Valiant Armoury AT Tac 307 Longsword "The Zombie Slayer"
Oct 31, 2011 0:50:27 GMT
Post by chrisperoni on Oct 31, 2011 0:50:27 GMT
Valiant Armoury AT Tac 307 Longsword
"The Zombie Slayer"
by Chris Peroni, October 2011
Introduction
Seeing various incarnations of the ATrim Tac swords over the last couple of years I’ve always found them to be eye catching. I’ve also wanted a longsword for some time; enter the Valiant Armoury AT-Tac 307! This sword combines the looks and specifications set out by Angus Trim with the production line savings offered through Valiant Armoury, making it a very appealing collaboration. Once I learned Valiant Armoury was adding grip/scabbard/baldric options from the Custom Sword Shoppe I knew this was the right sword for me. On top of all that the sword was nicknamed ‘The Zombie Slayer’ –you gotta love that about it! I know I do. In fact here's a quote by Sonny Suttles of VA regarding the name:
“Gus always called this ‘The Zombie Slayer’ when we (Sonny & Gus) spoke of it so we decided the name should stick.
This sword is a 100% ‘Hysterically accurate’ model used during the Zombie apocalypse crusades of the year 2012. Gus sent of a sample back in time so we could arm the masses before the great outbreak.”
I placed a pre order in June 2011 and after an uncontrollable extended hold due to Chinese Customs and overseas shipping delays, they were in house at VA by September.The individual custom requests were then completed by the Sword Shoppe and my sword was shipped to me. After another hold this time by Canadian Customs I received my Zombie Slayer on October 27 2011.
Historical Overview
This sword is based on an Angus Trim original design referred to as a ‘tactical’ longsword. The term tactical in this instance describes the single piece construction without a separate pommel or guard. Typically tactical further suggests the grip is sandwiched to the full tang. Therefore the hilt of this sword does not conform to Oakeshott historical designations. (note- the hilt may well fit other historical sword types and if so I will amend this review to include such types after further study). I would offer that the blade (disregarding the ricasso of course) generally conforms to an Oakeshott type XIIa (12a) when considering the profile taper, point, lenticular shape, and fuller.
The scabbard employs a historically accepted construction. The Baldric's historical accuracy is somewhat more suspect in that while shoulder resting baldrics are common throughout history, this particular design of an over-the-shoulder-across-the-back carry system is 'different'.
Full Disclosure
As of the time of writing this review:
-I have no personal affiliation with Valiant Armoury / the Custom Sword Shoppe but I am a regular member of the related forum. I purchased this piece at a discounted pre order price which is still available to members of the Custom Sword Shoppe & related forum.
-I would rank myself as an amateur collector with a self taught knowledge of swords.
-I have no formal training in the use of swords.
- my typical targets are water filled plastic bottles.
-I don't cut often- maybe once a month or so for an average of half an hour at a time
-this is the first straight edged longsword I have done any cutting with
-The swords in my collection are in the sub $300 price range (when considering their actual purchase price not MSRP).
To quote the review template:
“I am a backyard cutter and collector and while I love this style of sword I have not seen any examples of it for more than $300.”
Initial Impressions
The packaging for shipping was well done and what I would describe as standard box-within-a-box packaging of a sword. The Zombie Slayer was secured in its own box with styrofoam on each end shaped to fit the box and outline of the sword so there could be no jarring during transport.
First thing that struck me when unveiling the 'Slayer' was the wonderful leather smell, followed quickly by the sight of the rich antique red coloured scabbard. Great start! I next noticed the nylon cording and for a moment questioned what that was… then realized this was to secure the baldric to the scabbard. Not so good. From the pics of this sword online I was expecting leather lace. Nevertheless I glossed over this quickly as something of a minor concern and my attention went elsewhere; to the raised design on the scabbard. Another somewhat small nit to pick as the bottom of the design was ‘bent’ for lack of a better description. Again minor but my eye was immediately drawn to this. The chape was a welcome surprise as it is a heavier gauge steel than I would have expected, austere yet attractive and pleasantly shaped. I noted the grip as being comfortable with substantially thick leather that was expertly tooled and wrapped.
