BKS/SBG Bastard Swords
Oct 1, 2010 2:21:27 GMT
Post by Sean (Shadowhowler) on Oct 1, 2010 2:21:27 GMT
Review of StrightBlade and LeafBlade Fantasy Bastard Swords made by Baltimore Knife & Sword -- By Sean O. Stevens, Grovetown GA
Introduction
These swords are a long time in the making. Over a year ago Matt and Kerry at BKS made a prototype SBG Fantasy Bastard Sword (Seen Here : sbgswordforum.proboards.com/inde ... 612&page=1 ) but the project never went any further.
Until recently!
This time SBG forum members all submited design ideas untilm after multiple rounds of votes, we were left with two designs.
A Strightblade design by ViolentSerenade
A Leafblade design by Lunaman
Historical overview
Not much history on these blades... they were designed by SBG members and made real in steel the the brothers at BKS!
Initial Impressions
My first thoughts upon grasping these swords for the first time was something like...
The were beautiful... unique and rugged looking... VERY solid feeling in hand. The weight of both feels less then true because of the counterbalance of the pommels. It was an awesome feeling to have seen these designs become real and then hold them in my hands and swing them threw the air.
Epic cool. ;D
Statistics
To give a sense of scale... above you see the Fantasy Bastard Swords next to a VA Arming and Long sword, as well as an Oni Forge Shiro Katana.
Leafblade
Blade Length: 30 & 1/4
Handle Length: 9
Overall Length: 42 & 1/2
Guard Width: 9
POB (Point of Balance): At Guard
Width of Blade at Base: 4 & 1/2
COP (Center of Percussion): 17 & 3/4
Width of Blade at COP: 2
Weight: 4.2 lbs
Strightblade
Blade Length: 30 & 1/4
Handle Length: 8 & 3/4
Overall Length: 42 & 1/4
Guard Width: 4 & 3/4
POB (Point of Balance): 1 & 1/2 from Guard
Width of Blade at Flare: 2 & 1/2
COP (Center of Percussion): 15
Width of Blade at COP: 1 & 1/4
Weight: 3.4 lbs
Components
Since these swords are peened and welded, there will be no taking them apart. They are pretty well stuck together. So... lets take a look.
The Blade
The finish is decent... not quite mirror polished but shinny... and I belive you can order them with a finish however you want.
The rough finish inside the fuller of the leafblade is one of my favorite aspects of the sword... it just adds a whole different dynamic to the sword, makes it look 'rough and ready'... more real to me. I love it.
The leafblade also has a more steep point then the strightblade.
If you look at the strightblade you will see 'BKS' on one side, and 'SBG' and 'prototype' on the other side. Thats how all the other blades will be marked, except where mine says prototype the others will have their number in the run instead.
The Handle
The grips have a lot of room on them... my hands are pretty big, and often time I find grips to be too small for me to use comfortably, such as on the VA Practical Long Sword. However these grips have LOTS of room, I love them.
The grips are BKS's signature thick leather wraped over the beefy tang of the sword directly. I had some reservations about this when I first learned they do it that way... but I order a cutlass from them for my wife which has the same style grip... and its VERY functional and comfortable. Matt has told me this style of grip has, in some cases, held up to YEARS of hard use and abuse on some of the stage combat swords.
The grips look very rustic, but feel VERY nice in hand.
The Guard
I especialy love the look of the guard on the stright blade... its small and very unique, I have not seen anything quite like it before.
The guard on the leafblade is very large, but because it sweeps up it does not get in the way at all and is very attractive, it compliments the large beefy blade very well.
The guards are welded to the blade, and everything fits VERY snug and tight.
The Pommel
I LOVE irish ring pommels, so the pommel on the stright blade is super cool to me. ;D At first I was worried that the ring pommel would not have enough weight for the sword, so the PoB would be too far forward... but if anything the opposet is the case. The pommel, while not as weighty as the leafblades, is still VERY hefty and is why the PoB is so close to the guard on the stright blade.
Both pommels are peened and welded, so they are on their TIGHT. No rattle or movement at all.
The pommel on the leafblade is shown here with a optional faceting. It has an 8 sided facet, a 6 sided one will be offered as well which will remove a bit more metal and weight. I recomend removing as much weight as Matt and Kerry feel comfortable with... the leafblade is VERY quick in hand with the PoB at the guard, but I think its cutting performance will improve a bit with a more forward balance.
Handling Characteristics
Both of these swords handle and feel as tho they were MUCH lighter then they are... this is due mostly to the hefty pommels bringing the PoB a bit further back then on most swords I am used to.
