DSA 1339 14th Century Templar Sword
Aug 16, 2011 22:57:35 GMT
Post by StevenJ on Aug 16, 2011 22:57:35 GMT
darksword-armory.com/1339%20-%20 ... Sword.html
For a while I had been debating what I wanted to get for a new longsword. I knew I wanted something from the 14th century since it has been my preferred era. I've always like type XVs, XIVs, XIIs, and XIIIs which dominated the war torn scenes of Europe like the Hundred Year War over French succession. So after doing some research I decided to try Darksword again. My second sword I bought was a DSA 1340 12th century two hander back when all DSA's two handers weighed over four and a half pounds with threaded pommels. it was okay for its time but I ended up selling it for rock bottom prices as I was not happy with it because the pommel kept coming undone in use plus it was too heavy.
Fast forward three to four years, DSA has changed a lot. They have lightened their swords, offer leather over cord grips, upgraded scabbards, and sharpening service. This sword definitely reflects those huge improvements. Yes there are still flaws of course as I will discuss. First lets start with what arrived via Canpar.
The Mysterious Sword Package
Now let's see what its inside!
What's inside that envelope you may ask? Well it is a post card with instructions on how to tie your knot for when you want to wear your sword off into battle... or at least the local Renfaire!
All joking a side I have actually seen someone ask how to tie the knot for their sword belts so it is useful info. Though the last time I bought a Darksword I did get a free t-shirt, no freebies this time unfortunately but no biggie!
The sword above is now unwrapped sitting in its scabbard in all its glory. This blade appears to be a type XIIIA and it is similar to some examples found on my armoury. The basic design of the of the blade with its straight cross and round pommel is found on other similar historic examples as seen in the link below.
www.myarmoury.com/feature_spotxiii.html
Though there isn't one example it emulates exactly it follows the general shape of the XIIIa. The tip is more rounded, blade edges are fairly parallel. The edge isn't perfect and is a bit wavy in areas but nothing too bad or that can't be fixed by hand.
Now for the stats, this is where I was a bit disappointed. If you go to DSA's website it says the sword is four feet long, this is not true unfortunately. So if you were expecting a Great Sword of war, it isn't it is more bastard sword in size.
Over all length 44 inches
Blade width at base just under 2 inches and stays that way most of the way down
Cross is 9 1/4 inches wide
POB is 5 inches
Weight only 3.6 pounds
Blade thickness at guard about 4 mm and about 3.8mm where the fuller terminates
So what we get here from these measurements is a fairly shaped and well balanced Type XIIIA bastard sword. The sword is agile in one or two hands. Recovery times are fairly good and the blade has good presence. The cord over leather wrap is well done and the stitching is solid. I don't for see any issues with it peeling in the future.
The biggest issue with handling is that the sword's grip is a tad too short for a comfortable two handed grip. The grip is only a tad over 6 3/4 inches in length. You can get two hands on there but sometimes your back hand rubs on the pommel a bit while swinging. This does make sideways strikes a bit tough but normal vertical slashes and cuts are not impeded at all. Other than that, the handling is good but I do wish the grip were half an inch larger.
My other main grip is with the way the sword fits in the scabbard.
The scabbard is well constructed, thin, light, and sturdy plus the leather is of fairly good quality. But the sword doesn't fit right into the rain guard. If you look at the picture the guard area is too tight for it to sit properly. If I cut it open a little more and sewed it, it would fit better but that should have been tested better at the forge. Other than that, it is a well made scabbard. Back stitching looks great as does the leather and belt.
To give you a better idea of how this sword is in dimension I took a picture of this DSA next to my Albion Squire Line Great sword which is an XIIA just one to two inches under four feet in length.
As I said before, this DSA doesn't feel like a Great Sword of War I was hoping for it is more of a long bastard sword kind of similar to the Gen2 12th century just a tad longer and a lot higher finish. Speaking of finish, the last complaint I have is the cut for the guard on the DSA was a tad too wide but the blade has no shakes or rattles whatsoever. Lastly the sword was sharpened by DSA. The edge is okay, nothing spectacular but wasn't expecting too much. I will take my time to blend in the bevel and repofile the diamond cross section of the sword later. I haven't cut with it yet. It probably could cut milk jugs but not water bottles. I'm sure if you spent the time to blend it that it would cut well though.
So here are the Pros
Good weight
Good balance
Handle shape and wrap is well done
Blade polish and fuller nicely done
Pommel and Guard are well formed
Scabbard over all is nicely done
Now the Cons
Slot for the cross guard was cut a tad wide, very minor
Handle length could have been longer
Sword was advertised as four feet in length and it is only 44 inches
Scabbard rain guard fit could have been better
Overall I'm happy with my purchase. It wasn't quite what I expected but I am happy with it as a bastard sword. For the price I paid of about $430 it is a good deal for the money. Lastly I did have two more pictures stored for you guys. There have been some concerns about DSA using pot metal in the guard and pommels. I am not saying they don't. All the DSA swords I own and I own three now plus a dagger are magnetic, thereby mild steel. Here's the last two pictures for proof that the hilt components are steel on this sword.
