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Post by Deleted on Oct 21, 2009 6:29:54 GMT
OK, without turning into Way Too Much Information Man, I'm disabled and on a fixed income so it's taking me awhile to raise the money for my first sword. My birthday is November Fifth but my wife knows I don't like too much fuss made over my birthday. I'm setting aside fifty dollars a month for the sword fund but I've only been doing that for a month so she asked me if she gave me a hundred dollars to add to what I've got could I get any kind of a decent sword for a hundred and fifty dollars. I immediately thought of the Hanwei Dark Sentinel from Kult of Athena. At their prices I'd have enough money left over to pick up some oil and cleaning supplies and what not and I wouldn't be worried about breaking the bank what with Christmas coming and wanting to buy for the kids. Based on the reviews and also posts I found using the "search" function it's my impression the Dark Sentinel is a lot of bang for the buck and a good sword for a newbie. Needless to say I'm stoked and it's unlikely I'll change my mind but I thought I'd post this here in case someone comes along and says "You fool, rididiculouslycheap.com has VA Atrims on sale for twenty bucks this week!" I could be placing the order as early as tomorrow (I just found this all out tonight but she's not making me wait until the fifth) so this is probably a foolish post but, oh yeah did I mention I'M GETTING MY FIRST SWORD!!!!!!!! Sorry, I got a little carried away there. I feel like a kid on Christmas morning.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 21, 2009 11:41:46 GMT
I think the Dark Sentinel is a wise choice for a first sword at the budget you have. since I own one (actually was my son's b-day gift when he was 13) and seeing all the use it has been through over the years....you've chosen well.
Oh....and congrats on your first sword!
cheers,
Bill
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Post by Deleted on Oct 21, 2009 12:19:52 GMT
I have the DS as well and I agree with Bill. It is a fine sword especially considering the price.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 21, 2009 14:09:04 GMT
I have one as well and concur with the others--it's great choice.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 21, 2009 14:58:00 GMT
Hmmm...at that price point, and taking into account you might have a liking for fantasy-inspired swords, I put forth the Windlass Raptor sword. ChrisA, a fellow forumite has reviewed the one he got here: /index.cgi?board=swordreviews&action=display&thread=10828&page=1#174053
Chris actually compared it to his Dark Sentinel and he preferred the Raptor. As do I, now.
I bought mine partly because of that review...I'd always appreciated the wicked looking sword but I wasn't so eager to pull the trigger, having much in the way of experience with Windlass' hit or miss QC on their swords. On occasion, though, you find a good one- the Raptor is one such sword. Check it out; I believe they can be found for around $200 at KoA (www.kultofathena.com).
Best of luck in choosing and acquiring your first sword!
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ecovolo
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Post by ecovolo on Oct 21, 2009 15:06:24 GMT
A Hanwei isn't a bad choice for a first sword. Hopefully your collection will grow with time . --Edward
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Post by Deleted on Oct 21, 2009 16:26:12 GMT
billiam and ChrisA thank you. The Ebon Paladin, The Raptor is one of the swords I considered but my budget is strictly $150 dollars. (OK actually about 154 dollars. I don't ask questions I just smile and say "yes dear") But I genuinely appreciate your taking the time to write out the suggestion. ecovolo, thank you to you as well, as for my collection growing that's definitely the plan. Sword number two is liable to be a CS Grosse Messer or a VA Atrim Practical Longsword. Or maybe a...Well, I'll figure it out when I get there Thaks, guys, for reading and responding to my post. (Can you tell I'm still stoked?)
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Post by Deleted on Oct 21, 2009 16:36:07 GMT
Congrats!
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Post by Deleted on Oct 21, 2009 16:47:10 GMT
Thanks!
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Post by Deleted on Oct 21, 2009 17:34:49 GMT
Congratulations and happy birthday! The DS is a nice choice for a first sword. May your collection continue to grow! -MidoriKurogami of Sword N Armory.
