Gen2/Legacy Arms 'Torino' Review
Jan 22, 2010 4:08:45 GMT
Post by SlayerofDarkness on Jan 22, 2010 4:08:45 GMT
[glow=red,2,300]
INTRODUCTION:
Hey, guys and gals! ;D Yeah, I finally got around to writing this review, lol...
First off, I'd like to extend a sincere 'thank you!' to Jason from Arms of Valor and Imperial Weapons for sending this sword out for reviews. I'm the first in a line of 9 people who will have the chance to review this and one other Gen2/Legacy Arms prototype, and it's all because of him. ;D
If you have no idea what I just said, here's the short version; Jason, being awesome, had the idea a few months ago to send out prototypes of a couple new swords, and get some people to review said swords. He ended up sending two- the 'Torino' that is reviewed here, and the 'Flame of Angels', which should be reviewed within the next day or two. Hopefully, that makes sense...
HISTORICAL OVERVIEW:
Well, the Torino is, by definition, a fantasy sword, or at least I think of it as such, but that doesn't mean that it lacks history...
This sword started life as the brainchild of an SBG forum member by the name of Rammstein. When Arms of Valor had a contest a few years ago that invited forumites to design their own sword, with the plan of having two of those designs end up being produced, Rammstein subsequently submitted this sword, and (obviously) won.
Originally, the 'Sword of Grayson', which was based on this same design, was manufactured by Dark Sword Armory, but their version, while still a good sword in it's own right, ended up looking distinctly different than the sketch Rammstein had provided. As such, Jason decided to try another approach in the hope of achieving a better end result, and asked Generation2 (Now Legacy Arms) to attempt the recreation.
I, personally, have not seen the afore-mentioned sketch that this sword was based off of, but I've heard from those who have that this rendition is faithful to the original design.
INITIAL IMPRESSIONS:
And the fun begins... a big, brown, cardboard box! I wonder what could be inside... Muahahahaha!!!
The answer? Quite literally, the best-packed swords on the face of the earth. Every vendor out there could take a note or two from Jason's packing method; he made scabbards for the scabbards out of newspaper, had wrapped cardboard around the guards, had a huge wad of newspaper protecting the pommel, and then stuffed the empty space in the box with, you guessed it, MORE newspaper! Seriously, these swords could have survived Armageddon with nary a scratch. Serious kudos to Jason on a packing-job well done! ;D
I was sure that you'd just be dying to see proof of such fantastic exploits, of course, so I kindly remembered to take pics of the unwrapping process. ;D Enjoy!
The nigh-on-indestructible hilt protection-
The swords, amidst mountains of padding-
Finally, the massive collection of padding, safeguards, and protective measures that I just spent an hour and a half removing. (Jason uses a LOT of tape. )-
Anyway, I finally fought my way through the packaging, and unearthed the new, Gen2/Legacy Arms Torino...
My first thought? It's HEAVY!!! But more on that later.
STATISTICS:
Stats, 'cause EVERYBODY likes stats, comin' right up! ;D
OAL (w/ scabbard): 44.5"
OAL (w/o scabbard): 41-5/8"
Blade Length: 32.5"
Grip Length (not including pommel): 6"
Pommel Length: 2.5"
Guard Width: 6 5/8"
POB: 6" from the guard
COP: around 2/3 down the blade... it's hard to tell.
Weight (without scabbard): 3 lbs, 9 oz, according to my digital scale.
Weight (with scabbard): 4 lbs, 10.1 oz, from the same source.
COMPONANTS:
The Blade:
Well, I must admit that I'm horribly uneducated when it comes to Oakeshott's typology and such intellectual swordly pursuits, and this blade steadfastly eludes all my efforts to classify it. It seems similar to a type XXII, but without the fullers... but then again, I have no clue what I'm doing, so I'll leave that sort of specific classification to those more qualified to attempt it.
