|
|
Post by House of Hador on Mar 13, 2011 22:53:56 GMT
So I'm looking to buy my first Medieval type sword and I ran across this sword: www.knightsedge.com/p-283-steel- ... sword.aspx However a search on this site and the old one doesnt really bring up any info regarding Ritter Steel sword makers. Anyone have any experiences with them? |
|
ecovolo
Senior Forumite
Retired Moderator
Posts: 2,074
|
Post by ecovolo on Mar 13, 2011 23:06:06 GMT
Re: Old site-- Did some digging, and found a "RitterSteel" section in the reviews section: sbgswordforum.proboards.com/inde ... read=10166 Personally, I have their two-headed battle axe, and it's *sturdy*. Likewise, an acquaintance bought the Ritter steel zwiehander, and used it for stage combat. Depending on which product you buy, they can be very durable, or junk. --Edward |
|
|
|
Post by House of Hador on Mar 13, 2011 23:23:48 GMT
Ya I saw those, but they were almost all Kats, the very durable, or junk comment is what has me torn now.
|
|
|
|
Post by Hiroshi on Mar 14, 2011 1:47:00 GMT
Why not go for something of much higher quality? Hanwei Tinker Swords make great begging swords
|
|
|
|
Post by House of Hador on Mar 14, 2011 2:37:29 GMT
I want something that wont be overwhelming in terms of blade length, and handle/weight combination. I currently own a huawei custom kat that I'm loving, and that's about 40 inches in length. A lot of the two hand swords I've seen push like 45-50 inches and I want to stay under 40inches if I can.
|
|
|
|
Post by Bogus on Mar 14, 2011 3:44:39 GMT
An H/T longsword or bastard sword might be ideal then--their blade lengths are something on the order of 35 and 32 inches, respectively. Unless you have big old bear paws because H/T handles are notoriously anemic. Ritter seems to be a bit like Deepeeka, they make some okay stuff but it's mixed in with a whole lot of wallhangers which makes for a dangerous buying environment if you're not 100% sure about what you're getting.
|
|
|
|
Post by Hiroshi on Mar 14, 2011 4:15:07 GMT
absolutely right.
my H/T Bastard with fuller is 33in long with a 7in grip. and if you got big bear paws like I do the pommel easily fits under the hands too.
|
|
Sébastien
Senior Forumite
Retired Moderator
Posts: 2,967
|
Post by Sébastien on Mar 14, 2011 4:53:32 GMT
I don't own any blades from Ritter Steel, nor have I ever held any of their blades. I heard about them multiple times in the old forum. They were usually described as overbuilt, cumbersome weapons. A bit or very unwieldy and coarsely-made, but tough and rugged. Most of their functionnal blades can be seen on Kult Of Athena website, at very good prices. RicWilly owns one of their old ''katana'' BTW (and I say ''katana'' instead of katana because that sword has little in common with a katana, beside its lenght and blade shape  ). Personnaly, I wouldn't buy anything made by Riter Steel because I think they are superior swords available for the exact same price, but that's just me and my two cents. In any case, have fun shopping for your next blade  |
|
|
|
Post by RicWilly on Mar 14, 2011 5:08:24 GMT
I think Sabastien about summed it up. I have the afore mentioned "katana" and their gladius. Both are heavy cumbersome weapons not well suited for actual swordlike activities. Better products on the market for the same money I think. They are sturdy tho and I haven't heard of any failures.
Having said that, I'd still like that short celtic of theirs if I could get it cheap.
|
|
|
|
Post by House of Hador on Mar 14, 2011 5:30:16 GMT
I appreciate the responses, I think what made me notice that Ritter sword was its unique look. However the H/T Bastard looks to be the best deal for the money.
|
|
|
|
Post by Hiroshi on Mar 14, 2011 8:39:08 GMT
would you rather have a sword hanging on your wall and have to tell people it's "real, made is some factory somewhere, I dont know who designed it, it's no where near historically accurate"
or would you rather be able to tell people "This sword on my wall was designed by Micheal Peirce, one of the greatest sword smiths of our time"
hmm??
|
|
|
|
Post by ChrisRiley93 on Mar 14, 2011 9:07:47 GMT
"..... but of course it wasn't made by Michael Pierce, it was made by under-paid Chinese smiths who recently burnt their factory to the ground."