When holding and swinging the swords around... I don't feel the full weight of them they way I would think I should. Its very different, and is going to take some getting used to... but so far I find them VERY comfortable.
Test Cutting
I did a little cutting with both swords... take a look.
I cut larger, heavier targets with the leafblade because its got a widder blade and I figured it to be the more heavy duty cutter.
As you can see... I swatted the harder plastic soda bottles around a bit... in part this is because the first cut on both was on the higher stand. I'm still getting used to cutting that high, thats a 5 ft stand. I cut better on the 4 and 3 feet stands.
I think the edge could stand to be keener and more refined... I like my swords really, really sharp. Kerry mentioned to me that he is expecting a new thingamabob that will make sharpening the swords quicker and easier and better... so the true run of these babies should have a more refined edge.
I'm going to put some more work into mine and see if I can improve the performance somewhat.
Still, I had some pretty good cuts in there also... especialy the one on the 2 litter where the bottom remains undisturbed. Its harder then it looks, I only consistently get that result with my sharpest katana.
Conclusions
These swords are VERY solid, well built, and very VERY exclusive. Having been design by our members and made by our members for our members... its an awesome project and I hope to see more of these in the future.
The Leafblade has that clasic fantasy look/feel... and is an awesome peice. The Strightblade looks like an irish bastard sword/Chiness Jian sword hybrid, and I have not seen anything quite like it before. I lvoe it.
With a slightly better edge on them... and a bit more weight taken off the pommel of the leafblade, I think both these swords will be AWESOME cutters... and very unique additions to anyones collection.
Pros
Designed and created by SBG members, these swords offer a chance for a very exclusive weapon.
Both are very unique weapons without anything quite like them in the market.
Several options are offered by BKS to further make the sword 'yours'.
Matt and Kerry stand behind their work and will take good care of their customers.
Cons
The price of 350 for the stright blade and 450 for the leafblade, while a HUGE discount for weapons of this quality, may be a bit tough for some people to afford.
The Bottom Line
I LOVE these swords... and even more then that, I love having been able to meet the people who made them and see where/how they were crafted.
Matt and Kerry of BKS are great guys... and they are making a living doing what they LOVE. We should ALL be so blessed!
The swords in this run will be even more refined and better then the ones I have... if you can afford it, I would say get in on this project... pick up one or both of these swords... you will not be sorry.
Thanks for reading!
Introduction
These swords are a long time in the making. Over a year ago Matt and Kerry at BKS made a prototype SBG Fantasy Bastard Sword (Seen Here : sbgswordforum.proboards.com/inde ... 612&page=1 ) but the project never went any further.
Until recently!
This time SBG forum members all submited design ideas untilm after multiple rounds of votes, we were left with two designs.
A Strightblade design by ViolentSerenade
A Leafblade design by Lunaman
Historical overview
Not much history on these blades... they were designed by SBG members and made real in steel the the brothers at BKS!
Initial Impressions
My first thoughts upon grasping these swords for the first time was something like...
The were beautiful... unique and rugged looking... VERY solid feeling in hand. The weight of both feels less then true because of the counterbalance of the pommels. It was an awesome feeling to have seen these designs become real and then hold them in my hands and swing them threw the air.
Epic cool. ;D
Statistics
To give a sense of scale... above you see the Fantasy Bastard Swords next to a VA Arming and Long sword, as well as an Oni Forge Shiro Katana.
Leafblade
Blade Length: 30 & 1/4
Handle Length: 9
Overall Length: 42 & 1/2
Guard Width: 9
POB (Point of Balance): At Guard
Width of Blade at Base: 4 & 1/2
COP (Center of Percussion): 17 & 3/4
Width of Blade at COP: 2
Weight: 4.2 lbs
Strightblade
Blade Length: 30 & 1/4
Handle Length: 8 & 3/4
Overall Length: 42 & 1/4
Guard Width: 4 & 3/4
POB (Point of Balance): 1 & 1/2 from Guard
Width of Blade at Flare: 2 & 1/2
COP (Center of Percussion): 15
Width of Blade at COP: 1 & 1/4
Weight: 3.4 lbs
Components
Since these swords are peened and welded, there will be no taking them apart. They are pretty well stuck together. So... lets take a look.
The Blade
The finish is decent... not quite mirror polished but shinny... and I belive you can order them with a finish however you want.
The rough finish inside the fuller of the leafblade is one of my favorite aspects of the sword... it just adds a whole different dynamic to the sword, makes it look 'rough and ready'... more real to me. I love it.
