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Post by Graybeard on Jan 28, 2010 4:10:35 GMT
Was over on the Kult of Athena looking and the wide choice of Viking blades that are under $300. I'm looking for something that can actually take a licking and keep on ticking. I'm a pretty big guy, 6'2", 245lb, retired military, former SCA fighter, ex-martial artist with some Ken-do training, ex-football player, infantry. So while my beard has earned more than a few gray hairs I still can raise a little hell. I'm looking for my first real sword, one I can actually hit a pell with. Here's what I'm looking at. Any information you can provide would be most appreciated. (And yes I've been searching through this website for several weeks)
- Oslo Viking Sword – DSA - $259.95
- Beowulf Sward – Windlass - $239.95
- Viking Sword – Cold Steel - $269.95
- Damascus Viking Sword – Windlass - $294.95
- 8th Century Viking Sword – Gen 2 - $219.00
- River Witham Viking Sword – Gen 2 - $299.00
- 9th Century Viking Sword – Hanwei Tinker - $189.95
- Viking Sword – Kris Cutlery - $249.95
- Leuterit Viking Sword – Windlass - $184.95
- Viking Chieftain – Ritter Steel - $201.60
- Sticklestad Viking Sword – Windlass - $169.95
- Sword of the Viking King – Windlass - $239.95
- Norseman Viking Sword – Valiant Armoury - $169.95
- Viking Sword – Valiant Armoury - $164.95
Criteria:
- High Carbon Steel
- Properly Tempered for real work
- Really - battle ready, not just in someones dream
- Not a wall-hanger - no stainless steel garbage
- Heavy enough tang so that it won't snap when working
- Able to withstand actual use against pell, large water containers, zombies, etc.
Any information on these would be most appreciated. Any other suggestions are also most welcome. Thanks!!
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Post by Deleted on Jan 28, 2010 4:30:11 GMT
Revised list for ya,
- Oslo Viking Sword – DSA - $259.95
- 8th Century Viking Sword – Gen 2 - $219.00
- River Witham Viking Sword – Gen 2 - $299.00
- 9th Century Viking Sword – Hanwei Tinker - $189.95
- Viking Sword – Kris Cutlery - $249.95
- Leuterit Viking Sword – Windlass - $184.95
- Sticklestad Viking Sword – Windlass - $169.95
- Norseman Viking Sword – Valiant Armoury - $169.95 Tank!
- Viking Sword – Valiant Armoury - $164.95 Tank! Both are early models.
Criteria:
- High Carbon Steel
- Properly Tempered for real work
- Really - battle ready, not just in someones dream
- Not a wall-hanger - no stainless steel garbage
- Heavy enough tang so that it won't snap when working
- Able to withstand actual use against pell, large water containers, zombies, etc.
Any information on these would be most appreciated. Any other suggestions are also most welcome. Thanks!![/quote] Ok, heres your revised list, the VA's are tanks and not like the DSA, Any of the others are very good for the $$ and will hold up to what you want to do and look historically accurate as possible, the two VA's???
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Post by Deleted on Jan 28, 2010 4:46:36 GMT
Well I can only speak to the Stickestaad by Windlass.
I have one though it is for sale, 150 shipped, sharpened by KOA.
This isn't a plug, in fact I'm just waiting for the buyer to send the money, but I can speak to the fact that this is a well made sort that would be at home bashing against a pell all day or lopping off limbs on some ancient battle field.
It also looks nice on the wall. Good combo, and I think its the cheapest on your list.
I'm curious, were at you the KOA website or actual store? Because if you were there in person you'd know a lot better than anyone what swords worked best in your own mitts.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 28, 2010 4:49:32 GMT
The Tinkers have the option of a blunted blade that would probably hold up to pell work, while the sharp makes for an excellent cutter (or so I understand). The blades are, from my understanding, interchangeable, and would cost you around 290 for the sharp AND blunt. That would be the path I'd take, were it me.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 28, 2010 4:49:40 GMT
Also, I'd remove the Windlass Damascus Viking from your list for your intended purposes...its beautiful and I've always liked that model, BUT, I hear tell the pattern welded stuff isn't going to be as hardy for a WORKING type sword. Plus, you'll be redoing the edges alot if you're doing much pell and cutting work. Just a thought.
