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Post by Elheru Aran on May 19, 2011 16:52:59 GMT
Right then, so I'm thinking about my next few sword purchases. I have 3 swords so far: the H/T unfullered bastard, the Hanwei side sword, and the Windlass scimitar. My problem? Too many options in lower price ranges to actually make up my mind! (Yeah, crazy... I know, right?!) These are what I'm looking at right now... bear in mind that it'll probably take at least a month if not two to save up to the point where I can buy anything around $200. --Continuing the Hanwei/Tinker thing with either the EMSHS or the Norman; the Viking doesn't particularly appeal to me for some reason, nor does the Longsword or GSoW. The Norman is basically the same as the waster I made a while back though and I like its shape. The EMSHS is a nice looking sword too, though... plus, hex-nut customizability! --Hanwei Cromwell, or basket-hilts. I like basket-hilts and they don't cost too much, either. They aren't really a 'must have' though, and to be honest I can probably survive for a while without. Still, the price is pretty good. --Windlass 15th C. Longsword. I love the double-ring hilt, and it's one of the better-reviewed Windlass models IIRC. --Picking up something small and cheap to just play with. Windlass Cobra Steel kindjal or pesh-kabz or choora... cheap and quick gratification. But maybe it's time to expand my horizons beyond the West... --Stepping into the katana world with these two options: either purchasing a budget $60 Musashi katana, OR a custom blade from Huawei which I would fit out my own way. Leaning towards the Musashi so I can see if kats are my taste without spending too much money. --Picking up a production Asian sword. My choices here: Hanwei Banshee, Kris Cutlery Espada y Daga, or KC Pinuti; Filpino swords are attracting me, and the price isn't bad either. But the Banshee is pretty universally liked, and I'm digging the idea of a katana-ish sword that I can use to chop a LOT of things  Then, of course, there's the option of saving up for a while longer and buying an Atrim from Tried&True. Quality assured, great sword, but there's a wait time, I fear-- not just the saving up (we're talking like 6 months here) but the order time, though if they have the one I want in stock that wouldn't be an issue. A few Del Tins are tickling my bones, too... like that 4th C. BC Celtic... Lastly there's the possibility of doing something via Brendan or John Lundemo, but honestly I don't really have anything I'm wild about getting done as a custom. My 'holy grail' sword is the Albion Munich, and for what that would cost to knock off as a custom I could probably just buy the production sword. We're talking saving up for like a year or two, here, unless my income changes dramatically. So, what's the verdict? Where do you think I should go? What would you do in my shoes? |
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Post by Lonely Wolf Forge on May 19, 2011 17:14:53 GMT
id go for the huawei custom, i like euros way more, but i love japanese blades too and they are wicked cutters
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Talon
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Post by Talon on May 19, 2011 17:37:12 GMT
it's a tricky one seeing the amount of option's you've listed,im really wanting to say save for an atrim,but as you say elheru unless the model you want is in stock then you'll have to wait,i can sympathise as im waiting for gus to do my 1326 (luckily my xll.1h will be here by next week,so that'll keep me occupied) i'd say either the emshs,or if you want to try a katana the musashi is cheap enough (and after you buy it,you can go for an atrim)  i did a simmilar thing that your'e contemplating,i bought a katana to see if i could get on with japanese sword's (it confirmed to me that euro's are where im happiest) |
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Post by Lobster Hunter on May 19, 2011 18:16:34 GMT
Shh, do you hear that? "Come East, Elheru Aran... Eeeasssssst..."
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Post by Lonely Wolf Forge on May 19, 2011 18:31:29 GMT
STAY WITH THE DARK SIDE!!! ATRIMMMMM muahahahhaha!
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Post by Lobster Hunter on May 19, 2011 18:34:19 GMT
KAAAAAA... TAAAAAAAA... SHNNNNNAAAANANANA...
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Post by Elheru Aran on May 19, 2011 19:27:48 GMT
*brandishes H/T bastard* pipe down, you lot, and let's try to have a serious discussion!  Now then, is that two votes for katana or are you changing on us, mister Saito? |
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Post by Deleted on May 19, 2011 20:18:35 GMT
Quite a few sword options you are considering.
Too bad you weren't able to pick up the Windlass 15th century Longsword a couple of weeks ago when it was for sale on MRLs deal of the day. I bought one (same reasoning you had, received good reviews and I really liked the style) and I am very satisfied with it. Fit and finish is nice and it handles quite well. If you decide later to buy one I think you wont be disappointed.
