EMSHS vs VA 303...A comparison.
Oct 1, 2010 13:39:49 GMT
Post by ChrisA on Oct 1, 2010 13:39:49 GMT
Many people come here, new to the world of swords, and ask what is a good one handed Euro sword?
The vast majority of answers come down to 2. The Hanwei/Tinker Early Medieval Single Hand Sword and the Valiant Armory AT 303. There are fans of both swords. Of course there is no "right" answer.
When Wiwingti Sword Supply had a sale on the EMSHS I figured I would get one and do my own comparison between my AT 303 and the EMSHS.
Disclaimer! The following is my thoughts, opinions and experiences and not meant as a definitive statement. Consider every statement made here to be preceded by a "IMO". Also understand that each sword is handmade and stats will vary slightly from sword to sword.
Both these swords have been reviewed previously on these boards (though not the 2nd generation AT303) and a lot of what I say here has been said before, or may disagree what has been said before.
The Players
Hanwei/Tinker Early Medieval Single Hand Sword
Length: 38.5”
Weight: 2lbs 6oz
Grip: 4.25”
POB: 4.5”
POP: 21”
Valiant Armory AT303
Length: 38”
Weight: 2lbs 1oz
Grip: 4.5”
POB: 4.5”
POP: 19.5”
Both swords have similar stats and the biggest difference is that the 303 is 5oz lighter.
Furniture
I much prefer the furniture of the 303 (on the left) to the rather cheap looking EMSHS. The pommel on the EMSHS is thin and flimsy looking. The overly shiny finish on the guard and the pommel clash with the nice satin finish of the blade. The 303 seems to flow together nicely.
Blades
Both swords are Type XII. The EMSHS has a more dramatic point.
I really love the blade of the EMSHS. It has a great satin finish that appeals to my aesthetic tastes. It has very noticeable distal though I lack the tools to measure it. The fuller is deep and even, though there is evidence of hammering. The end after the fuller is a very thin lenticular shape and should make for an excellent cutting geometry.
The blade of the 303 is shinier than the EMSHS. In terms of looks alone I prefer the EMSHS blade. The blade is more narrow but ever so slightly thicker (again, not measured but eyed) than the EMSHS. The fullers are also nicely done and the final 9 inches are also lenticular in shape. These final 9 inches are thicker than the EMSHS, but not by much. The 303 also has nice distal taper, though less than the EMSHS.
Others have commented on the hardness of the two blades and it seems to be the consensus that the EMSHS is the harder of the two. I can't comment on that. I can say the 303 is hard enough. No opinion on the EMSHS hardness at this time.
Overall I have to say I prefer the blade of the EMSHS a bit over the 303. I like it's wider blade and the more pronounced distal taper.
The Grip
I feel this is important enough to warrant it's own section.
The grip on the EMSHS is horrible. It is wider than the 303, which is good, but is is much thinner, which is bad. Very bad. The combination of wide and thin makes for a very uncomfortable and unsure grip. I feel as though the sword can go flying out of my hand at any time. I also find it hard to get proper edge alignment. This makes the sword unpleasant for me to cut with. In order for this sword to be usable I will have to replace the grip with something with better dimensions.
The grip on the 303 is narrow but has more thickness to it. I would prefer a bit more width to it, but as it stands I like the feel of this grip.
The grip of the 303 far outshines the EMSHS.
Scabbard
Not very important to me. But it is something to note.
The scabbard of the 303 is a plain wood core covered in leather. Nothing fancy. Plain and functional. But the fit is terrible. The sword rattles around and falls out with the slightest incline.
The EMSHS scabbard looks better with a metal chape and a throat. It also has a slightly tighter fit.
I have to give the edge to the EMSHS for the better scabbard.
Handling
Both swords handle well. The 303 is lighter and feels more alive in the hand to me though that might just be my preference. But you can't go wrong with either sword in this department.
Cutting
This is the big difference. And it comes down to one thing: The blade's edge.
Both swords are factory sharpened and unmodified by me. I will let the videos speak now.
More disclaimers! I am woefully out of practice at cutting. I have not done any serious cutting in about 6 months so I was not in peak form here. But for comparison sake my lack of skill is equal to both blades.
Also, I am far more practiced with the 303 than the EMSHS so some of the differences in performance might be due to that.
That said, let's move on.
The factory edge on the EMSHS is disappointing to say the least. It is very unsharp. The bottles were burst more than cut. Added to that the uncomfortable grip made hanging on to the sword a chore in itself.
On the other hand the 303 edge is very sharp and cuts bottles cleanly. When using the same stroke and energy the 303 cut nicely and the EMSHS batted the bottle across the yard. Using a wider stroke and more strength I was able to get a cut from the EMSHS.
No comparison on edge. The 303 is way sharper than the EMSHS. It cuts far better.
The Bottom Line
The EMSHS's horrible grip and factory poor edge make it hard for me to recommend to someone looking for their first sword...or second...or third. The 303 is by far the better sword.
The Bottom Bottom Line
If someone is looking for a good blade for a DIYer the EMSHS is a very good idea. The blade is very nice and I think would make an excellent cutter if sharpened properly and refitted with a decent grip. And decent furniture would be a big plus too.
