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Post by Deleted on Jan 29, 2010 20:50:43 GMT
Hi everyone. I have been sword shopping for several months now, and as I get settled on one sword, I find a million other ones that look to be fantastic.
So. before I tell you what sword(s) I like from each of these companies, perhaps a better question to ask would be, which company makes the toughest, yet best cutter, swords? Bear in mind I can't help but do some *safe* (I'm extremely safety conscious) durability tests on trees, logs, the like.
The manufacturers that I'm liking the swords the most from are (in order, ish) Valiant Armoury Darksword Armoury Sticklestad (mainly because their viking sword is gorgeous) And recently, Hanwei. I also have an eye on Generation 2, your thoughts?
Which company of the listed have a reputation of providing the sharpest noobie swords right out of the box?
If you'd like to know the swords I like, here they are
Valiant Armoury -Castile (one of my favs. in looks) -Practical arming/longsword (think I'd go for the single-handed arming)
Darksword Armoury -Viking sword (as reviewed by Paul on SBG)
Sticklestad -Viking sword (the most beautiful of the swords, I'd love to get it)
Hanwei -Albrecht Sword (hand and a half, I know, but tough from review)
Of all these swords the Sticklestad Viking sword is by far the prettiest, but I've veered away from it due to recommendations. Right now I'm most leaning towards the Valiant Castile. What are your thoughts?
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Post by YlliwCir on Jan 29, 2010 21:40:12 GMT
Dew, the only one's on your list that I know from personal experience come sharp are the VA LS and Arming swords. Good choices I'd say tho I wouldn't go beating on logs and such with them. Swords aren't made for that and they will take damage in all likelyhood. Having said that I do have a couple swords I have done that with and held up well but they don't really handle well and aren't my favorites for cutting and other swordlike stuff. I like the Hanwei Albrecht but it won't come sharp enough for you.
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SlayerofDarkness
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Post by SlayerofDarkness on Jan 29, 2010 23:49:39 GMT
Agreed with Ric; you want an axe, buy an axe. The only swords I'd trust to handle such abuse as so-called 'safe' testing on trees, etc, aren't built to handle like sword should, and aren't the best of cutters either. I'd reccomend either of the VA's. They'll be the best cutters of the bunch, and pretty tough, but banging them on trees is a BAD idea. The DSA is one of those swords that is tough enough to beat up on trees with, but will most likely handle poorly, and won't cut very well. the sharpening option is rather horrible as well, so expect to have to do quite a bit of work to get it sharp. The Sticklestad isn't a brand- it's a model. The Sticklestad Viking Sword is made by Windlass Steelcrafts, and comes dull, unless you select the sharpening option (which adds a VERY sharp edge, albeit in the form of a noticably steep 2ndary bevel). It's pretty decent, from what I've heard, but not what I'd get, personally. Windlass just isn't the best out there for that price; they make some REALLy good swords every now and then, but I haven't heard enough good stuff about the Sticklestad to convince me that it's one of them. I have no experience with the Hanwei, except to be able to tell you that it will come dull, regardless of whether it claims to be sharp or not. Hanwei is quite generous when using the term 'sharp' in regards to their european swords. I hope this helps, Slayer
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Post by Deleted on Jan 30, 2010 10:07:27 GMT
thanks for the observations about those 2 companies. it helps. You are both agreeing with my earlier post that the valiants are the same, which is cool I'm liking the Castile the most out of the Valiants. What's your thoughts on Generation 2? I was reading some of the reviews on those swords. Amazing. Are they kind of in the same boat as DSA? more durable than good handling?
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Post by Deleted on Jan 30, 2010 10:32:37 GMT
Seems to be the consensus that Gen 2 swords are tanks, but much ike DSA they sacrifice a bit in the handling department. Gen 2 is redoing alot of their stuff, and very well may have some new goodies that will wow everyone. You can contact Jason at Arms of Valor and he may be able to tell you more, or contact him here. He goes by Trueswordsman on the board.
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Post by YlliwCir on Jan 30, 2010 10:34:20 GMT
I haven't handled the Castile but from what I've seen of it i'm not all that impressed. I think there are better options than the Gen2's these days.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 30, 2010 13:55:29 GMT
Consider Hanwei Tinker line. They could use some sharpening but they cut very well even with original edge. And they survived without any marks me hitting a wooden block and even bricks which are part of my improvised stand.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 30, 2010 14:52:58 GMT
Second the H/T line... they cut very well, handle even better and are really tough for swords... not for crowbars like DSA, but for swords. I like them better than the VA stuff but they're very close in quality actually so that's more of a personal opinion.
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SlayerofDarkness
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Post by SlayerofDarkness on Jan 30, 2010 18:11:28 GMT
Ric- you're talking about the 1st Gen Castile. They're all gone now; the 2nd gen is what dew would be getting. I've talked to Sonny personally and he assures me that the 2nd Gen Castile's are fantastic, and knowing Sonny, he wouldn't say that unless they really are. So, yeah, the Castile would probably be your best choice if you like it's aesthetics. Just be sure to know that some places still have the old versions' picture up, so take a look in the M&V section for Sonny's post a week or so ago showing the newer version. I agree that Gen2 is super-tough, while sacrificing a little bit of handling. They do come extremely sharp, though, which puts them well above DSA in my personal lineup of favorites. I think for what Gen2 is, you can't do much better, but don't get one if you want a light, fast sword like the VA's will be. H/T is good stuff... but they also come kinda dull, like most Hanwei euros. -Slayer
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Post by Deleted on Jan 31, 2010 0:07:02 GMT
Thanks for the feedback everyone, it;s really appreciated.
