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Post by Deleted on Dec 14, 2009 4:27:34 GMT
and to you too. thanks for being so helpful
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Post by Tom K. (ianflaer) on Dec 14, 2009 4:46:15 GMT
thanks, any time friend. I love talking about swords: that's why I'm here. ;D
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SlayerofDarkness
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Post by SlayerofDarkness on Dec 14, 2009 8:14:44 GMT
hey Tom! ;D Hate to disagree with you, but... The Castile has NOT been discontinued! In fact, the 2nd Gen (type XII, instead of X) just arrived, and since the 1st gen is sold out, he'd get the new kind. It will handle MUCH better and come with the kind of edge a VA should have. As such, the Castile is well worth looking at... Just wanted to let you know that while everything you said would have been GREAT advice 3 months ago, it's actually a bit outdated right now. Feel free to correct me if I totally missd something, though. Thanks, Slayer
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Post by shadowhowler on Dec 14, 2009 8:24:50 GMT
Pretty sure Tom was refearing to the Castile with the type X blade... the one he and I have experince with. I don't know of anyone who has bought one of the new Castile swords yet, but I look forward to hearing more about it.
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SlayerofDarkness
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Post by SlayerofDarkness on Dec 14, 2009 8:31:01 GMT
^-Agreed. I was just saying that because, while Tom may have been refering to the type X version, his comments would have been applied to the current version as far as whether it is worth buying or not. And from what I've heard from Sonny, these new ones are pretty sweet... I'll be looking forward to a review as well. *hint, hint* ;D -Slayer
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Post by Sonny Suttles on Dec 14, 2009 13:28:33 GMT
I have extensive experience with the VA Castile and I would NOT call it versitile. I would not think there is any way you would WANT to use two hands on it. it is designed as a strictly one handed sword. and a heavy one at that. the edge the Castile comes with is almost blunt, the Extra Sharp version is moderately better but still not the type of edge that people expect from VA. IT WILL NOT BE SHARP AND IT IS A PAIN IN THE ASS TO SHARPEN. I destroyed a brand new stone sharpening one and it took FOREVER. also the Castile will NOT have the wonderful leatherwork that VA puts out now days unless you get the Signature version. its leather isn't bad, it just isn't as good as what you could get on a different VA practical. unless this is the NEW CASTILE but I didn't think those were available yet am I wrong? if this is the NEW CASTILE II then YES GO FOR IT! otherwise, no don't. if you want versitile swords that you can use one or two handed I would reccomend the following in order of prefernce: 1: the fullered Hanwei tinker bastard sword. the edge is ok the way it comes but you need to do something about the mouth of the scabbard so it doesn't dull it out (I used a dremel to cut a little out so the blade wouldn't rub anymore. it was really easy to do). otherwise a wonderful sword. quick, powerful, cuts and thrusts both very well. 2: VA Practical Long sword. it's just light and balanced enough to use one handed (though not the easiest) comes wonderfully sharp. this is an excellent all around sword. it has a nice low price tag and Sonny will make you a belt for it for a reasonable price. 3 VA practical Arming sword. yup it is a one hander but you COULD squeeze a second hand on it. it would be much easier to use two handed than the Castile, that's for sure. it's fast and very sharp and has great quality leatherwork on it thanks to Sonny's custom sword shoppe guys. it has a nice low price tag and Sonny will make you a belt for it for a reasonable price. 4. Hanwei/Tinker EMSHS really good sword. dedicated single hander but you might be able to get a second on there. one of the best performing arming swords in our price range based on handling characteristics. I love this sword and reccomend it to anyone who wants this type. I have used and/or own all of the swords I reccomended. I have heard horror stories about the CS hand and a half, and the Sticklestad and DSA swords have always left me cold so I've never bothered with them. There are no more of the first gen Castiles anymore Tom. The new Castile has a flaired shoulder type XII blade and is razor sharp. Sonny
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Post by Tom K. (ianflaer) on Dec 14, 2009 14:43:26 GMT
is the new Castile Practical version as well as signature? I'm a bit out of date, sorry. I did think he meant the old castile, but I did mention at one point that if it was the new Castile he should go for it. the new Castile sounds great. for some reason the way he was talking made me think he had found a place that still had left overs from the old batch. maybe KOA or something.
