Lunaman
Senior Forumite
Posts: 3,974
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Post by Lunaman on Jul 9, 2012 3:15:34 GMT
Got that right! Spectacular, Kelly. That may well be one of the most imposing one-handers to stare down imaginable. :shock: Got me envious of the dagger, too. Pity it ain't bigger to match the giantess main blade, but now I'm itching to get a companion piece for my sharp & stabbies. Fantastic review! As always. 
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LeMal
Member
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Post by LeMal on Jul 9, 2012 3:37:39 GMT
Always had a soft spot for the Dresden, though when the time came for an A&A long ago I went with the Cavalier, albeit with never a regret.
Your surmise is, I believe, right on target. This is a well-balanced if "ponderous" sword by the standards of its day, but specifically for a mounting man in armor who wanted something hard-hitting, almost anachronistically so. Cut over thrust all the way.
But beautiful. No one, in my opinion, tops A&A on complex hilts. My own lament is that they've never made a dagger (preferably long) to go en suite with the Cavalier.
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Post by chuckinohio on Jul 9, 2012 4:02:19 GMT
We bantered a bit on the Dresden before Dave, and it's seeming unwieldy characteristics owing to the stats alone. It has put me off of purchasing one for the longest time.
I'm tickled beyond reason to see you get your hands on one and offer up an opinion on it's actual in hand characteristics, and coming from a fellow that I can put a little stock in his opinions counts for quite a bit to boot. I have to have one, that's all there is to that story. Well that Dresden and maybe a Cavalier to boot.............................
Impressive weapon, great write up, useful insights, jealousy inspiring photos, yeah, this one is all win.
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Post by Deepbluedave on Jul 9, 2012 10:28:23 GMT
Great write up Dave, it does look very big for a one hander, but if you say the balance is spot on, then I want one, this would make a great first A&A sword.
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Post by Don Boogie on Jul 9, 2012 14:32:40 GMT
Very nice review dave,watch out folks,dave kelly is armoured and dangerous!  |
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Marc Kaden Ridgeway
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Retired Global Moderator
Awful lot of leaving and joining going on here for me .... And gosh I can't recall doing a bit of i
Posts: 8,778
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Post by Marc Kaden Ridgeway on Jul 9, 2012 14:49:46 GMT
Well Dave... another awesome review... and JOY ... a Table/Chart!!!
One hell of a set. That ..erm... rapier is a nice looking piece. Looks like it'd make a hell of a longsword... LOL ... but looks great as a complex hilt.
Thanks again, for yet-another awesome thread.
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Post by Rabel Dusk on Jul 9, 2012 15:29:30 GMT
Great review and great photos. A&A has been making that model for a long time. I wonder if they've ever retooled it over the years, and if there may be significant differences between one made in 1999 and one made now.
I'm a distal taper nut, so I wish there was a bit more of it on the Dresden. But if that's the way the original's blade was, so be it. A&A has never been as big a fan of distal taper as Albion, ATrim, and Tinker.
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Razor
Senior Forumite
Posts: 1,883 
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Post by Razor on Jul 9, 2012 16:36:04 GMT
Another awesome review Dave! This rapier resembles the rapier that George Silver describes, than the 17th Century rapiers that we in mordern time classified what a rapier suppossed to be.
This rapier fits the time frame of Silver and also the art work of Di Grassi's English volume and Joseph Swetnam's decription and art work. Silver makes more sense with a rapier that resembles this one.
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Talon
Member
Senior Forumite
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Post by Talon on Jul 9, 2012 18:11:38 GMT
:shock: i cant get over the sheer size of that sword,she's a stunner though,i certainly would't kick it out the rack,fantastic review dave im pretty envious of that collection you've got there
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Jul 9, 2012 19:33:14 GMT
Great review, that is an imposing weapon! Has anyone else noticed that A&A doesn't seem to list this sword on their site anymore?
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Post by chuckinohio on Jul 9, 2012 20:05:59 GMT
They still have it listed as one of their Matched Sets with the dagger and by knife, but not the sword itself individually on the website. It is still shown individually on page 16 of their printed catalogue, but perhaps it is destined for retirement?
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Post by William Swiger on Jul 10, 2012 6:17:10 GMT
Not my area of interest, but I could be swayed to the dark side by this one. :-)
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Post by Rabel Dusk on Jul 10, 2012 15:42:02 GMT
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