Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 17, 2010 3:48:55 GMT
Oooh, and it's cheap. Thats all ways a plus for a first sword, isn't it?
As far as the lowlander goes, I know its big, which for me is the basis of its appeal. The threaded, hollow pommel is my biggest turn off. My other concern would be sharpening it. I imagine the first time sharpening a blade is difficult, let alone a 48" blade.
But still, its only a few inches shorter than I am. Wallace!
On the other hand, I do love the Grosse Messer. Its a big bowie looking contraption, I don't see how you could deny the cool. I believe it would need a touch up in the sharpening department as well, wouldn't it?
Then we have the SBG pro. I adore the Hamon lines I've seen in a few of the reviews around the forum. I know its a few month wait, but I've waited this long haven't I? I'm guessing I could find a more readily available sword, but SBG gave me my start on the sub $300 path. Kind of like sticking to one church, I'd imagine. Plus, Katana are sweeet.
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SlayerofDarkness
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Post by SlayerofDarkness on Jul 17, 2010 3:54:43 GMT
Oooh, and it's cheap. Thats all ways a plus for a first sword, isn't it? As far as the lowlander goes, I know its big, which for me is the basis of its appeal. The threaded, hollow pommel is my biggest turn off. My other concern would be sharpening it. I imagine the first time sharpening a blade is difficult, let alone a 48" blade. But still, its only a few inches shorter than I am. Wallace! On the other hand, I do love the Grosse Messer. Its a big bowie looking contraption, I don't see how you could deny the cool. On the other hand, I believe it would need a touch up in the sharpening department as well, wouldn't it? Then we have the SBG pro. I adore the Hamon lines I've seen in a few of the reviews around the forum. I know its a few month wait, but I've waited this long haven't I? I'm guessing I could find a more readily available sword, but SBG gave me my start on the sub $300 path. Kind of like sticking to one church, I'd imagine. Plus, Katana are sweeet. I only have a sec- I'm working on school (I do HS online, lol, at my own pace, so I work all year round, doing less per day than normal, basically.... ). HOWEVER! Yeah, the Lowlander has some major turn-offs as a 1st sword. It NEEDS sharpening to be a good cutter, the handling is nasty (good for such a large sword, or so I've heard, but it's still 7 lbs, lol ), and it's not entirely durable. However, the CS GM comes razor sharp as does everything from CS (except their machetes. ). Doesn't mean it's the end-all be-all of swords, lol, but I just wanted to let you know that it is sharp, most definitely. -Slayer
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Post by Deleted on Jul 17, 2010 3:57:25 GMT
My first real sword was a Hanwei Dark Sentinel. I bought it, frankly, because it was inexpensive but also because it was well reviewed. It seemed like a lot of bang for the buck and that's exactly what it is. I've since bought better swords but I'm still pleased with the Dark Sentinel, it's just a heck of a lot of fun. how is that studded handle bro. is that a fairly good sword to handle in spite of that. it is the only reason i havent got one yet. I agree with Slayer, the studs aren't a problem at all, the sword is comfortable in the hand.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 17, 2010 3:57:51 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 17, 2010 4:00:38 GMT
I suppose thats true, but every time I picked it up I'd picture one of the CS videos. The brainwashing would lead me to try and cut a train in half. Cool in theory, messy in fact. But the Messer is soooo cool (to my untrained eye, of course.)
You've all had preety cool first swords. All more ideas to mull over. Its the internet, I can window shop all night long.
edit: No shame in being proud of that beauty. Hell, I'm proud of it, and I've never even seen it in person.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 17, 2010 4:23:29 GMT
My first "real" sword was a windlass Irish ring bastard sword which I recently sold here on the forums. It was light, quick, and razor sharp. I was using a doubled over hand towel to wipe the grease that was on the blade when I first got it and it sliced cleanly through it and gave me a nasty cut on my palm. I never even felt the cut it was so sharp lol. And it still continues to surprise. I bought it from you with an eye towards using the furniture on a project, but it's too much of a sweetheart to knock apart. Light and quick indeed, it has firmly established itself in my collections pecking order. Knowing a bit more of its history, it will definitely remain intact, and if ever sold it will be here on the forum where its history will remain and legend grow My first real sword was a Hanwei Agincourt that I absolutely brutalized. Knowing absolutely zilch about proper handling and usage, I beat that sword like a rented step child and it hangs tough to this day. After learning a bit, I am glad that I only gave 50$ for it, but it was still my first and I still like it for what it is.
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Post by William Swiger on Jul 17, 2010 12:24:39 GMT
Cannot remember which was first, but the first three I bought were the Windlass Fantasy Viking sword and a Hanwei Practical Katana and Practical Wak.
The Practical Katana and Wak are long gone. Have kept the Windlass Fantasy Viking sword and it is still my favorite in my expanded collection.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 17, 2010 13:05:42 GMT
Still waiting on funds for my first real sword. Have already talked over the design with the custom builder. The result: I will be getting a Jin-Shi custom Xin (modern style) Jian with a longer that normal handle so the Euro techniques can also be used with it. As soon as my money gets here it is getting ordered.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 17, 2010 14:57:12 GMT
My first true sword was actually part of a double purchase from museum replicas. I got the windlass Braveheart sword and the now discontinued Scottish war sword. Below is a picture of the Scottish War Sword as it appeared in the Museum Replicas catoloug. This was back in 01-02. It has since been customised. The grip wrap now covers the brass that is part of the handle. I covered it up because it hurt swing with it's squared off edges. I had a few other swords before that but I don't count them. The sword of Solomon my wife bought me as a wedding gift is a stainless hanger and a cutlass I had when I was 18 was made out of high carbon steel, but it was heavy and un-tempered. By margshus at 2010-07-17 A picture of the hilt of the Sword of Solomon. Uploaded with ImageShack.us
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 17, 2010 23:19:48 GMT
first sword was the Global Gear chikara kat - because Paul recommended it, sadly broke (!) after very botched cut (bamboo), was lucky not to get hurt
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Post by Deleted on Jul 17, 2010 23:30:42 GMT
First real one was a Musashi Practical. Tough as all get out. Not a bad starter beater at all, especially for under sixty bucks! The rubber same is the nastiest, but again...UNDER SIXTY BUCKS! It's cool to have something you won't cry over if it gets thrashed, and this fits the bill.
