Review: 1st Generation VA Practical Longsword Blunt (304B)
Sept 20, 2010 23:13:31 GMT
Post by Odingaard on Sept 20, 2010 23:13:31 GMT
Blunted Valiant Armoury Practical Long Sword Review[/b
by Jonathan "Odingaard" Sarge
This is the second of the new Valiant Armoury ATrim Designed products that I have purchased in the last couple months. Where as I had mixed feelings about the Castile Signature Series, the ATrim Practical Long Sword has impressed me with both its quality and function.
Overview
Historical Basis
I would say that this sword is based loosely on an Oakeshott Type XIIa with a Type H pommel and Style 2 guard. It's modeled closely after the Angus Trim 1415, a sword of the same general typology.
Though my sword is a training blunt, this blade was designed to be one of the most devistating blades of its time, and it simply seethes power when you grip it. You can imagine how it must have felt to wield this ages ago on the battlefield. One look at a blade like this must have made many an unseasoned warrior soil their armor.
Initial Impressions
I participate in Schola Saint George and was looking for a reasonably historically accurate representation of a medieval long sword for light sparring use without having to foot the bill for an Albion Liechtenauer or A&A Spada da Zogho. On the other hand, I wanted better quality and durability than the Hanwei Practical Hand and a Half. Dividing down the middle, I settled on the Valiant Armoury Blunted Practical Long Sword. I wrote Paul to make sure he had it in stock and ordered it from the SBG store Tuesday morning. The total bill ended up being right at $240.00 with free shipping. It showed up early Thursday afternoon, which has to be one of the most impressive turn around times ever.
It arrived well packaged, wrapped in bubblewrap/plastic, secured in its plain white retail box, bubble wrapped again, and packed into another outer remailer box. I don't get antique vases packaged this well. I nearly had to get another sword to cut this one out of the packaging.
I held it in my hand and got 'that feeling'. I knew immediately that this sword was a keeper.
Design and Fit
Physical Characteristics
Overall Length: 45 1/2"
Blade Length: 35"
Blade Width: 2 1/8"
Blade Material: 1060 Carbon Steel
Blade State: Unsharpened (>1mm edge)
Tang: Full ATrim Style Hex Bolted Tang
Weight: 3lbs, 6oz
CoB: 6 1/8"
CoP: 22"
Included Accessories: Leather covered wood core scabbard
The Pommel
The pommel is a standard Type H from what you find on most AT products, not overly large. It could be slightly bigger to counter the weight of the blade, but as it is, I don't have a problem with it.
One of the interesting but quite pleasant changes that I have observed in the Practical models is that they are all now equipped with the ATrim type hex nut instead of the slotted screw on earlier models. I figured that it would only be a matter of time before Valiant started doing this on all models, as it is simply a better fastener to go with.
The Grip
The leather wrapped wood grip is of much higher quality than I expected. I was unsure if I would like how narrow the grip appeared to be in the pictures, but once I held it, I know why it was done this way for this sword.
Now, the primary difference I have noticed is that Valiant seems to have improved the symmetry of their new grips. I've seen pictures where grips on these have been uneven on the tang, but not on this one. It's correct in every manner.
I have no idea what kind of material the handle is wrapped in, but it is the softest wrap I have ever felt on a sword grip, feeling like a cross between chamois and thin neoprene. It's definately been engineered to go easy on the hand and hamper vibration. The riser is well placed, perfect for my large bear paws; which affords me a solid single hand or two hand grip.
The Guard
The guard has a simple Style 2 geometry, but it remains quite elegant. It's the perfect length for my form and function. It tapers nicely on either end evenly.
The Blade
The 1070 carbon blade has good geometry and proper Type XIIa form. It flexes quite nicely demonstraing its temper, but is not overly whippy like a Windlass of the same length. The fuller is evenly ground and terminates smoothly. The blade is well-finished to a nice satin sheen. A few small hammer dings are visible when holding at an angle to the light, but these are not noticable nor do they cause a problem for me personally.
One slight issue I do have with the blade is that it has a little too much edge for a trainer. I gauged the edge of this sword at slightly over 1mm, which will still do a pretty good just cutting rigid targets. The point is a little too defined, as it will penetrate nearly any target you thrust with moderate force. A file and some elbow grease can take care of this for me.
On the other hand, this could be made into a sharp in a matter of about 30 mins. So, if you want this sharp and can't find one? Buy this one and make it sharp. Enuff said.
The Scabbard
The included scabbard is another result of the new ATrim/CF production designs. It has a slender wood core which is suprisingly thin (and historically accurate) for an import. Its covered in the same soft black leather used on the grip. The chape and locket are leather, stitched over the ends accordingly. For a freebie, its defiantely a step above all the leather sheaths out there.