The leafblade also has a more steep point then the strightblade.
If you look at the strightblade you will see 'BKS' on one side, and 'SBG' and 'prototype' on the other side. Thats how all the other blades will be marked, except where mine says prototype the others will have their number in the run instead.
The Handle
The grips have a lot of room on them... my hands are pretty big, and often time I find grips to be too small for me to use comfortably, such as on the VA Practical Long Sword. However these grips have LOTS of room, I love them.
The grips are BKS's signature thick leather wraped over the beefy tang of the sword directly. I had some reservations about this when I first learned they do it that way... but I order a cutlass from them for my wife which has the same style grip... and its VERY functional and comfortable. Matt has told me this style of grip has, in some cases, held up to YEARS of hard use and abuse on some of the stage combat swords.
The grips look very rustic, but feel VERY nice in hand.
The Guard
I especialy love the look of the guard on the stright blade... its small and very unique, I have not seen anything quite like it before.
The guard on the leafblade is very large, but because it sweeps up it does not get in the way at all and is very attractive, it compliments the large beefy blade very well.
The guards are welded to the blade, and everything fits VERY snug and tight.
The Pommel
I LOVE irish ring pommels, so the pommel on the stright blade is super cool to me. ;D At first I was worried that the ring pommel would not have enough weight for the sword, so the PoB would be too far forward... but if anything the opposet is the case. The pommel, while not as weighty as the leafblades, is still VERY hefty and is why the PoB is so close to the guard on the stright blade.
Both pommels are peened and welded, so they are on their TIGHT. No rattle or movement at all.
The pommel on the leafblade is shown here with a optional faceting. It has an 8 sided facet, a 6 sided one will be offered as well which will remove a bit more metal and weight. I recomend removing as much weight as Matt and Kerry feel comfortable with... the leafblade is VERY quick in hand with the PoB at the guard, but I think its cutting performance will improve a bit with a more forward balance.
Handling Characteristics
Both of these swords handle and feel as tho they were MUCH lighter then they are... this is due mostly to the hefty pommels bringing the PoB a bit further back then on most swords I am used to.
When holding and swinging the swords around... I don't feel the full weight of them they way I would think I should. Its very different, and is going to take some getting used to... but so far I find them VERY comfortable.
Test Cutting
I did a little cutting with both swords... take a look.
I cut larger, heavier targets with the leafblade because its got a widder blade and I figured it to be the more heavy duty cutter.
As you can see... I swatted the harder plastic soda bottles around a bit... in part this is because the first cut on both was on the higher stand. I'm still getting used to cutting that high, thats a 5 ft stand. I cut better on the 4 and 3 feet stands.
I think the edge could stand to be keener and more refined... I like my swords really, really sharp. Kerry mentioned to me that he is expecting a new thingamabob that will make sharpening the swords quicker and easier and better... so the true run of these babies should have a more refined edge.
I'm going to put some more work into mine and see if I can improve the performance somewhat.
Still, I had some pretty good cuts in there also... especialy the one on the 2 litter where the bottom remains undisturbed. Its harder then it looks, I only consistently get that result with my sharpest katana.
Conclusions
These swords are VERY solid, well built, and very VERY exclusive. Having been design by our members and made by our members for our members... its an awesome project and I hope to see more of these in the future.
The Leafblade has that clasic fantasy look/feel... and is an awesome peice. The Strightblade looks like an irish bastard sword/Chiness Jian sword hybrid, and I have not seen anything quite like it before. I lvoe it.
With a slightly better edge on them... and a bit more weight taken off the pommel of the leafblade, I think both these swords will be AWESOME cutters... and very unique additions to anyones collection.
Pros
Designed and created by SBG members, these swords offer a chance for a very exclusive weapon.
Both are very unique weapons without anything quite like them in the market.
Several options are offered by BKS to further make the sword 'yours'.
Matt and Kerry stand behind their work and will take good care of their customers.
Cons
The price of 350 for the stright blade and 450 for the leafblade, while a HUGE discount for weapons of this quality, may be a bit tough for some people to afford.
The Bottom Line
I LOVE these swords... and even more then that, I love having been able to meet the people who made them and see where/how they were crafted.
Matt and Kerry of BKS are great guys... and they are making a living doing what they LOVE. We should ALL be so blessed!
The swords in this run will be even more refined and better then the ones I have... if you can afford it, I would say get in on this project... pick up one or both of these swords... you will not be sorry.
Thanks for reading!