OdinBlades Long Ship Line Morrigan Sword
Feb 1, 2012 1:08:42 GMT
Post by Sean (Shadowhowler) on Feb 1, 2012 1:08:42 GMT
OdinBlades Longship Line Morrigan Sword
Sean O Stevens, Grovetown GA
Introduction
It was not so long ago that John Lundemo (Owner/Creater of Odinblades AKA 'the Odin Dude') announced that he was going to do a line of semi-production swords, with cast bronze fittings as opposed to his typical hand carved steel. Many of us began frothing at the mouth at the prospect. I, for one, had advocated before to him that he should just keep some swords in stock as opposed to making them on a commission by commission basis... because I know many collectors who would love to own an Odin Blade... but don't like the wait associated with custom swords. They want it and they want it now. I was sure anything he kept stocked would not last long because those sort of buyers would jump on them.
Still... a semi-production line of swords was even an even cooler concept then that. '
John Partnered with James Fang for the Longship Line... and the infamous 'GreyBeard' (John Downham) made the bronze fittings. cast off originals carved by Mr. Lundemo himself. The goal being to create a line with a large but limited run that customers could buy from, knowing exactly what they were getting beforehand. Also, with the fittings being cast John could produce them more quickly... which is good news for impatient collectors.
Already having a couple Odinblades... I knew i would be wanting some of the new Longship line. Also... I knew this would be VERY big for the sword collecting community, as it made owning an Odinblade easier and accessible to more people then before. I wanted to be a part of it... so I grabbed a handful of the first batch to review.
This one... the Morrigan... I always knew i HAD to have.
Its the next iteration of the now Famous 'Celtic Wolf' sword... the one so many Odinblade fans have seen and wished was there's for many years now... myself chief among them. Anyone who knows me knows i have a powerful love for wolves... and a long history with them. So when i heard there was going to be a new version of the 'Celtic Wolf' in the Longship Line... I knew i had to have it.
Historical overview
This is a fantasy based sword... so it has no true historical precedent outside of its lineage within Odinblades own lore.
Full Disclosure
I bought this sword with my own money... and received no consideration or influence in regards to this review. I have bought swords from John before... and have had correspondence with him via e-mail many times.
Initial Impressions
The first thing you notice about this, or any Odinblade, is the packaging. Just take a look...
He builds a wooden create for his swords! Having bought from him before, this was not a surprise... but it still impresses me. The swords are packed in there so solidly that even the ham-handed USPS would be hard pressed to damage them. I've noticed this level of care with shipping is something custom makers tend to do... and its one of the many reasons going custom is so appealing. When someone puts so much care into crafting something... they want to make sure it makes it to its new owner intact.
After digging the sword out of its cocoon of protective packaging... I was instantly impressed by the over all quality of the sword. I had some worries about the Bronze furniture... as I'm not a huge fan and tend to prefer steel... but on the Morrigan the fittings are darkened a bit and are very well shaped... I think they are VERY impressive.
Also interesting is that the Longship Line is going to come with certificates of authenticity. These state which sword your Longship blade is, what number in the limited run they are, and are signed and dated by John Lundemo.
Statistics
Weight: 3lbs 10-12oz *
Overall Length: 43.25 inches
Blade Length: 32.5 inches
Grip Length: 8 inches
Blade Width (At Base): 2 inches
Blade Width (At Leaf Belly): 1.75 inches
Blade Width (One inch from tip): .75 inches
Center Of Balance: 4.25 Inches from Guard
* give or take a couple oz
Components
The Blade
The blade has a nice satin finish. Its a subtle and attractive leaf shape... John does a GREAT job with these leaf blades at making them dynamic looking without looking over-done or silly. The blade has a clean sharp edge very typical of odinblades.
The Guard
The guard is very well slotted to the blade and matched to the grip... its overall shape is VERY dramatic and interesting... but the main thing for me is the wolfs head. Its the center of this sword for me... and the main reason I am drawn to the blade. Its MUCH more subtle then the Celtic wolf... which could be good and bad. Good in that being more subdued helps the over-all character and lines of the sword flow IMO... bad in that I love all things wolf, and I would not mind a bit more flare in its representation here.
The Pommel
The pommel is meant to be a wolfs paw... and is executed very well. The peen almost vanishes in between the wolves toes. Its sizable and would likely hurt to be smacked in the face by it. It continues the wolf theme of the sword very nicely.
The Grip
I'm in love with the grip on the Morrigan. The dark green leather is done very well... John does such a great job with his grips, getting them just the right size... you rally get the feeling that its made by a man who understand how a sword should feel in your hand. The center ring is a look I really like... and it ties in the look of the sword very well. At 8 inches the grip space is perfect for me.
Handling Characteristics
I'm still getting used to this sword... its very unique.
