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Post by Deleted on Oct 4, 2009 8:15:45 GMT
I've been thinking that when I have the spare cash (well, it's really never spare, just sort of diverted ) I'd like to try to get my first european sword. Being as I know absolutely nothing about european swords I figured I would ask for your advice. I'd like a sword with a blade no longer than 32" and if price permits, no shorter than 22". I'd prefer something double edged and that comes sharpened. That's about all the specific things I would like, but I would also like to try to find the least expensive functional blade I can, so if something doesn't meet those requirements I would still consider it if the price is right.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 4, 2009 8:28:20 GMT
Take a look at the VA practicals and the Tinker Hanwei line. They're the best low cost swords. I'd give the Tinker bastard a serious consideration.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 4, 2009 8:56:11 GMT
The VA/Atrim Practical Arming Sword seems to fit your criteria nicely, rottenpunk. I have one myself. She's plenty sharp and takes a very nice edge and she handles like a dream. Plain of course, but there's beauty in simplicity
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Post by Deleted on Oct 4, 2009 10:43:45 GMT
Try and dig up a Windlass Type IV.
M.
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Post by Tom K. (ianflaer) on Oct 4, 2009 14:26:51 GMT
the windlass classic type XIV seems like it would be a perfect fit EXCEPT for two things: 1 - it's discontinued and hard to find 2 - it comes blunt or with a secondary nasty-bevel if you get it sharpened by a store
I reccomend the Valiant Armory AT303 Practical Arming sword because what you describe for length is an arming sword (one handed) almost all euro swords made for 1.5 or 2 hands have a blade longer than 32" if they are made well. the AT303 has a hilt that is long enough you can just get a little bit of your other hand on if you realy want to. the AT303 is one of the best budget arming swords available, it comes sharp with a no worries customer service from Sonny.
priced in the low to mid $2xx range you just cannot go wrong with it
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Post by Deleted on Oct 5, 2009 0:09:34 GMT
The VA/Atrim Practical Arming Sword looks very nice, but I'm pretty surprised at the prices. I don't have any problem spending that much on a good sword, but I was hoping there would be some kind of entry level model in the mid or high $1xx range to start out with.
Is there anything like this that is a still functional sword? If not I suppose I'll just have to save up for a few months for the VA/Atrim practical arming sword.
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Post by Tom K. (ianflaer) on Oct 5, 2009 0:41:43 GMT
in the upper $1xx price range your only options are clunky mal-formed stuff that bears little to no resembelance to a real sword or something decent but used. not long ago I sold my old Cheness Kaze for about that. if you are patient and you keep a sharp eye on the classified ads here, on myarmoury, and SFI you might find something good in that price range but more than likely by the time one pops up you wold have been able to save up enough for the AT303. I know there are a lot of functional katana out there for about $100 but the European market doesn't have anything in that price range that is worth your time and effort in my opinion. occasionally there will be a Windlass sword in this price range that is a real gem but windlass all come unsharpened unless you want to pay your store to grind a secondary bevel on it.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 5, 2009 1:04:00 GMT
I figured that would be the case. Well, I'm perfectly fine waiting so that I can get a quality blade. Thanks a lot for the advice everyone.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 5, 2009 2:16:46 GMT
. I can comment a bit about the AT303 and the Windlass Type XIV from a newbie's position. I took up Tom K.'s and other's recommendations on this board recently on a quest just like yours. I bought the AT303. It is an amazing piece for the money I spent. If you have cutting in mind as part of the goal then all I can do is follow suit with the experts here. This is a bargain and a very rewarding sword to own. On the Windlass Type XIV. I also recently purchased this sword as I just love the design/historical aspects of it. It is a beautiful and well made sword too. I'm sure the likes of a Tom K. could transform the edge of this sword and it also would be a good cutter, but I think the charm of this particular sword is in it's position as a well made Oakshott Type XIV replica at a very modest cost. KOA still has some of these but as was mentioned, it is no longer it production. This motivated me to move on one now for my collection. But it will be a display piece for me. Enjoy your new sword. You've got some great people to reflect opinions off of on this forum. I've really been enjoying it ! dxr (enclosed are some pics of my new AT303 in brown) .
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Post by Kilted Cossack on Oct 5, 2009 2:27:03 GMT
rottenpunk:
Howdy!
While we're playing, could you clarify a little more in terms of era what you're looking for? Double edged 22-32" blade covers a TON of European sword territory. You could go from Celtic anthropomorphic swords to the Roman gladius, Viking hewers to arming swords to English civil war cut and thrust blades. (The West got a lot of mileage out of the "double edged mid-length sword" deal, a lot of mileage.)
Are you interested in cutting, poking, a mix of both? Which historical era strikes your fancy?
I'll echo what others have said about the Valiant Armory AT303S arming sword. I've got one and quite like it. I'm still more comfortable with other blades that I've worked with more, but the AT303S is mighty sweet indeed. Before it came out, i'd been looking at the Windlass XIV, and had heard good things about it. KOA still has it in stock. At 189 plus shipping plus sharpening, my vote would be to go with the 215 AT303S from the SBG Sword Store (free shipping).
