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Post by Deleted on Nov 24, 2009 15:35:06 GMT
Hello to all you sword experts! I am considering a short sword for purchase. I would appreciate any experience or opinions you have of the CAS IBERIA SH2365 sword. I can't find a review on this site and I am particularly interested about its tang strength and hilt durability. I know it's only a $120-$130 sword, but still I would like some input before spending any money. Go ahead, make my day and give me the good, the bad, and the ugly on it. ;D
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Post by Deleted on Nov 24, 2009 17:21:12 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Nov 24, 2009 19:02:08 GMT
I would definitely pass on that one, it doesn't strike me as something I would want to wield.
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Post by Tom K. (ianflaer) on Nov 24, 2009 19:48:58 GMT
I was all ready to defend this sword considering the price range until I read the update at the bottom of that review.
Stay away! hilt construction like that is just asking for a failure to happen. this sword isn't worth your time and money I say.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 24, 2009 20:34:07 GMT
Well, that is just the one sword, Tom- that doesn't mean they will ALL be like that; although, for me, that'd be enough to make me stay away. I was never enamored with this sword to begin with- I remember when I first saw it in a CAS/Iberia catalog something like 6 or more years ago and I thought it was dog-ugly then, and I still think so.
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Post by YlliwCir on Nov 24, 2009 21:06:15 GMT
Ya know, the tang doesn't look all that thin to me as euros go and failures happen. However the loose fit inside the grip is a bummer. I can feel a wee bit of a shift in my bastards grip seems to be common with that one from what I've been able to glean from the web. This sword actually caught my fancy early on (I know, Ebon, I don't find it appealing now either) and I remember a forum I ran across in those days thought Cas Iberias were all the rage. Just goes to show how tastes change. The thing really irks me is the screw on pommel that's then peened over, makes people think it's a regular peened construction and they aren't the only ones do that. May or may not be sound construction but it's misleading. Me, I'd pass on this one.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 24, 2009 22:55:11 GMT
Bart...That was the review I could not find. Thank you for for posting it so I could read it. Ebon Knight...You are correct in your evaluation as I'm looking for something better than that. Tom K...I know you have lots of experience with blades and what you say makes plenty of good sense. Ric Willy...I would have never known that this sword had a screwed on pommel with the top peened over which makes construction very misleading. I want to thank all posters for their straightforward opinions. I will focus on searching for something else for a shortsword. Straight truthful answers from experienced people is why I joined this forum. Happy Thanksgiving to you all!
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Post by Deleted on Nov 24, 2009 22:55:38 GMT
Ignoring the tang issue....
I would say no. I've briefly handled this sword, and I know this is very "vague", but I didn't like it. Didn't feel right. There are other iberia-line swords that handle much better (the so called "war sword", and the agincourt sword I can personally attest to).
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Post by Deleted on Nov 24, 2009 23:34:47 GMT
Ignoring the tang issue.... I would say no. I've briefly handled this sword, and I know this is very "vague", but I didn't like it. Didn't feel right. There are other iberia-line swords that handle much better (the so called "war sword", and the agincourt sword I can personally attest to). Thank you for your reply. On advice from several posters I am marking this sword off my shopping list. As for the Agincourt I have read some good reports on it lately and will take another look. I have a two handed longsword that I like but I am looking for a short bladed sword that I can use either one or two handed. I sure do appreciate the experience the posters on this site have, it's a big plus!
