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Post by ShortbowShinnon on Sept 15, 2012 19:16:56 GMT
I've pretty much decided that DSA will be the harbinger of my first sword. I've considered their LotR swords, as I am a diehard fan, but... I'm a bit concerned, as I am "untrained", and swinging about a 4-6 pound sword composed of 40 inches of metallic death sounds rather terrifying to me. But, the DSA Dark Age sword also beckons to me. Any advice here?
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Post by Sneakypete on Sept 15, 2012 20:14:11 GMT
DSA has a very specific appeal. They make some of the toughest hardest beaters out there, something you can really put through the wringer and have it come back for more. Of course, there's a trade-off: They're typically overbuilt, and somewhat on the heavy side. They sacrifice a little in the handling aspect, and there can be some cosmetic issues as well. There's prettier, better handling and more historically accurate swords out there, but if it's pure toughness you want, you'll have a hard time doing better. Also as far as I know, DSA is the only production forge that puts out a functional Anduril. Shop around though, and see what catches your eye.
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Post by ShortbowShinnon on Sept 15, 2012 20:40:07 GMT
I've looked around for a number of weeks at most of the big sword brands, and a number of custom makers. The main things I took into account were "is it made by some factory in Asia" and "can it take a hit". So, do you think it's alright for a beginner to start out with a two-handed weapon?
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Taran
Member
Posts: 2,621
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Post by Taran on Sept 15, 2012 21:59:03 GMT
Why not? Just exercise due care and diligence when you are swinging it around.
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Post by Alfacentori on Sept 16, 2012 3:26:47 GMT
My first, and as yet only, sword was a DSA. I like it, the only slight complaint was sharpness, but that can be sorted. For the price point they are hard to beat IMHO, just don't expect the quality of a $1000 plus sword. I haven't done any real cutting with it yet, but I have no doubt it will cut just fine. That said being a two handed DSA it is not exactly light, but with practice it's quite manageable. Attachments:
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Post by Elheru Aran on Sept 17, 2012 20:17:02 GMT
'Made in Asia' isn't such a bad thing these days, you know Re DSA, honestly they probably are. Eyal has never owned up to it and the text on their website says straight up they're made in Canada, but it's very questionable whether they are. There is no *definite* proof that they aren't made in Canada... but there are some fairly good indications that they're made in Asia somewhere (India probably, China less likely). Beyond this, yes, their pieces are strong and decent quality. Nothing wrong with the swords, just with Eyal. And yeah, go for it. It'll give you a little more control as long as you're careful. I suggest ordering it sharpened from Kult of Athena; their sharpen job is much better than DSA's, or if you order direct from DSA, ask for it blunt; DSA's sharpen job is epically bad from what I hear...
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Post by Svadilfari on Sept 17, 2012 21:25:00 GMT
I have a DSA Anduril - it's an OK looking version of the movie sword. BUT..the guard and pommel are some form of cast alloy. not iron as stated on the DSA webpage. Also..the large pommel section..which makes up almost half the grip is only screwed onto a relatively thin tang. Personally, I've never felt comfortable wiith this..gripped as two hander, you have one hand on the lower portion of the grip, the other up on the pommel section. To me..this seems a recipe for disaster..the stresses for the screwed -on tang looks like a very potential point of failure. Some folks have had no problems..but I've seen one you tube vid where it failed almost on the first swing..nasty
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Post by demonocus on Sept 19, 2012 18:19:35 GMT
swords are like chips...you can't have just one
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Post by mcapanelli on Sept 20, 2012 4:10:31 GMT
This post strikes me as curious. If I may ask, what manufactures did you research. Seems to me that the big name brands, at least the big three, are all made in the U.S. and the custom smiths are also mostly in the U.S, Canada, and Europe, with two very notable ones being in Australia. none of the custom guys make swords in Asia and hilt them, they make the swords one at a time in their shops form either stock removal or forging from a billet.
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