Function
Agility
At 3lbs, 6oz (according to my scales), this sword weighs slightly less than the notable trainer offerings from Albion, about the same as A&A, and almost 1/4 lb more than the Hanwei Hand and a Half (at the expense of losing some overall length).
Handling the Practical Long Sword with two hands as it was intended makes it a force to be reckoned with - wheather two-handing or half-swording. It's reasonably nimble in that regard issing relatively fast cuts and thrusts on ye old practice pell. It does well for its intended purpose, and it will serve as a good training tool.
However, when switching to one hand, the sword becomes a different beast altogether. This is definately not the intended purpose of this weapon. You can offer offense, but the recovery from such attacks is difficult with a single hand.
The thinner handle does not do much to hamper vibration at the expense of offering a more secure grip. A good pair of medium weight gauntlets/gloves eliminates this minor annoyance however.
Durability
This sword rings solid with a sexy bell tone. So, leave it to me to smack a brand new sword edge on edge with something out of the box. I tested this full contact on my son's Hanwei Practical Viking and it did nothing to the blade whatsoever. It did knock a nice chip out of the Hanwei though. Additionally, I did some banging on various wrenches in my shop to see the results. No damage. A few whacks on a 2 x 4 rendered some wood chips, but no harm to the sword. Nice...
This will be added to if I find that it does suffer any type of damage/problems during use in sparring. I don't want to muck it up just yet...
Cutting and Thrusting
Well, its a trainer, so I don't do cutting. Well, I am not supposed to do cutting...
The boxes that held the sword are now laying in my garage floor, riddled with puncture wounds and cloven in half . Looks like I need to get that file out before my next SSG meeting.
I am half tempted to keep my old trainer and sharpen this sword, but I must resist....must resist...must...
The Verdict
I am going to try the SBG review format for reviewing here, so feel free to correct me if I am in error:
Historical Accuracy: 4/5
Fit and Finish: 5/5
Handling: 4/5
Structural Integrity: 5/5
Value for Money: 5/5
OVERALL: 5/5
For the money, I really do feel that this sword requires very little work to become an excellent trainer on par with higher dollar offerings and eons beyond cheaper training weapons. Weight and balance are proper, it maintains some sembalance of historical authenticity, and it can be completely disassembled for service/customization projects.
You can find this sword in the SBG Store for right at $240.00 shipped. At that price, I might get another and convert it into a sharp. ;D
by Jonathan "Odingaard" Sarge
This is the second of the new Valiant Armoury ATrim Designed products that I have purchased in the last couple months. Where as I had mixed feelings about the Castile Signature Series, the ATrim Practical Long Sword has impressed me with both its quality and function.
Overview
Historical Basis
I would say that this sword is based loosely on an Oakeshott Type XIIa with a Type H pommel and Style 2 guard. It's modeled closely after the Angus Trim 1415, a sword of the same general typology.
Though my sword is a training blunt, this blade was designed to be one of the most devistating blades of its time, and it simply seethes power when you grip it. You can imagine how it must have felt to wield this ages ago on the battlefield. One look at a blade like this must have made many an unseasoned warrior soil their armor.
Initial Impressions
I participate in Schola Saint George and was looking for a reasonably historically accurate representation of a medieval long sword for light sparring use without having to foot the bill for an Albion Liechtenauer or A&A Spada da Zogho. On the other hand, I wanted better quality and durability than the Hanwei Practical Hand and a Half. Dividing down the middle, I settled on the Valiant Armoury Blunted Practical Long Sword. I wrote Paul to make sure he had it in stock and ordered it from the SBG store Tuesday morning. The total bill ended up being right at $240.00 with free shipping. It showed up early Thursday afternoon, which has to be one of the most impressive turn around times ever.
It arrived well packaged, wrapped in bubblewrap/plastic, secured in its plain white retail box, bubble wrapped again, and packed into another outer remailer box. I don't get antique vases packaged this well. I nearly had to get another sword to cut this one out of the packaging.
I held it in my hand and got 'that feeling'. I knew immediately that this sword was a keeper.
Design and Fit
Physical Characteristics
Overall Length: 45 1/2"
Blade Length: 35"
Blade Width: 2 1/8"
Blade Material: 1060 Carbon Steel
Blade State: Unsharpened (>1mm edge)
Tang: Full ATrim Style Hex Bolted Tang
Weight: 3lbs, 6oz
CoB: 6 1/8"
CoP: 22"
Included Accessories: Leather covered wood core scabbard
The Pommel
The pommel is a standard Type H from what you find on most AT products, not overly large. It could be slightly bigger to counter the weight of the blade, but as it is, I don't have a problem with it.
