Aaron
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Post by Aaron on Oct 7, 2010 7:31:35 GMT
Jon's thread about your favorite sub-300 sword was a great idea. In this thread I'd like to take away the restrictions of that thread and instead hear what your favorite sword in general is? Regardless of price or if it's discontinued, pick one sword (if you can!  ) and post a bit about why you chose that sword over anything else. The only restriction is that you must have owned or handled the sword in question (no "oh I saw this picture of this one sword and it's my favorite!") Aaron |
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Post by Vincent Dolan on Oct 7, 2010 7:36:30 GMT
Does it matter how long we actually handled them and if we got to cut with them? 'Cause if not, the only thing that I've handled that I liked was an old Hanwei Musashi that I believe was one of their practical models; I only got to handle it for a few moments at a Renaissance Fair, but it had a pretty sweet balance and the ito was very comfortable.
Otherwise, the best I could come up with is the 15$ wallhanger katana I got as a gift a few years ago; its kashira's falling off, the saya's horribly loose, and there's a sliver of wood sticking out from the inside, so if I don't sheathe it just right, the blade gets stuck. But, it's the only sword I have.
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Lunaman
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Post by Lunaman on Oct 7, 2010 8:35:58 GMT
By the slimmest of margins: My Borderwatch.     Blade by Albion. Hilt by Christian Fletcher. Inspiration by Lord of the Rings-- Gotta love it. Though if one took away the 'coolness factor' of this being a Ranger Sword, the title would absolutely go to my Venetian Bastard. Except for the fittings, the Venetian is every inch the equal to this sword, in some departments besting it outright (Like grip and leatherwork). Practically, I prefer the elegant and straightforward Atrim blade. When it comes back to me outfitted in a new CSS custom scabbard, belt, and suspension it will undoubtedly be the more handsome piece overall, and perhaps a demonstrably more satisfying sword.... i100.photobucket.com/albums/m7/L ... CF0436.jpg ...But until then, the 'coolness factor' holds some serious weight, and the Borderwatch claims the top spot. |
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Lunaman
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Post by Lunaman on Oct 7, 2010 8:43:56 GMT
Thanks, Jim.  I really like the looks of that new Castile! |
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Aaron
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Post by Aaron on Oct 7, 2010 8:50:22 GMT
You know all the times I've seen your Boarderwatch photos, I never realized it was a type XVIIIa. I guess since it's a 'ranger sword' my minds eye immediately saw it as an XIIa. Weird. Gorgeous sword though, Zach...Hopefully next year I'll have the money to get a Ranger Sword done by either OdinBlades or Fable Blades. Still undecided, but I'm going to have it's leatherwork done by Sonny.
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Lunaman
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Post by Lunaman on Oct 7, 2010 9:06:21 GMT
Thanks Aaron, that sounds like one hell of a custom you've got in the works! As for the blade type, yep, she's got a vicious tapering point that's properly reinforced for thrusting. Definitely not your run-of-the-mill XIIa Ranger.    Albion classifies it as a XVIa (It's a Crecy blade tinyurl.com/2ue5zeu ) but the distinction between XVIa and XVIIIa is mostly about fuller length at some point. There are several blades that could classify as either depending on the historian's mood. |
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Post by bloodwraith on Oct 7, 2010 9:20:39 GMT
Best sword I've had my hands on, hmm would have to be an albion bressica spadona, my goodness the balance and flow of that sword was just gorgeous. I was a very sad panda when on its first cut the owner put a set in the blade, sigh. Would love a borderwatch style sword done on a bresicca spadona blade. Although I have to say, having never handled it that I would love to get my hands on that venetian bastard or something custom like it to cut the weight and length down.
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Aaron
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Post by Aaron on Oct 7, 2010 9:23:05 GMT
Many XVIa's also had hexagonal cross sections, though I've yet to see a modern reproduction with one. Blades like this really show how Oakeshott's typology is a guideline rather than a rulebook. Those closeups make the blade look more broad than I thought it was, which would also lean it more toward XVIa (though there are several surviving XVIIIa's with uncharacteristically broad blades)...