I know the Gen 2s and Windlass viking models are going to be peened, which is good for the bashing/vibrating the swords will take against the pell.
I'd also eliminate the beowulf. It gets poor reviews, cast metal furniture that often breaks. Go with simplicity and fuction.
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Post by Tom K. (ianflaer) on Jan 28, 2010 13:41:01 GMT
Oakspring, welcome to SBG. it's good to see another SCA guy and another military guy around here.
from your list the only sword I would even consider buying is the Hanwei Tinker Viking sword. the Hanwei Tinker line is very well done. the fittings are a bit plain on some models and the level of polish on the blade is rough but everything else is great. they are balanced and tapered proberly and the harmonics tend to be good too. they are still a budget sword just like all the rest so if you are picky enough you'll find faults but if you end up being bothered by the little stuff then you have to step up to a higher price bracket.
on Valiant Armoury: they have some great stuff but none of it has found its way to your list. their old stuff isn't done well. their new stuff (pratical cutting line, signature line) is done pretty well but they don't have any viking swords in your price range. the only viking they have right now that is good is the Hedemark but that's a lot more that the other swords you list (and for good reason, that $$ get a lot of goodies on the Hede)
hope this helps, good luck finding the sword that is right for you.
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Post by ShooterMike on Jan 28, 2010 16:52:03 GMT
I would second the Hanwei Tinker Viking sword. The following may be a bit brutal toward Windlass and Cold Steel. I don't mean it to be. But these are my honest opinions based on 3-4 years of observation and use... I think the whole key to your post is that you want to use the sword on a pell. If that means regular pell training, it pretty much precludes the Windlass and Cold Steel offerings. I have never seen one of those that didn't rattle the hilt loose in short order when subjected to a pell. That's because they have poor harmonic balance that transmits lots of vibration into the hilt when you really bear into the pell work. And because the guards are pretty loosely fitted to the blades. Think of them as if you were driving an inexpensive compact car with the wheels badly out of balance on a washboard road. Pretty soon, parts just start rattling all over the place.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 28, 2010 17:34:13 GMT
Hanwei Tinker will rattle too and it will need repeening. Mine did just after dry handling. Other than that, it's best of these, definitely. Gen2 hilts might be more solid than H/T but H/T is better sword overall.
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Post by Graybeard on Jan 29, 2010 4:45:45 GMT
OK guys...I've got it down to the following:
- Norseman Viking Sword - Valiant Armoury - $169.95
I like the overall solid look this sword and especially of the Cross-guard and Pommel. Many of the Viking hilts look like they'd gouge into your palm with hard counter swings. It is fairly heavy at 4lbs 3oz when compared to 2lbs 8.5 oz of the Tinker below, however it looks like a good solid sword that can take a beating and would be a good starter sword.
- 9th Century Viking Sword - Hanwei Tinker - $189.95
Aesthetically the Tinker looks very period with the Celtic carvings on the Pommel and Cross-guard. This sword is a much lighter sword at only 2lbs 8.5 oz, and two inches longer in overall length than the Norseman sword. I don't know how much of a difference that would make. It looks like the point is sharper than the Norseman and probably better in the thrust. The grip on the Tinker (4") is quite a bit shorter than the Norseman (6.75"), hmmmm I have large hands so that might be a problem. Yep, just measured my hand across the palm....just over four inches across. That just might be the tie breaker.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 29, 2010 4:59:00 GMT
Regarding pattern welded swords: Most folks don't recommend pattern welded blades mainly because they are rarely done consistently well in anything below a price range comparable to the Albion price range. However, if they are done properly they can be very capable swords.
As the H/T Viking, it's a great sword for the price. Like Luka said though the hilt can get loose after even alittle dry handling. Even a few solid taps with a peen hammer on the peen can fix it though.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 29, 2010 5:05:07 GMT
Well the VA Norsemen, is at least looking like it could be from the 8th c. but it is going to ware you out, 3lbs is about max what you would want, take one more look at the Gen2 8th c. Viking...SanMarc.