The thick, broad blade sports a flattened-diamond cross section, and tapers steadily from the guard until about 2" back from the tip, where it curves gracefully to a scarily acute point.
The finish is above par, but not 'great'. It bears some scratches now, from cutting, but when it arrived the finish was immaculate. I'd estimate the polish level to be around 600 grit, maybe 800. In any regard, it's a nice, clean, shiny finish, not quite 'mirror polished', but a far cry above matte.
The Torino's edge is nearly shaving sharp, with a thick 'apple seed' edge geometry that adds to the sword's legendary Gen2 durability.
As they say, however; pictures are worth a thousand words, and so I will refrain from boring you with a month-long speech and offer these few photos instead. ;D
Note the third and fourth pics. They show the reflective nature of the Torino's fine polish.
(Ignore the foot. )
The Handle:
This is where the 'Ooh! Shiny!' effect from the blade wears off and I notice some flaws.
First off, and my biggest complaint (pun intended), is that the grip is so freakin' huge!!! Seriously, the grip on this sword is nearly 1" THICK, not wide, and would be over sized even for someone with very large hands. I've gotten used to it enough that it's not a highly significant drawback, anymore, but that would probably be the best (and easiest!) change that could be made.
The leather is sub-par quality pigskin, and, though it provides a good grip, I'm not a fan, and would most certainly rewrap the grip if it were mine.
The wire wrap is okay. Aesthetically, the wrap is well executed, crisp, and attractive (IMO). As for functionality, though, that's debatable. The wire is rather coarse and shreds my hand if I try to grasp the hilt there during use. That's easily solved by either wearing gloves or holding the 'leather' wrapped half of the grip with your primary hand, and the pommel with your off hand. I opt for the second method, personally. However, after a few short cutting sessions, maybe 2 hours of being swung around overall, the wire has loosened a bit. Not enough to be easily shifted around, certainly; it's still pretty tight. The wire has just shifted about a 1/16" over the edge of the pommel, whereas it was neatly in line before. There's not a significant gap anywhere, as it seems that the entire wire wrap moved that little bit rather than just one strand. Overall, it's not a big deal, but if the wire wrap is showing ANY signs of wear after so little usage, it does not bode well for the future durability of said wrap.
The steel spacer in the middle of the grip is classy and well done. I like it. ;D
As with the blade above, here are the pictures. Enjoy!
The Guard:
The guard on this sword is spectacular. It really makes the sword, in my opinion. Without the elegant curves of the sweeping, down turned quillians, the Torino could very well be just one more sword, at least as far as aesthetics go. With this guard, however, it looks fantastic. I have to say that the unique guard is by far my favorite single aspect of the sword. As for quality, the guard is exceptionally well executed, with a crisp geometry that enhances its visual appeal. There are slight grind marks apparent all over the guard, but there is no pitting or other damage whatsoever. The grooves are even and don't waver any more than would be expected of something that's hand made; they're quite well done.
The guard fits flush against the blade, with no space whatsoever between them. I can't tell, the space may have been filled with some sort of epoxy, but either way, it fits superbly on both sides.
Pictures are limited, because most pictures that show the guard well were of the entire hilt, but here's what I have.
The Pommel:
The Torino's pommel is of an attractive scentstopper design, with 6 sides, not only on the concave lower section of the pommel, but also on the convex 'top'. The pommel is peened, and features a peen block as well.
The pommel is quite well done, in my opinion. It's elegant lines definitely add a flowing continuity to the sword that would be lost if it had a wheel pommel, for instance.
My only suggestion would be to increase the pommel's overall size, just a bit, both for visual and functional purposes. Maybe by 10-15%... It just seems a little bit too small for the sword, and the Torino could use the slightly closer POB.
The Scabbard:
There are a couple of really good things about this scabbard, as well as one or two not so good ones...