So if you want at good type XIIIA bastard sword that is somewhat historical go buy it! It is a good deal! The sword is peened btw.
Now I'll be off to battle!
For a while I had been debating what I wanted to get for a new longsword. I knew I wanted something from the 14th century since it has been my preferred era. I've always like type XVs, XIVs, XIIs, and XIIIs which dominated the war torn scenes of Europe like the Hundred Year War over French succession. So after doing some research I decided to try Darksword again. My second sword I bought was a DSA 1340 12th century two hander back when all DSA's two handers weighed over four and a half pounds with threaded pommels. it was okay for its time but I ended up selling it for rock bottom prices as I was not happy with it because the pommel kept coming undone in use plus it was too heavy.
Fast forward three to four years, DSA has changed a lot. They have lightened their swords, offer leather over cord grips, upgraded scabbards, and sharpening service. This sword definitely reflects those huge improvements. Yes there are still flaws of course as I will discuss. First lets start with what arrived via Canpar.
The Mysterious Sword Package
Now let's see what its inside!
What's inside that envelope you may ask? Well it is a post card with instructions on how to tie your knot for when you want to wear your sword off into battle... or at least the local Renfaire!
All joking a side I have actually seen someone ask how to tie the knot for their sword belts so it is useful info. Though the last time I bought a Darksword I did get a free t-shirt, no freebies this time unfortunately but no biggie!
The sword above is now unwrapped sitting in its scabbard in all its glory. This blade appears to be a type XIIIA and it is similar to some examples found on my armoury. The basic design of the of the blade with its straight cross and round pommel is found on other similar historic examples as seen in the link below.
www.myarmoury.com/feature_spotxiii.html
Though there isn't one example it emulates exactly it follows the general shape of the XIIIa. The tip is more rounded, blade edges are fairly parallel. The edge isn't perfect and is a bit wavy in areas but nothing too bad or that can't be fixed by hand.
Now for the stats, this is where I was a bit disappointed. If you go to DSA's website it says the sword is four feet long, this is not true unfortunately. So if you were expecting a Great Sword of war, it isn't it is more bastard sword in size.
Over all length 44 inches
Blade width at base just under 2 inches and stays that way most of the way down
Cross is 9 1/4 inches wide
POB is 5 inches
Weight only 3.6 pounds
Blade thickness at guard about 4 mm and about 3.8mm where the fuller terminates
So what we get here from these measurements is a fairly shaped and well balanced Type XIIIA bastard sword. The sword is agile in one or two hands. Recovery times are fairly good and the blade has good presence. The cord over leather wrap is well done and the stitching is solid. I don't for see any issues with it peeling in the future.
The biggest issue with handling is that the sword's grip is a tad too short for a comfortable two handed grip. The grip is only a tad over 6 3/4 inches in length. You can get two hands on there but sometimes your back hand rubs on the pommel a bit while swinging. This does make sideways strikes a bit tough but normal vertical slashes and cuts are not impeded at all. Other than that, the handling is good but I do wish the grip were half an inch larger.
My other main grip is with the way the sword fits in the scabbard.
The scabbard is well constructed, thin, light, and sturdy plus the leather is of fairly good quality. But the sword doesn't fit right into the rain guard. If you look at the picture the guard area is too tight for it to sit properly. If I cut it open a little more and sewed it, it would fit better but that should have been tested better at the forge. Other than that, it is a well made scabbard. Back stitching looks great as does the leather and belt.
To give you a better idea of how this sword is in dimension I took a picture of this DSA next to my Albion Squire Line Great sword which is an XIIA just one to two inches under four feet in length.
As I said before, this DSA doesn't feel like a Great Sword of War I was hoping for it is more of a long bastard sword kind of similar to the Gen2 12th century just a tad longer and a lot higher finish. Speaking of finish, the last complaint I have is the cut for the guard on the DSA was a tad too wide but the blade has no shakes or rattles whatsoever. Lastly the sword was sharpened by DSA. The edge is okay, nothing spectacular but wasn't expecting too much. I will take my time to blend in the bevel and repofile the diamond cross section of the sword later. I haven't cut with it yet. It probably could cut milk jugs but not water bottles. I'm sure if you spent the time to blend it that it would cut well though.
So here are the Pros
Good weight
Good balance
Handle shape and wrap is well done
Blade polish and fuller nicely done
Pommel and Guard are well formed
Scabbard over all is nicely done
Now the Cons
Slot for the cross guard was cut a tad wide, very minor
Handle length could have been longer
Sword was advertised as four feet in length and it is only 44 inches
Scabbard rain guard fit could have been better
Overall I'm happy with my purchase. It wasn't quite what I expected but I am happy with it as a bastard sword. For the price I paid of about $430 it is a good deal for the money. Lastly I did have two more pictures stored for you guys. There have been some concerns about DSA using pot metal in the guard and pommels. I am not saying they don't. All the DSA swords I own and I own three now plus a dagger are magnetic, thereby mild steel. Here's the last two pictures for proof that the hilt components are steel on this sword.
So if you want at good type XIIIA bastard sword that is somewhat historical go buy it! It is a good deal! The sword is peened btw.
Now I'll be off to battle!