Generation 2 Dordogne Reviewed
Nov 7, 2007 3:11:49 GMT
Post by Brian of DBK on Nov 7, 2007 3:11:49 GMT
You asked, and you shall receive!
Edit: Full review posted on swordsofvalor.com, click link to see it.
www.swordsofvalor.com/dordognereview.html
Blade length: 36.5"
Handle/Hilt length: 7"
Overall: 44.25"
Balance Point: 4.5" from guard
Center of Percussion: 24" from guard
Weight: 2.75 lbs
Above are three of my swords to display size and length.
This is by far my longest sword, and I'm having to learn a little bit of adjustment on my right to left follow through at an angle. During dry handling of the sword, every once in a while I scraped my grass with the tip. It will require even more adjustment when I get my elven king, because it is 4 inches longer than the Dordogne! I've also been wielding blades of late that are much shorter, including the Darksword Norman and the Windlass Arming sword.
Initially you get a sense of a fairly well balanced sword, and a fairly firm grip on the hilt. The suede wrapped handle feels nice on bare skin too. You will immediately notice the length of the blade, along with the dramatic taper to a fine point. This would be for thrusting the blade, and finding the cracks and crevices of plate mail armor.
So upon some dry handling, it made for an above average one-hander for this length of blade, and the hilt is long enough to be considered a hand-and-a-half. Though slightly tight for my hands, it was still comfortable enough to use two. Now I am six feet tall, and I found the blade to be a little long on an angled follow through and needed to adjust. Now granted, I've been practicing with 28" blades for a week now, though.
I had pretty good recovery speed and mobility of the blade, but given the thickness of the blade towards the end, I'm expecting a light cutter and an excellent thruster. Actually, I'm expecting an excellent light cutter, but guessing it will struggle with heavier targets such as 2 liters and the like. Now, this one will definitely require some stabbing and thrusting reviews for sure, as that is what it is made for.
Upon flex testing it was determined that it was well tempered, and it flexed quite well. During my testing to determine the center of percussion I noted that this sword would probably be considered borderline whippy, but I would imagine that is by design. I'm picturing a blade penetrating through a crevice in the plate armor, and the blade curving through to find it's intended target of flesh.
So far I'm excited about this sword, but if you want to hear my concerns, most will have to wait until I actually get to use it. But for now I'll list what I can. This I can't fault, as it is a historical recreation, but for a blade with a hilt like this it is clearly meant to be primarily wielded with one hand, and two if necessary. But with the blade not being a heavy cutter, that shouldn't ever really be necessary. With that, I think the blade is too long, at least for me anyways. Also, I'm concerned about the longevity of the suede wrapped handle and if it will wear down prematurely.
To wrap it up, I'm stoked about having one of Hank's swords. I like knowing it is a re-creation of a historical sword, and the more Generation 2 swords I get, the more I appreciate the quality these guys put into their swords for under $300.
Full review to come with cutting and thrusting, I promise. Just keep winter away for a little longer!
Edit: Full review posted on swordsofvalor.com, click link to see it.
www.swordsofvalor.com/dordognereview.html
Blade length: 36.5"
Handle/Hilt length: 7"
Overall: 44.25"
Balance Point: 4.5" from guard
Center of Percussion: 24" from guard
Weight: 2.75 lbs
Above are three of my swords to display size and length.
This is by far my longest sword, and I'm having to learn a little bit of adjustment on my right to left follow through at an angle. During dry handling of the sword, every once in a while I scraped my grass with the tip. It will require even more adjustment when I get my elven king, because it is 4 inches longer than the Dordogne! I've also been wielding blades of late that are much shorter, including the Darksword Norman and the Windlass Arming sword.
Initially you get a sense of a fairly well balanced sword, and a fairly firm grip on the hilt. The suede wrapped handle feels nice on bare skin too. You will immediately notice the length of the blade, along with the dramatic taper to a fine point. This would be for thrusting the blade, and finding the cracks and crevices of plate mail armor.
So upon some dry handling, it made for an above average one-hander for this length of blade, and the hilt is long enough to be considered a hand-and-a-half. Though slightly tight for my hands, it was still comfortable enough to use two. Now I am six feet tall, and I found the blade to be a little long on an angled follow through and needed to adjust. Now granted, I've been practicing with 28" blades for a week now, though.
I had pretty good recovery speed and mobility of the blade, but given the thickness of the blade towards the end, I'm expecting a light cutter and an excellent thruster. Actually, I'm expecting an excellent light cutter, but guessing it will struggle with heavier targets such as 2 liters and the like. Now, this one will definitely require some stabbing and thrusting reviews for sure, as that is what it is made for.
Upon flex testing it was determined that it was well tempered, and it flexed quite well. During my testing to determine the center of percussion I noted that this sword would probably be considered borderline whippy, but I would imagine that is by design. I'm picturing a blade penetrating through a crevice in the plate armor, and the blade curving through to find it's intended target of flesh.
So far I'm excited about this sword, but if you want to hear my concerns, most will have to wait until I actually get to use it. But for now I'll list what I can. This I can't fault, as it is a historical recreation, but for a blade with a hilt like this it is clearly meant to be primarily wielded with one hand, and two if necessary. But with the blade not being a heavy cutter, that shouldn't ever really be necessary. With that, I think the blade is too long, at least for me anyways. Also, I'm concerned about the longevity of the suede wrapped handle and if it will wear down prematurely.
To wrap it up, I'm stoked about having one of Hank's swords. I like knowing it is a re-creation of a historical sword, and the more Generation 2 swords I get, the more I appreciate the quality these guys put into their swords for under $300.
Full review to come with cutting and thrusting, I promise. Just keep winter away for a little longer!