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Post by Deleted on Aug 12, 2009 21:50:13 GMT
I bet that it out-performs the Duke as well. A sword with proportions that large but a weight that little has a thin blade, which means it will be more likely to break. The GSOW is heavier though, and it is actually made for cutting - the description even says that was designed for heavy targets.
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SlayerofDarkness
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"Always give everyone the benefit of the doubt."
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Post by SlayerofDarkness on Aug 12, 2009 21:53:52 GMT
Man, you've never seen an Albion have you? I HIGHLY doubt that a $300 sword could even come close to an Albion. As for it breaking, Albions have one of the BEST heat treatments out there... they are some ultra-tough swords. Why don't you think Albions are made for cutting? If they weren't, they'd be SLO's, lol. Just my $0.02... but I'd take a Duke any day of the week. But man I do love the looks of that GSoW. I'll get one... someday... ;D -Slayer
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Post by Deleted on Aug 12, 2009 21:56:40 GMT
I'm thinking that the GSoW is so much heavier because it has less distal taper than the Duke. I could very well be wrong, but otherwise I'm not sure how two swords so similar in size and shape could have a weight difference of over half a pound. In any case, it almost certainly will be a badass cutter, but as far as outperforming an expensive Albion, I'd say the jury's still out on that one. It could be the case, though, we'll have to see once the GSoW is reviewed.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 12, 2009 22:11:12 GMT
Albion's are designed with performance as a priority. They are designed to be historically accurate replicas, which means that they specifically perform like the swords they were based on. I have never handled one, so I am making speculations, but I don't think that they are the absolute best as far as handling goes. They are definately good, but you can buy an Atrim for several hundred dollars to half the price less and the Atrim will perform much better. I would much rather have a Duke than the GSOW if I could get either one for free, but I can't. Anyways, I think that most of the Albions are worth the price.
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Post by enkidu on Aug 12, 2009 22:26:47 GMT
I do think that the Albions are overpriced ( they sell for the price of a one-of-a-kind custom sword... ) but although i never have cut with one ( held but not cut ) from dry handling i guess they perform just as well as the Atrims ( i have one at home ) only with better looking fittings and finish. But for twice or three times the price. The Hanwei/tinker longsword i had the pleasure to hold was a dream come true regarding the handling and was nothing shy of higher-end production sword such as Atrims or Albions, but this time with very plain Jane features and a somewhat boring look.
It really depends on what youre looking for.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 12, 2009 22:47:09 GMT
enkidu summarized what I said nicely. I should probably start a poll on which sword people would rather have if they could choose one for free - the GSOW or the VA LS.
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Post by enkidu on Aug 12, 2009 23:01:06 GMT
Wait for the review on the GSOW before making a choice ( we never know ), but keep in mind that they are quite different swords, the VA LS is a nimble longsword ( i have one and its a joy to cut with, even if its one of the first batch, when my friends cut with swords with the first time this is generally the sword they all end up cutting with after trying them all... katana excluded, i only have one, a PPE, but there's always a samurai freak somewhere... ) , and the GSOW seems to be more directed on heavy target with more authority on the cut. But if Tinker put his magic touch on it then you'll have the best of both worlds, an heavy cutter with a perfect balance. ( i tell you, balance, handling and harmonic thingys are remarkable on anything Tinker put his hands on that i've seen )
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Post by Deleted on Aug 12, 2009 23:56:32 GMT
If the production model selling at the moment is the same as the prototype, I will love it.
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Post by shadowhowler on Aug 13, 2009 5:38:59 GMT
If the production model selling at the moment is the same as the prototype, I will love it. They are almost never exactly the same...
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Post by Deleted on Aug 13, 2009 5:43:16 GMT
Guess I'm the only one who sees nothing special or buy-worthy about this one. Tinker does great work, no doubt about that, but this one just isn't my kind of sword. I would take the VA LS.
