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Post by Ilúvatar on Jun 29, 2011 3:31:33 GMT
Hello everyone. I am now looking to add the 4th installment to my arsenal of swords. I already have 2 one-handed swords so I am looking to get either a hand and a half or a two handed sword. This is my first sword that isn't one-handed, so I'm gonna need some help deciding. My budget is around $500. Give me your suggestions. Thanks
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Post by Vincent Dolan on Jun 29, 2011 3:33:42 GMT
Any preference for type? Katana, Euro, etc.? If Euro, I'd go with a VA signature or an ATrim from T&TA.
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Post by Ilúvatar on Jun 29, 2011 3:37:44 GMT
Ya I want a Euro. I've been checking those out, but any specific swords you can recommend?
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Post by Vincent Dolan on Jun 29, 2011 4:01:52 GMT
I've no experience with any of them, unfortunately, so my recommendations come from reviews I've read and their aesthetics, the latter of which is subjective. Of the VA, the ones on my list are the Kriegschwert, Knight's Templar, and the Warder, but there's also the Malatesta. Of the ATrims, there's more of a selection, but those on my list are fewer, consisting mainly of the XVIa.3, which I intend to have customized through the CSS so it resembles my design, Mé'aré. Other than that, it depends on whether you want a dedicated cutter or a cut-n-thrust.
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Post by Enkidu on Jun 29, 2011 14:20:25 GMT
If you really have 500$ to spend on a euro i would definitly take a look at the ATrim selection : www.triedandtruearmory.com/econ/Or the Valiant armoury signature line ( every reputable vendor should have them but they are not often in stock; beware. ) But that also depends on what your looking for more specifically. Are you looking for a good cutter, a nice balance, a pretty package with scabbard and everything or the utilitarian look suits you ? Something more along the fantasy theme or a rigorously historical repro ? An heavy beater built like a tank or something with more finesse ? If you check at windlass or Hanwei/Tinker offering you could also get two swords for this amount. Tell us a bit more about what you'd like to get, and i'm sure we will be able to recommend something that will suits you.
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Post by Cold Napalm on Jul 7, 2011 7:38:20 GMT
Budget of 500, I would say go with the gus blades from tried and true that fits your fancy OR if you don't mind redoing the edge, get the hanwei tinker bastard sword AND the great sword of war for that price so you can have a hand and a half AND a two hander. The choice depends where you are in the collection phase...quality or quantity .
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Paul
Member
Senior Forumite
Posts: 1,771
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Post by Paul on Jul 7, 2011 9:33:33 GMT
I really like this bastard from DSA; www.darksword-armory.com/1329-Me ... Sword.html " 1329 Medieval Knight Bastard Sword This is a classic example of the Medieval swords found during the later part of the 14th C. and commonly used by the nobility during the 100 years war. The Medieval swords of the era were forged with the traditrional wheel pommel and slightly curved quillions. Specifications 1060 High Carbon Steel, Tempered to a Rockwell of 53 Fittings : Mild Steel Blade Thickness: 1.34 mm Total Length: 42" Blade Length : 30" POB:2.5" Weight: 3lbs 6 oz. " I really came close to ordering this one, but went a different way and ordered an Albion Crecy.
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Post by Crimsoned on Jul 7, 2011 22:34:01 GMT
I own the Valiant Armoury Warder (picked it up 2nd hand), I love the sword however it was so badly sharpened it could not even cut a single wara mat no matter the force used. I had it reprofiled by Ricky (DaoDaoChen) and have yet to pick it up to show results. However it was Ricky's personal opinion that the edge was absolutely terrible, and I will most definitely agree as well.
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Post by Ilúvatar on Jul 13, 2011 17:36:32 GMT
Thanks for the replies guys. I'll let you all know which one I end up getting.
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Post by Northern Wanderer on Jul 20, 2011 10:13:28 GMT
I know this thread may be getting older, but just in case you are still pondering, I'll give my vote to the Hanwei-Tinker two handers. all depending on what sort of collector you are of course, should a better quality, and prettier weapon matter to you Valiant armoury's signature series will give you a better finished blade, with a much much better scabbard, it'l probably be sharper as well. You cannot go wrong with an ATrim should you choose to go down that path either. as you will glean from this forum his swords are popular to an insensible degree. if you want your $500 to go on one immaculate product, you would be in good hands with either of these.
However, If you are less fussy and just want to experience a decent two hander Tinker Pearce's Hanwei line are the most bang for your buck you're likely to find, they are weapons as opposed to works of art, having an almost brushed steel finish and utilitarian furniture, but they are solid as rock, harmonically balanced and historically correct in terms of handling and weight,I would go for the Great Sword of War, more of a dedicated cutter. H/T's are for the most part dis mountable and hence popular for customisation projects.
The choice is entirely down to your personal taste, my own opinion, for big swords I would avoid windlass, though their reputation for over flexible swords is not entirely deserved, some of their two handers can be quite comical in full swing, maybe not one for the serious cutter or martial artist.
H/T for a cheap fully functional sword, VA signature or ATrim for top notch quality.
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Aaron
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Senior Forumite
Posts: 2,369
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Post by Aaron on Jul 21, 2011 15:44:50 GMT
I would second the suggestion of a Hanwei/Tinker, but I'll expand upon the idea. For $500, the only bastard swords and longswords I would look at would be Atrims, VA Signatures or H/T. If you want balls to the wall performance, definitely go with the Atrim. It WILL outperform all other Euro's until you step into the $800-1200 and custom range. The only downside compared to the other choices in the price range is they are plain and you get no scabbard. If you care about making the sword a little prettier, you could have T&TA ship the sword to Sonny's Custom Sword Shoppe and have a new grip done up, and you'd still be under your budget. A scabbard would cost significantly more, but Sonny also offers great deals on those and delivers and outstanding product. XVIa.1, XIIa.4 and XIIIa.1 are awesome, but have a look at www.triedandtruearmory.com/ATrim-catalog.html and see what you like. As far as the VA Signature swords, they are great blades based on designs from Gus Trim and Christian Fletcher. They've got excellent leather work and are very ornate. Plus they come with a great scabbard and belt and are still significantly under your budget. Sonny can also do them up in any color you want through the CSS. For the money it's hard to go wrong here. Any of the XIIa's would be good purchases. You could even get a 304S Practical Longsword and have Sonny pretty it up for you in the CSS, again still under your budget. The last option is the Hanwei/Tinker line. They are a lot cheaper and are about as plain-jane as a stock Atrim. They perform about on par with the VA's, maybe a little better maybe a little worse depending on the models you're comparing. With your budget, the only way I would choose one of these is by shipping it off to the CSS and having Sonny sharpen and refinish the blade to nicer polish, all new leather on the grip and scabbard and a suspension system to put the package comparable to the Signature's. This means you get a few types of swords that VA doesn't offer with the same great level of work that Sonny put's into every product he puts out.
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