Its heavy, especially considering the somewhat short length of the blade... however... the PoB is right where i like it, and the weigh distributes VERY well once the sword is in hand. Its that magic that John and other some other custom sword makers are able to accomplish... where you have to go beyond the stats and FEEL the sword to understand it.
It recovers quickly and does not display the blade-heavy feel that many leafblades do. Much of the weight of the sword, I expect, is the large bronze pommel and some in the guard... but the balance is startlingly good.
The blade length suggests a bastard sword... and it can be swung with one hand fairly well... but becomes almost weightless when both hands are placed on the hilt.
Test Cutting
As you can see... i had some batted bottles... and I even whacked the crap out of the cutting stand at one point. the good news of that is... the blade held up well with no damage. :lol: In all... the sword cuts very well... i tend to cut better with single handed swords then with two handed swords... the body mechanics just work better for me, not sure why.
That said... the Morrigan is FUN to cut with. The wide cutting belly of the leaf blade gives me the feeling that it could cut heavier targets very well... I look forward to testing that theory.
Conclusions
The Longship line is a VERY exciting venture... and i think a lot of people who might not have had the chance to own an Odinblade before will get to now. All of those who are a bit leery of going custom will hopefully be able to buy a Longship Line sword when they have some in stock... and they will get to see just what an amazing sword smith like John Lundemo can do.
The Morrigan was a must have for me... and it did not disappoint. The over all quality of everything on the sword is top notch, as it always is with OdinBlades. The Bronze fittings... which was somewhat concerned about... have proven to be both beautiful and very sturdy... they fit the blade very well.
I think the Longship swords are a great entry blade for those looking to make the jump from production to custom swords.
Pros
Amazing Odinblade quality with a slightly smaller price.
Options... you can mix guards, pommels, grip color, make small changes in blade length in some cases.
Top notch service... from packing and shipping to James keeping in touch.
For those Leary of custom work unknowns, the Longship Line gives you a strong sense of what you will get.
Cons
The a good value in custom blades, the price is higher then some can afford for a sword.
Bronze fittings might not appeal to everyone.
The Bottom Line
I think the Longship Line is one of the best ideas to hit the sword collection community in some time. Right up there with What Sonny Suttles did with Valiant Armory and the Custom Sword Shoppe, and Tried and True Armory for atrims, the Longship Line is going to make amazing Odinblade quality swords available to a much larger group of collectors then was possible before... and that is a VERY good thing.
The Morrigan itself is a very unique sword... and for those who love Wolves, or LeafBlades, or just unique and well crafted custom swords... they will NOT be disappointed by this sword.
Thanks for reading.
Sean O Stevens, Grovetown GA
Introduction
It was not so long ago that John Lundemo (Owner/Creater of Odinblades AKA 'the Odin Dude') announced that he was going to do a line of semi-production swords, with cast bronze fittings as opposed to his typical hand carved steel. Many of us began frothing at the mouth at the prospect. I, for one, had advocated before to him that he should just keep some swords in stock as opposed to making them on a commission by commission basis... because I know many collectors who would love to own an Odin Blade... but don't like the wait associated with custom swords. They want it and they want it now. I was sure anything he kept stocked would not last long because those sort of buyers would jump on them.
Still... a semi-production line of swords was even an even cooler concept then that. '
John Partnered with James Fang for the Longship Line... and the infamous 'GreyBeard' (John Downham) made the bronze fittings. cast off originals carved by Mr. Lundemo himself. The goal being to create a line with a large but limited run that customers could buy from, knowing exactly what they were getting beforehand. Also, with the fittings being cast John could produce them more quickly... which is good news for impatient collectors.
Already having a couple Odinblades... I knew i would be wanting some of the new Longship line. Also... I knew this would be VERY big for the sword collecting community, as it made owning an Odinblade easier and accessible to more people then before. I wanted to be a part of it... so I grabbed a handful of the first batch to review.
This one... the Morrigan... I always knew i HAD to have.
Its the next iteration of the now Famous 'Celtic Wolf' sword... the one so many Odinblade fans have seen and wished was there's for many years now... myself chief among them. Anyone who knows me knows i have a powerful love for wolves... and a long history with them. So when i heard there was going to be a new version of the 'Celtic Wolf' in the Longship Line... I knew i had to have it.
Historical overview
This is a fantasy based sword... so it has no true historical precedent outside of its lineage within Odinblades own lore.
Full Disclosure
I bought this sword with my own money... and received no consideration or influence in regards to this review. I have bought swords from John before... and have had correspondence with him via e-mail many times.
Initial Impressions
The first thing you notice about this, or any Odinblade, is the packaging. Just take a look...
He builds a wooden create for his swords! Having bought from him before, this was not a surprise... but it still impresses me. The swords are packed in there so solidly that even the ham-handed USPS would be hard pressed to damage them. I've noticed this level of care with shipping is something custom makers tend to do... and its one of the many reasons going custom is so appealing. When someone puts so much care into crafting something... they want to make sure it makes it to its new owner intact.