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Post by brotherbanzai on Oct 21, 2009 20:52:10 GMT
Congratulations on getting you first sword slackitude! I don't especially like the look of the DS but if that's what you like, they're supposed to be decent. I think I would just go for a regular katana if that were the basic blade shape I was after. Do you have any fabrication skills? The Tinker/Hanwei longsword bare blade is only about $150 if you can make your own hilt
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Post by Deleted on Oct 21, 2009 22:49:05 GMT
Well, it's a done deal I ordered the Dark Sentinel this afternoon (Wednesday) since Kult of Athena is only a couple hours drive away I could have driven there to pick it up but that was impractical. If their shipping is as fast as I hear it is I just might have the sword by Friday but I don't expect it before next week. MidoriKurogami, thank you, I intend for my sword collection to grow. Brotherbanzai, I've read that the DS is simply a good sword for a newbie, a decent cutter and easy to control. I'm about as "newbie" as it gets and I'll take all the help I can get. As for starting with a bare blade and fabricating, my fabrication skills are non-existant. I'd like to change that some day but one thing at a time, one thing at a time. Thanks again folks. Edited to add: Shortly after the confirmation that they had pulled the money out of my account came the confirmation the sword had shipped. WOW that was fast, I think the whole deal took...It seemed like less than an hour. It's due for delivery tomorrow. Barring the box showing up full of live weasels KoA already has a happy customer.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 21, 2009 23:21:45 GMT
Grats Slack. Good choice for a first sword.
Please remember safety first. Things you value cut as easily as water bottles and mats,,
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Post by Deleted on Oct 22, 2009 5:36:49 GMT
Thanks focii, and thanks for the advice. Ever since I decided to get a "real" sword my wife and I started discussing safety. When I get my crazier ideas I run 'em by her to be de-crazied. We've tried to cover all the angles. Of course soon we'll have snow and my yard's on a slope so I figure no cutting in the snow; sharp pointy things + cut water bottles + slippery snow + sloping yard = trip to the idiot room at the hospital. So, I'm getting my first sword just in time to not get to use it but that gives me more time to practice with it which is all to the good, nice slow practice motions out in the garage. Get it right, before I worry about getting it fast.
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Post by Dave(utilityslave) on Oct 22, 2009 21:45:24 GMT
Congrat's Slackitude. You made a great choice if it makes you happy. The DS was one of my first swords and I never regretted buying it. Mine was also from KOA. Kudo's to your wife as well!
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Post by Deleted on Oct 22, 2009 22:52:57 GMT
Congrat's Slackitude. You made a great choice if it makes you happy. The DS was one of my first swords and I never regretted buying it. Mine was also from KOA. Kudo's to your wife as well! Thanks man, it just got here and I got it all unwrapped. It's dull as a butter knife but I was expecting something along those lines or was at least prepared for it and I ordered an Accusharp along with it. (I know, I know, that's heresy. I do want to learn the right way but I want to have two swords first so if I blow the edge on one I've got another) Kult of Athena met and exceeded my expectations, they definitely get two thumbs up from me.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 22, 2009 22:59:44 GMT
KOA is really quick! I also got mine from there. Mine also came pretty dull but I was still able to cut fine with it for months before I got around to try sharpening it. Now it cuts like a razor. No. I didn't use an Accusharp. I used Tom's sandpaper method: /index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=403&page=3#155365I did start off with diamond file before going to the 400 grit sandpaper.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 22, 2009 23:09:35 GMT
I know I get a feeling of accomplishment when I put a good edge on my cutlery, and I'm sure it would be even more so with a sword, I'm just nervous about trying. Plus my fingers aren't as steady as they once were, they don't always cooperate with my plans the way I'd like them to.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 22, 2009 23:10:57 GMT
that was fast......KOA rock!.........congrats again! (I would like to suggest not using the Accusharp though..... cheers, Bill
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Post by sparky on Oct 22, 2009 23:21:35 GMT
Sweet! There's nothing like your first sword. Except maybe your 2nd, 3rd, 4th, ..........................
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