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Post by shadowhowler on Aug 13, 2009 5:49:07 GMT
Guess I'm the only one who sees nothing special or buy-worthy about this one. Tinker does great work, no doubt about that, but this one just isn't my kind of sword. I would take the VA LS. Its a matter of what you like... The GSoW is a big ol hulking Great Sword... where the VA longsword is fairly modest in size and is very light, quick, and nimble. They are totaly different creatures... I like them both for different reasons.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 13, 2009 5:51:21 GMT
You know me mate, organic curves and nice short blades, those are my likes
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Post by kidcasanova on Aug 13, 2009 5:57:54 GMT
I bet that it out-performs the Duke as well. A sword with proportions that large but a weight that little has a thin blade, which means it will be more likely to break. The GSOW is heavier though, and it is actually made for cutting - the description even says that was designed for heavy targets. Thin blade cross section = better for cutting. As long as you aren't flubbing your cuts and hitting wood/metal stands or hacking trees, the Albion will not break. I'm sure the GSoW is going to be a really powerful cutting sword that will perform pretty well, especially for the price. But I seriously doubt it will out-perform the Albion out-of-the-box.
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Post by shadowhowler on Aug 13, 2009 6:00:19 GMT
But I seriously doubt it will out-perform the Albion out-of-the-box. Especialy if the edge is craptastic...
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Post by Deleted on Aug 13, 2009 6:14:32 GMT
Depending on the albion though, you are paying two or three times that of the GSoW. I would still buy a Bresicca Spadona if I won the lottery though, that sword is just gorgeous! Even though I like my blades like I like my women, short and curvy (I have never met a woman who is 6' 4" so shorter than me is never an issue) but even considering that the Bressica is a dream sword.
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Post by kidcasanova on Aug 13, 2009 6:23:22 GMT
But I seriously doubt it will out-perform the Albion out-of-the-box. Especialy if the edge is craptastic... Exactly. But even with a refined and correct apple-seed edge, I still don't think the swords will perform at even equal levels. I think they will perform in a similar relationship as the VA's do to a true AT sword. That is, similar in many regards and fantastic for the price, but with the more expensive sword performing better quite easily. Still, it would be a really big plus if the performance came even pretty close to the Duke and would be a big accomplishment for the sub-300 market.
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Post by shadowhowler on Aug 13, 2009 6:26:29 GMT
Exactly. But even with a refined and correct apple-seed edge, I still don't think the swords will perform at even equal levels. I think they will perform in a similar relationship as the VA's do to a true AT sword. That is, similar in many regards and fantastic for the price, but with the more expensive sword performing better quite easily. Still, it would be a really big plus if the performance came even pretty close to the Duke and would be a big accomplishment for the sub-300 market. Indeed... I agree. I suspect the GSoW will also have a tougher time with lighter targets... like empty plastic bottles. Larger, heavyier swords often don't handle the small targets well.
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Post by kidcasanova on Aug 13, 2009 6:31:45 GMT
I need to poke around and see if there's a really good review of the Duke. I seem to recall that it didn't perform quite as well as Albion's other larger swords, though I admit I may be very much mistaken. If I'm right then it might also have trouble on such "extra" light targets like empty bottles. Many swords much smaller and more nimble with even an experienced user fail that sort of test.
Edit: Found one on MyArmoury, reading it now. Looking at the weight, it's actually the same as the prototype Tinker made for Hanwei (he said it was 3 and a quarter pounds), and that the initial production prototype piece Hanwei sent to him was pretty close in the weight, but was a couple ounces heavier (in the Number 2 thread). Now Hanwei lists the weight almost a pound heavier than it was supposed to be. It's fairly upsetting, to be honest, that it is now just under 4 pounds as opposed to just a smidge over 3.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 13, 2009 11:00:31 GMT
I like the GSOW, but I am having doubts about its performance of lighter targets like water bottles and such. I will probably end up with the VA LS and the norman, unless I decide to the the VA arming sword and the GSOW. Either combination should please me. I will try and wait for a review on the GSOW, although I am getting a little anxious.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 13, 2009 12:52:21 GMT
Don't wait for it. GSoW will sure be a great sword, but I wouldn't recommend one as someone's first sword. It's quite specialized and you might find it a bit frustrating for beginner cutting of bottles. VA practical longsword is more appropriate first longsword. And Hanwei Tinker Norman is a good candidate for a someone's first singlehander if properly sharpened.
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