After digging the sword out of its cocoon of protective packaging... I was instantly impressed by the over all quality of the sword. I had some worries about the Bronze furniture... as I'm not a huge fan and tend to prefer steel... but on the Morrigan the fittings are darkened a bit and are very well shaped... I think they are VERY impressive.
Also interesting is that the Longship Line is going to come with certificates of authenticity. These state which sword your Longship blade is, what number in the limited run they are, and are signed and dated by John Lundemo.
Statistics
Weight: 3lbs 10-12oz *
Overall Length: 43.25 inches
Blade Length: 32.5 inches
Grip Length: 8 inches
Blade Width (At Base): 2 inches
Blade Width (At Leaf Belly): 1.75 inches
Blade Width (One inch from tip): .75 inches
Center Of Balance: 4.25 Inches from Guard
* give or take a couple oz
Components
The Blade
The blade has a nice satin finish. Its a subtle and attractive leaf shape... John does a GREAT job with these leaf blades at making them dynamic looking without looking over-done or silly. The blade has a clean sharp edge very typical of odinblades.
The Guard
The guard is very well slotted to the blade and matched to the grip... its overall shape is VERY dramatic and interesting... but the main thing for me is the wolfs head. Its the center of this sword for me... and the main reason I am drawn to the blade. Its MUCH more subtle then the Celtic wolf... which could be good and bad. Good in that being more subdued helps the over-all character and lines of the sword flow IMO... bad in that I love all things wolf, and I would not mind a bit more flare in its representation here.
The Pommel
The pommel is meant to be a wolfs paw... and is executed very well. The peen almost vanishes in between the wolves toes. Its sizable and would likely hurt to be smacked in the face by it. It continues the wolf theme of the sword very nicely.
The Grip
I'm in love with the grip on the Morrigan. The dark green leather is done very well... John does such a great job with his grips, getting them just the right size... you rally get the feeling that its made by a man who understand how a sword should feel in your hand. The center ring is a look I really like... and it ties in the look of the sword very well. At 8 inches the grip space is perfect for me.
Handling Characteristics
I'm still getting used to this sword... its very unique.
Its heavy, especially considering the somewhat short length of the blade... however... the PoB is right where i like it, and the weigh distributes VERY well once the sword is in hand. Its that magic that John and other some other custom sword makers are able to accomplish... where you have to go beyond the stats and FEEL the sword to understand it.
It recovers quickly and does not display the blade-heavy feel that many leafblades do. Much of the weight of the sword, I expect, is the large bronze pommel and some in the guard... but the balance is startlingly good.
The blade length suggests a bastard sword... and it can be swung with one hand fairly well... but becomes almost weightless when both hands are placed on the hilt.
Test Cutting
As you can see... i had some batted bottles... and I even whacked the crap out of the cutting stand at one point. the good news of that is... the blade held up well with no damage. :lol: In all... the sword cuts very well... i tend to cut better with single handed swords then with two handed swords... the body mechanics just work better for me, not sure why.
That said... the Morrigan is FUN to cut with. The wide cutting belly of the leaf blade gives me the feeling that it could cut heavier targets very well... I look forward to testing that theory.
Conclusions
The Longship line is a VERY exciting venture... and i think a lot of people who might not have had the chance to own an Odinblade before will get to now. All of those who are a bit leery of going custom will hopefully be able to buy a Longship Line sword when they have some in stock... and they will get to see just what an amazing sword smith like John Lundemo can do.
The Morrigan was a must have for me... and it did not disappoint. The over all quality of everything on the sword is top notch, as it always is with OdinBlades. The Bronze fittings... which was somewhat concerned about... have proven to be both beautiful and very sturdy... they fit the blade very well.
I think the Longship swords are a great entry blade for those looking to make the jump from production to custom swords.
Pros
Amazing Odinblade quality with a slightly smaller price.
Options... you can mix guards, pommels, grip color, make small changes in blade length in some cases.
Top notch service... from packing and shipping to James keeping in touch.
For those Leary of custom work unknowns, the Longship Line gives you a strong sense of what you will get.
Cons
The a good value in custom blades, the price is higher then some can afford for a sword.
Bronze fittings might not appeal to everyone.
The Bottom Line
I think the Longship Line is one of the best ideas to hit the sword collection community in some time. Right up there with What Sonny Suttles did with Valiant Armory and the Custom Sword Shoppe, and Tried and True Armory for atrims, the Longship Line is going to make amazing Odinblade quality swords available to a much larger group of collectors then was possible before... and that is a VERY good thing.
The Morrigan itself is a very unique sword... and for those who love Wolves, or LeafBlades, or just unique and well crafted custom swords... they will NOT be disappointed by this sword.
Thanks for reading.