Overall, the scabbard is nothing to write home about aesthetically. It feels sturdy and well made, but not overbuilt enough to be a weapon in it's own right. This is a bare bones type of scabbard, that's kind of just there to house the sword, rather than to look pretty. However, it does the job of holding the sword extremely well. This scabbard fits the sword like a glove! It has no rattle whatsoever, and is just tight enough to hold the sword in even while upside down, but the sword comes out with just a gentle shake. Really, the scabbard is just a tad TOO tight for my tastes, but that's highly preferable to being too loose, as the scabbard will loosen over time. All in all, a superb job on the scabbard's fit.
The chape is nothing special; just a small, steel cap to protect the scabbard's tip. It's polished to almost the same level as the blade.
However, if the chape isn't that much of a big deal, the locket is the exact opposite. ;D The polish is mediocre, something around 400 grit, but aesthetics isn't where this locket shines; the fit is.
Seriously, the locket fits the guard so well that it could have been custom made for the purpose. There's only the smallest of gaps where the two pieces meet.
It should be noted, though, that the guard and locket only fit together so perfectly when the sword is inserted into the scabbard a certain way; side A of the blade to side A of the scabbard. If the sword is put in the scabbard with side A to side B, respectively, the blade still fits in the scabbard like it should, but the guard and locket don't line up properly.
The black material wrapping the scabbard is the same cheap pigskin that wraps the grip, and is under-whelming at best. Quality is not a strong point for this leather, but costs do have to be cut SOMEWHERE in a budget sword, and I'd rather it be in the leather than the blade or fittings. The wrap job itself is more than sufficient, however, with only a nearly invisible seam to be found along one of the scabbard's 'edges'.
Scabbard pictures:
I took a page from SwordNation's book and made a video showcasing the sword, just for good measure. It's kind of lame, actually... but better than nothing, so I'll post it anyway. Here ya go! ;D
HANDLING:
This is a topic of mixed feelings for me. When I first picked up the Torino, my initial response (as mentioned earlier) was 'MAN! This sword is HEAVY!' For the first few days of having this blade, I honestly thought it handled like a crowbar and would likely have preferred using a crowbar in a fight. However, after a week or two of adjusting to the 3.5 lb sword, I started to get used to it...
Combined with the 6" POB, the weight makes for a distinctly blade-heavy sword that feels as though it can demolish anything in its path. With one hand, the Torino is nearly unwieldable for me, but with two, it becomes much more manageable and is almost lively, despite the weight. Keep in mind that I'm 5' 8" and only 110lbs, though. Although I'm disproportionately strong for my weight, someone with more body mass may find the sword easier to control.
As it is, this is certainly not the type of sword that can stop on a dime, and will never compete with a rapier for handling. On the other hand, it has an undeniably brutal power that more than makes up for a lack of fine-tuned handling, IMO. ;D I had to learn to adjust my fighting style to allow the blade's inertia to continue from one move to the next more fluently than is normal for me, but after that adjustment was made, I've found the Torino to be more and more wieldable as time goes by. I'm really getting used to it, actually.
Overall, my earlier suggestion for a larger pommel would help to move the POB a bit closer to the hilt, which I believe would be desirable. A bit of weight being shaved off of the blade would be nice as well, but the sword isn't wholly crowbar-ish as it is; just a tad overweight. ;D
TEST CUTTING:
Aha! Finally, this is where the fun is.
First off, some large bottles; 2-liters, milk jugs, waxed paper cartons, thick plastic bottles, and the like. I was wearing gloves in this video as an attempt to prevent the wire from rubbing on my hand, but that's really not necessary. I'd suggest merely holding the pommel instead.
Also, please note that the (many) flubbed cuts in this vid are purely a case of user error. When my edge alignment was good, the Torino cut like a razor. Unfortunately, decent edge alignment is rather rare in this case, as this was my first time cutting with the Torino and I still hadn't gotten used to the heft yet.
Video #1: Large Bottles-
This video is much the same as the first, with the exception that, while I started the video wearing the gloves again, I got fed up with them rather quickly and opted to hold the pommel instead.
