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Post by Deleted on Oct 13, 2009 20:00:22 GMT
How good are ATrim blades?? Are they very stiff?? Do they have a good temper?? Im thinking of getting one to do a custom hilt myself because there are several styles I like and Ive heard theyre good. What are some of thier flaws?? Id love the input if you will thanks
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Post by Deleted on Oct 13, 2009 20:10:35 GMT
Are we talking the ones marketed as replacement blades for the current Valiant Armoury lineup, or actual blades made by Gus Trim himself?
There's a noticeable difference, although both blades are quite good. The VA ones are models designed by Gus but forged at VA's forge in China; I have one from the Practical lineup (303S-CT) that was custom-tuned by Gus because of incorrect blade geometry; every subsequent batch came out as they should have. Those are good blades, very good blades- I daresay at that pricepoint, the best? It's a tossup between the VA ones and the CAS/Hanwei/Tinkerline blades.
Now, if you're talking the actual Gus Trim blade (think they start at around $450 and go up), well that's head and shoulders above anything NOT custom made; it'll beat any production sword out there for the most part. Some might argue that Albion makes the best production blades...I'm inclined to agree; but for custom blades, you'd be hard pressed to find anything better than an Atrim at the $450 & Under table. Just my PO (personal opinion). YMMV.
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Post by kidcasanova on Oct 13, 2009 20:37:17 GMT
An ATrim blade performs like a sword (appropriate of the type) should. That is to say, it is not too stiff nor is it too flexible. They also boast one of the best tempers in the industry, and their flaws mostly come down to aesthetics. The finish isn't as fine as Albion's or a true custom, the grip is rather plain and some may see the recessed-nut hilt assembly as inferior to peening (though this is not true, unless you're talking about historical accuracy).
Since you're building a custom hilt for it, I think the only "flaw" would be the finish of the blade, though it's not so much a flaw as a personal preference.
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Post by randomnobody on Oct 13, 2009 20:39:14 GMT
I was one of the lucky members to pick up one of the 30 "SBG" AT 1315's way back when; Gus did a run of 30 (I think?) of these at $300 even, regular price then was $400-450. I ordered mine with a simple leather scabbard for an extra $60 (regular price $100). I love this sword. It's plenty stiff, but flexes a great deal, without taking a set. It came quite sharp, though not as sharp as some would believe a sword needs to be. The balance and handling are superb for a single-hander of its length an width. I've had the pleasure of handling several other Gus Trim swords and some Albions via ShooterMike's collection, and have to say I liked the AT's better. The Albions were pretty, and well designed, but the AT's just struck me. I imagine I did a number on those swords that day... Long story short, "real" Gus Trim swords are spectacular pieces for their pricepoints; Valiant's AT/CF designed/inspired line sure seems to be good, too, but I've no personal experience. Read lots and lots of good things, and have to say the pictures sure are pretty. So...which were you after, anyway?
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Post by enkidu on Oct 13, 2009 20:40:35 GMT
I think that Ebon covered pretty much everything about the Va/AT thats why i'll say a word or two about the original ATrims. They are stiff. The temper is perfect. They come sharp with a very good blade profile. As for the flaw the finish is definitly the only one i can find, expect some grind marks and a very ordinary polishing job.
Ask Shooter Mike, i think he tried almost everything Gus as produced those past years.
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Post by Tom K. (ianflaer) on Oct 13, 2009 20:42:07 GMT
Sooner or later Shooter Mike will show up and be able to tell you more than any of us since he has handled more of Gus' swords than probably anybody on the planet other than Gus and maybe Christian Fletcher.
I own one and have talked about many of them with Mike and others that own them because I am very interested in Gus' swords.
I think you will find that there is a lot of variety in his swords, especially when concerning stiffness. the things I think you will find consistent are things like heat treatment, fit and finish. From what I understand his swords are very consistent in good fit, finish and heat treat. a lot of this has to do with the fact that he makes every one of them himself individually.
there are going to be swords that are stiffer than his and swords that are lighter or heavier but there will be few swords that perform better according to their type.
Angus Trim swords are well respected and loved by many for good reason.
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Post by ShooterMike on Oct 13, 2009 20:48:15 GMT
I'm here, sooner than later. All I can really say is "What The Ebon Paladin, kidcasanova, randomnobody, enkidu, and Tom said." That pretty much covers every base. Good choice.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 13, 2009 20:52:13 GMT
And there you have it, lgarretto- the definitive word on Atrim blades.