Thank you for reading.
The vast majority of answers come down to 2. The Hanwei/Tinker Early Medieval Single Hand Sword and the Valiant Armory AT 303. There are fans of both swords. Of course there is no "right" answer.
When Wiwingti Sword Supply had a sale on the EMSHS I figured I would get one and do my own comparison between my AT 303 and the EMSHS.
Disclaimer! The following is my thoughts, opinions and experiences and not meant as a definitive statement. Consider every statement made here to be preceded by a "IMO". Also understand that each sword is handmade and stats will vary slightly from sword to sword.
Both these swords have been reviewed previously on these boards (though not the 2nd generation AT303) and a lot of what I say here has been said before, or may disagree what has been said before.
The Players
Hanwei/Tinker Early Medieval Single Hand Sword
Length: 38.5”
Weight: 2lbs 6oz
Grip: 4.25”
POB: 4.5”
POP: 21”
Valiant Armory AT303
Length: 38”
Weight: 2lbs 1oz
Grip: 4.5”
POB: 4.5”
POP: 19.5”
Both swords have similar stats and the biggest difference is that the 303 is 5oz lighter.
Furniture
I much prefer the furniture of the 303 (on the left) to the rather cheap looking EMSHS. The pommel on the EMSHS is thin and flimsy looking. The overly shiny finish on the guard and the pommel clash with the nice satin finish of the blade. The 303 seems to flow together nicely.
Blades
Both swords are Type XII. The EMSHS has a more dramatic point.
I really love the blade of the EMSHS. It has a great satin finish that appeals to my aesthetic tastes. It has very noticeable distal though I lack the tools to measure it. The fuller is deep and even, though there is evidence of hammering. The end after the fuller is a very thin lenticular shape and should make for an excellent cutting geometry.
The blade of the 303 is shinier than the EMSHS. In terms of looks alone I prefer the EMSHS blade. The blade is more narrow but ever so slightly thicker (again, not measured but eyed) than the EMSHS. The fullers are also nicely done and the final 9 inches are also lenticular in shape. These final 9 inches are thicker than the EMSHS, but not by much. The 303 also has nice distal taper, though less than the EMSHS.
Others have commented on the hardness of the two blades and it seems to be the consensus that the EMSHS is the harder of the two. I can't comment on that. I can say the 303 is hard enough. No opinion on the EMSHS hardness at this time.
Overall I have to say I prefer the blade of the EMSHS a bit over the 303. I like it's wider blade and the more pronounced distal taper.
The Grip
I feel this is important enough to warrant it's own section.
The grip on the EMSHS is horrible. It is wider than the 303, which is good, but is is much thinner, which is bad. Very bad. The combination of wide and thin makes for a very uncomfortable and unsure grip. I feel as though the sword can go flying out of my hand at any time. I also find it hard to get proper edge alignment. This makes the sword unpleasant for me to cut with. In order for this sword to be usable I will have to replace the grip with something with better dimensions.
The grip on the 303 is narrow but has more thickness to it. I would prefer a bit more width to it, but as it stands I like the feel of this grip.
The grip of the 303 far outshines the EMSHS.
Scabbard
Not very important to me. But it is something to note.
The scabbard of the 303 is a plain wood core covered in leather. Nothing fancy. Plain and functional. But the fit is terrible. The sword rattles around and falls out with the slightest incline.
The EMSHS scabbard looks better with a metal chape and a throat. It also has a slightly tighter fit.
I have to give the edge to the EMSHS for the better scabbard.
Handling
Both swords handle well. The 303 is lighter and feels more alive in the hand to me though that might just be my preference. But you can't go wrong with either sword in this department.
Cutting
This is the big difference. And it comes down to one thing: The blade's edge.
Both swords are factory sharpened and unmodified by me. I will let the videos speak now.
More disclaimers! I am woefully out of practice at cutting. I have not done any serious cutting in about 6 months so I was not in peak form here. But for comparison sake my lack of skill is equal to both blades.
Also, I am far more practiced with the 303 than the EMSHS so some of the differences in performance might be due to that.
That said, let's move on.
The factory edge on the EMSHS is disappointing to say the least. It is very unsharp. The bottles were burst more than cut. Added to that the uncomfortable grip made hanging on to the sword a chore in itself.
On the other hand the 303 edge is very sharp and cuts bottles cleanly. When using the same stroke and energy the 303 cut nicely and the EMSHS batted the bottle across the yard. Using a wider stroke and more strength I was able to get a cut from the EMSHS.
No comparison on edge. The 303 is way sharper than the EMSHS. It cuts far better.
The Bottom Line
The EMSHS's horrible grip and factory poor edge make it hard for me to recommend to someone looking for their first sword...or second...or third. The 303 is by far the better sword.
The Bottom Bottom Line
If someone is looking for a good blade for a DIYer the EMSHS is a very good idea. The blade is very nice and I think would make an excellent cutter if sharpened properly and refitted with a decent grip. And decent furniture would be a big plus too.
Thank you for reading.