My form is still suffering, both from my unfamiliarity with the blade and because it was about 35* outside, but I did manage to pull off a few decent cuts near the end. Enjoy! ;D
Video #2: More Large Bottles-
After that charming display of horrid cutting form, I filled some smaller bottles and gave them a go. By now, I'm much more comfortable with this sword, and my form has improved somewhat, though I still manage to flub a fair share of the cuts.
Video #3: Regular Bottles-
Overall, I attribute my lack of success cutting with this sword to three things:
1- It's heavier than I'm accustomed to.
2- The apple seed edge geometry is so thick as to border on excessive. While the edge itself is quite sharp, the blade thickens quickly enough that it feels like the sword almost pushes the target away. I'd highly recommend a slightly narrower edge geometry, if possible.
3- I was having some serious 'off' days.
However, even with the less-than-desirable results I achieved, I got enough good cuts to know that, with proper form and edge alignment, this sword can cut with the best of 'em.
I'd wager that the Torino would fare extremely well against more substantial targets such as tatami or humans (theoretically, of course- I don't recommend or condone slicing and dicing your fellow people, even if we are a sword's 'traditional' cutting target. ), where its thick edge could have a better chance to bite.
CONCLUSIONS:
The overall package that is the Gen2/Legacy Arms Torino sword came as a nice surprise. At first, I was a bit put off by its weight and heft, but quickly grew to enjoy these very same points that I had previously disliked.
The scabbard's fantastic fit astonished me, as I did not expect anything other than a cheap, ill-fitting 'holder' for the blade, while the swords' fittings' attractive design and execution impressed me as well.
My suggestions for any modifications to this weapon would entail a slightly larger pommel, both for aesthetics sake, as well as shifting the POB to be slightly closer to the hilt, not to mention a slight increase of distal taper to decrease weight in the blade. A thinner, more manageable grip in a necessity. I'd also suggest using higher quality leather for the grip and scabbard, although that is mostly just personal preference. Last but not least, an option to have the sword come either with or without the wire wrap would likely be welcomed by many. I happen to like this feature, but I've heard quite a few people who would prefer to have the entire grip be leather-wrapped instead.
My experiences with the new Gen2/Legacy Arms Sword of Torino has done much to bolster my confidence in Gen2/Legacy Arms' wares, and managed to bump a few of their products up a notch or two on my wish list. I even like the Torino enough that I'm seriously considering buying one when they are formally released; whether or not any changes are made! ;D
PROS:
-Nice, sharp, apple seed edge geometry.
-Good polish on the blade.
-Unique design of the fittings lends this sword an air of mystique and down-right awesomeness.
-Gen2 durability is ALWAYS a plus; this sword could survive WWZ with little to worry about.
-Scabbard fits superbly.
NEUTRAL:
-The Torino has little finesse, but feels powerful and indestructible.
-The wire wrap may be either a plus or a minus; it seems to be one of those 'you love it or you hate it' type of things.
CONS:
-The weight may make this sword unmanageable for some buyers.
-The Torino's grip is just WAAAY too thick. Seriously.
-The pigskin is a bit cheap looking, and is far inferior to some other makers' leather.
-The wire wrap might get loose with use.
-The pommel seems just a tad bit too small, at least IMO. (hey, I'm stretching, I know. I have to list SOME cons, you know?! ;D)
THE BOTTOM LINE:
I would most certainly recommend this sword to a friend, but only under specific circumstances; the friend must be strong and not too worried about getting a light, nimble sword, or better yet, be wanted a sword of substantial weight to begin with. There's very little to dissuade potential buyers from acquiring this blade- if you like the design, and are okay with the weight... this is a perfect match. Everything else is a plus, except for my problems with the grip.
Overall, I'm quite pleased with the Gen2/Legacy Arms Torino. ;D
I hope you enjoyed my review! Feel free to post questions, comments, constructive critisism, or completely unrelated remarks about zombies. ;D
I leave you with some final pictures....