Having given the scabbard a cursory inspection I turned my attention to the main event; the sword. Noting the tight fit of the scabbard I began to unsheath the sword... and here’s where I felt a twinge of real disappointment. The point where the ricasso transitions to the blade was clearly botched on one side. This improperly ground curve in the ricasso was frustrating to say the least as this section of the sword is a major part of it's visual appeal. (More on this later)
*sighing* I set this out of my mind and withdrew the sword completly to find a beautiful blade with a fearsome edge and well executed fuller. Joy! A fine blade indeed. I 'lost time' for a while and just gazed at the blade taking in the lines, shapes, and finer points from hilt to tip. I can tell you that in the moments when I was studying the blade and the feeling of handling this sword, I forgot all about any negative concerns and was truly pleased with my new steel!
Statistics
(and btw yeah, that's right- I mix and match units of measure I use )
blade:
length from shoulders to tip is - 32.5", width at shoulders is 1.75", thickness at shoulders is just over 1/4" (.26") and thickness at tip is just over 1/8" (.135")
ricasso/cross:
inside measure of ricasso is 1.5", width of ricasso is 1.25" , point to point of cross is 3", width of crosspoint is 3/8"
grip:
from cross to end is 11" and 9.5" is wrapped in leather, width starts at 1.375" and widens to 1.5", thickness is just under 3/4" give or take the leather wrap (.60" to .70")
Overall Length:
45.5"
POB (Point of Balance):
4.5" from the blade shoulders
COP (Center of Percussion):
is long - over a foot of the blade exhibits no vibration when checking for cop. It begins about 6.5" from the tip and extends a for 12+" towards the grip.
Weight:
(note- this is the one measurement taken from the VA listing of this model)
2lbs 10oz
Components Details
The blade is very sharp (paper cutting if that matters to you) and from what I've read this is how edges come when you buy from Valiant Armoury. I can't deny that a part of the gratification I get from cutting with this sword is simply because the edge is so well done. It has a visible bevel that clearly is properly formed. The fuller is straight and terminates evenly 3/4 of the way to the tip. The lenticular cross section and nearly parallel profile has a subtle taper to the spatulate tip, which serves well if thrusting as it is sharp right to the point. with a wide COP there is a lot of good space along the edge for slicing. Of course this is a superbly balanced sword which has proper distal taper along the blade length while maintaing sufficient thickness throughout. It is not 'whippy' but rather on the stiffer side in fact and this serves only to impove the performace. The finish is satin and evenly polished throughout.
The grip is quite well done with firmly wrapped leather over leather. VA did in fact use thicker leather for the tread plate slabs under the crossed wrap than the prototype had. For me this is a very comfortable design with the leather offering great traction while being appropriately cushioned yet still firm. The grip has a very subtle waist and then widens along its length to the end. Before handling it I was concerned this shape, the thickness, and the relatively narower width might be an issue but I was wrong to worry. In fact it feels solid in my larger hands with no biting or stinging.
Visually this grip is wicked cool imo and certainly suits the spirit of a 'tactical' sword even if it is not the most practical. It's a good balance of functionality with fantasy. Other grip types are available- micarta and paracord.
The ricasso and cross of this sword is where a good deal of its character comes from and as I stated before a flaw here is very noticable and somewhat disheartening. In my opinion a standout design feature such as this ricasso is clearly a selling point of this sword. If you love how this sword looks then you do so in large part because of this ricasso. Now, I am aware of my own raised expectations of this sword simply due to the fact I had been fawning over it for quite a while. I can recognize the fact that this is not a custom made blade but rather a well executed production line recreation. However I still feel a flaw such as my sword has could have easily been repaired before being delivered. Yes it can be fixed with a bit of filing and for me this is an easy task, but many sword collectors do not have the tools nor the inclination to fix this themselves; I would imagine such a collector would be a little more upset than I am and rightfully so.
This concern aside, the cross/ricasso section is smooth, evenly polished, substantially thick and symmetrical. While I may choose to further smooth the edges of the ricasso area, my sword already has edges which are sufficiently rounded enough to comfortably allow a finger grip over the cross. There was some black soot in the inside edges of the ricasso which came off easily with a wipe of oil.
