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Post by SwordFan on Apr 19, 2011 19:26:54 GMT
Hi all
Does anyone have any experience with Christian's Borderwatch sword ?Iv been considering one for a while now and thought I would get some opinions before going any further .
Thanks
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Post by Travis Nicko on Apr 19, 2011 19:31:50 GMT
SBG member Lunaman just sold his I believe...but his review should be somewhere in that section.
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Sean (Shadowhowler)
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Post by Sean (Shadowhowler) on Apr 19, 2011 19:53:34 GMT
I've not had one in my hands yet... but I also have been wanting one for some time...
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Post by Odingaard on Apr 19, 2011 21:04:56 GMT
I passed someone up on a second-hand one last year because I did not like it. It's an Albion Crecy with upgraded furniture pretty much. It's nice looking, but it felt off, it's difficult to explain. It seemed like the sword was missing some of the oomph I prefer in larger blades. Additionally, I did not want to drop that much money on something that looked similar to a $130 United Cultery sword, granted it's much more (and very, very different to us sword people), but not to the layman at a period event. It's bothersome trying to explain to people every 30 minutes how my CF Redeemer is different from a Darksword Boromir, for example. :lol:
At any rate, before you invest in one, you need to hold it in your hand first, and even cut with if possible. Try the sword on, if you will. There are many, many swords out there that I thought looked great years ago, but after I have owned or used one, I changed my opinion.
Good luck in your search for knowledge.
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Lunaman
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Post by Lunaman on Apr 19, 2011 21:53:15 GMT
I sold mine recently, but I've commissioned a new one from Christian Fletcher that's being built right now. Never did do a review...Hmmm. Maybe I'll do a quick review of the new one when it arrives.  Now I don't know what version Sarge came across, but I LOVE the handling of my old Borderwatch. Chuckinohio has it now, and he can attest to the feel of the sword as well. I think it's just magical. The Crecy's a very sleek sword, and the BW is a snazzier version--it floats and glides through the air, but it's a very solid, war-like blade. Shootermike once said that the stock Crecy would be a "perfect" fighting man's sword if it had an extra half-inch of handle. The Borderwatch has a scent-stopper pommel that provides that very half inch.  custom-sword-shoppe.com/forum/vi ... f=46&t=377 (You know, Christian has made many versions of the Borderwatch sword over the years, but only 4 were made with Crecy blades before his current deal with Albion. Is it possible Sarge handled one of the dozens of others without the Albion blade instead? I wonder partly because of his reference to "larger blades"--the Crecy is pretty compact. Shorter than the blades of the Munich, Regent, Talhoffer and even the Landgraf. :?: )The Crecy blade is also a much better cutter than I was expecting---it took me forever to get around to cutting with it because I was shy about the priciness, but it's a whopper. Smooth and crisp. Also... I don't give a damn what the wall-hanger Rangers cost, I don't need to explain to anyone why the BW is worth the money to me (I don't bring my nice stuff to faires anyway). It's not just the difference between a functional and non-functional sword; it's the difference between a top-of-the-line functional sword and a piece of heavy useless junk. Some people will be on board for the trade-off, some people won't. No worries. I know plenty of people who'd love to have the Albion Conan sword (which is more than three times the price of the Borderwatch) when you can find wall-hanger versions of that sword for 50 to 90 bucks. Who cares? When you want what you know you want, go for it. Anyway, the Borderwatch I had was a superb sword (and still is, though it is no longer mine). Since the new version shares the same blade, pommel, and guard (albeit with a slightly different grip) I have every reason to believe it will be extraordinary as well. And I get this one customized a little better to my liking. |
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Post by Sean (Shadowhowler) on Apr 19, 2011 22:01:14 GMT
I WISH I had to explain the difference between one of my swords and a lesser version... I never run into people even remotely sword savy at the Faires. They all have cheep wall-hanger blades... maybe some Windlass and the stuff you buy at the Faire... (Sabersmith or Starfire) and now and again I see the odd Hanwei or two. I almost never see anything I'd want. I was thrilled last weekend, I spotted a VA Malatesta! I went to a fair last year with my SBG/BKS Stright blade and got over 6-7 people asking questions about it... never had that much interest in one of my weapons before. I'm kinda sad... with my recent sales some of my best blades are gone now... my collection feels 'gutted'... I can only hope in a year or two I find money and can add to it again... and that the hobby stays strong enough that there are still swords to buy. Luna: You've a good point... the VAST majority of CF's previous Boarderwatches were with an Atrim blade... I wonder which one Serge checked out as well.
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Post by Odingaard on Apr 20, 2011 7:56:01 GMT
To be honest, I don't which of the versions I handled. It was not a bad sword, I just did not personally like it. The version I held had a bit more of a neutral feel than I like, with the PoB closer to the guard. I mean, it was damn close to the guard, perhaps 1"-2", with perhaps a 34"-35" blade. As I said, it felt odd to me - a bit hilt heavy. As to who the maker of that specific sword's blade, I do not know.
Different strokes for different folks. I'd still advice to handle one and see if you like it before making a decision; especially since there are a variety of incarnations of it out there.
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Sean (Shadowhowler)
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Post by Sean (Shadowhowler) on Apr 20, 2011 10:07:25 GMT
ALWAYS the best way to buy a sword... alas, not always an option. Unless you are lucky enough to live near a place like 'Kult of Athena' you likely can not handle stuff before you buy it. That's talking just production blades. With something like a Boarderwatch... you have to order it, or find one in the used market... either way, you won't get a chance to play with it before buying it.
The internet has been great for sword collecting, opening up a huge world market... but it also means we buy most of our stuff sight unseen and hope for the best.