Sincerely,
SlayerofDarkness
Gen2/Legacy Arms 'Torino' Sword Review by Brogdon Combs (Slayer)
[/glow]INTRODUCTION:
Hey, guys and gals! ;D Yeah, I finally got around to writing this review, lol...
First off, I'd like to extend a sincere 'thank you!' to Jason from Arms of Valor and Imperial Weapons for sending this sword out for reviews. I'm the first in a line of 9 people who will have the chance to review this and one other Gen2/Legacy Arms prototype, and it's all because of him. ;D
If you have no idea what I just said, here's the short version; Jason, being awesome, had the idea a few months ago to send out prototypes of a couple new swords, and get some people to review said swords. He ended up sending two- the 'Torino' that is reviewed here, and the 'Flame of Angels', which should be reviewed within the next day or two. Hopefully, that makes sense...
HISTORICAL OVERVIEW:
Well, the Torino is, by definition, a fantasy sword, or at least I think of it as such, but that doesn't mean that it lacks history...
This sword started life as the brainchild of an SBG forum member by the name of Rammstein. When Arms of Valor had a contest a few years ago that invited forumites to design their own sword, with the plan of having two of those designs end up being produced, Rammstein subsequently submitted this sword, and (obviously) won.
Originally, the 'Sword of Grayson', which was based on this same design, was manufactured by Dark Sword Armory, but their version, while still a good sword in it's own right, ended up looking distinctly different than the sketch Rammstein had provided. As such, Jason decided to try another approach in the hope of achieving a better end result, and asked Generation2 (Now Legacy Arms) to attempt the recreation.
I, personally, have not seen the afore-mentioned sketch that this sword was based off of, but I've heard from those who have that this rendition is faithful to the original design.
INITIAL IMPRESSIONS:
And the fun begins... a big, brown, cardboard box! I wonder what could be inside... Muahahahaha!!!
The answer? Quite literally, the best-packed swords on the face of the earth. Every vendor out there could take a note or two from Jason's packing method; he made scabbards for the scabbards out of newspaper, had wrapped cardboard around the guards, had a huge wad of newspaper protecting the pommel, and then stuffed the empty space in the box with, you guessed it, MORE newspaper! Seriously, these swords could have survived Armageddon with nary a scratch. Serious kudos to Jason on a packing-job well done! ;D
I was sure that you'd just be dying to see proof of such fantastic exploits, of course, so I kindly remembered to take pics of the unwrapping process. ;D Enjoy!
The nigh-on-indestructible hilt protection-
The swords, amidst mountains of padding-
Finally, the massive collection of padding, safeguards, and protective measures that I just spent an hour and a half removing. (Jason uses a LOT of tape. )-
Anyway, I finally fought my way through the packaging, and unearthed the new, Gen2/Legacy Arms Torino...
My first thought? It's HEAVY!!! But more on that later.
STATISTICS:
Stats, 'cause EVERYBODY likes stats, comin' right up! ;D
OAL (w/ scabbard): 44.5"
OAL (w/o scabbard): 41-5/8"
Blade Length: 32.5"
Grip Length (not including pommel): 6"
Pommel Length: 2.5"
Guard Width: 6 5/8"
POB: 6" from the guard
COP: around 2/3 down the blade... it's hard to tell.
Weight (without scabbard): 3 lbs, 9 oz, according to my digital scale.
Weight (with scabbard): 4 lbs, 10.1 oz, from the same source.
COMPONANTS:
The Blade:
Well, I must admit that I'm horribly uneducated when it comes to Oakeshott's typology and such intellectual swordly pursuits, and this blade steadfastly eludes all my efforts to classify it. It seems similar to a type XXII, but without the fullers... but then again, I have no clue what I'm doing, so I'll leave that sort of specific classification to those more qualified to attempt it.
The thick, broad blade sports a flattened-diamond cross section, and tapers steadily from the guard until about 2" back from the tip, where it curves gracefully to a scarily acute point.
