 2-hander... and loved it...
Then, there was a MAJOR disturbance in the force yesterday , which has made my switch to the dark side complete...
So to you , from a fellow katana guy , recently converted to Euros... I say go with the Kreig , or the Malatesta . or the Tinker GSoW....
I'm seriously thinking about a Kreig as well... whats holding me back is my interest in a Malatesta, plus an ATrim I'm looking at ....
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SlayerofDarkness
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Post by SlayerofDarkness on May 19, 2009 14:18:26 GMT
Then, there was a MAJOR disturbance in the force yesterday , which has made my switch to the dark side complete... Oh, C'MON! You can't just leave us hanging like that... So what exactly was this 'major disturbance in the force'? ;D -Slayer
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Post by shadowhowler on May 19, 2009 20:06:24 GMT
Psychochink: I've had my eye on that very same Atrim XIV. However, I think I may be done buying for a bit, I've done some epic damage to the wallet of late. You have an Atrim Tactical katana? I'd love to see that... Marc: Yeh, I've noticed that. There have been so many great deals in the second hand market recently, you can sell anything there without a MAJOR price discount. This is going to put the hold on my buy/sell/trade action as well.
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Post by Deleted on May 20, 2009 1:01:51 GMT
Prob Tinker GSoW, give yourself a little something different from a light katana, thats the whole point of getting a euro vs Japanese, you dont want something thats to light, something with some meat and outside the comfort zone can be entertaining and challenging.
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Post by Deleted on May 20, 2009 1:19:07 GMT
You have an Atrim Tactical katana? I'd love to see that... I'll see if I can get some photos of it, but I warn you that it looks a lot more different in person. Even the professional photos on Christian's website when I bought it didn't really capture the look - probably because of the black on black finish. It handles fantastically. Honestly, it's the way it feels one-handed that's lead me to perhaps looking at a Euro one-hander. The tackat itself isn't balanced for that, but it hints at what a sword really balanced for one hand might feel like. And I do like a good machete... I feel quite fortunate to have one actually. The tactical line isn't listed on Christian's site any more, and with this I stumbled across from Gus www.selohaar.org/forum/index.php?topic=89.0 it sounds like there's no plans to resurrect them anytime soon (plus, not much action in his existing lines for a while). So do I ease in with a two-hander, or jump in with a one-hander...so many decisions, aargh! I actually think I'm leaning towards the latter - with five two-handed swords already (albeit Japanese style) maybe I should just take the plunge already. After all, two-handed Euros can't handle that differently than two-handed Japanese style...can they? *ducks and runs* (Please don't kill me with your big, unwieldly swords)There's a question. Given the apparent popularity of Type XIVs historically, why aren't there production models out there between a Windlass (blech) and an ATrim ($$). Sonny, you reading this? ;D Oh, C'MON! You can't just leave us hanging like that... Yeah Marc, spill it! Prob Tinker GSoW, give yourself a little something different from a light katana, thats the whole point of getting a euro vs Japanese, you dont want something thats to light, something with some meat and outside the comfort zone can be entertaining and challenging. That's true as well... You blokes are just trying to confuse me, aren't you? Nah, I really appreciate all the input guys.
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Post by shadowhowler on May 20, 2009 2:16:01 GMT
It's a shame about the tactical line going away... I really wanted a tactical leaf blade, and maybe a couple others. I love the idea... a fusion of old and new, real workmen blades with modern crafting. I don't know why there are not more production XIV style swords... that is odd. Albion makes a LOT of this style of sword... but other then the Windlass, which isn't a perfect representation either, there are not a lot of sub 300's I can think off. The Bristol from VA is close, but not quite. I love it tho.
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Marc Ridgeway
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Post by Marc Ridgeway on May 20, 2009 3:03:26 GMT
Prob Tinker GSoW, give yourself a little something different from a light katana, thats the whole point of getting a euro vs Japanese, you dont want something thats to light, something with some meat and outside the comfort zone can be entertaining and challenging. Hmmm... I find Euros on average to be lighter than katana... My 36 inch bladed ATrim longsword weighs less than a 29 inch nagasa kat I have.... As far as the disturbance in the force... erm... well , I suppose I will make an official statement in a day or two...LOL.. Suffice it to say, that being on the fence lately about shifting my focus to Euros... yesterday I had an occurence with a favored katana that I took as an omen... so my focus is shifting to Euros, until something ominous occurs there...
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Post by shadowhowler on May 20, 2009 3:27:08 GMT
Hmmm... I find Euros on average to be lighter than katana... My 36 inch bladed ATrim longsword weighs less than a 29 inch nagasa kat I have.... Thats because you have GOOD euro swords... like Atrims. There are plenty Windlass, Hanwei, Pre-Sonny Suttles Valiant Armoury, ect style euro swords that weigh in WAY more then an avarage katana. As far as the disturbance in the force... erm... well , I suppose I will make an official statement in a day or two...LOL.. Suffice it to say, that being on the fence lately about shifting my focus to Euros... yesterday I had an occurence with a favored katana that I took as an omen... so my focus is shifting to Euros, until something ominous occurs there... I MUST know...
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Post by Deleted on May 20, 2009 4:54:21 GMT
Being a mere lurker around here, my opinions might not carry as much weight as some others, but I'd like to second Shadow's thoughts on the Bristol. It's not the exact type you're looking for, but it's very close and verrrry lively. Personally, I think you'd be pretty happy with it... at least it will hold you over until you drop the money for an ATrim.
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Post by Deleted on May 20, 2009 6:33:20 GMT
The Bristol's a Type XVI, isn't it?
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Post by Deleted on May 20, 2009 12:29:38 GMT
Kind of. It isn't really meant to be a prefect represenation of any type.
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Marc Ridgeway
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Post by Marc Ridgeway on May 20, 2009 22:56:53 GMT
As far as the disturbance in the force... erm... well , I suppose I will make an official statement in a day or two...LOL.. Suffice it to say, that being on the fence lately about shifting my focus to Euros... yesterday I had an occurence with a favored katana that I took as an omen... so my focus is shifting to Euros, until something ominous occurs there... I MUST know... The Disturbance in the Force ... its a link, click it
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Post by Deleted on May 21, 2009 13:18:36 GMT
S-O-D's Windlass Verneuil up for sale would make someone a very nice addition or even first Euro longsword......(considered a Type XVIII a) especially for the price!
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Post by Deleted on May 21, 2009 14:55:46 GMT
I think Marc is past Windlass at this juncture...I'd be surprised if he buys one; but who knows, maybe he'll want one just to have one. I'd go with the VA/Atrim or the CAS/Tinker lines given his knowledge and purchasing power.
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Marc Ridgeway
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Post by Marc Ridgeway on May 21, 2009 15:17:04 GMT
I think Marc is past Windlass at this juncture...I'd be surprised if he buys one; but who knows, maybe he'll want one just to have one. I'd go with the VA/Atrim or the CAS/Tinker lines given his knowledge and purchasing power. Oh.... this isn 't my thread... My first Euro was an Atrim singlle hander... and my second too.... by latest Euro is an ATrim Longsword..
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Post by Deleted on May 21, 2009 15:17:21 GMT
I think that was meant for Psychochink, starter of the topic.
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