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Post by Deleted on Jul 15, 2009 16:42:37 GMT
I was looking at these online and I think I may be smitten. I like the dimensions, the aesthetic design, and I think it would make a nice contrast with my viking one hander. I also started comparing it with the Valiant rendition. Cripes, that valiant is heavy! In my research in the sword review section, I saw a smattering of Hanwei reviews, including one on the hand and a half. The poor guy wrote a nice review of the Hanwei, then had to edit it because it snapped at the tang a month later. Now, I think a sword of this size should be able to handle bamboo. Is this weakness a common problem with Hanwei blades, or am I remiss in my expectation? www.swordsofmight.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=523www.valiant-armoury.com/catalog/txt_54-020.html
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Post by Deleted on Jul 15, 2009 19:41:50 GMT
Bamboo is abusive to swords...even cutting dedicated ones like a katana. With a cut and thrust sword of this style, it's just a bad idea. Although a tang failure is still bad. Hanwei has some QC issues at times so just go with a good retailer like KoA or AoV.
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Post by Tom K. (ianflaer) on Jul 15, 2009 20:58:37 GMT
I don't know much about the hanwei sword but I really suggest you steer clear of the Valiant Armory one. V.A. has become a great company doing revolutionary things since Sonny Suttles took over but this sword is from before Sonny's time and while I've never touched or seen one of these in person I can say at least two things about it that make me want to stay away. #1: reputation. I have heard a GREAT many negative reviews and comments on the pre-Sonny swords #2: weight. look at the weight of that sword. four pounds nine ounces, ARE YOU KIDDING?! that sword would be no fun to swing unless you are built like Conan The Barbarian.
if you really want one of these I would go Hanwei but, honestly I wouldn't go for either of them if I had a choice. just me, maybe you'll love it.
on bamboo: I have cut quite a bit of it and it can certainly be very harsh to a sword I don't think I'd call it abusive unless you are talking extremely large and thick poles. Bamboo is very challenging unless you get it quite thin. I'd say anything over 3/4 inch would be a decent cutting target for most backyard cutters when it is green and freshly harvested. anything over 2 inches in diameter can seriously damage your sword if you aren't careful, but can be a very rewarding and challenging target. some people cut up to 6 inch diameter but they are very good and using really good swords. for casual backyard cutting I reccomend bamboo 3/4" to 2" diameter green and fresh.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 15, 2009 21:06:15 GMT
I'd probably add another $60 or so bucks and go for a VA ATrim Practical Longsword myself. You would find it of substansial better quality for a little more money. ;D
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Post by Tom K. (ianflaer) on Jul 15, 2009 21:09:18 GMT
I'd probably add another $60 or so bucks and go for a VA ATrim Practical Longsword myself. You would find it of substansial better quality for a little more money. ;D absolutely! the V.A. Practicals are very good swords. well balanced, very sharp single bevel edges, tough, and with good handling. they are hard to beat.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 15, 2009 23:18:13 GMT
I'm sure the A Trim is a better sword, but I rather prefer the blade shape of the Hanwei and the Valaint. One has a fuller and one has a diamond cross section, but neither has the distal taper that the A Trim has.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 16, 2009 0:04:26 GMT
If you like the XVIIIa blade, then you should check out the tinklerline longsword from hanwei. These have a QC above their other stuff because...well thats what tinker wants...and what tinker wants, he gets . Although it's like a 100 bucks more.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 16, 2009 0:41:12 GMT
Doh!
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Post by Deleted on Jul 16, 2009 4:37:32 GMT
Ok, guys. I appreciate the other suggestions, but what I'm really looking for here is a better idea of the capability of "functional" Hanwei swords. If some are different than others (not incomparable styles but similar models), then experience with Hanwei swords like this particular sword or at least something in its class would be preferable.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 18, 2009 3:54:41 GMT
Okay these sword have a good HT on em, a decently beefy tang and it handles pretty nicely. The bad is the poor edge, the fitting is of dubious metal, it has a poorly done hollow pommel (the gen 2 henry V has a hollow pommel, but that one is done properly), the wood on the handle is of also dubious material. So basically a good cut and thrust sword for around 200 bucks that will become wonderful if your willing to redo the edge and hilt.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 18, 2009 14:15:11 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 18, 2009 18:56:12 GMT
It sorta kinda was. The pommel is redesigned so it stays on better but this one still has a hollow pommel vs the other swords which got solid ones. However, the hollow pommel is still done wrong and I out it as a con. Maybe acceptable to some...but for me, it´s a definite mark against.
As for the edge, if you think the windlass sharpening is crappy, prepare for a whole new level of disappointment when you see this edge. Shootermike, who can cut mats with a spoon(well not really...but close) has problems with hanwei edges.
A for a H&H vs two hander...well it´s tricky. A lot of it depends on the wielder. For example, I can use my XIIIa del tin in one hand pretty comfortably...most people can´t. Around more then 4 feet is when you start getting into dedicated two handers in general.
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Post by brotherbanzai on Jul 18, 2009 20:08:40 GMT
Are you asking about how to tell if it's too large to use one handed or are you asking about whether it will handle as a hand-and-a-half vs two hander?
I can only speak in reference to German long sword work. I have the Windlass 15th century and would call it more of a hand-and-a-half. The grip (including the wire wrapped portion) is 7 1/4" long. I can just barely fit both my hands on there at the same time but then I'm left with no maneuvering room. As a simple rule of thumb, if the grip is only 6-7", for me that's a hand-and-a-half. 8" or more and it's a two hander.
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Avery
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Post by Avery on Jul 18, 2009 20:27:17 GMT
I have an old one of the hanwei swords. Mines served me well, but I've heard and had first hand experience with tang issues on these. If you do decide to get one be sure to break it down to inspect the tang before doing ANY cutting.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 18, 2009 21:25:24 GMT
I saw a review of the Windlass 15th C. longsword on the RSW site, but I can't seem to find it now. I do remember that they said good things about it though, and it's certainly a nice price and good looking sword.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 19, 2009 3:20:23 GMT
When I asked about the H&H vs 2 hander, What I was really asking about were dimensions. I mean, from blade length and overall length, how can I determine which grip pattern a sword is set up for? IOW, how long should the grip be on a hand and a half vs a 2 hander? Brotherbonzai pretty much got to the heart of what I was asking. Does that sound appropriate?
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