The finish is above par, but not 'great'. It bears some scratches now, from cutting, but when it arrived the finish was immaculate. I'd estimate the polish level to be around 600 grit, maybe 800. In any regard, it's a nice, clean, shiny finish, not quite 'mirror polished', but a far cry above matte.
The Torino's edge is nearly shaving sharp, with a thick 'apple seed' edge geometry that adds to the sword's legendary Gen2 durability.
As they say, however; pictures are worth a thousand words, and so I will refrain from boring you with a month-long speech and offer these few photos instead. ;D
Note the third and fourth pics. They show the reflective nature of the Torino's fine polish.
(Ignore the foot. )
The Handle:
This is where the 'Ooh! Shiny!' effect from the blade wears off and I notice some flaws.
First off, and my biggest complaint (pun intended), is that the grip is so freakin' huge!!! Seriously, the grip on this sword is nearly 1" THICK, not wide, and would be over sized even for someone with very large hands. I've gotten used to it enough that it's not a highly significant drawback, anymore, but that would probably be the best (and easiest!) change that could be made.
The leather is sub-par quality pigskin, and, though it provides a good grip, I'm not a fan, and would most certainly rewrap the grip if it were mine.
The wire wrap is okay. Aesthetically, the wrap is well executed, crisp, and attractive (IMO). As for functionality, though, that's debatable. The wire is rather coarse and shreds my hand if I try to grasp the hilt there during use. That's easily solved by either wearing gloves or holding the 'leather' wrapped half of the grip with your primary hand, and the pommel with your off hand. I opt for the second method, personally. However, after a few short cutting sessions, maybe 2 hours of being swung around overall, the wire has loosened a bit. Not enough to be easily shifted around, certainly; it's still pretty tight. The wire has just shifted about a 1/16" over the edge of the pommel, whereas it was neatly in line before. There's not a significant gap anywhere, as it seems that the entire wire wrap moved that little bit rather than just one strand. Overall, it's not a big deal, but if the wire wrap is showing ANY signs of wear after so little usage, it does not bode well for the future durability of said wrap.
The steel spacer in the middle of the grip is classy and well done. I like it. ;D
As with the blade above, here are the pictures. Enjoy!
The Guard:
The guard on this sword is spectacular. It really makes the sword, in my opinion. Without the elegant curves of the sweeping, down turned quillians, the Torino could very well be just one more sword, at least as far as aesthetics go. With this guard, however, it looks fantastic. I have to say that the unique guard is by far my favorite single aspect of the sword. As for quality, the guard is exceptionally well executed, with a crisp geometry that enhances its visual appeal. There are slight grind marks apparent all over the guard, but there is no pitting or other damage whatsoever. The grooves are even and don't waver any more than would be expected of something that's hand made; they're quite well done.
The guard fits flush against the blade, with no space whatsoever between them. I can't tell, the space may have been filled with some sort of epoxy, but either way, it fits superbly on both sides.
Pictures are limited, because most pictures that show the guard well were of the entire hilt, but here's what I have.
The Pommel:
The Torino's pommel is of an attractive scentstopper design, with 6 sides, not only on the concave lower section of the pommel, but also on the convex 'top'. The pommel is peened, and features a peen block as well.
The pommel is quite well done, in my opinion. It's elegant lines definitely add a flowing continuity to the sword that would be lost if it had a wheel pommel, for instance.
My only suggestion would be to increase the pommel's overall size, just a bit, both for visual and functional purposes. Maybe by 10-15%... It just seems a little bit too small for the sword, and the Torino could use the slightly closer POB.
The Scabbard:
There are a couple of really good things about this scabbard, as well as one or two not so good ones...