The scabbard and baldric are customized to my exact colour preferences and finished to my satisfaction. To the credit of the custom work done I can't speak well enough about the dye job and colours of the leather. Fantastic! The fit of the scabbard is tight and the sword can be held upside down with no chance of it falling out even with moderate shaking of it. As the blade shoulders enter the scabbard the fit tightens to a fine pressure fit. There is a nearly perfectly stright seam up the back of the scabbard, something I have always wondered about as I had not ever seen pics of the back of a Custom Sworde Shoppe scabbard. The throat and rainguard are also noteworthy as two more positive points. The tooling on the baldric is great and evenly scribed. It is for carrying only- there's no drawing the sword out while you are wearing it. The chape as mentioned above is a plus and I am happy VA decided to include this.
There are only minor concers here I can easily overlook but for the sake of transparency should be listed. There is the slightest rattle of the tip of the blade but I really have to crank on the lower part of the scabbard to make the blade rattle. The raised design on the scabbard is slightly bent at it's lowest line- as I wrote earlier it is minor and hard to show in pictures but it is something I saw right away. The baldric was creased at some point and truthfully I only really care about that because the crease happens to cut right across the design on it. The nylon lacing has already been replaced with leather lace.
Handling Characteristics
I feel this section is far and away the most subjective of any review. There is just so much personal differences in peoples experience with handling swords. I endeavour here to give as much descriptive detail as I can with the understanding that I have a better grasp on the academics of handling and cutting with this sword, than the practical action of doing so.
Basically what I'm saying is I talk better than I cut - Hahahahaha!
This sword handles like a dream. If you've heard anything about an Angus Trim designed sword you've heard they are performers with exceptional balance and harmonics. Well, I can only assume the forge that reproduced this design for VA did so very faithfully as this sword will not disappoint you when you use it.
All swords have their strong suit- their bias- the thing they do best. Of course all swords also try to some extent to be balanced to allow for varied use- some do this better than others. The VA Tac 307 excels as a combination cut and thrust sword.
To describe the handling lets Imagine for a moment the Zombie Slayer being used for its fanciful purpose of dispatching zombies. I know, I know :roll: First of all you could easily decapitate one with precision and place your cut above the collar bone yet below the jaw bone- this swords long handle and expert balance gives great control and while the blade has real presence it tracks surprisingly well considering its length. If you become surrounded the relative ease in tracking will afford smoother transtion between multiple targets. Maybe you want to go for the eyesocket-swirly-to-the-brain move and your rapier is strapped to your other belt; the stiffness of the blade would serve this purpose well in a pinch. Even one handed this sword moves with ease. With one hand you can pull yourself to safety while with the other choke up on the cross and make controlled swings to sever the rotting hands clawing at you from below.
Now if I could just get used to the sword....
Cutting Video
My experience in cutting with 2 handed blades has only been with katanas before this and I found that lots of the bad habits I struggled to get rid of when first learing to cut come back when I try a new sword. I expect to add more cutting videos here as I improve with this euro style blade.
I don't know what youtube has done lately but for some reason the last couple of vids I uploaded have significantly lowered resolution from the original recording.
Pros
- Angus Trim Design faithfully recreated at a competitive price
- impressive handling
- great value package including the sword, scabbard and baldric
- custom leather colours
- 3 grip types to choose from
- sharp as you'll ever need it to be
Cons
- grip wrap has loosened a touch - we'll see how that fares over time
- some QC issues like the ricasso and crease in the baldric
- nylon ties for the baldric
Conclusions / Bottom Line
For what you pay even at MSRP this is a fantastic sword package complete with personalized touches, a standout scabbard and suspension. The Tac 307 longsword is winner and lives up to my expectations and then some. I would glady recommend this sword to any interested party. Even if you don't like the appearance of it I challenge you to try holding and using it- you'll love how it moves. I will buy again and again from Valiant Armoury and the Custom Sword Shoppe. My concerns with what amount to cosmetic issues could never be enough to disparage VA.
Related threads throughout various forums:
SBG reveal
SBG who ordered one?