One of the interesting but quite pleasant changes that I have observed in the Practical models is that they are all now equipped with the ATrim type hex nut instead of the slotted screw on earlier models. I figured that it would only be a matter of time before Valiant started doing this on all models, as it is simply a better fastener to go with.
The Grip
The leather wrapped wood grip is of much higher quality than I expected. I was unsure if I would like how narrow the grip appeared to be in the pictures, but once I held it, I know why it was done this way for this sword.
Now, the primary difference I have noticed is that Valiant seems to have improved the symmetry of their new grips. I've seen pictures where grips on these have been uneven on the tang, but not on this one. It's correct in every manner.
I have no idea what kind of material the handle is wrapped in, but it is the softest wrap I have ever felt on a sword grip, feeling like a cross between chamois and thin neoprene. It's definately been engineered to go easy on the hand and hamper vibration. The riser is well placed, perfect for my large bear paws; which affords me a solid single hand or two hand grip.
The Guard
The guard has a simple Style 2 geometry, but it remains quite elegant. It's the perfect length for my form and function. It tapers nicely on either end evenly.
The Blade
The 1070 carbon blade has good geometry and proper Type XIIa form. It flexes quite nicely demonstraing its temper, but is not overly whippy like a Windlass of the same length. The fuller is evenly ground and terminates smoothly. The blade is well-finished to a nice satin sheen. A few small hammer dings are visible when holding at an angle to the light, but these are not noticable nor do they cause a problem for me personally.
One slight issue I do have with the blade is that it has a little too much edge for a trainer. I gauged the edge of this sword at slightly over 1mm, which will still do a pretty good just cutting rigid targets. The point is a little too defined, as it will penetrate nearly any target you thrust with moderate force. A file and some elbow grease can take care of this for me.
On the other hand, this could be made into a sharp in a matter of about 30 mins. So, if you want this sharp and can't find one? Buy this one and make it sharp. Enuff said.
The Scabbard
The included scabbard is another result of the new ATrim/CF production designs. It has a slender wood core which is suprisingly thin (and historically accurate) for an import. Its covered in the same soft black leather used on the grip. The chape and locket are leather, stitched over the ends accordingly. For a freebie, its defiantely a step above all the leather sheaths out there.
Function
Agility
At 3lbs, 6oz (according to my scales), this sword weighs slightly less than the notable trainer offerings from Albion, about the same as A&A, and almost 1/4 lb more than the Hanwei Hand and a Half (at the expense of losing some overall length).
Handling the Practical Long Sword with two hands as it was intended makes it a force to be reckoned with - wheather two-handing or half-swording. It's reasonably nimble in that regard issing relatively fast cuts and thrusts on ye old practice pell. It does well for its intended purpose, and it will serve as a good training tool.
However, when switching to one hand, the sword becomes a different beast altogether. This is definately not the intended purpose of this weapon. You can offer offense, but the recovery from such attacks is difficult with a single hand.
The thinner handle does not do much to hamper vibration at the expense of offering a more secure grip. A good pair of medium weight gauntlets/gloves eliminates this minor annoyance however.
Durability
This sword rings solid with a sexy bell tone. So, leave it to me to smack a brand new sword edge on edge with something out of the box. I tested this full contact on my son's Hanwei Practical Viking and it did nothing to the blade whatsoever. It did knock a nice chip out of the Hanwei though. Additionally, I did some banging on various wrenches in my shop to see the results. No damage. A few whacks on a 2 x 4 rendered some wood chips, but no harm to the sword. Nice...
This will be added to if I find that it does suffer any type of damage/problems during use in sparring. I don't want to muck it up just yet...
Cutting and Thrusting
Well, its a trainer, so I don't do cutting. Well, I am not supposed to do cutting...
The boxes that held the sword are now laying in my garage floor, riddled with puncture wounds and cloven in half . Looks like I need to get that file out before my next SSG meeting.
I am half tempted to keep my old trainer and sharpen this sword, but I must resist....must resist...must...
The Verdict
I am going to try the SBG review format for reviewing here, so feel free to correct me if I am in error:
Historical Accuracy: 4/5
Fit and Finish: 5/5
Handling: 4/5
Structural Integrity: 5/5
Value for Money: 5/5
OVERALL: 5/5
For the money, I really do feel that this sword requires very little work to become an excellent trainer on par with higher dollar offerings and eons beyond cheaper training weapons. Weight and balance are proper, it maintains some sembalance of historical authenticity, and it can be completely disassembled for service/customization projects.
You can find this sword in the SBG Store for right at $240.00 shipped. At that price, I might get another and convert it into a sharp. ;D