It can go both ways. Be a little nicer next time.
|
|
|
|
Post by Hiroshi on Mar 14, 2011 21:06:37 GMT
Ritter steel swords are not made in china? Where the sword was made is of little importance here.
I never said it was made by pierce. And the Hanwei factory didn't burn to the ground. It did sustain moderate fire damage but was by no means "burnt to the ground"
Actually read someones post and understand the context before commenting on it next time.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 14, 2011 23:22:20 GMT
Hmmmm, take a deep breath guys. We're only talking opinions here. As for me, I'd like to know more about this company. What kind of steel do they use? How are their swords constructed? Have they made any recent improvements? I'm not crazy about ALL their designs, but that Swiss Landsknecht on their site is freaking awesome. It looks almost exactly like one I saw in a museum a couple of years back. Stiff price tag tho.
|
|
ecovolo
Senior Forumite
Retired Moderator
Posts: 2,074
|
Post by ecovolo on Mar 15, 2011 3:21:09 GMT
I've seen it in person. It's *exactly* like a museum piece, and I've seen it stand up to stage combat, too. If you're thinking about landsknecht reenactment, I'd recommend that sword.
. . . And yeah, the price is pretty steep. However, it's also unique-- I haven't seen any other forges/ production companies/ etc. make a zwiehander like that one.
--Edward
|
|
|
|
Post by chuckinohio on Mar 15, 2011 5:13:08 GMT
I think that the only alternative to the Ritter Landsknecht piece, is the Del Tin German Great Sword DT5168 as far as available production pieces under $1000 go.
The Del Tin is twice the price of the Ritter, and not as visually attractive.
|
|
ecovolo
Senior Forumite
Retired Moderator
Posts: 2,074
|
Post by ecovolo on Mar 15, 2011 16:30:20 GMT
Another company to consider: I've seen Lutel zwiehanders and katzbalgers up close. Consider this one: www.lutel.eu/?p=productsMore&iPr ... word-16007 --very period-looking, and it stands up to stage combat, too. If I did the currency conversion right, you're probably looking at $919 USD, not counting shipping. --Edward |
|
|
|
Post by chuckinohio on Mar 16, 2011 14:16:58 GMT
That Lutel piece looks to have an elaborate guard like the Ritter.
I believe that I would choose it over the Del Tin at that price point.
|
|
Sam H
Member
Posts: 1,099
|
Post by Sam H on Mar 16, 2011 17:43:51 GMT
Normally I don't venture into the realm of westerns but since this thread is about Ritter Steel I will gladly weigh in my 2 cents since I've had some experience with their products. Please bear in mind that this is ONLY with their katana like objects and the quality may differ with Euros but I'll give you my observations.
Some time ago I'd purchased a Ritter Steel Braided Leather Collection Katana, Wak and tanto. They had been touted as being very tough swords by some people I knew in the SCA and as such I made the investment looking to get a good durable cutter. What I received was NOT a quality daisho and tanto for the price. Instead I got hollow ground blades (with a sort of riccasso rather than a habaki) and instead of an appleseed geometry it was all hollow. The blades had fairly dull edges the way katana go so I decided to have at it with some stones to see about sharpening it. I found that the steel (I still don't know which steel they use) was VERY soft. The blades took a keen edge very quickly but also dulled and rolled very quickly from just cutting water bottles and newspaper. The fit and polish of the swords were not satisfactory either - the blades still bearing grinder marks from the manufacturing process and the swords were NOT capable of being disassembled. Not only that but the grips were wrapped in a very coarse and hard leather "tsukamaki" over a wood core and as such made it painful to use the weapons. I've long since gotten rid of those pieces but the distaste for the company stays in me to this day.
I'd say that for the money you're better off going with something else. The H/T would be a much better alternative albeit more aesthetically plain. In fact I'd rather go with a Windlass over a Ritter Steel... from what I've seen anyway. Of course I've never purchased a sword because it looked pretty or was cool. I always looked for other qualities such as durability, construction and usability.
|
|
).