SBG forumite Madax132 review
SBG forumite Kristie review
Custom Sword Shoppe reveal
My Armoury reveal
"The Zombie Slayer"
by Chris Peroni, October 2011
Introduction
Seeing various incarnations of the ATrim Tac swords over the last couple of years I’ve always found them to be eye catching. I’ve also wanted a longsword for some time; enter the Valiant Armoury AT-Tac 307! This sword combines the looks and specifications set out by Angus Trim with the production line savings offered through Valiant Armoury, making it a very appealing collaboration. Once I learned Valiant Armoury was adding grip/scabbard/baldric options from the Custom Sword Shoppe I knew this was the right sword for me. On top of all that the sword was nicknamed ‘The Zombie Slayer’ –you gotta love that about it! I know I do. In fact here's a quote by Sonny Suttles of VA regarding the name:
“Gus always called this ‘The Zombie Slayer’ when we (Sonny & Gus) spoke of it so we decided the name should stick.
This sword is a 100% ‘Hysterically accurate’ model used during the Zombie apocalypse crusades of the year 2012. Gus sent of a sample back in time so we could arm the masses before the great outbreak.”
I placed a pre order in June 2011 and after an uncontrollable extended hold due to Chinese Customs and overseas shipping delays, they were in house at VA by September.The individual custom requests were then completed by the Sword Shoppe and my sword was shipped to me. After another hold this time by Canadian Customs I received my Zombie Slayer on October 27 2011.
Historical Overview
This sword is based on an Angus Trim original design referred to as a ‘tactical’ longsword. The term tactical in this instance describes the single piece construction without a separate pommel or guard. Typically tactical further suggests the grip is sandwiched to the full tang. Therefore the hilt of this sword does not conform to Oakeshott historical designations. (note- the hilt may well fit other historical sword types and if so I will amend this review to include such types after further study). I would offer that the blade (disregarding the ricasso of course) generally conforms to an Oakeshott type XIIa (12a) when considering the profile taper, point, lenticular shape, and fuller.
The scabbard employs a historically accepted construction. The Baldric's historical accuracy is somewhat more suspect in that while shoulder resting baldrics are common throughout history, this particular design of an over-the-shoulder-across-the-back carry system is 'different'.
Full Disclosure
As of the time of writing this review:
-I have no personal affiliation with Valiant Armoury / the Custom Sword Shoppe but I am a regular member of the related forum. I purchased this piece at a discounted pre order price which is still available to members of the Custom Sword Shoppe & related forum.
-I would rank myself as an amateur collector with a self taught knowledge of swords.
-I have no formal training in the use of swords.
- my typical targets are water filled plastic bottles.
-I don't cut often- maybe once a month or so for an average of half an hour at a time
-this is the first straight edged longsword I have done any cutting with
-The swords in my collection are in the sub $300 price range (when considering their actual purchase price not MSRP).
To quote the review template:
“I am a backyard cutter and collector and while I love this style of sword I have not seen any examples of it for more than $300.”
Initial Impressions
The packaging for shipping was well done and what I would describe as standard box-within-a-box packaging of a sword. The Zombie Slayer was secured in its own box with styrofoam on each end shaped to fit the box and outline of the sword so there could be no jarring during transport.
First thing that struck me when unveiling the 'Slayer' was the wonderful leather smell, followed quickly by the sight of the rich antique red coloured scabbard. Great start! I next noticed the nylon cording and for a moment questioned what that was… then realized this was to secure the baldric to the scabbard. Not so good. From the pics of this sword online I was expecting leather lace. Nevertheless I glossed over this quickly as something of a minor concern and my attention went elsewhere; to the raised design on the scabbard. Another somewhat small nit to pick as the bottom of the design was ‘bent’ for lack of a better description. Again minor but my eye was immediately drawn to this. The chape was a welcome surprise as it is a heavier gauge steel than I would have expected, austere yet attractive and pleasantly shaped. I noted the grip as being comfortable with substantially thick leather that was expertly tooled and wrapped.