My apologies if I mislead anyone.
Dewskers: GET THE NEW CASTILE! CASTILE II
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Post by Deleted on Dec 14, 2009 15:55:48 GMT
OF all the ones you mentioned, VA has the most attractive lineup- Windlass has a larger repertoire, but as many have said, their QC is hit-or-miss at times and the swords are all blunt, even with the 'sharpening' option added.
I have a VA Practical Arming sword (303S) that I'm in love with...I recommend it. The longsword version, 304S is also, from what I hear, a good sword for the money.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 14, 2009 18:31:10 GMT
At this point it's down to the practical arming or longsword for me, for they seemed the best for a noob.
But if what you say about the new Castile is true, that makes me very happy, for that is one of my favorite looking swords I've found so far.
is SBG selling the new one?
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Post by Tom K. (ianflaer) on Dec 14, 2009 19:46:28 GMT
I don't know but it will be called "Castile II" I'm pretty sure. I looked over at ValiantArmoury.com and couldn't find any info on them so I don't know what is the deal on them. if it is your favorite design then you should just shoot Sonny Suttles a PM from his post above and ask him for details. I'm sure he'd be glad to help you out.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 14, 2009 19:46:42 GMT
what my idea is, for practicing, is getting a few $15 wooden swords so my brothers and I can beat up on each other. A wooden sword will break bones. A $15 wooden sword will break in the first 5 minutes of contact use. (at least I haven't seen one that cheap last though one good session) It may even splinter in the wrong way at the wrong time and really hurt someone. As a minimum, expect to need a fencing mask, hokey gloves and elbow pads if you are swinging at each other with force.
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Post by Tom K. (ianflaer) on Dec 14, 2009 20:02:33 GMT
I agree with Jimc those things can be dangerous. I like to use shinai and pad them and modify them to resemble Euro swords. it isn't hard at all to do. you can use regular wood for the cross guards and pommel and a little tennis grip tape helps the handle a lot, some duct tape and closed cell foam padding from Walmart (or similar) gets the padding on and you're ready to fight safe.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 15, 2009 7:58:49 GMT
what my idea is, for practicing, is getting a few $15 wooden swords so my brothers and I can beat up on each other. A wooden sword will break bones. A $15 wooden sword will break in the first 5 minutes of contact use. (at least I haven't seen one that cheap last though one good session) It may even splinter in the wrong way at the wrong time and really hurt someone. As a minimum, expect to need a fencing mask, hokey gloves and elbow pads if you are swinging at each other with force. oh yeah. Duct tape is awesome. At times I'm overly safety concious, which isn't a bad thing. I don't really do stupid stuff. But if they do break. i might get something different. $15 is not much, and if it breaks in the first use I won't cry a river, just not get one again XD does anyone have any hands on experience with cold steel's H&H training sword? www.coldsteel.com/bokkens.htmlthe videos make it seem quite cool.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 15, 2009 13:07:44 GMT
We have a few for our school to hand out to people who haven't got anything. Its better than a dowel. I would say it feels about the same as a wooden waster without any chance of breaking. You do need to sand/cut/grind off the point blunt, and I would suggest sanding the corners off the pommel for comfort.
It is bouncy and slippery, but it's probably the best thing you can get for that price point. There are some other plastic/nylon wasters out there in the $80 range which are better. And there is always the Hanwei Pratical H/H for a cheap steel waster.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 15, 2009 17:20:43 GMT
Thanks again. I like the idea of just wrapping a wood sword with duct tape. we have a few sticks that we've done that to, and makes them surprisingly tough.
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