I'm not bad mouthing Windlass--I've got a couple of their blades, and have my eye on a few more. Perusing the review section can turn up some well-regarded Windlass swords. I've never read anything uncomplimentary about their tempering. If you get a sharp, you will get a secondary bevel, which bothers some people and others not at all.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 5, 2009 2:51:54 GMT
Are you interested in cutting, poking, a mix of both? Which historical era strikes your fancy? I'd say a mix of both, but mainly cutting. As for era, something medieval or viking would be the era I would probably most appreciate. Or possibly some kind of blade used by ancient Germanic tribes as my family tree goes back and starts in the area of Germany/Austria.
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Post by Tom K. (ianflaer) on Oct 5, 2009 3:04:07 GMT
yeah, the AT303 is right up your alley then I'd think. Windlass makes a classic medieval type X (viking style) that is a very nice piece from what I hear. that may be something you should look at. again the sharpening issue, but some people are not bothered by it. I think KOA has some of these. worth a look.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 5, 2009 4:46:26 GMT
The only two swords I have are by Windlass (the War sword and the Type XIV) and I'm pretty darn happy with them. I'm sure the valiant Armory practicals are better in some ways, and I've heard that some Windlass swords have pretty bad problems, but overall I'd say they're pretty decent. Anyway, if you're going for least expensive functional blade you should really look at what Windlass has to offer, especially if you can find some on sale. They regularly have things half price as the "Deal of the Day" on their site ( www.museumreplicas.com/). Certainly though, everyone else has some great suggestions as well. Your only real problem is choosing from all of the available options.
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SlayerofDarkness
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Post by SlayerofDarkness on Oct 5, 2009 19:22:23 GMT
Tom, I think that Rottenpunk was askin g about swords in the MID-HIGH 1xx range, not swords at around $100. As such, both the Windlass Classic Medieval Sword (Type X, found at ArmsofValor.com for $145ish), and the Windlass Type XIV (Type 'DUH', found at Kultofathena.com for about $185) fit his criteria. Still, seeing as the 303S can be had for a mere $205 if you know where to look, those options aren't that much cheaper than the VA. All three of these swords would be excellent, although I'd reccomend not getting the sharpening option on the Windlass' and either sharpening the sword yourself or paying Tom K. to do it for you. Also, note that the Classic Medieval is going to be a bit more foward-balanced than the Type XIV and 303S. That'll make it a great chopper, but also a bit harder to control. All that aside, I must say that I too own a Windlass Type XIV and LOVE it! Great little sword, and the grip is just long enough to squeeze another hand on in a pinch. ;D Hope this helps! -Slayer EDIT: Spelling.
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Post by sicheah on Oct 5, 2009 20:19:21 GMT
Quick disclaimer: I don't know much about Euro sword... but I've heard a lot more good things than bad on the Windlass XIV.
I'll chime in with the rest, if you dig the Windlass type XIV, you don't wanna wait too long to get it (it is a good discontinued item). Currently it is still available at KoA and I am not surprise if it sold out in the very near future. The only downside from Windlass XIV that it is unsharpened.
Edit:grammar
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Post by Tom K. (ianflaer) on Oct 5, 2009 22:18:11 GMT
oh yeah, ther's no doubt the type XIV is one of Windlass' best swords ever and is a darned fine piece of steel. I have dry handled one, probably the one Slayer now owns and I really liked it. in fact I was trying to swindle that sword out of Sean but Brog beat me to the punch with a better deal. grrrrrrrrrr. that's ok I guess I'll just have to get a good type XIV somewhere sooner or later.
the only thing that makes hesitate to reccomend this sword to new folks is the sharpening issue. most new guys don't want to mess with it. most guys ruin the first sword they try to sharpen. I know I did. but then I bought it for that exact purpose so it was cool.
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SlayerofDarkness
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Post by SlayerofDarkness on Oct 5, 2009 23:56:05 GMT
;D Sorry! lol. The sharpening service is actually pretty good. Apart from my Kaze (wonder who that came from? ), the Type XIV is my best cutter. I do wish that it came with an appleseed edge, and I'm sure that it would cut even better with a proper geometry, but the secondary bevel does its job. So, if you have any sharpening experience, do it yourself. If not the MRL/KoA sharpening service is 'acceptable', IMO. Or, better than either of those choices, you could send it to Tom. The Cheness Kaze I bought from him is likely the sharpest piece of steel in Florida. ;D -Slayer
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Post by Deleted on Oct 11, 2009 18:45:13 GMT
Well, considering the overwhelming amount of endorsement of it, I plan to order the type XIV if it is still in stock when I get the money.
However, if it should sell out, what are your thoughts on the Kris Cutlery Baselard? I was browsing KoA and it just seemed to call out to me with its simple no frills design and the fact that it says that it comes sharp.
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Post by YlliwCir on Oct 11, 2009 19:09:26 GMT
I don't have that particular model, RP. I do have five other KC blades, all great swords in my opinion and came really sharp. I don't see any reason the Baselard wouldn't follow suit.
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