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Post by SwordFan on Apr 20, 2011 11:12:47 GMT
I am an international buyer which makes things even worse , hence I base most of my decisions after reading reviews , asking loads of questions (Just ask Brendan from Fable Blades or Ryan from KOA ) .I often pop forum members a PM asking them what they think of the sword after iv read their reviews or threads .This is about as best as I can do together with what I see and like.I sometimes feel a little bad asking so many questions ,but at the end of the day I tell myself that if Im to spend in excess of $1000 I need to be comfortable with my purchase .Having said all of this though alot of it is still a bit of a lottery as no 2 swords are exactly the same and not every sword has a review .
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Post by chuckinohio on Apr 20, 2011 14:45:58 GMT
As a Borderwatch owner I feel qualified to chime in here. I currently own Lunamans version that he recently sold. As Sarge suggested, the only way to be really sure will be to handle one for yourself. That advice is very sound if it is at all feasible for you to do so. Like he said, there are different incarnations of this sword around, and you may very well wind up with one of the versions that he stated put him off. My Borderwatch is based on the Albion Crecy blade and balances right at 5 inches from the guard with a 35-3/4 inch blade. This version of the Borderwatch is not neutral in the hand. It has enough blade presence sitting still to let you know that you could deal a powerful cut with it. Couple the blade profile with it's balance, and it simply feels elegant. Elegance with an understated element of brutality. The point on it tracks effortlessly from guard to guard, and the sword transitions smartly. There is no sense that you have to correct it, or that you have to really try hard to keep it in play. It gives the distinct impression of being very fast in play, and that getting inside or around a guard would be easy assuming that my skills were sufficient. I am an admitted LOTR geek, and this sword really means quite a bit more to me than just being a snazzy weapon. I relayed to Luna, that upon unpacking it, I felt that I was standing straighter and speaking in a more authoritative voice whilst commanding the woman to bring me Kool Aid. It has that effect, really. Feel free to ask any questions that you like. |
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ghost
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Post by ghost on Apr 20, 2011 16:36:30 GMT
I feel the same as Odingaard. At the beginning I really wanted to purchase one, but it looked so similar to the movie replica. The guard is fantastic on the movie version, but CF seems to have "dimmed" it down bit -made it less "in-your face". Not as much pop. CF's pommel version is much better, but I still could not envision the plum-bob as being Strider-like. In the end, I couldn't justify buying it. I think the Borderwatch is anything but neutral w/ a POB of 4" at 3 lbs. It definitely looks like it handles fantastically. When Luna put his up though, I was so game to buy it...cept I was outta funds waiting on a couple swords from Sonny and BKS. Grats chuck on a great deal.  I'm a LOTR nut too so...I had to have something similar-ish to ease the burn. This thing feels pretty neutral actually. 2.5" pob at 3 lbs. especially since I extended it into a 2 hander. Eyal gave me the fittings unfinished so I was able to give the guard a much deeper in-the-fuller look. Well, I threw on a fish-tail pommel so I not sure people will be to easily tell what this thing even is anymore... I think in your case Swordfan, you may be able to ask Christian to alter his guard and pommel bit to a picture of what you want them to be. I think you could even ask for a much longer blade 38 -40" perhaps with some engravings. A commission from CF does not look too much more expensive than the Borderwatch and would definitely be worth the wait. |
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Sean (Shadowhowler)
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Post by Sean (Shadowhowler) on Apr 20, 2011 18:18:18 GMT
Ooooh Yeeeaaaahh!!!
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Post by SwordFan on Apr 21, 2011 4:00:48 GMT
Sean ,look what is on it's way to me . My new Green Borderwatch :   |
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Lunaman
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Post by Lunaman on Apr 21, 2011 6:22:52 GMT
Good on ya, SwordFan, congrats! The only reason I ain't jealous is that now I can use the photos of yours to better imagine my own blood-red beauty. She'll be in my hands soon enough. |
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Post by SwordFan on Apr 21, 2011 11:41:34 GMT
Thanks Lunaman , I cant wait until she arrives . It was a close call between this and the Albion Arn ,but in the end Im a Lord Of The Rings Fan so I guess the Borderwatch was always going to win . I personally prefer the way the Borderwatch looks vs the United Cutlery version ,but this is just my opinion .
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Post by chuckinohio on Apr 21, 2011 13:36:50 GMT
Good choice.
I believe that you will become enamored with it quite quickly.
We've darn near got enough Borderwatch owners to start our own Ranger company now dont we?
I'll meet you guys on the Greenway north of Tharbad. We'll head to the Prancing Pony, get licquored up, and go looking for trouble up in the Trollshaws or Ettenmoors.
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Sean (Shadowhowler)
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Post by Sean (Shadowhowler) on Apr 21, 2011 16:31:24 GMT
The depths of my jealousy are unfathomable... :cry:
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Post by SwordFan on Apr 21, 2011 17:34:26 GMT
Ha ha ,dont worry Sean I promise to not make the review too long and rub it in too much :lol:
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Lunaman
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Post by Lunaman on Apr 21, 2011 18:21:56 GMT
Oh my word. That sounds five kinds of fantastic! I'll be in Rivendell for four weeks starting this weekend, but definitely when I get back. Mmmhmm.
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Sean (Shadowhowler)
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Post by Sean (Shadowhowler) on Apr 21, 2011 23:39:00 GMT
I wanna join the Ranger club... I want a Boarderwatch...  I don't even have an Albion anymore after my recent sword sale... my collection feels gutted... ...I wonder if it will ever return to its former glory. |
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I don't even have an Albion anymore after my recent sword sale... my collection feels gutted... 