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Lunaman
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Post by Lunaman on Oct 7, 2010 9:37:57 GMT
Here's a brief hexagonal cross section on the blade.  "Guideline rather than a rulebook" most definitely. |
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Post by RicWilly on Oct 7, 2010 9:39:06 GMT
Nice swords, people. I'd have to say my Albion Poitiers. I have swords that cut better but it's got the overall package. A decent cutter and excellent thruster. Albions method of hilt construction which allow the pommel and guard to be secured independant of the grip makes it far more solid that a compression hilt assembly, in my opinion of course. The blade has held up well to my abuse as well and I love a good point. It is truly a joy to handle, quick in the hand and it just "feels" like a sword when I wield it. Some say Albions are overpriced and I agree to a certain extent. Then again they do make a great sword.  And it was a present from my wife. |
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Aaron
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Post by Aaron on Oct 7, 2010 9:46:51 GMT
Oh, snap! :lol: I thought that was the fuller termination. I never really cared for the Crecy but Albion's stock photos could be to blame for that. Thanks for the close ups, it really does look far more appealing in better lighting (not to mention a gorgeous hilt).
Ric, I always thought that was an awesome gift from DJ, you are truly blessed. I have to agree with you about Albions, my Knight was a hell of a sword, it just wasn't MY kind of sword.
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Post by whitefeathers on Oct 7, 2010 12:24:31 GMT
out of the 4 that i have, 1. cheapo iraqi sword that i got in iraq fro $15 american dollars. its really hard to resheathe and the blade actually bends. 2. $30 "the last samurai" wallhanger. This was the only sword like thing i had for years. Just recently i pulled it out of the dark shadows of the closet and started messing around with it. The habaki and tsuba rattle but its otherwise a solid sword. I took it apart to see what kind of tang it had. It actually had a decent sized tang and pin(not the rattail i was ready to see when i pulled the handle off). I didnt get it all the way apart since it was being a bear, but i got enough a look to see that it would stand up to practice until i get an iaito. 3. WW2 Japanese NCO sword- It looks good and everything but its loose so i dont swing it around. mainly got it for historical reasons and matches with my old guns. whenever I get out of this crap apartment Id like to hang it up on the wall. 4. and of course my lovely PPK. This hands down is my favorite. I havent handled any other swords than my own and this of course feels the best out of them all. In my introduction on the forums is where i get all mushy about her If you so dare to read the details. Attachments:
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Post by Deleted on Oct 7, 2010 13:10:59 GMT
With acknowledgment, and a polite nod to Aaron and Jim's observations, I'll still say that my favorite / best is my Albion Crecy. It was my third sword - and I thought for a while it might be my last because when I received, handled, and cut with it I found that my appetite for swords seemed to be thoroughly satisfied - that this was what I'd been looking for all along and there was no need to go further. (not to worry - after several months my appetite came back, although my affection for the Crecy has not diminished) I agree with Jim, though, about the whole issue of Albion's not coming with a scabbard - I still don't have one for my Crecy.
A not too distant second would be my AT304S.
Take this with the knowledge that my sword handling experience is about as limited as it gets. I doubt I've ever handled a sword I don't own because I am the only known "sword person" in my blast radius.
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TomK
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Post by TomK on Oct 7, 2010 13:43:01 GMT
with no doubts or hesitations my favorite sword is this one:  my AT 1557v custom there's no other sword like it. it feels great in hand no matter what I'm doing. it has a really nice re-inforced pointy point and it cuts like nothing I've ever handled. this IS the vorpal sword and it does go snicker-snack and through and through (thank you Louis Carol). I mean seriously folks, the VERY FIRST time I cut tatami with it I got a beautiful triple cut. later I cut through a double roll of tatami on bamboo. all this from a single handed sword that only weighs 2 pounds and has a pob of about 4 inches. a sword of this size and weight has no business cutting this well. in the above video you can also see my favorite two hander: my AT Austrian Greatsword prototype. loooove it! other swords that I just love: AT/CF Antioch MHAT XII AT Xa.3 AT XII.2 AT XIV prototype (notice a pattern?) |
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ChrisA
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Post by ChrisA on Oct 7, 2010 14:26:56 GMT
Hard to answer this. I'm not a "favorite" kind of guy. Or rather, my favorites tend to change day to day, hour to hour, mood to mood.
So, I can list what cycles through my favorites the most:
1557 for all the things Tom said above. Amazing sword.
Type XVIa ATrim (don't know the model number). Quirky to cut with, but handles like a dream. Floats like a butterfly, stings like a bee!
Kreigschwert. For some reason I cut better with this sword than any other. It just works with me. And it's the best looking package I have.