~wp
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Post by Deleted on Jul 18, 2010 0:13:07 GMT
Darksword Armory Medieval Knight Sword. I was thrilled with it, and still reach for it whenever it's time to go out and cut.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 18, 2010 0:17:07 GMT
My first real sword was a Ritter Steel "Norse" sword, for my 16th birthday. Later I got a Musashi Katana. Great swords. Not the best attention to detail, or quality control, but for 50-60 bucks, these swords are great starters. Not something you cry about when it gets scratches on it, or breaks (Which, with a little common sense is unlikely).
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Post by shadowhowler on Jul 18, 2010 0:47:45 GMT
My first sword was a wooden handled katana... a rough looking peice by a local smith... heavy and powerful. I still have it... I beat the CRAP out of it, got it when I was 18-19... so its 15-16 years old now.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 18, 2010 4:30:43 GMT
Honestly, under $50 or $60 sounds like the best place to start. I've been looking for the biggest bang for the buck, but if I can't decide what I'm really looking for yet, that would be a good place to start.
On the other hand, maybe my taste in swords is so advanced that I just need one of everything. I like that option.
Thanks again guys. Its good to see how you got your start, and its helping a lot with mine.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 18, 2010 4:31:33 GMT
My first was a WWII Japanese Officer's Katana (Gunto) I bought from a knife shop around 1984. I payed $250.00 for it which I think is probably a lot more than I could get for it now, the blade had some pitting, but the edge was still good. I put it through some punishing cutting without breaking it. This was when cutlery shops at the mall were selling medieval style SLO's for $400.00, so it seemed like a good deal then Still have it, I would like to sell it, since I have modern Katana like my 3 Cheness I like much better so it never gets used any more. Psychosis, I have a CS Grosse Messer, and it came almost shaving sharp, I barely had to touch it up to get it shaving It is one of my favorite swords, but my United Black Katanas are slightly better at cutting bottles ;D
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 18, 2010 4:54:57 GMT
Ah, and it all comes back to the Grosse Messer. Maybe I should start there. The blade type seems to be all most unrepresented in the market, and I wouldn't want to be the guy kicking myself because it was discontinued. I think I found it for $160 some where. But then I got distracted by the Kat's...
As far as your Gunto, I'd hang on to it. Toward the end of WW2, they tended to be made from pot metal, which sucked, but after WW2 we (being America, we) started melting them down, or taking them home for souvenirs. There is actually some bay or another in Japan that we deposited a lot of them in to. The best part about that is the better quality Kat's (1930's vintage) survived the salt better than the crap made later on, which I find fascinating. It may not be worth much, but that is an awesome piece of history you're holding on to. Awesome first sword in my book.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 18, 2010 5:22:59 GMT
Yeah, the thought of all of those Nihonto that went into the bay is enough to make a sword lover, or at least a Katana lover cry No doubt some hundreds of year old swords that had been remounted went into Davy Jones locker with the factory made ones and worthless parade sabers The reasons I would sell my Gunto are as follows: 1. A sword I can use trumps a historic sword, the handle on the Gunto is too short for both of my large hands to fit on it, and there is a locking device that locks the sword to the metal scabbard, a flubbed cut causes that lever to bite the web of the hand that's up against the guard (Tsuba) 2. My Cheness Katanas have lovely, long, comfortable handles, so do my other two-handed swords 3. At some point in any sword addicts life, money runs out, and the way to a new sword that you want is to sell or trade a sword you already have and have either lost interest in, or you do not want it as bad as the new sword you currently have a Jones for I started with Japanese and Chinese swords, and finding out about all of the great Euro swords that are out there is a relatively new chapter in my growth as a sword addict, and there are so many of them...I Need, I Need
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 18, 2010 5:29:52 GMT
All very valid points. I guess I'm still in that "book phase," having not handled many large blades in my time, so telling some one to hang on to a sword they can't use is unjustifiable.
Depending on how much you let it go for, that would be an awesome wall hanger. Army surplus, eat your hearts out.
And then I stumble across the Practical XL Kat. Choices, choices...my biggest decision at the moment is Europe or Asia. Maybe I should buy a sword of some Middle Eastern make, just so I don't have to pick one of the above.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 18, 2010 9:03:21 GMT
Maybe I should buy a sword of some Middle Eastern make, just so I don't have to pick one of the above. I know you were mostly kidding, but the Dark Sentinel was designed to be "middle ground" between Euros and Kats. Plus, it looks cool and cuts like no tomorrow from everything I've read. ;D It is definitely on my wish list. I'll just have to have someone do something about that ridiculously long tsuka. I would need orangutan arms to swing that thing as is. Does anyone know how far into the tsuka the nakago extends? Shortening a tsuka is one thing; shortening a nakago is a whole other ball game. There have to be some folks that have wanted this alteration. The thing is, I can't justify spending two hundred bucks to pay a customizer or a smith to do work on a ninety dollar beater! ~wp
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