As far as high end and custom made swords go, wait until you know what type of sword you like the most before spending that kind of money.
I think if you decide to go with a European sword start with the Hanwei/Tinker Early Medieval sword. It handles very well, is easily customizable, and is probably the best value for the money of any of the European swords you have mentioned here. It is just a good all around sword.
Of course after writing all that I think you should buy a katana. I own both European swords and katanas and like them equally well. Since you already have two European swords in your collection I think some variety at this stage would be a welcome change. Every sword collector should own a katana. If you like swords you are going to like a good katana, that I can almost guarantee. In the end you may prefer European swords, but you aren't likely to dislike katanas and will probably end up owning several.
I wouldn't start with anything to cheap. Don't get me wrong, there are a lot of fairly nice katanas available for a low price. It's just that you need to spend a little more money to get one that truly represents what a katana is. I don't own one of the Huawei katanas, but have read very good things about them. Like you said this also gives you the option to have it fitted to your tastes and all for a very reasonable price. I don't think you can go wrong with a good katana. You will enjoy the experience of buying and owning one. :mrgreen:
bender
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Post by wnydel on May 19, 2011 20:47:03 GMT
If you are thinking about heading east, there are some attractive Dao's and they can be had pretty cheap. The Hanwei Military Dadao is about $100 and so is the one from Kris cutlery.
Kats aren't my favorite, but I think everyone should have at least one. And I have to say once you hold one, they grow on you fast.
I am glad you mentioned the Windlass products. I do not have any yet, but like you, my finances are horrible right now and I have been debating on getting something from Windlass. They are cheaper than some of the other things on my wish list and I could acquire them quicker. Not to pirate the thread, but any Windlass recommendations would be appreciated.
My problem is that my wish list seems to get longer by the day and I am so indecisive with what I want to get next.
Edit: Kris cutlery has layaway, which could help you to pay over time
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Post by Elheru Aran on May 20, 2011 15:10:30 GMT
The problem is that if I got a katana from Huawei, I'd want to make it a real basis for a very thorough custom that I've had in mind for a long time... this, actually...  As you can see, it'd be a pretty unconventional sword and the customization would take some time and definitely a good bit of extra money. That's the reason I'm looking at cheap kats, to see if they're my thing to start with. Musashis sound like a semi-decent deal for the money. I guess when it comes down to it, the 'short list' is: --Windlass 15th C. LS --H/T EMSHS or Norman --Hanwei Banshee --Cheap katana Thoughts...? |
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Post by Deleted on May 20, 2011 15:57:43 GMT
Well I understand what you are saying. If you buy a custom from Huawei you want to go all out. For your first katana purchase that wouldn't be a good idea and I agree.
I would still consider a katana for your next purchase.
Even though I know you want to keep the cost low so you can see if you will like a katana before investing too much money, I would stay away from the very low end katanas. $60.00 is just not going to get you a very good example of a katana.
I would recommend that you consider the $150 to $200 range.
Whatever you decide I would not buy a katana with a wire brushed hamon (they look like crap in my opinion, in fact I prefer no artificial hamon myself) and in this price range I would only buy a through hardened katana. I'm not saying that there are no good differentially hardened katanas in this price range, I am just skeptical that they would be sufficiently strong for cutting.
As far as a specific katana model, I would carefully read the reviews here and find something that you liked and buy it.
bender
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Post by Elheru Aran on May 20, 2011 16:21:21 GMT
So, Hanwei Banshee then perhaps? Not really a katana, I know, but somewhat similar and not an Western sword... plus apparently a lot of people like it...
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Post by Wes on May 20, 2011 17:52:43 GMT
I have owned a Banshee and it's an interesting little weapon. It handles and feels like a two-handed machete (two-handed being used loosely. You could fit a third, and maybe a fourth hand if they were small on that handle.) Only thing I didn't like about it was the lack of a guard. I know the taper would more than likely keep my hand from sliding up onto the edge, but I couldn't help but feel nervous when using it. I'd also suggest changing out the cheap strap that comes with it. Someone did a nice paracord wrap in one of the threads a while back. Maybe copy his initiative it seemed to work well and looked really nice.