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Post by Deleted on Nov 24, 2009 23:48:54 GMT
I wouldn't get this "hand-and-a-half" sword, and I've heard decent things about the improved version of the Agincourt, but if you're looking to spend at around that pricepoint to satisfy a sword-itch, and you're cool with hand-and-a-half swords, I'd go with a Hanwei Dark Sentinel: www.kultofathena.com/product~item~PC2066~name~Hanwei+Dark+Sentinel+Sword.htmor if you wanna stay with the westen semi-historical, you could go for a Windlass falchion with a bit more money: www.kultofathena.com/product~item~500204~name~Medieval+Falchion.htmor Hell, buy a pair of Qama's and feel all bladed and cool. One hand or two! Get it?! www.kultofathena.com/product~item~400164~name~Qama.htmor you could grab a Windlass Raptor for a bit more www.kultofathena.com/product~item~501090~name~Raptor+Sword.htmThe "use either one or two handed" qualifier is a bit hard to match at this pricepoint. Your options significantly broaden and improve if you spend more money (Valient Armoury Practicals or Hanwei/Tinker would have stuff right up your alley), but you can still get some damn good swords for your money at the price of these Iberia pieces. They just won't be EXACTLY the same as what you are looking for ideally, but they are pretty super swords for the money. The ones I've listed are well reviewed and well recieved swords.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 25, 2009 0:06:55 GMT
Lunaman...Thanks for directing me towards some better quality swords. I will surely look at what you suggested. Price is somewhat of a limiting factor, but I will not hesitate to purchase something if it's what I want. A $400-$500 price tag wouldn't be bad as long as it had a scabbard with it and it was solidly built, and it doesn't have to exactly match historical specifications. I will keep researching, and I enjoy the search!
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Post by Deleted on Nov 25, 2009 0:15:41 GMT
Yea, no problem. But if you're thinking with numbers that high, I'd like to send you over to gander at Valiant Armoury's new stuff: www.swordnation.com/valiant_armoury_performance.phpwww.swordnation.com/valiant_armoury_signature_collection.phpIt's pretty spectacular. That Practical Longsword in the video on the first link is my favorite sword I currently own, and it isn't the most expensive, for sure. It's really light and quick and can be reasonably handled with one hand. All this stuff comes with a real wood-core scabbard and nice leatherwork. The signature series stuff even comes with nicer fitting and a sword belt AND a suspension! There's some solid stuff in the Hanwei/Tinker collaboration as well, the Blades are pretty stunning, though not everyone (read: me) loves the look of the fittings. www.swordnation.com/cas_hanwei_tinker_medieval.php
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Post by Deleted on Nov 25, 2009 5:07:10 GMT
I will surely look at what you suggested. Price is somewhat of a limiting factor, but I will not hesitate to purchase something if it's what I want. A $400-$500 price tag wouldn't be bad as long as it had a scabbard with it and it was solidly built You might like to know then, if a scabbard is important for you that most if not all cas/hanwei scabbards are made from fiberglas.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 25, 2009 19:50:14 GMT
Bart and Lunaman.......Decisions, decisions! Your tips on where to look and what you get is good advice. Here are my higher priorities in getting a shortsword: 22 to 28 inch blade, strong tang, rounder grip, good trusting capability. Sword is to be used for things denser than water bottles but never on anything near as dense as wood. Scabbard is a big plus, whether it's wood or plastic, with or without leather. I prefer a European type sword but maybe I should extend my search to include Japanese type katanas. I own one sword, a DSA Guardian, and I really like it for the reasons I chose it. Sometimes I take extra looks at the DSA Roman, model 1303, but nobody has reviewed it. I have found that the members of this site really know what they are talking about so before I get another sword I will certainly listen to their experience and opinions. Happy turkey day!
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Post by Kilted Cossack on Nov 25, 2009 20:06:26 GMT
$400-500 short sword? Sounds like a VA Bristol to me. I don't have one--got the VA Practical Arming, and I love it. The Bristol's scabbard and belt system, combined with the Trim-designed blade . . . I've been eyeing that one myself, trying to decide if it's next on the list.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 25, 2009 20:24:15 GMT
Kiltedcossack....You are a mind reader! I just got off a VA website, looking at the VA Bristol. I liked most everything about it but the shape of the grip. Please correct me if I am wrong, but the grip seems to go from thick (wide) to much thinner at the halfway point. I can't really tell because I've never held one and can't find a sword show to go to so I can physically see for myself. I like a handfull for a grip because I'm one of these people that likes to swing hard. Your mind is in tune...could you pick some lottery numbers for me?
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Post by Deleted on Nov 25, 2009 23:07:29 GMT
The Bristol does have an interesting shape to the grip, but people have found it to be comfortable.
/index.cgi?board=swordreviews&action=display&thread=10227&page=1#165144
I LOVE the looks of this sword, and the whole package that comes with it. It's actually one of the top contenders for my next purchase, but I'm debating whether to go with a much more expensive piece. This package deal for the money is really really attractive.
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