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Post by Deleted on Jun 9, 2010 11:54:00 GMT
Hi All This is a Little Review of my First Euro Sword. Why the hell I have not bought one sooner !!! Since I was a child I am fan of knights and samurais. Here in Switzerland we have a lot of Museum and castle. Near to me there is a castle, in which we often went to look at swords and armor....... Until the sword arrived, much time passed due a lack from the canadian post. NOT MARC !!! The Sword came very well packed with no damages or flaws. Specs: Overall length: 39" (99.1 cm) Blade length: 30" (76.2 cm) Weight:2 lb. 10 oz. (1.21 kg) Width at guard: 1 7/8" (4.8 cm) Width at tip: Grip length: 5 3/4" (14.6 cm) Pommel style: Oakeshott Type T2 Guard style: Oakeshott Style 6 Scabbard with wooden core and leather. Fittings are very well done Some Pics: And YES my cats are bigSword fans to....................... ;D Historical accuracy: Not bad. I think its a mix of different Oakeshott types. ejmas.com/jwma/articles/2000/jwmaart_hellqvist_1100.htmPros: -Rock solid workmanship -very well balanced (for me) -sharp as hell -I won this sword by a contest from wiwingty (best of all ;D) -you can buy it from wiwingtiswordsupply.com/OakeshottXVI.html for only 280$ instead 499$ !! Cons: -mix of different Oakeshott types..Hello..good morning..Dynasty Forge..Please ! -the hilt is a bit too angular for me. Maybe with gloves would be it better. Not really a con but maybe I polish the blade as it is a bit rough Conclusion: This sword is worth every cent. If you buy it ;D Thanks to Marc and Greetz from Switzerland Ivo
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Post by Deleted on Jun 9, 2010 14:07:08 GMT
A very fine sword. I have a katana of thiers and love it. i will have to look at there euro swords now. P.S. I love the cats.
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SlayerofDarkness
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Post by SlayerofDarkness on Jun 9, 2010 15:49:54 GMT
The sword looks awesome... but the cats are the true shining stsr of this review! ;D They're gorgeous; tell them that a random dude in Fl loves them, 'k? Thanks for the review, I've been wanting more info about these swords... -Slayer
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Post by Deleted on Jun 9, 2010 15:59:23 GMT
yknow yould think that with such fancy gaurd and pommel they would put a little more effort into the handle wrap too :S I find that to be strange and fairly unattractive
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SlayerofDarkness
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"Always give everyone the benefit of the doubt."
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Post by SlayerofDarkness on Jun 9, 2010 16:11:25 GMT
Agreed^ Windlass-quality grip wrap and VA signature-quality fittings, do NOT mesh nicely. -Slayer
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Post by Deleted on Jun 9, 2010 17:04:12 GMT
I think it is one of the ugliest, gaudiest, functional swords I have seen and quite honestly that kind of fuller looks utterly shite. It is only very loosely an Oakshott XVI in my opinion but if you like it that is what matters.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 9, 2010 18:04:49 GMT
Thanks for pros and cons Keep in mind this are the first Euro swords from DF
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Post by Tom K. (ianflaer) on Jun 10, 2010 1:38:43 GMT
ever since the first time I saw a picture of this sword my first and most gut reaction has been one of revulsion. I have always thought this was an ugly sword but I had a hard time putting my finger on it. I always just thought it was "a bit off" now that I get to see all its parts one at a time thanks to your wonderful pictures I am starting to see where this sword goes wrong for me. I actually kind of like the cross guard if I see it all by itself. yes it is a bit on the large and gaudy side but it doesn't seem much bigger than XII.7 from Records also known as the sword of Sancho of Castile which is the basis of the furniture on the VA Castile sword. even the engraving looks pretty good when I just see the cross by itself. I do wish it was just a little thinner and gracefull looking but as it is it's ok. the shape of the grip looks decent. the leather looks like it is really cheap, slick, chrome tanned stuff that wasn't cord wrapped. this concerns me both on a grippability and durability stand point. it also seems overly thick and long but that might be an optical illusion because of the pommel. I think the thing that really bothers me is the pommel. the pommel! where do I begin? ok first of all it is really small. the T2 pommel, to me, should NOT have that ring around the bottom of it. that looks like an "it was easier to turn on a lathe this way" shape than anything. the proper shape of this pommel, I think, is shown by XVII.1 from "Records" this one: looks to me like this pommel's base is at least as wide as the widest diameter of the DF sword above and maybe (probably) larger. the peen on this looks like there's air gap between the underside of the peen and the pommel back. this makes me suspect this is some sort of peen-appearing button. maybe not, but I just cannot see how one could pound a peen down and have that sort of a gap. doesn't make sense I must be missing something. the fuller doesn't start under the guard. while this is something I personally don't like, there are swords from history that have fullers that start in about that place so I can't really complain about that. the profile of the blade looks pretty good and it looks like it should be a strong cutter and a wicked thruster. so please, don't let my criticism of the aesthetics of your sword bother you. there's no reason you can't love it just for what it is and it may still handle and cut very well. if it does then I'd probably like it too. after all I like the "ugly duckling" ATrim I reviewed not too long ago and it had that horrendous gouge in it and a guard that wasn't the same on each side due to another gouge from a wild grinder or something. so, how does it handle? how does it cut? again sorry to sound so negative, it just isn't my style, if you love it then that's all that matters. thanks for the review and all the good pictures, +1 for letting us have a close look at your darling and maintaining a good attitude under some fairly harsh criticism.
