Hey LotR fans

*Sigh*

Shooter: depends on what sword art you practice, german longsword for example I find works better with a sword that has most of the weight close to the guard because as I understand it that means there is more steel to support the guard and in german longsword the rigidity of the guard is extremely important, also point control is much better on a "back" weighted sword. Personally I prefer back weighted sword so it could be my own bias coming through in this comment

The weight is really not out of the range of historically based swords. Stout? Sure, and it is not just the hilt that adds weight to swords. The fittings are large in crossection and the blade crossection not really addressed.

Balance is often a factor of more than just the fittings, as a good many period swords have some pretty wild distal characteristics that put a lot of blade weight in the forte. Gus and others might refer to the polar effect but easier to just think of it in terms of mass distribution.

One of the wildest examples of perception vs fact is a sword I have handled on a few occasions. It is a migration era single hander with virtually just a butt cap as a pommel. When first handed to me for my thoughts, I hefted it and remarked it felt less blade balanced than it probably was and although it felt in the 4' range of balance, I knew it had to be somewherem between 6" and 9". The sword indeed weighs out at over 8" pob but is a delight to wing through the air.

In another vein of weight. MY A&A German Bastard weighs in the 4 1/2 lb range and is roughly 49"-50". My Del Tin is 51" all told and weighs a pound less. Two quite different swords but both of the XVIII types.

Then there are hisitoric "viking" tpes that ranged heavy as well. What I would not judge is the published weight for the Lyon production, is the offering expectanct as something as somehow historically based as an exemplary maxim.

Cheers

Hotspur; mebbe it includes a scabbard but I honestly didn't notice

True regarding variety and diversity but how many hotcakes equal the cost of a better eating experience? Some do have the budget or interest in having the top tier but it kills me as well to spend that much money on what ends up as a display piece.

Although, I have spent now over $1000 for a sword that will never be used as more than appreciative and of interest (to me) in history. I have no doubt if my budget allowed, I would be looking at the antique market and what I view as important pieces. Some simply feel that urge for modern collectibles. Up until that one higher priced antique, I had spent as much for several single knives as I had for longer blades.

The Paul Lyon sales had actually been noted as availables about a year ago but this new line of numbered swords seems to have been in the offing for some time. The Albion movie efforts as well took some time to gear up for the Conan series swords. As then, folk that want them find a way to make it happen. I really am at a stage of downsizing and taking losses on production swords acquired in the past decade to better fund my specific interests. One truth is that the limited editions, custom and antique market tend to hold better value, with the antiques really the only steady possibles for appreciating much in value. Well shopped, they at least tend to hold street values with some being worth a good bit more.

Cheers

Hotspur; one other thing is certainly true in that Lyon can and does make nice swords

MUCH less...you could get a Lundemo or Powning original and any of a half dozen Atrims, Albions or A&As...something like that.

Like I said, there's a collector out there in the market for that...if/when I get to have pockets as large as his, I reckon I'll be chasing down similar beasts for display.

It is the swordsman that must be worthy; the sword is but a tool.

Why?..

I guess it is cool if you like a hideous slap of sharpened metal.

Nobody can ever seem to get that thing right. Pity.

...what?