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Post by Elheru Aran on May 20, 2011 18:06:50 GMT
So it looks like for quick buying, the Banshee is probably it, unless I can hold out for the 15th C. Longsword or the EMSHS... I've been looking over the katana selection on KoA and to be honest none of them are really calling my name. Sure, there's a few nice ones, but there's nothing that's really appealing to me. I guess I'm just too much of an Euro guy right now at this point. Sorry, kat-guys |
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Talon
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Post by Talon on May 20, 2011 19:05:59 GMT
in that case i'd save for the emshs |
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Post by Deleted on May 21, 2011 17:58:10 GMT
I'll throw a wrench in the works. I really like to have a broad historical and cultural representation in my collection. For that reason, if you don't have one already, I'd say go for a baskethilt. I've had my eye on that Cromwell for ages. My parents were Irish, so they'd roll over in their graves if they knew I was keen on a Cromwell sword, but not all history is pleasant now, is it?
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Post by chuckinohio on May 22, 2011 5:24:58 GMT
Cultural heritage aside, the Cromwell is an attractive sword, and he played a rather large part in history.
Strictly from the viewpoint of a weapons collector, how could you not want one.
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Lunaman
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Post by Lunaman on May 22, 2011 6:30:31 GMT
That reminds me--I've gotta upload photos of some of the stuff I saw in Europe this month. |
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Post by Elheru Aran on May 22, 2011 13:23:08 GMT
Well, while it's not necessarily going to play a large part in the decision of which sword to choose, I'm considering pretty strongly buying the Windlass rotella shield and doing either one of two things with it... converting it into a Indo-Persian sipar (should be an easy enough etch/blue job), or paint Captain America colours on it Seriously though, I am thinking about it, and I wouldn't mind having a sword suitable for use with a shield/buckler. The Cromwell does ring my bell, but by the standard of using it with a shield you could say either the EMSHS or the Norman would be just as suitable if not better. Honestly, maybe the best thing to do is just hold off a little while and keep saving up if I can't make up my mind right now. I've got a list of ~20+ swords I pulled off KoA, plus a selection of armour items like that shield. Fudge it, I'll just post the list...
--Armour-- (all prices are w/ shipping)
gdfb medium shield boss-- $17.95
windlass rotella shield $92.55
gdfb jawbone visor sallet 135.98
windlass sallet with bevor 217.55
gdfb sallet 160.98
windlass aged norman helmet 133.98
deepeeka gothic gauntlets 182.68
--SWORDS--
Hanwei Banshee Dha 142.68
KC Espada y Daga 157.68
KC Pinuti 111.38 (back ordered)
Del Tin 4th C. BC Celtic $398.68
Hanwei Cawood 202.68 (preorder)
VA Sig Hedemark 394.08 (back ordered)
Del Tin Gothic Hand and a Half DT5157 $521.28 with sharpening
G2 Irish Hand and a Half 270.43 back ordered
H/T Norman 173.33
H/T EMSHS 172.68
H/T bastard w/fuller 178.98
Windlass 15th C. Longsword 205.55 with sharpening, 187.55 without
Del Tin 13th C. Medieval Sword (used on Angel), 438.33 without sharpening
Hanwei Cromwell 251.68
Hanwei Taza cup-hilt rapier 237.55
Hanwei antiqued basket-hilts 238.98
Hanwei regular basket-hilts 233.98
Hanwei military dadao 113.98
Hanwei Yang saber 178.38
Hanwei Rodell Chinese Cutting jian 252.68
Cheness o-kat shirasaya 203.33
KC shirasaya 142.68 back ordered
musashi shirasaya 62.68 back ordered
cheness o-katana blue 270.28
-Daggers-
Windlass Charay 140.60
Damascus pesh-kabz (same price for silvered version) 170.08
Damascus kard 110.08
--Axes--
Hanwei Danish War Axe 87.68
--totals--
5/20 emshs and rotella 256.50The Taza rapier is mostly on that list because I'm thinking of making it a birthday gift to my brother. Sooooo... yeah. That's the full list, not counting clothing/belts/boots. I got a lot of things on there, huh? Is it any wonder I can't make up my mind if I have this many choices... |
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Post by Deleted on May 23, 2011 21:13:26 GMT
Elheru Aran
If you are still interested in the Hanwei Banshee check out the eBay listings. There is a nice one for sale starting price $74.99 free shipping.
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