Where would i find more information on the H/T line? and what do you mean about sonny's posts on the 2nd gen castile?
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Post by YlliwCir on Jan 31, 2010 2:13:43 GMT
Thanks for the feedback everyone, it;s really appreciated. Where would i find more information on the H/T line? and what do you mean about sonny's posts on the 2nd gen castile? 2nd generation Castile.There are some reviews of the Cas/Hanwei Tinker line here.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 31, 2010 5:25:48 GMT
Wow, a whole list of reviews. somehow i never found that. awesome.
I have to admit i like the H/T early medieval sword. It looks very good.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 31, 2010 8:13:20 GMT
Wow, a whole list of reviews. somehow i never found that. awesome. I have to admit i like the H/T early medieval sword. It looks very good. SBG reviews, read them, love them, believe them. I have based practically all of my purchases as of late on the impressions that members here have of blades, and the reviews are a great way to see detailed pics and real world usage. While I lurk about other sword forums and read plenty, the informality of SBG seems to lend a less clinical air to everything and you get a truer feel. You can actually question the reviewer and focus on certain aspects of a sword which is great. Read read read, and then hide your wallet.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 31, 2010 12:52:16 GMT
Hmmm, you wanna test it on trees and logs? I think you should grab one of these babies: www.albion-swords.com/april-1-2009.htmYou'll have to save up for the insurance, but I think it's the only sword that would really be appropriate.
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Post by Tom K. (ianflaer) on Jan 31, 2010 15:01:18 GMT
you want a tough sword that still handles like a sword:
/index.cgi?action=display&board=cutting&thread=12216
my review: /index.cgi?board=swordreviews&action=display&thread=12194&page=1
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Major, Cory J.~
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Post by Major, Cory J.~ on Feb 1, 2010 2:13:09 GMT
If your looking for a beater, then I would suggest the Darksword Armory swords, I got one of their Black Knight swords few months back, for exactly a beater sword. I chop wood with it (End to end with the grain) hack through the bush, and destroy water bottles where ever I can find them. And just so you know if you look on the DarkSword Website, they are having a *Clearance* sale where if you buy one of the selected swords you get ANY free dagger of your choice!!! They even are offering FREE Shipping until Feb 28th (I am think only to Canada and US though)!!! Heres the Link to the Sale Page www.darksword-armory.com/demoswords.htmlAnd if you do decide to go with a Darksword, then I highly recommend that you have them sharpen it, as they are EXTREMELY hard to sharpen if'; A. Your not set up for large scale sharpening B. Have no experience sharpening C. Don't have the patience for the task.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 2, 2010 19:44:40 GMT
you want a tough sword that still handles like a sword: /index.cgi?action=display&board=cutting&thread=12216 my review: /index.cgi?board=swordreviews&action=display&thread=12194&page=1 Very good review. thank you. Interesting sword too, and you taught me a lot. How does that sword compare, out of the box, to this sword? sbg-sword-store.sword-buyers-guide.com/ems.html
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Post by Deleted on Feb 2, 2010 19:53:41 GMT
If your looking for a beater, then I would suggest the Darksword Armory swords, I got one of their Black Knight swords few months back, for exactly a beater sword. I chop wood with it (End to end with the grain) hack through the bush, and destroy water bottles where ever I can find them. And just so you know if you look on the DarkSword Website, they are having a *Clearance* sale where if you buy one of the selected swords you get ANY free dagger of your choice!!! They even are offering FREE Shipping until Feb 28th (I am think only to Canada and US though)!!! Heres the Link to the Sale Page www.darksword-armory.com/demoswords.htmlAnd if you do decide to go with a Darksword, then I highly recommend that you have them sharpen it, as they are EXTREMELY hard to sharpen if'; A. Your not set up for large scale sharpening B. Have no experience sharpening C. Don't have the patience for the task. If I were to get a DSA, I'd get this www.sword-buyers-guide.com/Crecy.htmlLooks like the one I'm looking for actually. I'd definitely get it sharpened.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 2, 2010 20:39:43 GMT
Well, Tom can give you better details on his specifically, but that's actually the exact same sword--Tom just bought the bare blade and mounted it himself. (Though for some reason the image shown is of the blunted version? Paul should fix that at the SBG store) However, since Tom made his own hilt and touched up the edge (a little) and since the man knows a lot about swords, I'd wager that his is a little sharper, the balance on his a little better, and I've heard that the standard grip on the EMSHS is a little thin. (Though Tom went overboard on improving the thickness on his, holy cow.) Basically his is a little, "pro-tuned" in ever department to suit his preferences, but at the end of the day that is the exact same blade you will receive if you buy a Tinker Single-hander. Hope that helps. P.S.>> That Darksword Crecy is pretty damn heavy for a single-hander. Maybe TOO heavy. All that extra steel means it's tough enough to manage hacking up trash bins, sure, but a two-pound Albion can do that too if the edge alignment's good.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 2, 2010 21:04:56 GMT
So What you're saying is: That H/T Early Medieval Sword from SBG is dull in the same places Tom's was out of the box? That seems kinda questionable to me.
And the DSA is heavier. So I see your point. Will give that thought too
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