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Post by Deleted on Apr 19, 2010 15:28:30 GMT
I have read a lot of posts where everyone claims that Tinker is the best of the Viking swords around the sub $500 range. Though, I haven’t seen really any reviews posted in the reviews section as to WHY they are so great.
Would anyone care to elaborate? I would think such a great sword would at least have a couple positive reviews on them,
Thanks!
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Post by Deleted on Apr 19, 2010 16:00:41 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Apr 19, 2010 16:50:30 GMT
Well I found the review, I knew there was one but it wasn't in the review index: /index.cgi?board=swordreviews&action=display&thread=10538I've got one to and pretty much agree with the review, good solid sword, good design and somewhat lacking in sharpness and the leatherwork could have been better. But for less then 200$ it's a great sword.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 19, 2010 17:01:00 GMT
Definitely not the best in sub 500 range, but the best in sub 300 it is.
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Post by ShooterMike on Apr 19, 2010 17:10:41 GMT
I agree... and for less than $200 it's a great choice.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 19, 2010 17:39:04 GMT
Basically I'm trying to decide between the Tinker Viking, the Kris Cutlery Viking, the Cold Steel Viking, and the Gen 2 Viking.
Primary concerns are durability and performance, with looks/historical accuracy coming second.
Which is the best sword out of that bunch?
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Post by Deleted on Apr 19, 2010 22:45:17 GMT
Think between H/T and KC. Cold steel and Gen2 are just not as good.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 20, 2010 1:50:42 GMT
I own a H/T Viking, and it is a GREAT sword for the price. If durability and performance are your primary concerns, you can't go wrong with it. The 5160 steel they use is tempered very well, and the sword is very "handy" for a Viking style sword. It handles beautifully and suits my tastes.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 20, 2010 2:32:01 GMT
It seems the Hanwei and the KC are very different kinds of swords... Personally I like the KC for the blade shape and fittings. For whatever reason I just don't like the Hanwei...
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Post by Deleted on Apr 20, 2010 3:07:52 GMT
Take the hanwei and the Cold steel out of your list and you have some good swords..............SanMarc.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 20, 2010 3:14:34 GMT
For sub-500, I'd get me one of these: www.swordnation.com/vahedemark.htmlNo question. If you gotta be sub-300, I'd say the Tinker is the best of the bunch. Why? Because it has a durable blade with a great heat-treatment, attractive (if simple) fittings, a solid construction, and it's been designed with proper blade harmonics, a low polar moment and excellent mass distribution. Some of the other offerings can match in in a few of those criteria, but I've seen none that can match it in all of them. The only areas for real improvement are the edges and the grip, or different hilt fittings if the ones on there aren't your cup of tea. --My $0.02
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Post by Deleted on Apr 20, 2010 3:15:54 GMT
You don't like the Tinker sword, sanmarc? Is it not durable or high quality enough?
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Post by Deleted on Apr 20, 2010 3:55:47 GMT
I would'nt mind seeing the same blade offered with different fittings (although I do love the dotted Trondheim inspired guards Tinker used). The leather could be redone better but I do think thats something you could do yourself alright, particularly in the states where there seems to be a tandy leather store EVERYWHERE, grip wraps are bloody easy to do. But the next viking sword I might get could be a KC Viking, I love the blade while heavy is good and the blued fittings with two piece construction. Then again the VA Hedemark is a neat package overall I would just be tempted to get a plug to cover the hex nut. The chape doesnt thrill me as I felt it was an after thought on the original Castille, yes I knew it was the same suitable profile and would be cheaper in the manufacture but it didnt suit, I would probably buy one of those nice 90 dollar bronze cast viking chapes, re-do the belt with custom bronze parts, all neat overall though
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Post by Tom K. (ianflaer) on Apr 20, 2010 6:28:04 GMT
I'm with Lunaman on this one. the Hanwei Tinker Viking is going to have the proper distal taper to make the sword move well. if you can afford it, the Hedemark seems to be a really solid choice too. the tink may want some sharpening, but it should handle the best and have the best design. as for toughness, big heavy, thick swords are not always tougher. a sword that is springy and lighter is often times tougher when it comes to being used like a sword while the thicker swords may be harder to break when clamped in a vice . . . do want a sword to be clamped-in-a-vice tough or used-like-a-sword tough? I know my preference.
I do not trust Cold Steel swords. some of them are very good as it turns out but many of them are not and I'm not willing to roll the dice that way.
