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Post by bebbcorp on Jul 24, 2012 2:37:01 GMT
Hello to all. This is my first day using these forums and I am new to swords. I recently bought a cold steel gunstock warclub and have been using it a lot cutting water bottles in the backyard. With a little practice I have became quite good with it. Now it's time for me to buy my first real sword, (had a cheap 40 katana that had a handle break almost immediately.) I am interested in western swords to start with, although it is my intent to own a one quality sword of every different type, but one thing at a time. I have been looking at three different swords available online that have caught my interest. I am thinking about a single edged blade that would be durable enough for backyard cutting and have found three that I think might fit the bill. One is the cold steel Grosse Messer. The other two are Darksword Armory Fantasy Scimitar and Ring hilted Swiss Saber. Was wondering if anyone out there either that has either owned these swords or handled them could give me any input or advice. Would like to know how well they each cut, any known problems with them, and if they would be suitable for someone of my height and build, (5' 11''-155lbs) Being an amateur mma fighter I am reasonably strong for my size so weight of the sword shouldn't be too much of an issue, although I would like a sword that is not terribly heavy paired with being well balanced as my wife will be doing some cutting as well. Any thoughts, input, criticism, or advice would be much appreciated. Thanks to all.
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Razor
Senior Forumite
Posts: 1,883
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Post by Razor on Jul 24, 2012 3:21:16 GMT
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Post by bebbcorp on Jul 24, 2012 3:48:10 GMT
I have seen this sword on the internet and looks like a very nice sword. Would it hold up to regularly cutting heavy water bottles on a every weekend basis? I am wanting something that cuts and handles nicely and also would be an unabused beater. If you think it would fit the bill, i might have to add it to my list. Looking closely at it I would almost feel bad regularly using such a beautiful sword.
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Post by Sneakypete on Jul 24, 2012 3:52:47 GMT
First of all, welcome aboard! It's a wealth of information here, with plenty of folks who can answer just about any of your questions.
Out of the items you mentioned, I've only handled the Grosse Messer. I can say, however, that if you want a beater, that'd probably be the way to go. I don't have the Warder, but I do have two other Valiants. They're excellent swords, plenty durable, but if you want something to use hard, then I'd go for the Cold Steel.
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Post by bebbcorp on Jul 24, 2012 4:02:13 GMT
I don't know much about how swords, but what was your opinion, Mr. Sneakypete of how the messer handled and would my wife, who is 5' 4" be able to have a good time cutting with it? Also is your username referring to the beer?
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Post by chrisperoni on Jul 24, 2012 4:08:53 GMT
hello! the trouble with cold steel swords is they are heavy/unbalanced and kinda overbuilt. for some people that's exactly what they want but I think if you want a sword that is a better mix of fantastic cutting ability, balance and toughness you'll prefer the Valiant Armoury offerings. If you want a bit more weight then a DSA would be a good choice while still being much more properly designed as a sword-- rather than a crowbar with an edge aka a cold steel sword. Now, to be fair to cold steel they have niche in the market and are just right for some people... but generally most sword fans don't put much stock into the cold steel way of doing things... they don't do sword geometry right. DSA does it while making a more robust beater, VA does it while using designs made by a truly great sword maker- Gus Trim.
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Razor
Senior Forumite
Posts: 1,883
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Post by Razor on Jul 24, 2012 5:57:43 GMT
I have handled a cut with the Cold Steel Grosse Messer, and everything Chrisperoni says is ture with the Messer. I have only handled and haven't cut with the DSA Swiss Saber. I haven't seen the other DSA sword butif they are anything like all the other DSA swords I have handled or cut with, I would personally pass on it. And if you don't know how to sharpen a sword? It would be better to pass on DSA. I have seen their sharpening job, it is the worst manufacturing sharpening job I have seen to date. BKS is another good manufacturer. She might have more fun with these swords than the Cold Steel and DSA, plus they will hold up for heavy use. baltimoreknife.com/falchions.htmShe might be able to cut with the with said swords, but maybe not for long. They are kinda big swords for her. There are other swords that would be good for both of you. or maybe get one for you and one for her?
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Post by DavidW on Jul 24, 2012 8:34:58 GMT
I went cutting with my grosse messer 2 weeks ago with my friends, and it works fine against bottles. Like others have said, it is rather overbuilt and heavy, but if you have strong forearms, it should be no problem.
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Post by Dave Kelly on Jul 24, 2012 10:56:05 GMT
Welcome: www.kultofathena.com/product.asp?item=CS88STS&name=Cold+Steel+Persian+ShamshirThis one probably is not on your radar screen, but as you mentioned the need to find a very sharp, light cutting sword that is managable for the missus this is a very sturdy and lethal cutter. Lighter than the Warder. A popular Hindu/Persian saber that was adopted by European Armies post Napoleon's Eygptian Campaign.
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Post by bebbcorp on Jul 25, 2012 0:44:49 GMT
I have been thinking of valiant sword and the bks falchion you reccomended. Got me looking more into looking at the other offerings from valiant, and was wondering what you thought of the Kriegwschwret. This looks like a cutting machine. I originally thought I would need a curved blade sword to cut well, but I guess some of the straight bladed swords cut amazingly, and in reviews the reviewer said it felt very light in the hand. Any thoughts on the Valiant Kriegschwert as a good beggining cutter for my wife and I?
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Post by Sneakypete on Jul 25, 2012 1:33:24 GMT
Kriegschwert would be a fine choice too, I've got one. Very elegant longsword. Light, maneuverable, comes razor sharp out of the box. Not half bad looking either!
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Razor
Senior Forumite
Posts: 1,883
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Post by Razor on Jul 25, 2012 4:43:00 GMT
Now not all Cold Steel swords are bad. The one Dave Kelly posted, is a very good sword and would be a fun sword gor you and your wife to cut with. But it sounds like you like two handed swords, which is fine a lot of people first start with two handed swords. You shouldn't have a problem cutting with a straight blade. VA swords are good swords, I have had two 1st gen/batch PLS, Bristol, and a AT303S that I put a basket hilt on. The Kriegwschwret is a type XII sword and they are good cutting swords. It should be a good sword for you two. A member here named Todash as a Kriegwschwret and a DSA Two handed Danish Sword and she is 5' 4''. Here is some video of her cutting with both her swords at one of my meet ups. Her cutting with DSA Danish Her Kriegwschwret Here is the tread of my meet up with pics and vids through out it. you can see her cutting with different swords. viewtopic.php?f=17&p=131849#p131849
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Post by MOK on Jul 25, 2012 13:34:47 GMT
I have one, and I love it. Like most good swords, it's lighter than it looks, and heavier than it feels. Feels great just to hold, powerful yet responsive, and cuts very well once I got used to cutting with long, straight blades again (it requires you to pay a bit more attention to edge alignment - which is not a bad thing). Thrusts through bottles and other light targets like they're not even there, too! Plus the furniture and scabbard are some of the best I've seen on a production sword.
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