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Post by alvin on Oct 13, 2009 20:57:59 GMT
Kid pretty much summed it up on ATrims as far as I am concerned.
I have three Gus Trim swords and really like them all. Quality and performance are great. The only complaints I had, if they can be legitimately termed complaints, is in aesthetics....finish and the grinding not always being straight and true.
But, the the ability to "shake n bake" the components is very attractive to me as I am never completely happy with a sword as it comes.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 13, 2009 21:02:30 GMT
Thanks Does anyone know anything about the MS2103, thats the one I was looking at but I cant find it anywhere and I cant even find stats I think its a hand and a half or thereabouts because the grip looks a little long for a single hand, but I dont know for sure
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Post by ShooterMike on Oct 13, 2009 21:08:49 GMT
All the MS prefix models are very old, related to how long Gus has been making blades. Those were some of his first models. They haven't been made since... I'm guessing... 2004 or 2005 maybe? I think they were made for a retailer that's been out of business for quite a while. But he made a few new ones for the recent sale.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 13, 2009 22:10:03 GMT
I didnt know that Ive been looking at his swords and I wish he would make his AT1557 into a hand and a half sword style. That would be great
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Post by ShooterMike on Oct 14, 2009 0:26:30 GMT
I didnt know that Ive been looking at his swords and I wish he would make his AT1557 into a hand and a half sword style. That would be great He does. It's called an AT1432. There's one that just got to Christian Fletcher's a week or two ago. It's for sale now.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 14, 2009 0:54:51 GMT
I didnt know that Ive been looking at his swords and I wish he would make his AT1557 into a hand and a half sword style. That would be great I think I said the exact same thing in a previous thread. I love that blade design ahhh the pictures are up now! Very nice. If I were a picky man (and I'm not) I'd prefer a wheel pommel but hey, its all good.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 14, 2009 5:33:31 GMT
I actually think I'd prefer an ATrim over an Albion - but I guess that speaks to my preference for utility over aethetics.
Honestly, if I could find the money, I've been daydreaming about getting a Maker's Mark XVIa and getting it 'Tom sharpened'. Mmmmm...
I know Gus is technically classified as making 'production' swords, but I think it's a close call that could almost be put in the 'low end custom' bracket. When you consider that all the work is done by one man, with the sole exception of the heat treatment, done by Pacific Metallurgical (who let's face it can do a heat treat to the kind of precise and exacting tolerances that the vast majority of smiths could not replicate on their own, at least not consistently)...
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Post by Tom K. (ianflaer) on Oct 14, 2009 17:20:26 GMT
as for "Tom" sharp, well even my own personal Atrim is not sharpened that way. I only touched sand paper to the edge once the first week I had it and never again. it doesn't need it. so here's a look at what an Atrim sword can do to bamboo wrapped with mugen dachi tatami
how's that for an answer to the title-question?
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Post by enkidu on Oct 14, 2009 19:29:20 GMT
Agreed, Atrim's blades edges come near perfect, save yourself the shipping to Tom. Put some money on a handle re-wrap, a scabbard or a polishing job instead
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Post by Marc Ridgeway on Oct 14, 2009 19:36:09 GMT
All the MS prefix models are very old, related to how long Gus has been making blades. Those were some of his first models. They haven't been made since... I'm guessing... 2004 or 2005 maybe? I think they were made for a retailer that's been out of business for quite a while. But he made a few new ones for the recent sale. MS models were Museum Store models..... they were sold at the now defunct SFI museum store.....
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Post by Deleted on Oct 14, 2009 19:46:56 GMT
I know the cutting ability is nigh on unmatched, but do they have a good solid temper?? What about edge retention? Handling? Rigidity? I dont know, I'm not questioning their atributes at all. Just asking
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Post by ShooterMike on Oct 14, 2009 19:58:36 GMT
IMO ATrim swords have probably the best heat treat of anything that's available. Maybe some custom swords are superior. But they would be rare.
The edge holding capability is very good. Probably not as quite good as Tinker, who uses some very complex differential hardening. Certainly at least as good as Albion or Arms&Armor. As good as Hanwei and Valiant Armoury. Probably a bit better.
At least that's what I have seen on the ATrims I have used and sharpened. That's a fairly small sampling. But they span most of the years Gus has made swords, so I feel like it's a good representation.
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