Kris Cutlery is a good company but I don't know much about their non-katana stuff. my impression has been that they are a bit on the thick side but I could be wrong about that. if the KC sword turns you on, then there's no reason I know of to say you shouldn't get it.
my list of picks in order for a viking sub $500 is:
VA Hedemark Hanwei Tinker Kris Cutlery nothing else
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Post by shadowhowler on Apr 20, 2010 8:32:11 GMT
That green Hedemark is mine... ;D Its a fine choice. Given the ones listed... I'd say either the KC Viking or the H/T Viking. They are two very different animals tho. The H/T Viking is a solid weapon, VERY light and fast. Wiwinti Sword Supply sells the sword well under 200, its a friggin steal. The KC Viking is a lot heavier, but its a monster cutter and more likely to have a good edge out of the box. Also, the KC Viking is discontenued, so once they are out, they are gone... so now may be a good time to get one. They are more then 100 bucks more expensive then the H/T Viking tho. So... what do you want... fast and nimble, or heavy and massive cutter? RicWilly says his KC Viking is the best pure cutter in his whole collection... thats saying something... while I found the H/T Viking to be the quickest Viking sword I have handled. The Hedemark is in between the two I think... much heavier then the H/T viking but lighter then the KC... it handles decently and is a strong cutter... what the Hedemark really shines in is overall fit and finish... with the scabbard and suspension and leatherwork being way better then the other two. All three are good choices for different reasons, and all under 500.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 20, 2010 11:05:19 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Apr 21, 2010 5:46:49 GMT
www.viking-shield.com/albionmarkswords.htmlAlso through Viking Shield and some others possibally upon request they do the Vinland, Gotland and Clontard Squire line viking swords, blunt or sharpened if the early viking hilt isnt to your taste. Man I'm sorta getting sweet talked towards that KC Viking again, no money as usual, just spent 1400.00 on bills today ........... yeah .......... could of had a next gen albion for that ......... such a pity gotta have a phone, electricty and one of those damn cars
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Post by shadowhowler on Apr 21, 2010 6:18:00 GMT
Man I'm sorta getting sweet talked towards that KC Viking again, no money as usual, just spent 1400.00 on bills today ........... yeah .......... could of had a next gen albion for that ......... such a pity gotta have a phone, electricty and one of those damn cars If you phone, eletric and car bills all added up to 1400 I think your paying too much somewhere...
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Post by Deleted on Apr 21, 2010 9:12:41 GMT
Yeah its called australia, now one of the most expensive grocery countries right after the artic north .......... seriously its the cheapest rates on all 3 in eligable for ........ when I turn 70 they will reduce it .........
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Post by Deleted on May 8, 2010 5:46:23 GMT
Alright, I've owned the Tinker Viking sword for a little over a week now, and I want to give my initial impressions of it.
First of all I want to disclose that I am new to swords and as such am far from an expert by any means.
It's a very nice looking sword, very much what I think a viking sword should look like. I like how it has a more pronounced tip than the spatula type viking swords. It seems to me as if that would give the sword better penetrative ability.
The sword is very light and balanced, it is easily maneuverable.
There were a couple negative things that stuck out for me about the blade.
One was the edge. Now, being more of a firearms guy, the only edges I am familiar with are those on a knife or bayonet. However, the edge just seemed wrong to me for a sword. It wasn't the mere fact that it wasn't sharp enough (which I don't think it was). The edge seemed too short, too sudden, and just not shaped correctly. I always pictured the edge of a sword as something similar to an M7 bayonet, where there is no sudden gradual edge, but that the side of the sword gradually tappers into a edge from the edge of the fuller to the edge of the sword.
Now, maybe this is how the edge should be for a sword, I don't know. If not, then how SHOULD the edge be? And what is the best way of correcting it?
Anyway, the other thing that surprised me a little about the sword was how flexible it was. I knew that a sword shouldn't be too stiff for durability sake, but this sword seemed springier than I had expected. Just a light tap on the flat side of the blade causes it to ripple. A moderate tap causes waves to flow through the blade like it was a diving board.
This particularly became noticeable when I went to stab a 15 gallon water jug, or dense cardboard. The blade would penetrate the jug, though it would bend against the resistance, and required considerable force. The thick layers of cardboard would cause the blade to bend most times instead of penetrating.
I think a bit of a thicker blade would have helped the penetrating abilities.
As for slicing, since I have no experience with a sword, I initially clubbed at objects like it was a bat as I was unaware of the proper cutting technique to use. This would send even gallon water jugs flying. Figuring something more than the edge was wrong, I quickly learned of the push/pull slice and was able to cut some jugs.
I tried cutting a 3 quart tin olive oil carton. I sliced through one side with minor damage to the edge of the blade that contacted.
Slicing thicker juice cartons usually sends them flying vs. the water jugs.
Slicing into the 15 gallon jug proved almost worthless. It “cut” through the sides and tops where as water leaked through, but it only left minor score marks and the blade never really penetrated much.
I would like a viking sword that can cut through a 15 gallon water jug like the katana shown here,
From doing some extra research it looks like the "Oslo Viking Sword" from Darksword Armory and the KC Viking sword would be better cutters (thicker blades, more sturdy for better stabbing). Which of these two viking swords do you think is superior, and why?
The Windlass Viking sword, though lighter and possibly less durable, seems like it is a good performer as well.
I am trying to decide between these three blades. Any recommendations and opinions are appreciated.
Does anyone know the Rockwell hardness for any of these swords? I read that you want something in the high 50s in a sword for good edge retention and cutting ability. Also, I am unable to find the review for the KC viking sword, where as the Oslo is available on the site. Anyone have access to it?
Thank you.
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