Overall, the scabbard is nothing to write home about aesthetically. It feels sturdy and well made, but not overbuilt enough to be a weapon in it's own right. This is a bare bones type of scabbard, that's kind of just there to house the sword, rather than to look pretty. However, it does the job of holding the sword extremely well. This scabbard fits the sword like a glove! It has no rattle whatsoever, and is just tight enough to hold the sword in even while upside down, but the sword comes out with just a gentle shake. Really, the scabbard is just a tad TOO tight for my tastes, but that's highly preferable to being too loose, as the scabbard will loosen over time. All in all, a superb job on the scabbard's fit.
The chape is nothing special; just a small, steel cap to protect the scabbard's tip. It's polished to almost the same level as the blade.
However, if the chape isn't that much of a big deal, the locket is the exact opposite. ;D The polish is mediocre, something around 400 grit, but aesthetics isn't where this locket shines; the fit is.
Seriously, the locket fits the guard so well that it could have been custom made for the purpose. There's only the smallest of gaps where the two pieces meet.
It should be noted, though, that the guard and locket only fit together so perfectly when the sword is inserted into the scabbard a certain way; side A of the blade to side A of the scabbard. If the sword is put in the scabbard with side A to side B, respectively, the blade still fits in the scabbard like it should, but the guard and locket don't line up properly.
The black material wrapping the scabbard is the same cheap pigskin that wraps the grip, and is under-whelming at best. Quality is not a strong point for this leather, but costs do have to be cut SOMEWHERE in a budget sword, and I'd rather it be in the leather than the blade or fittings. The wrap job itself is more than sufficient, however, with only a nearly invisible seam to be found along one of the scabbard's 'edges'.
Scabbard pictures:
I took a page from SwordNation's book and made a video showcasing the sword, just for good measure. It's kind of lame, actually... but better than nothing, so I'll post it anyway. Here ya go! ;D
HANDLING:
This is a topic of mixed feelings for me. When I first picked up the Torino, my initial response (as mentioned earlier) was 'MAN! This sword is HEAVY!' For the first few days of having this blade, I honestly thought it handled like a crowbar and would likely have preferred using a crowbar in a fight. However, after a week or two of adjusting to the 3.5 lb sword, I started to get used to it...
Combined with the 6" POB, the weight makes for a distinctly blade-heavy sword that feels as though it can demolish anything in its path. With one hand, the Torino is nearly unwieldable for me, but with two, it becomes much more manageable and is almost lively, despite the weight. Keep in mind that I'm 5' 8" and only 110lbs, though. Although I'm disproportionately strong for my weight, someone with more body mass may find the sword easier to control.
As it is, this is certainly not the type of sword that can stop on a dime, and will never compete with a rapier for handling. On the other hand, it has an undeniably brutal power that more than makes up for a lack of fine-tuned handling, IMO. ;D I had to learn to adjust my fighting style to allow the blade's inertia to continue from one move to the next more fluently than is normal for me, but after that adjustment was made, I've found the Torino to be more and more wieldable as time goes by. I'm really getting used to it, actually.
Overall, my earlier suggestion for a larger pommel would help to move the POB a bit closer to the hilt, which I believe would be desirable. A bit of weight being shaved off of the blade would be nice as well, but the sword isn't wholly crowbar-ish as it is; just a tad overweight. ;D
TEST CUTTING:
Aha! Finally, this is where the fun is.
First off, some large bottles; 2-liters, milk jugs, waxed paper cartons, thick plastic bottles, and the like. I was wearing gloves in this video as an attempt to prevent the wire from rubbing on my hand, but that's really not necessary. I'd suggest merely holding the pommel instead.
Also, please note that the (many) flubbed cuts in this vid are purely a case of user error. When my edge alignment was good, the Torino cut like a razor. Unfortunately, decent edge alignment is rather rare in this case, as this was my first time cutting with the Torino and I still hadn't gotten used to the heft yet.
Video #1: Large Bottles-
This video is much the same as the first, with the exception that, while I started the video wearing the gloves again, I got fed up with them rather quickly and opted to hold the pommel instead.