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Post by Midori Kawakami on Oct 7, 2010 14:39:01 GMT
Hm, I'll have to break this one down into categories: swords I have owned (production), swords I have owned (Nihonto) swords I have handled (production) and swords I have handled (Nihonto) I'll start with the last, first. My favorite Nihonto I have handled Was a Koto-era Juyo Token certified Wakizashi in full art polish. This was the first Juyo I had ever seen and handled in person. It was ethereally beautiful. It also had a $60,000 pricetag, so all I did was look at it and tremble before its awesomeness. My favorite production blade that I have handled but not owned was a slightly customized Oni Forge Ryu that belonged to my sensei. This was the blade that made me fall in love with unokubi zukuri blades and with sukashi lotus tsubas. It is the reason I'm getting a custom unokubi made when I finally have the funds. My favorite Nihonto that I (well, I guess technically it's Kevins, but he shares. ^^) own is this funky, straight, skinny unokubi shikomezue that he found for $15. It's really incredible. It almost looks like a rapier blade! One of us will post photos of it after it's polished. We're assuming it's Edo era, but it may be older. My favorite production piece has to be split into two categories: iaito and shinken. I have reviewed both, and will link them here. my favorite iaito is my Hanwei Nami (review is here: viewtopic.php?f=6&t=15 ). I absolutely love the way this sword handles and it has served me (and many of my friends) well. It'll be getting new itomaki in Lohman Tsunami in the near future. My favorite production shinken is my Bugei Bamboo (review can be found here: viewtopic.php?f=6&t=18 ). I love big, heavy, Nabokucho-esque blades, and my Bugei definitely fits the bill. Because of its' weight (an impressive 3.1 pounds), it took me a while to learn to use this sword properly, but we work well together now, and she is training for the Kensei odachi I want so badly. :mrgreen: *Edit: 100th post w00t! |
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Post by Enkidu on Oct 7, 2010 14:40:25 GMT
Handling wise ( which can be really subjective ) my favorite is my Tinker Grand Espée de guerre which i picked up from Tinker while it was on sale since he needed his lawmower to be replaced  But if you ask me which one i prefer overall thats has to be my custom Atrim named Ego Memor :  For pure fun while cutting, nothing beats the VA/At longsword, not sure why, but even if its of the first gen its still the one i have more fun cutting with ! |
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Sean (Shadowhowler)
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Post by Sean (Shadowhowler) on Oct 7, 2010 20:06:13 GMT
Enkidu... I'm still jealous you grabbed that Tinker before me. I wanted that one badly.  Ok... I have to at least break this down into Favorite sword I have handled... and favorite sword I have owned. I have handled well over 400+ swords now... and owned around 200... its a lotta swords. :roll: My favorite sword that I have owned/own... its a tie between my Odinblade Xa - sbgswordforum.proboards.com/inde ... read=18056 or my/My wife's Fable Blade Fox Jian - viewtopic.php?f=6&t=92 The Odin is an amazing sword with a unique blade geometry and GREAT handling... Fable is SO light and fast yet sturdy, and was made perfect to the idea I had. Other close seconds are my Tinker XIV Ridding Sword, my Atrim LPM 1516, Oni Forge Ryu Katana, Albion Squire Line Knightly sword and Albion Ringeck. Favorite sword I've ever handled... That would be Marc Ridgeway's Odinblade "Laird". Its exquisite... well balanced, perfectly built with amazing detail to fit and finish... and the style of it is almost exactly what I would have had made myself. Its a wonderous sword. Close seconds of swords I have handled include a Tinker XII, Hanwei Bushido Katana |
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Post by deejay on Oct 7, 2010 21:33:29 GMT
Well-for me!Its easy as I own only 6 swords-handling wise-cutting abiltity-abuse resistance-and visual appeal-hands down my Torakami.Many you have no doubt seen the vid where I chopped a chunk outa my stand-no not that one the other missed cut!Second would be the Hanwei Annaversy Shinto-third,bambo matt from Hanwei!!But if I had to grab one going out the door so to speak-gen 2 waisted gladius.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 7, 2010 22:07:49 GMT
This I think is my all time favorite sword ~  It was given to me by a guy I worked with because he knew I liked swords. He also though I was a little nuts. :? From posting questions about it on sword boards we think it is a Nihonto from some time around 1500. To me that is just way to cool. Of all the swords that I own this one has probably been used for what it was created for, not back yard slaying of the dreaded water bottles. Just trying to imagine the history of this blade boggles my mind! It was used for my siggy thing at the bottom of my posts~ Right itself -- that right of which you speak so reverently -- owes it's very existence to the sword. There is no justice until the sword creates it, establishes it, guarantees it, gives it substance and significance. First the sword, then government, then law, and then justice. John Norman - GOR next on my list would be my Hedemark ~  This sword just feels good in the hand and looks good to boot! And to round it out with lucky number three~  The Mortuary Hilt Sword, it is fast in my hands and feels real good to me as well. edit: to install "s's" because of bird seed in my key board. :roll: |
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) and post a bit about why you chose that sword over anything else.
I really like the looks of that new Castile!