Having given the scabbard a cursory inspection I turned my attention to the main event; the sword. Noting the tight fit of the scabbard I began to unsheath the sword... and here’s where I felt a twinge of real disappointment. The point where the ricasso transitions to the blade was clearly botched on one side. This improperly ground curve in the ricasso was frustrating to say the least as this section of the sword is a major part of it's visual appeal. (More on this later)
*sighing* I set this out of my mind and withdrew the sword completly to find a beautiful blade with a fearsome edge and well executed fuller. Joy! A fine blade indeed. I 'lost time' for a while and just gazed at the blade taking in the lines, shapes, and finer points from hilt to tip. I can tell you that in the moments when I was studying the blade and the feeling of handling this sword, I forgot all about any negative concerns and was truly pleased with my new steel!
Statistics
(and btw yeah, that's right- I mix and match units of measure I use )
blade:
length from shoulders to tip is - 32.5", width at shoulders is 1.75", thickness at shoulders is just over 1/4" (.26") and thickness at tip is just over 1/8" (.135")
ricasso/cross:
inside measure of ricasso is 1.5", width of ricasso is 1.25" , point to point of cross is 3", width of crosspoint is 3/8"
grip:
from cross to end is 11" and 9.5" is wrapped in leather, width starts at 1.375" and widens to 1.5", thickness is just under 3/4" give or take the leather wrap (.60" to .70")
Overall Length:
45.5"
POB (Point of Balance):
4.5" from the blade shoulders
COP (Center of Percussion):
is long - over a foot of the blade exhibits no vibration when checking for cop. It begins about 6.5" from the tip and extends a for 12+" towards the grip.
Weight:
(note- this is the one measurement taken from the VA listing of this model)
2lbs 10oz
Components Details
The blade is very sharp (paper cutting if that matters to you) and from what I've read this is how edges come when you buy from Valiant Armoury. I can't deny that a part of the gratification I get from cutting with this sword is simply because the edge is so well done. It has a visible bevel that clearly is properly formed. The fuller is straight and terminates evenly 3/4 of the way to the tip. The lenticular cross section and nearly parallel profile has a subtle taper to the spatulate tip, which serves well if thrusting as it is sharp right to the point. with a wide COP there is a lot of good space along the edge for slicing. Of course this is a superbly balanced sword which has proper distal taper along the blade length while maintaing sufficient thickness throughout. It is not 'whippy' but rather on the stiffer side in fact and this serves only to impove the performace. The finish is satin and evenly polished throughout.
The grip is quite well done with firmly wrapped leather over leather. VA did in fact use thicker leather for the tread plate slabs under the crossed wrap than the prototype had. For me this is a very comfortable design with the leather offering great traction while being appropriately cushioned yet still firm. The grip has a very subtle waist and then widens along its length to the end. Before handling it I was concerned this shape, the thickness, and the relatively narower width might be an issue but I was wrong to worry. In fact it feels solid in my larger hands with no biting or stinging.
Visually this grip is wicked cool imo and certainly suits the spirit of a 'tactical' sword even if it is not the most practical. It's a good balance of functionality with fantasy. Other grip types are available- micarta and paracord.
The ricasso and cross of this sword is where a good deal of its character comes from and as I stated before a flaw here is very noticable and somewhat disheartening. In my opinion a standout design feature such as this ricasso is clearly a selling point of this sword. If you love how this sword looks then you do so in large part because of this ricasso. Now, I am aware of my own raised expectations of this sword simply due to the fact I had been fawning over it for quite a while. I can recognize the fact that this is not a custom made blade but rather a well executed production line recreation. However I still feel a flaw such as my sword has could have easily been repaired before being delivered. Yes it can be fixed with a bit of filing and for me this is an easy task, but many sword collectors do not have the tools nor the inclination to fix this themselves; I would imagine such a collector would be a little more upset than I am and rightfully so.
This concern aside, the cross/ricasso section is smooth, evenly polished, substantially thick and symmetrical. While I may choose to further smooth the edges of the ricasso area, my sword already has edges which are sufficiently rounded enough to comfortably allow a finger grip over the cross. There was some black soot in the inside edges of the ricasso which came off easily with a wipe of oil.
