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Post by Deleted on Jul 28, 2010 20:57:48 GMT
In spite of their dismal scabbards, I policed up the Gen2 waisted and the Valiant praetorian soon as I started collecting.
If I had to use a knife for a house fight, its one of these; slight edge to the Valiant. Both are amazingly flexible and brutally sharp. After I unwrapped the Valiant I whimsically thrust at the shipping case and the gladius gutted the box like a light saber. I was shocked ( as in thrilled ).
Might be the camera angle, but the blade appears to have lost some gracefulness. Scabbard is an improved nod to history.
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Post by YlliwCir on Jul 28, 2010 21:19:49 GMT
Dave, I've heard you say good things about the VA praetorian before and that made me take a second look. I agree it's a good looking sword and appears it would be handy as well as the Gen2 of course. I'll probably get the VA eventually. As to in house fighting, while these two look good for that, I keep a Windlass Gladiator all sharpened up laying around for such circumstances. ;D
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Post by Deleted on Jul 28, 2010 23:08:06 GMT
As to in house fighting, while these two look good for that, I keep a Windlass Gladiator all sharpened up laying around for such circumstances. ;D Ummm, that'd work ;D 'course I got so much crap anyboy was foolish enough to enter my place in the dark they probably wouldn't get ten feet without getting impaled on "sumthin"
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Post by stromloswordsusa on Jul 29, 2010 14:41:03 GMT
Dom,
I spoke to Sonny and one of the improvements is that this version of the Praetorian is able to be dissassembled (just unscrew the knurled brass end cap). I think the scabbard is very serviceable and quick to draw from (a plus if you are a Roman soldier with a shield in the other hand). Yeah it's not as beatiful as the Signature line, but a nice representation in my opinion.
Regards,
Rob
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Post by Deleted on Jul 30, 2010 11:32:07 GMT
HI Guys,
The Praetorian arrived yesterday. Other then the secondary bevel it seems to have none of the issues that Dom's had, the scabbard even holds tight when turned upside down. I think it's a good value but being my first Roman sword I have nothing to compare it to.
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Dom T.
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Post by Dom T. on Jul 30, 2010 16:39:53 GMT
Oh, that's good. I sent an email to Sonny the other day and he sent me some info on the Praetorian. Here's an excerpt of said email: "I read your post on it. I think that we rushed those a bit when they came in. We did 100 of those in three days to feel all of the back orders. Sorry about the glue on the leather. Also we didn't hone the edges more than what the forge does because we felt that it was more of a thrusting sword. As for the lose scabbard, we didn't try to snug it up because the way those a carried with a baldric you are supposed to be able to quickly draw it while holding a shield. I guess all of my thoughts on this sword were wrong judging from your post. Also the steel on this one is an upgrade to 1060 with a much better heat treat." Iono 'bout you guys, but 100 in 3 days sounds like quite the achievement. >.< I don't know how to feel about the 'all of my thoughts' part though....
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Post by YlliwCir on Jul 30, 2010 19:54:46 GMT
I don't think I've ever expressed my opinion on snug scabbards but I agree with Sonny on this. It should be easy to draw one handed. I really don't care if it falls out if turned upside down. I can fix the edge myself so that's not an issue either. I like the idea of being able to dismantle the hilt too. I'd like to see the tang if one of you guys takes the notion.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 31, 2010 17:56:38 GMT
I don't think I've ever expressed my opinion on snug scabbards but I agree with Sonny on this. It should be easy to draw one handed. I really don't care if it falls out if turned upside down. I can fix the edge myself so that's not an issue either. I like the idea of being able to dismantle the hilt too. I'd like to see the tang if one of you guys takes the notion. I'm with Ric on this. I don't really care if it falls out or not, since I don't plan on turning it upside down. I'd personally prefer a sword that fits lose in the scabbard as opposed to some that fit so tight you really have to tug to get them out. I'd also like to see the tang as well if somebody were so inclined.
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Post by stromloswordsusa on Aug 15, 2010 13:22:33 GMT
Dom,
Just wondering if you going to do a review on your sword???
Cheers. Rob
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Post by Deleted on Aug 15, 2010 14:15:59 GMT
Most important thing in my opinion is the new steel and heat treat. That REALLY makes a difference. If the heat treat is up to VA new line's standards, it'll be a good sword, no doubt.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 15, 2010 14:44:34 GMT
The heat treatment appears to be good. I had my brother in law over for his first cutting experience on the weekend. We had bottles sitting on some old steel dog bowl to vary their heights (all i have for a stand is an old picnic table). He hit too low, struck a bowl with a thrust and pierced it cleanly. Also, I will try to get some pictures of the tang up in a couple of days when I get a chance to upload them.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 15, 2010 18:35:32 GMT
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Post by YlliwCir on Aug 15, 2010 22:08:27 GMT
Looks like a well done and substantial tang. Thanks for the pics. I'm liking this one more and more.
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Dom T.
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Post by Dom T. on Aug 16, 2010 17:14:52 GMT
Dom, Just wondering if you going to do a review on your sword??? Cheers. Rob Um, well, I'm not too knowledgeable on gladii, nor am I at good backyard cutting. Also getting a little more busy than I'm used to lately. I was thinking that someone else, better informed than I, would make a better review. I think if I ever do get around to doing a review, it'll be on a katana, as that's where most of my (considerably limited) sword knowledge lies.
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