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Post by septofclansinclair on Jun 10, 2010 5:11:16 GMT
Tom, RE: the ""it was easier to turn on a lathe this way" pommel - I don't think that's quite what it is. The description of this sword on various vendor sites lists the guard and pommel material as cast metal. I'd maybe expect (or forgive) that on a Windlass for 150 bucks, but a $300 sword? Just seems a bit "odd" to me. That being said, it is DF's first foray into the Euro market. I'm sure it'll take a few swings to knock one out of the park. POTZDEIBEL, don't let our comments detract you - the blade is probably well-tempered and strong like DF usually produces, and all that really matters is that you are happy with it. If you are, then don't let anything we might comment on bring you down. Thanks for sharing a good review with pictures.
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Post by Tom K. (ianflaer) on Jun 10, 2010 13:34:07 GMT
thanks Dan, I agree.
I just don't know what to make of that pommel.
again, sorry to have been so harsh, I haven't felt the sword or swung the sword and that is where the real important stuff is, at least for me.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 10, 2010 15:34:52 GMT
No problem guys I love constructive critism. For which there are such forums to talk to about such things at exactly. Sorry my english. Somtimes Google English And yes the hilt is to big and more rectangular. Fittings are made from brass or something (non magnetic) The sword is well balanced and with a more rounder hilt that would be nearly perfect (for me) You know "a sword is like a tailored suit" You can read it in the history of swords. This is a fact for Japanese and euro swords There are better swords for that price, or less. But again these are the first of swords from DF. We let them a little time and see what they do I have won this sword from a contest by wiwingty A Gift Horse you don't loock in the mouth ;D I paid just 80$ for shipping ;D Greetz
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Post by Cottontail Customs on Jun 10, 2010 16:07:54 GMT
the cats are gorgeous, and I'm not even close to being a cat guy! I would have named the lighter one Aslan for the incredibly regal look it has. could have been an emperor or king in a past life! I'd say give DF a few years on the Euros and they should be putting out some impressive pieces.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 10, 2010 18:19:01 GMT
@ Frank He's loock very Majestic. She's a Siam and He's a Maine Coon. She's 7 years old and 10 pounds, too much for her and he's 4 1/2 Months and 8 pounds !
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Post by wiwingti on Jun 10, 2010 23:11:04 GMT
we got a maincoon and he is 5 years old(if i remember) and he is 25 pounds lol
very tall cat lol
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Post by Deleted on Jun 12, 2010 5:10:33 GMT
Tom, RE: the ""it was easier to turn on a lathe this way" pommel - I don't think that's quite what it is. The description of this sword on various vendor sites lists the guard and pommel material as cast metal. I'd maybe expect (or forgive) that on a Windlass for 150 bucks, but a $300 sword? Just seems a bit "odd" to me. That being said, it is DF's first foray into the Euro market. I'm sure it'll take a few swings to knock one out of the park. POTZDEIBEL, don't let our comments detract you - the blade is probably well-tempered and strong like DF usually produces, and all that really matters is that you are happy with it. If you are, then don't let anything we might comment on bring you down. Thanks for sharing a good review with pictures. Cast metal isn't the issue...albion uses cast metal...it's just that their metal is steel. And many high end sword uses cast copper/brass/bronze fitting all the time. The issue is that metal in this case has a very high probability of being zinc alloy...which is crap and quite frankly unsafe as far as I'm concerned on a functional sword. I can break zinc alloy with my bare hands. In fact I broke a zinc alloy bowl at work when I tried to unscrew it from the base. If the pommel or hilt fails, you can have a serious accident happen.
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Post by septofclansinclair on Jun 12, 2010 5:20:56 GMT
CN, thanks for expanding on that - I didn't go into that kind of detail but I should have. You're quite right that high end swords use cast metals including copper and brass, they just usually say that it's copper or brass when they do. The way it was phrased in the description I was guessing zinc alloy as well.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 12, 2010 16:13:36 GMT
Sorry, I couldn't resist. ;D
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Post by Deleted on Jun 13, 2010 3:46:38 GMT
Good review. Informative pictures. Flashy sword, though it's not my style of sword. You know what they say though "it takes all kinds". I'm glad we have differing tastes. It would be a pretty boring forum if we all didn't. It looks like the kind of sword I would imagine the hero of a film or graphic novel to use. Nice shape to the blade. My only qualms are that the fuller does not end under the guard the grip is thicker than I would find comfortable. I can't really count the guard or pommel as a qualm because I see that as a matter of personal taste. As long as it's comfortable in your hand and you like it then that is all that matters. No doubt your sword taste will change over time. Goodness knows mine has. I'd wager that everyone here has had their taste change over time. Can't wait to see the next one you buy! +1 to you.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 13, 2010 20:03:12 GMT
I really like the blade shape. I don't really like the hilt but I could almost buy it for blade only and rehilt it.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 13, 2010 21:27:05 GMT
I like the blade shape, too, but I wonder about DF's amount of distal taper, etc. Also I'm unsure about the heat treat of this buggers.
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