The scabbard and baldric are customized to my exact colour preferences and finished to my satisfaction. To the credit of the custom work done I can't speak well enough about the dye job and colours of the leather. Fantastic! The fit of the scabbard is tight and the sword can be held upside down with no chance of it falling out even with moderate shaking of it. As the blade shoulders enter the scabbard the fit tightens to a fine pressure fit. There is a nearly perfectly stright seam up the back of the scabbard, something I have always wondered about as I had not ever seen pics of the back of a Custom Sworde Shoppe scabbard. The throat and rainguard are also noteworthy as two more positive points. The tooling on the baldric is great and evenly scribed. It is for carrying only- there's no drawing the sword out while you are wearing it. The chape as mentioned above is a plus and I am happy VA decided to include this.
There are only minor concers here I can easily overlook but for the sake of transparency should be listed. There is the slightest rattle of the tip of the blade but I really have to crank on the lower part of the scabbard to make the blade rattle. The raised design on the scabbard is slightly bent at it's lowest line- as I wrote earlier it is minor and hard to show in pictures but it is something I saw right away. The baldric was creased at some point and truthfully I only really care about that because the crease happens to cut right across the design on it. The nylon lacing has already been replaced with leather lace.
Handling Characteristics
I feel this section is far and away the most subjective of any review. There is just so much personal differences in peoples experience with handling swords. I endeavour here to give as much descriptive detail as I can with the understanding that I have a better grasp on the academics of handling and cutting with this sword, than the practical action of doing so.
Basically what I'm saying is I talk better than I cut - Hahahahaha!
This sword handles like a dream. If you've heard anything about an Angus Trim designed sword you've heard they are performers with exceptional balance and harmonics. Well, I can only assume the forge that reproduced this design for VA did so very faithfully as this sword will not disappoint you when you use it.
All swords have their strong suit- their bias- the thing they do best. Of course all swords also try to some extent to be balanced to allow for varied use- some do this better than others. The VA Tac 307 excels as a combination cut and thrust sword.
To describe the handling lets Imagine for a moment the Zombie Slayer being used for its fanciful purpose of dispatching zombies. I know, I know :roll: First of all you could easily decapitate one with precision and place your cut above the collar bone yet below the jaw bone- this swords long handle and expert balance gives great control and while the blade has real presence it tracks surprisingly well considering its length. If you become surrounded the relative ease in tracking will afford smoother transtion between multiple targets. Maybe you want to go for the eyesocket-swirly-to-the-brain move and your rapier is strapped to your other belt; the stiffness of the blade would serve this purpose well in a pinch. Even one handed this sword moves with ease. With one hand you can pull yourself to safety while with the other choke up on the cross and make controlled swings to sever the rotting hands clawing at you from below.
Now if I could just get used to the sword....
Cutting Video
My experience in cutting with 2 handed blades has only been with katanas before this and I found that lots of the bad habits I struggled to get rid of when first learing to cut come back when I try a new sword. I expect to add more cutting videos here as I improve with this euro style blade.
I don't know what youtube has done lately but for some reason the last couple of vids I uploaded have significantly lowered resolution from the original recording.
Pros
- Angus Trim Design faithfully recreated at a competitive price
- impressive handling
- great value package including the sword, scabbard and baldric
- custom leather colours
- 3 grip types to choose from
- sharp as you'll ever need it to be
Cons
- grip wrap has loosened a touch - we'll see how that fares over time
- some QC issues like the ricasso and crease in the baldric
- nylon ties for the baldric
Conclusions / Bottom Line
For what you pay even at MSRP this is a fantastic sword package complete with personalized touches, a standout scabbard and suspension. The Tac 307 longsword is winner and lives up to my expectations and then some. I would glady recommend this sword to any interested party. Even if you don't like the appearance of it I challenge you to try holding and using it- you'll love how it moves. I will buy again and again from Valiant Armoury and the Custom Sword Shoppe. My concerns with what amount to cosmetic issues could never be enough to disparage VA.
Related threads throughout various forums:
SBG reveal
SBG who ordered one?
SBG forumite Madax132 review
SBG forumite Kristie review
Custom Sword Shoppe reveal
My Armoury reveal