My form is still suffering, both from my unfamiliarity with the blade and because it was about 35* outside, but I did manage to pull off a few decent cuts near the end. Enjoy! ;D
Video #2: More Large Bottles-
After that charming display of horrid cutting form, I filled some smaller bottles and gave them a go. By now, I'm much more comfortable with this sword, and my form has improved somewhat, though I still manage to flub a fair share of the cuts.
Video #3: Regular Bottles-
Overall, I attribute my lack of success cutting with this sword to three things:
1- It's heavier than I'm accustomed to.
2- The apple seed edge geometry is so thick as to border on excessive. While the edge itself is quite sharp, the blade thickens quickly enough that it feels like the sword almost pushes the target away. I'd highly recommend a slightly narrower edge geometry, if possible.
3- I was having some serious 'off' days.
However, even with the less-than-desirable results I achieved, I got enough good cuts to know that, with proper form and edge alignment, this sword can cut with the best of 'em.
I'd wager that the Torino would fare extremely well against more substantial targets such as tatami or humans (theoretically, of course- I don't recommend or condone slicing and dicing your fellow people, even if we are a sword's 'traditional' cutting target. ), where its thick edge could have a better chance to bite.
CONCLUSIONS:
The overall package that is the Gen2/Legacy Arms Torino sword came as a nice surprise. At first, I was a bit put off by its weight and heft, but quickly grew to enjoy these very same points that I had previously disliked.
The scabbard's fantastic fit astonished me, as I did not expect anything other than a cheap, ill-fitting 'holder' for the blade, while the swords' fittings' attractive design and execution impressed me as well.
My suggestions for any modifications to this weapon would entail a slightly larger pommel, both for aesthetics sake, as well as shifting the POB to be slightly closer to the hilt, not to mention a slight increase of distal taper to decrease weight in the blade. A thinner, more manageable grip in a necessity. I'd also suggest using higher quality leather for the grip and scabbard, although that is mostly just personal preference. Last but not least, an option to have the sword come either with or without the wire wrap would likely be welcomed by many. I happen to like this feature, but I've heard quite a few people who would prefer to have the entire grip be leather-wrapped instead.
My experiences with the new Gen2/Legacy Arms Sword of Torino has done much to bolster my confidence in Gen2/Legacy Arms' wares, and managed to bump a few of their products up a notch or two on my wish list. I even like the Torino enough that I'm seriously considering buying one when they are formally released; whether or not any changes are made! ;D
PROS:
-Nice, sharp, apple seed edge geometry.
-Good polish on the blade.
-Unique design of the fittings lends this sword an air of mystique and down-right awesomeness.
-Gen2 durability is ALWAYS a plus; this sword could survive WWZ with little to worry about.
-Scabbard fits superbly.
NEUTRAL:
-The Torino has little finesse, but feels powerful and indestructible.
-The wire wrap may be either a plus or a minus; it seems to be one of those 'you love it or you hate it' type of things.
CONS:
-The weight may make this sword unmanageable for some buyers.
-The Torino's grip is just WAAAY too thick. Seriously.
-The pigskin is a bit cheap looking, and is far inferior to some other makers' leather.
-The wire wrap might get loose with use.
-The pommel seems just a tad bit too small, at least IMO. (hey, I'm stretching, I know. I have to list SOME cons, you know?! ;D)
THE BOTTOM LINE:
I would most certainly recommend this sword to a friend, but only under specific circumstances; the friend must be strong and not too worried about getting a light, nimble sword, or better yet, be wanted a sword of substantial weight to begin with. There's very little to dissuade potential buyers from acquiring this blade- if you like the design, and are okay with the weight... this is a perfect match. Everything else is a plus, except for my problems with the grip.
Overall, I'm quite pleased with the Gen2/Legacy Arms Torino. ;D
I hope you enjoyed my review! Feel free to post questions, comments, constructive critisism, or completely unrelated remarks about zombies. ;D
I leave you with some final pictures....
Sincerely,
SlayerofDarkness