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Post by Deleted on Nov 25, 2009 5:34:50 GMT
So after about a year of procrastination, I have finally bought my first European sword. I've had my eye on the damn thing for some time and finally with the news that prices may be going up, bit the bullet and bought an ATrim Maker's Mark Type XIII - Triple Fullered. At least I'll be experiencing some of the best the genre has to offer. Personally, I put the blame squarely on shootermike, who cinched it for me with his review, which makes it sound like an excellent sword for a Euro newbie. forums.swordforum.com/showthread.php?t=89269Of course, the problem is now that I have no idea how to use it, and from what I understand about ATrims and this sword in particular, my first little upset is going to take my leg off. So I'm thinking about getting a training blunt. I've been looking around and obviously can't find anything with the exact specs of my pending new sword, but I'm wondering if the experts here might have any suggestions about what might come close. Specs: Blade Length: 31 inches Total length: 40 inches Weight: 2lbs 10oz Center of gravity: 4.8 inches
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Post by Deleted on Nov 25, 2009 5:44:16 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Nov 25, 2009 6:01:16 GMT
I did look at it, but wouldn't its design as a full longsword, as opposed to a hand-and-a-half, mean a fairly significant difference in handling? We're talking a 6" difference in length, a different grip style and I can't see using the I-beam for one-handed techniques... Edit: So far the CAS/Tinker Hand-and-a-half training blunt is the closest I have found (although it doesn't give POB info), but it's a little heavy on the wallet for somebody thats not an active WMA practitioner. www.casiberia.com/product_details.asp?id=SH2401
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Post by Deleted on Nov 25, 2009 6:13:10 GMT
The Arming Sword IS a lot closer in Blade length,(***Another EDIT: Where did Odingaard's post go?**) but if you look at the hilts, the I beam actually has the same size grip, the same handle length, the same weight and a close POB.
Have you got your Atrim Blade yet? It's likely less of a one-hander than a two. ***EDIT just read the SFI writeup more thouroughly. Though in Gus' own words it "comes alive" with two hands, though working quite well with one*** At any rate, the grip differences are just one of riser location. The Arming sword would have a completely different grip.
Really the only significant difference is the extra length on the blade, from what I can see.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 25, 2009 6:18:32 GMT
Nope, only sent final payment today. But shootermike makes it sound like a perfect balance between a one and two-hander (his review vid has him cutting equally well both ways). Edit: Or possibly the Hanwei Practical Hand-and-a-half. The specs aren't as close as the Tinker, but a little more on-par than the I-beam (particularly in hilt design, which might be fairly important). www.casiberia.com/product_details.asp?id=SH2106
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Post by Deleted on Nov 25, 2009 6:23:57 GMT
Oh, yea, I've heard stellar things about the way that model handles. It just seems like it would be best to find a hilt that matched well and a SIMILAR blade for the blunt, rather than different in every way.
It's gonna be tough to find a cheap blunt that mimics that sword well, because it's an extremely well engineered, LIGHT, high performance blade. The VA or Hanwei/Tinker swords seem like your best bets, though I've heard the grip on the Tinker bastard is a bit skinny, it does handly VERY fast.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 25, 2009 6:30:28 GMT
This is getting confusing, we keep cross-posting/editing. So you don't think the hilt differences in the I-beam are significant enough to make much of a difference? Where would the Hanwei Practical Hand-and-a-half fall on the spectrum? From what I'm gathering, order of desirability might be: - CAS/Tinker Hand-and-a-half training blunt (great but expensive) - VA Atrim Ibeam Blunt Trainer - Hanwei Practical Hand-and-a-half Or do I switch the last two around? Edit: Time for me to go home from 'work'. Maybe shootermike will throw his two cents in overnight. He owns this exact blade, after all (although I don't know which of the blunts he's handled).
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Post by swordboy bringer of chaos on Nov 25, 2009 6:50:00 GMT
maybe I'm just wierd but I like to train with some thing heavier than my sharp blade weapon (at least double) I feel like it adds to the speed and over all cardio my last trainer like this was a piece of half inch thick about 1 3/4 wide and about three feet long iron or low carbon steel no idea which ...... crap that thing was a beast ten minutes of thet and my arms felt like jello twenty and I could barely wipe my own butt ;D
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Post by Deleted on Nov 25, 2009 6:51:54 GMT
Good call, Psychochink. ShooterMike would be much better versed in this area. However, I have actually handled the Hanwei Practical Hand-and-a-half Blunt, and though the stats do mach up well, it did not strike me as particularly lively and amazing in hand, which is how the Atrim XIII seems to be described by ShooterMike. But since I haven't used the XIII, I'm not really capable of offering any further advice, than that, lol. I wish you best of luck in finding what suits your needs! Hopefully Shooter can chime in and set us all straight.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 25, 2009 12:35:33 GMT
of the one's mentioned thus far...the V-A I-Beam hands down. I've been using mine extensively for training and teaching, since I got it and it's holding up and handling great. a little work to rounding off the edges at first but after that.....good to go. The Hanwie practical h&h I also have an is a good starter blunt for someone on an extremely tight budget. As much as I've tried to force myself to like the Tinker blunts, I just don't care for them. The sharps are great, but the edge's on the blunts are far too thin for my liking in a relatively safe, training weapon.
cheers,
Bill
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Post by Deleted on Nov 25, 2009 12:55:07 GMT
I own the hanwei hand and a half blunt. I'm in a rush (off to work) but quickly:
- it handles OK in one hand - how I use it most of the time, is better two handed. If you master handling this one, the tripple fuller will handle like a dream. - is very good value for the price - edges are *very* thick. It's not dull as a butter-knife, it's duller than a butter-knife handle! -this makes it safer for drilling and (armoured!) sparring.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 25, 2009 14:17:21 GMT
I have a practical hand and 1/2 as well. Great sword for the price, bearing in mind the thing is dirt cheap. The blade holds up ok against another practical, but gets scarred up quickly against basically everything else I have crossed it with. The peened handle/cross loosens often and needs tightening. The pommel is ridiculously huge which combined with a short handle makes it somewhat uncomfortable two handed.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 26, 2009 1:11:39 GMT
The best way to use it two handed is, IMO, to grab the pommel.
Anyway, what I didn't have to say is that getting a blunt is a very good idea.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 26, 2009 2:06:11 GMT
Thanks for the advice guys. At the moment (pending advice from ShooterMike - hint, hint I'm leaning towards the CAS/Tinker. Primarily because I would then have the ability to switch out the blunt blade for either of two different types of sharp replacement blade (fullered and non-fullered), making it kind of three swords in one. But yes, I'm going to get a training sword of some description (even if it be a waster instead, although I understand they might feel significantly different than steel and so might not be the best idea). Picking up my first, incredibly well-cutting, Euro sharp and swinging it with no prior experience seems like a good way to end up as a cautionary tale. I'm also looking into training, but so far am finding it a little difficult where I live (still looking).
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