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Post by Kilted Cossack on Jan 29, 2010 15:41:08 GMT
Oakspring: Howdy! (Former Teufulhund here, not infantry, but I do have grey when I grow my beard.) Here's Bill Tsafa's tire pell site, including a couple of Valiant Armoury reviews (the old line). mysite.verizon.net/tsafa1/swordreview.htm Short version? He reviewed three VA swords and one of them broke quickly, two of them worked fine. I don't have either of the swords you're considering, but I'd lean towards the H/T, particularly considering the availability of replacement blades. kultofathena.com/product.asp?item=OH2419Best of luck with your choice, and do please keep us updated. EDITED TO ADD: You might want to e-mail Sonny Suttles to ask him about the suitability of the VA sword for pell work----he's a real 'sword guy' and friendly to boot.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 29, 2010 17:13:35 GMT
I would suggest you strongly to stay away from 4lb+ single handed sword. And if you hold the sword properly, 4 inches is enough even if your hand is a bit wider. Here is how you should hold it: Oh, btw, these indentations are typical Norwegian type of decoration, there is nothing celtic about that.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 29, 2010 20:24:30 GMT
I can't believe no one's backing up the Kris Cutlery Viking Sword. The people that have one have all said it's an excellent sword. Excellent at cutting, well built, albeit on the heavier end of the scale. Take the two-piece pommel and the classic X blade shape on top of that for historicity. That would definitely be my choice.
The Tinker is nice, but the blade profile seems a little pointy for a standard Viking sword (and personally I don't like the fittings that much, either). If you like it that would probably be the one to go for, it's just not my thing.
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Post by randomnobody on Jan 30, 2010 0:28:35 GMT
My favorite "Viking Sword" is Hanwei's Godfred. Though it's more my favorite single-hand sword and not so much the typical "viking" sword, though it kind of looks like one. Granted, I was lucky to find mine under $300, and have since sold it. Nowadays, it runs a wider gamut. Heavy swords aside, there's not much out there for real "viking" swords. Those covered here are as good as they get.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 30, 2010 13:37:34 GMT
I can't believe no one's backing up the Kris Cutlery Viking Sword. The people that have one have all said it's an excellent sword. Excellent at cutting, well built, albeit on the heavier end of the scale. Take the two-piece pommel and the classic X blade shape on top of that for historicity. That would definitely be my choice. The Tinker is nice, but the blade profile seems a little pointy for a standard Viking sword (and personally I don't like the fittings that much, either). If you like it that would probably be the one to go for, it's just not my thing. I agree about Kris Cutlery. But I would give it one minus point for threaded pommel.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 30, 2010 16:44:32 GMT
That's true; But it's also epoxied on if I'm not mistaken, I don't recall anyone ever managing to remove it.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 30, 2010 17:37:08 GMT
Im not really sure where this thread is going but I vote the H/T the interchangeable blades= awesome I have their EMSHS its a little plain but it handles amazing and the blade is Very well put together Im probably gunna get a blunt blade for mine so I can do some pell work (once I build a pell) go with the hanwei tinker !
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Post by Deleted on Jan 31, 2010 17:56:03 GMT
The Viking sword in the Hanwei-Tinker line has one difference from the other swords in that line. They are peened. According to the Hanwei description, this was done to satisfy the Viking re-enactment requirements.
While extra blades for both versions of the HT Viking are available, they are not truly interchangeable.
Vernon
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Post by shadowhowler on Jan 31, 2010 20:22:03 GMT
I would say go with the Hanwei/Tinker Viking as well... and get it from Wiwingti as he sells it about 20 bucks cheaper. I would, if I were going to use it as you plan to, get both the blunt and sharp... use the blunt for practice and Pell work, and the sharp for cutting... Wiwingti sells em both for around 160-165, so for a little more then some of the more expensive viking swords out there you can have both a practice blunt and sharp version of the same sword. Thats my $0.02
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