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Post by Deleted on Jul 31, 2009 6:12:40 GMT
Been a while since I posted here, but I need a suggestion on what is the best company to buy steel stage weapons? Im asking this because, my older friend works in the drama department at the local community college, and we ran into a huge problem when choosing the stage steel company for our sword fight scene. We bought two hanwei swords (praticle knight sword and viking sword) for our dueling scene. Everthing was going fine, but then during the fight scene, the knight sword snapped in two, and the viking got a massive crack in it. This was our first practice in our duel scene and these "high carbon" steel swords broke on us. They even said on the website that they were designed for live re-enactment with their blunted edges, and they could stand massive amounts of punishment. Well, we sent them back for a full refund. So as I was asking before, what is the best place to get stage steel-esq weapons?
Also I dont want any critisisms about the sword scene, or how to fight properly.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 31, 2009 7:14:55 GMT
I've heard that Darksword makes some very strong swords and pretty attractive at that, and I know they ship them blunt, but I'm not certain if they're blunt enough for safe stage use or not, certainly worth looking into. Starfire forge also makes swords for such use, though they aren't nearly as attractive as the Darsword ones and I haven't heard a whole lot about them.
I have heard of the Hanwei practical swords occasionally having terrible problems, but most of the time being just fine for the job, so it seems that they must just have some quality control problems and you were unlucky.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 31, 2009 10:02:00 GMT
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Post by YlliwCir on Jul 31, 2009 10:55:46 GMT
I have that RS Stage Steel gladius, it's really heavy and ugly. I got to believe there are better choices.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 31, 2009 11:09:27 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 31, 2009 12:53:39 GMT
I second the Ritter Steel stage series; as Ric said, they're big and ugly- just what you need for your duelling scene it sounds like. They can withstand a lot of abuse and they'll show rather well on stage, what with the plain, wire wrapped black handles and relatively bright blades.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 31, 2009 18:07:36 GMT
Well the new DSA have 1mm edges which isn´t quite safe for stage combat...but if your willing to put some time in to make the edge thicker, then they are actually a very good choice for stage combat. Their old 2mm edge was great for stage combat actually (assuming no stabs as they all have sharp pointy ends and they don´t flex enough at all for safe tip usage)
If you can afford it, BKS are also quite good for stage combat as well.
If you have an even bigger budget, then albion maestro line is also excellent.
Rittersteel is a way to go. They aren´t pretty...and they don´t handle like swords at all...but that isn´t really a requirement in a prop. Although I would seriously consider other options first.
Hanwei is fine for stage combat...it´s just that some of their swords have some QC issue at time. Looks like you ran into the famous(infamous) hanwei QC issue. This assumes no wrong doing on the stage actor´s part of course...no sword (stage or otherwise) will stand up to some of the abuse I have seen in stage combat.
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Post by brotherbanzai on Jul 31, 2009 18:23:08 GMT
I would second BKS. I have some friends that have used their swords (with a lot of abusive edge on edge bashing) and they've held up well.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 31, 2009 20:06:56 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 31, 2009 20:24:51 GMT
Kerry (Stagmer, one of the two owners of BKS) is revamping their website so its down in the meantime, but if you're anywhere near Baltimore, MD you can probably slide by their shop. I've never used their stuff but I've seen enough of it and heard enough about it to suggest they'd be exactly what you'd need.
Forget Ritter Steel unless your budget demands that you use them...like Cold Napalm said, they're not really swords, they just look like them. If that makes any sense to you.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 31, 2009 21:57:53 GMT
The Palm Beach CC here uses Ritter Steel for stage stuff, as well as film dept. Basically you got a bunch of college kids using these and they can't really tell what's real and what's not. RS is cheaper than most and pretty durable, render that you can lift them lol
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Post by Deleted on Aug 1, 2009 1:21:51 GMT
The VA is too stiff and the edge too thin for safe stage combat...same deal as the DSA. They do balance better then DSA swords, but I feel that DSA are tougher swords. For a stage combat weapon, I would choose a DSA of the VA blunt...course they both need work before you should use them for stage combat...and in either case tip play is out of the question.
Gen 2 blunts...umm aren´t very good. They are about on par with rittersteel in fit and finish without the over build toughness. They are balanced better then rittersteel however...in anycase, I don´t like´em.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 1, 2009 2:53:54 GMT
Kult of Athena carries Baltimore Knife and sword. They have two arming and two long swords for sale. I have a friend of mine that does stage fighting who swears by BKS. He let me handle his fullered longsword. It was a bit akward for me, being used to sharps and all, but handled well for what it was. VA has an I Beam blunt trainer that would work, dirt cheap too might I add. KOA has em too! Also, Del Tin is a good choice. Their edges are a bit thin, 1.5 mm or so but the tips are rounded. They are pricey though but that's what they use in europe!
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Post by Deleted on Aug 1, 2009 3:15:34 GMT
Wow, those Baltimore's are pretty expensive, but extreamly nice!. That VA I beam blunt trainer looks too suspicious to me though. Gen2 looks like a better deal now, but alot of people have different opinions on them. Its kinda hard to choose, seeing that a promised quality sword broke within its first duel, and the other chipped away like a cardboard sword.
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Post by enkidu on Aug 21, 2009 22:58:13 GMT
If durability is an issue for you i would suggest DSA, contact them and ask for blunted edges ans round point, i'm sure they could do something for you. BKS, if you are willing to pay, will surely fill all your needs.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 21, 2009 23:18:21 GMT
I've had an Albion Squire great sword for a few years now and it's held up great. If your budget allows I'd check them out.
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